I am new to this site and found it interesting but somewhat frustrating in that I am NEW -

trying to find the best way to get from Chicago to Orlando leaving 12/18 and coming back 12/27 (preferably via New Orleans due to the layover time) and I'm taking my 2-year-old daughter with me so NEED a sleeper!!

1st: how to get cheapest fares (don't have AAA, or student advantage)

2nd: every time I go online, the available options (i.e. sleeper cars) are sold out

3rd: the prices keep getting higher each time I go online for the accommodations

4th: based on one comment about how horrible the train was, do I even WANT to take my daughter on such a trip???

any advice??

Yikes - you can fly for under $200 each (USAir has connections on those dates for just about $200) or $275 each if you want to go non-stop. Why subject yourself to a trip that will be longer and more costly?!

well, there are a few reasons:
a: I don't fly "well"
b: my daughter has never flown so not sure how "well" she'll do
c: she doesn't like to sit still and it's a 3+ hour flight PLUS the amount of time you have to dicker around at the airport
d: luggage is a problem to begin with on a plane; and when you have a 2-yr-old, it is only intensified (diaper bag, toys to amuse, etc. etc.)
e: the train seemed a bit more "fun" for her, although longer I admit

I did check out airfare and since she JUST turned 2, they won't let her fly free anymore and told me that the child fare is actually HIGHER than just getting 2 adult fare -- how they can figure that is beyond me!!

I'm a regular passenger on the Acela between NY and Boston because of the hassles of airport travel. And I've gone through the experience of travelling with my kids by air - starting with my daughter at 3 months. Lugging everything is an experience. But you'll need to lug it onto the train as well. The thrill of the train ride passes quickly, despite Amtrak's desire to market it as something special. As for the airfare - children 2 and older travel for the same fare as an adult, so long as they are accompanied by an adult. A higher fare would apply to an unaccompied minor (and no airline is taking a 2 year old without an adult). Children under 2 fly for free if they don't occupy a seat - and for 50% of the adult fare if they do occupy a seat. No offense, but I don't understand the logic of parents who wouldn't drive down the street without their kids strapped into a car seat, but are content to hold them unrestrained on an airplane shooting down the runway at a few hundred miles an hour. We paid full fare for my daughter when she was under 2, and were happy that the airlines had introduced the 50% fare by the time my son was born. Anyway, of all the things you mention, the only factor that seems significant is that you "don't fly well" - the other items will exist on the train, and just be more pronounced because it is a longer ride.

As for your original question - the Amtrak website can be difficult to navigate when trying to book accomodations. I took a look at the options for your travel dates, and it appears that there are only limited possibilities where accomodations are still available, and that on those trains where you can book upgraded travel you would have some or all of the following: long travel times (i.e. more than 24 hours), long layovers (even if all trains operate on time), and very expensive fares (i.e. well over $1,000 for the two of you, and perhaps over $2,000). You could fly first class for as low as $700 each and be there in 3 hours!!!!

As for your original question - the Amtrak website can be difficult to navigate when trying to book accomodations. I took a look at the options for your travel dates, and it appears that there are only limited possibilities where accomodations are still available, and that on those trains where you can book upgraded travel you would have some or all of the following: long travel times (i.e. more than 24 hours), long layovers (even if all trains operate on time), and very expensive fares (i.e. well over $1,000 for the two of you, and perhaps over $2,000). You could fly first class for as low as $700 each and be there in 3 hours!!!![/QUOTE]

thanks for the info - I know the train would have the same problems but it's just easier (at least in theory) to manuever a 2 yr old on a train (in a sleeping car that you can go to when she's tired and crying) vs. a crowded and full airplane (not to mention trying to go to the bathroom!)

anyway, you did say one thing that peaked my interest: where did you find FIRST CLASS airfare for $700???? that would be interesting to me as those seats are much bigger, correct -- and that sectio is not as crowded, correct -- and the service is much more "personable", correct?

thanks again

Looking at www.expedia.com I see First Class on Air Tran, connecting in Atlanta, for $707.40 (including expedia's $5 fee - book at Air Tran's website and you won't pay the fee). Delta starts at just over $1,000 each, also for a connection. AA's nonstops are $1,700 though.

If you are taking the train beware of Amtrak's new baggage policy:

I did find Northwest from Milwaukee NONSTOP at $524 a person (but from Chicago the same flight is $1700!!!!) -- amazing!!!

I really don't want to change planes or do any kind of stops -- the shorter the better, and first class is at least more room -- maybe I'll just drive to Milwaukee and fly 1st class from there -- $1100 for two first class is much better than anything Amtrak seems to have out there -- thanks!!! ^

Call 1-800-USA-RAIL to sort out the pricing/availability issues. The price is likely going up each time you check because those are busy dates and they're booking up fast. Also ask about the baggage policy for sleeper passengers. I think you get some more allowances with a sleeper since you have more room to stow the luggage.

As for hauling the 'stuff', from the moment you get out of your car, a redcap will haul whatever bags you want, to wherever you want for a nice tip. In your case, that's probably worth it. You can also arrange for a pickup at your destinations and never have to lift your bags until you get to your hotel/destination.

But as others have said, you may be better off enduring a few hours of airport headaches than a few days of riding the train with an impatient 2 year old.....

$1100 for a 3 hour flight? More like insane. And do you really think that your daughter would enjoy and/or care about whether or not it's First class?
Oh yeah, you will aslo have to pay for 9 days of parking at MKE.

Just buy a $200-300 non stop coach ticket from Chicago and problem solved.

I will definitely fly if I were you. Sunset Limited east bound trains are notorious for their lengthy delay. You are very likely to have to spend a cold night in New Orleans with your two year old daughter at the union station and maybe arrive in Orlando in the middle of the night. You trip back should be slightly better but again you may miss train 58 to Chicago due to relatively short layover.

You may enjoy the train ride but I really don't think your daughter will.

By the way, if you really want to take the train, plan one night stay at New Orleans would make your whole trip much enjoyable. But I guess this would cut your vacation very very short.

Actually the baggage policy is the same for sleepers as it is for coach passengers. And if one is traveling in a roomette (formerly the Standard Bedroom), then space is very tight. The Bedroom (Deluxe Bedroom) does offer more storage space, but even then, more than the standard two bags per person is pushing it especially on a Superliner. The Viewliner Bedroom actually has more space, even though there is no downstairs luggage rack like there is on the Superliner.

I've also heard that Amtrak is enforcing this policy rather uniformly. In fact I just heard a story of one conductor actually leaving someone behind who refused to comply.

if you do go amtrak, you might find that you'll save money if you buy an AAA membership before ticketing.

IIRC, it's about $50/year