California Zephyr With 2 Kids - Family Bedroom vs 2 Roomettes

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gtalum

Train Attendant
Joined
Jan 1, 2019
Messages
29
I'm looking at taking my two kids (14 and 7 years old) on the California Zephyr. The family bedroom is quite a bit less expensive than two roomettes on one particular departure date. Is it worth saving several hundred dollars to put us in the family bedroom? Are the views inferior to the roomettes, since they're on the lower floor? This is likely a one-time trip for us, if that is any consideration.

The alternative is putting my 14 year old daughter in a roomette across the hall from my son and I. She'd probably prefer her own room. :)
 
I think it would make sense for you to do the family bedroom. Yes, it is on the lower level but you get views out of both sides which is cool, and in the Rockies it can be a major advantage. Also you are close to the bathrooms and shower. The kids' beds are smaller, but if the 14 year old isn't very tall she would fit. But you are probably correct the older one would probaby prefer her own room.
 
I'm looking at taking my two kids (14 and 7 years old) on the California Zephyr. The family bedroom is quite a bit less expensive than two roomettes on one particular departure date. Is it worth saving several hundred dollars to put us in the family bedroom? Are the views inferior to the roomettes, since they're on the lower floor? This is likely a one-time trip for us, if that is any consideration.

The alternative is putting my 14 year old daughter in a roomette across the hall from my son and I. She'd probably prefer her own room. :)
We all prefer our own Room, but Several Hundred Dollars is a big factor in your decision.

Personally Id go for the Family Room!
 
I think it would make sense for you to do the family bedroom. Yes, it is on the lower level but you get views out of both sides which is cool, and in the Rockies it can be a major advantage. Also you are close to the bathrooms and shower. The kids' beds are smaller, but if the 14 year old isn't very tall she would fit. But you are probably correct the older one would probaby prefer her own room.

Since it's just me and the kids, she could take the bigger upper bunk. This is the way I'm leaning. I'm mainly concerned because I've read that the windows are smaller. But the fact that there are windows on both sides is a positive.
 
We all prefer our own Room, but Several Hundred Dollars is a big factor in your decision.

Personally Id go for the Family Room!

This is the way I'm leaning. I really just want to make sure the views are still good.
 
Since it's just me and the kids, she could take the bigger upper bunk. This is the way I'm leaning. I'm mainly concerned because I've read that the windows are smaller. But the fact that there are windows on both sides is a positive.

You're right, the smaller windows is a downer. The advantage of two roomettes is that if they are on opposite sides of the train you can bee-bob back and forth as the terrrain changes. But three sightseeing in a small room even during the day is very tight, so I suspect the 14 year old will have a lot of alone time. ;-)
 
If money is not something you are worried about, the two rooms would be great. Big windows on the upper level on both sides. Plus the girl would get her own room, and any teenager would want their own room.

If you want to save money, it will be just fine doing the family bedroom. But I would rather do the two roomettes personally!
 
If you refer to the fare charts here... Long Distance Train Coach & Sleeper Fares (Buckets) ...you'll notice that it's possible two Roomettes could be cheaper than one Family Bedroom for the three of you provided you have some flexibility in your travel date.

In addition, consider that the Family Bedroom windows are only half the width of those in other sleeper rooms:
Sleeper Kneespace.jpg
And if this is a one-time occasion, uh, what's money got to do with it anyway?

I'd go for two Roomettes across from each other and to get them you'd need to make the reservation with an agent - can't get that arrangement by booking online. If you try booking two Roomettes online you might even get Roomettes in two different cars!
 
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Is it worth saving several hundred dollars to put us in the family bedroom? Are the views inferior to the roomettes, since they're on the lower floor? This is likely a one-time trip for us, if that is any consideration.
It can be hard to discuss value with a stranger but I don't think the views are all that different between first and second floor. The windows are smaller but I think the Family room will be fine in most respects so long as you're open to a different experience. Most of the time I'd be in the lounge car anyway. When I was a teen we didn't have smart phones but be aware that connectivity will be limited. That could be good or bad depending on goals and personalities.
 
It can be hard to discuss value with a stranger but I don't think the views are all that different between first and second floor. The windows are smaller but I think the Family room will be fine in most respects so long as you're open to a different experience. Most of the time I'd be in the lounge car anyway. When I was a teen we didn't have smart phones but be aware that connectivity will be limited. That could be good or bad depending on goals and personalities.

I have warned my daughter that she will not have cell service most of the trip. She still says she wants to do it.

The boy (7) is obsessed with trains. I'll put some videos on his iPad and he can play games, but I think his face will be plastered to the window most of the time. :)
 
Thanks everyone for your input! I think we're going to do the two roomettes. I will be sure to call to reserve them, so that we get assigned roomettes across the hall.

I may wait a few weeks to see what happens with the daily service requirement in the new covid bill. Perhaps fares will drop if they release a bunch of capacity...
 
Another consideration is the ability to clean the outsides of windows at station stops for better viewing and photos if the room(s) are on the lower level. Train windows tend to get dirty from diesel smoke from the locomotives and dust - especially if they get wet from rain - especially if there are lots of tunnels like West of Denver on the CZ. There's nothing that can be done to clean windows on the upper level. And don't worry about people peeking in on the lower level - the window are almost like one-way mirrors.

