Okay, I need to ride in Acela first class now. (The last Amtrak train I took was a "Holiday Special" that turned out to be a NJ Transit train that they'd hauled down to DC to handle the extra Thanksgiving traffic. No cafe car, very few bathrooms. It completely sucked in every way.)

I'd like to mention that this isn't always the main event. If you are a party person (and many Buffistas are), the Prom is the centerpiece of the weekend. If you are a shy person who freezes up in crowds (and many Buffistas are), the centerpiece of the weekend is all the small outings.

True. I meant "main" only in the sense that it's the one thing that's been at every F2F, and (so far) the only event which everyone can reasonably be expected to attend.

It's no lap of luxury, but the smaller number of stops alone can make a big difference,

Really? I've usually found that the Acela is just barely faster than the Northeast Regional or Metroliner -- maybe shaving half an hour off the DC-NY route. It only makes one or two fewer stops.

Question for the eastern folks. Is it going to be pretty simple to take a train from the Raleigh/Durham area to DC?

I'm pretty sure there's a direct line there. The Carolinian or something like that.

There's a train, it's fairly cheap (I looked into it once) but the times are kinda random. (Edit: But you could also look into Independence Air, which at least round trip isn't always more expensive...)

Hmmm, hadn't thought about a commuter flight. Anyone know how long the train ride might take?

Anyone know how long the train ride might take?

About six hours, I think.

It's pretty cheap on AirTran.

I will never fly AirTran again.

Two of the worst flying experiences I ever had going back and forth to Philadelphia. I've been more comfortable on a schoolbus.

Other carriers usually match AirTran. My method is to check for sales on AirTran, which drives the market, and then fly on Delta.