u/MannnOfHammm

Wasn’t as good as I remember, but still a fun time, I loved the cheap boozy drinks, my ziti fritta and the ambience over the bland modern locations (until a frat group sat next to me).

Going to nyc in April for a show, it is towards the side but second row mez, plus the winter garden has phenomenal sightlines I’m very excited to finally see Evita live. They still have some insane premium seat prices but it was nice to see a rather reasonable price for such a majorly hyped show.

I’ll be on the Ocean next April and am very excited to try out VIA sleepers. I’m coming up from the US on the Adirondack to spend some time in Montreal and Quebec City (using VIA rail) before going out to Halifax for two days. I already loved how much cheaper this was then Amtrak sleeper class (about 400 USD for what would be upwards of 600-1000 on Amtrak) for what is essentially the equivalent of a full bedroom on Amtrak, much cheaper while still getting lounge access and meals and everything. I also loved how you got to choose which cabin you wanted, Amtrak just assigns at random. I’m hoping to have a very good trip and I’m excited to see how it compares to Amtrak sleeper class.

Any travel tips are greatly appreciated and I am very excited for this! Thank you all in advance!

Rode Acela first class from BWI to NYC today and had a blast! First time in Acela first class and on next gen and better than I expected from reviews.

Pros:

- Attendants - amazing service! Attentive, friendly and fast at getting my lunch together (about 20 minutes) for getting on directly after the first stop.
- Food - not as good as traditional dining of course but very well done. I had the burnt ends mac and the truffles (small size but tasty). Comparative to flex dining but always happy to have food included.
- Free Alcohol - I didn’t go overboard but it was nice to have the option and it felt like it justified the price a little. The Gin and Tonic tasted like it was made with soda water but overall not bad, I did enjoy the Acela branded glass.
- Smoothness and Speed - wow, just wow. I’ve been on one European hsr train but to be going 150 or so mph in the us was amazing, it also felt very smooth compared to the Keystone Service I’m used too.

Cons:

- Car Assignment Plaques - this is probably on BWI but they have removed the plaques on the station platform that tell you where to stand for each car and it was just guess work to get to my car. They did announce first was in the back so I stood towards the southbound end and had to walk to catch the last car. Not too too big but there was mass confusion before boarding.

- Seats - not the worst but I can see how it gets bad long distance wise. The “recline” helps a lot. Not the best, not the worst but I can see how it’s an issue.
- Cafe Access - I get First Class is meant to be a haven of sorts but it felt awkward to get to the cafe to go through the galley. The attendant assisted me in getting through since I hadn’t been on next gen and wanted to see, he did also ask what I was interested in which was nice. Again it’s not the worst but not the best to walk about the train.
- Bathroom - confusion in getting into the bathroom aside (didn’t know the door opens for you) it wasn’t the best design. It felt like I had to really lean into the vanity and mirror to use the sink and the soap dispensers were out, thankfully they had pumpers, just not the best set up over all.

Overall a fun trip, it’s a good upgrade, it did feel weird not having the look and feel of legacy acela/amfleet/superliners, but I’m glad I got to try it and the station lounge when I got to nyc was a big plus.

I’ll be happy to answer any questions as well!

- Flying Cobras - Carowinds - in the state fair themed to an air show, not a lot of physical theming but cool car and track paint and a fitting theme for a boomerang
- Jolly Rancher Remix - Hersheypark - Another well done overhaul of a boomerang, making it jolly rancher colored, a fun station and a smell o vision tunnel were smart moves and were fun, even if the Hersheypark bad naming curse struck on its flat ride counterpart
- Fluch des Kraken - Freizeit-Land Geiselwind (Bavaria) - It’s a boomerang in a castle, need I say more?
- John Wick: Open Contract - Motiongate Dubai - it’s still a 4D free spin but a cool theme and queue

If you head to Pazzo Italiano in Rehoboth Beach Delaware they sell the Amtrak butter cakes plus different flavors like dulce de lecce or chocolate. I got twelve vanilla which should last me a week or so.

Was in Ocean City, Maryland for the day with family and got to ride tidal wave, a 1986 Vekoma boomerang with original over the shoulder only restraints. It cost 10.50 to ride and besides waiting in the station for five to ten minutes for dispatch (presumably to have enough people on the train or whatever standards the park has). For being one of the oldest of the model (2 years after entering service) and for being next to the ocean it’s surprisingly smooth, the only head brand was on the exit of the upper right corkscrew when you’re going backwards. Overall a more rare credit Timmy, since an operates seasonally at the beach and it feels very out of place, but a very fun ride and better than the pinfari looping death trap up the boardwalk at Jolly Roger. Sadly, the SBF Visa was closed so I couldn’t try a new coaster type.