In addition, windows on the lower level would offer your train-happy son better views of the adjacent trackwork - it can be quite fascinating in urban areas with double slip switches and such things. In regard to fares dropping when daily service resumes - I wouldn't count on it. Fares can be quite unpredictable and the best we to get a low one is to check every day or so. If you can't find the lowest fare in your range of travel dates you can book it anyway (just to make sure you have the rooms reserved) and then keep on checking. If the fare drops, call back and have the reservation modified to the lower fare. In case you haven't already found out, total fare for the three of you in two Roomettes from CHI to EMY could be anywhere from $1,238 to $2,216.

Just curious:

• What are your intended on and off points on the CZ?
• How do you plan on getting back home?
• What's the window of opportunity for this trip?
 
We're traveling in June. I've checked every date in June, and we can go anytime in June. We're going to travel the CZ from Chicago to Emeryville. We're flying to Chicago and flying home. I'm planning a couple days of sightseeing in Chicago and California as well.
 
I think two Roomettes are best, and also suggest booking the lower level (rooms 11 & 12 or 13 & 14). You are very close to the exit door, so it is easy to step off the train at the stretch / smoke stops (listed below). You're closer to the shower and three toilets (as opposed to one toilet for ten rooms upstairs), as well as closer to the luggage rack (suitcases won't fit in your room). ANd there's almost no traffic in the hallway between your pair of rooms, so you won't be disturbed as much if you keep your doors open to communicate between the rooms.

Stretch / smoke stops:

Sacramento, CA

Reno, NV

Winnemucca, NV

Salt Lake City, UT

Grand Junction, CO

Glenwood Springs, CO

Fraser-Winter Park, CO

Denver, CO

Omaha, NE

Ottumwa, IA

Galesburg, IL
 
Thanks. As of noon today, all June travel days are high bucket at $2,216 except for the 2nd and 7th at $1,968 and the 30th at $1,720.

Here are the five possible fares for your trip: $1238, 1488, 1720, 1968 and 2216. Check often. Everyone here has their own pet theory on Amtrak fare fluctuations. Mine is they are totally unpredictable.
 
Thanks. As of noon today, all June travel days are high bucket at $2,216 except for the 2nd and 7th at $1,968 and the 30th at $1,720.

Here are the five possible fares for your trip: $1238, 1488, 1720, 1968 and 2216. Check often. Everyone here has their own pet theory on Amtrak fare fluctuations. Mine is they are totally unpredictable.

There's a $1181 Family Bedroom fare which is one reason I might book that instead of two roomettes. I appreciate your help!
 
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That $1238 is the cheapest fare for the three of you all in two Roomettes. The cheapest Family Bedroom would be $1332. Sorry that wasn't clear in my previous post (now edited).
 
That $1238 is the cheapest fare for the three of you all in two Roomettes. The cheapest Family Bedroom would be $1332. Sorry that wasn't clear in my previous post (now edited).

I edited my post too, because I misremembered. There's a family bedroom for $1181 on one day. Maybe the difference the child discount?

When I search I'm using 1 Adult, 1 Youth, and 1 Child.
 
That $1332 figure was for a low bucket Bedroom - my bad - edited it. Only six Family Bedrooms are available during the 2 Jun through 7 Jul period. The low bucket fare of $1181 on 2 Jun, and five other high bucket fares of $2074 on various dates.
 
I think I'm probably going to get the two roomettes. That said, I may wait for the covid bill to pass to see what comes of the daily service mandate.
 
By the way, i appreciate the time you've put into this. Though I understand as well as anyone that sometimes searching/planning for travel is almost as fun as travel itself. :)
 
I really have no recommendation as far as rooms on upper level vs. lower level and have had both. Here's a car floor plan in case you haven't seen one:
Superliner Sleeper Layout.jpg
Upper level rooms have the advantages of:
• Being able to see things from higher up with views not as readily blocked by rolling stock on adjacent tracks or cuts through the terrain
• Closer to the coffee pot
• No need to traverse the stairs getting to/from the diner or sightseer lounge cars
• Less eyestrain looking out the windows as the scenery doesn't seen to whiz by so fast

Lower level rooms have the advantages of:
• Better views of adjacent trackwork, boxcar graffiti, other things down low to the ground
• Two more common use toilets to choose from (only one of them upstairs)
• Easier access to the shower room
• Easier access to any carry-on luggage stored on the racks shown above.
• Much less foot traffic in the short hallways that are dead ends
• Outsides of windows can be cleaned for better viewing & photos
• Easier to hear the various sounds made by the wheels when going over turnouts, bridges, rail joints (occasionally)
• A very narrow enclosed closet on the right side of the entry door.

The main thing I don't like about upper lever rooms is its single commode. It doesn't happen too often, but its condition sometimes makes me wonder what kind of potty training some people got. That's less of a problem with three to pick from downstairs. And I'm by no means a hoity-toity bathroom connoisseur. I've got two of 'em and here's the second one:
IMG_2767b.JPG

But, one person's likes are another person's dreaded fears. Some hate the potty in a Viewliner Roomette, but I think it's pretty neat myself.
 
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That $1332 figure was for a low bucket Bedroom - my bad - edited it. Only six Family Bedrooms are available during the 2 Jun through 7 Jul period. The low bucket fare of $1181 on 2 Jun, and five other high bucket fares of $2074 on various dates.
Aren't there three?

One per sleeper, three (possibly four) superliner sleepers on a train?
 
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