Amtrak questions

[Willow16]

We are travelling to WDW on Amtrak (Newark, NJ to Kissimmee) in 2 1/2 weeks. I was wondering how checking your bags works - how early do you have to be at the train station and how long does it take to get your bags once you get to Kissimmee.

Has anyone used Mears to get from the train station to WDW? When I went on their site, I was quoted $30 each way. I have read that people have just gotten a taxi instead of booking ahead of time - I'm looking for the best way to do it.

Also, in searching through other Amtrak posts, people talk about checking to see how off schedule the trains are. Can anyone direct me to the place where I can check to see how off schedule the Silver Star (91) usually is?

Any other suggestions would be great. We are two adults and two children. We'll be bringing pillows, blankets, food, water, dvd player, books, etc.

 

[pepe of ohio]

We are travelling to WDW on Amtrak (Newark, NJ to Kissimmee) in 2 1/2 weeks. I was wondering how checking your bags works - how early do you have to be at the train station and how long does it take to get your bags once you get to Kissimmee.

Has anyone used Mears to get from the train station to WDW? When I went on their site, I was quoted $30 each way. I have read that people have just gotten a taxi instead of booking ahead of time - I'm looking for the best way to do it.

Also, in searching through other Amtrak posts, people talk about checking to see how off schedule the trains are. Can anyone direct me to the place where I can check to see how off schedule the Silver Star (91) usually is?

Any other suggestions would be great. We are two adults and two children. We'll be bringing pillows, blankets, food, water, dvd player, books, etc.

Where we board at home there is no baggage car, so we drag our bags right on with us and stow them in a space at the rear of the car. We switch trains in DC and head to Kissimmee and here we use the Red Cap service, depot porters. For the price of a tip, these people will haul your bags and take you to the correct train and car before all the other guests who will line up when they call boarding. you'll be on before them and situated.

I check with Amtrak.com and on there site you can check train status from the week by mousing around. We're on 91 when we train to Florida and I have to say from previous trips its about 1 to 2 hours late, but have been 5-6 hours on one occasion. Never early but late. As to the children games, seems the car we get in for Florida out of DC only has one electric receptacle so make sure you're batteries are all charged up.

 

[Willow16]

Thanks! I'll definitely look for the red cap - since we're getting on at the second stop, hopefully we'll be able to get seats with an outlet. Any idea where in the car they are?

 

[Willow16]

In looking around the web, I came across this site to check for Amtrak train status history.
http: //web .peoriadesignweb. com/cgi-bin/amtrak/train.cgi

Since we are arriving both ways on a Sunday, those look like the best days for being on time.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Just to add....Those or that one receptacle could be in any seat, its just below the window but its usuallly taken.

As for getting to WDW from Kissimmee, we been through there at least 10 times and when we detrain, there are taxis waiting, regular and van type, since we're just 2, we take a regular, cost approx. 35-38 dollars one way plus tip. We've taken a van taxi also, was next in line and it cost the same. Kissimmee station, when the train pulls in, only about 10-15 people get off, not as nuts as Orlando station, you'll like it.

You covered bringing pillows and such, don't forget a blanket, A/C is really cold when the sun goes down and sometimes during the day, need that cover up, pillows are provided but are very small. We take our lunch and drinks, snacks. We freeze 2 bottles of lemonade to keep cooler cold and by the time we reach the Florida border, its thawed.

All in all, not a bad trip, sleeping in the reclining seats isn't bad for one night. Bathrooms are just that, others are not very good at hygene and they can be unbearable by trips end but, hey, you do your business and get out, no place to read and camp out. As I stated about the Red Caps, we tip them 2.50 a bag, we usually have only 2, so a fiver is good to go, sometimes they have taken us to the train in a golf cart, DC station can be along walk so we tip extra. Since Kissimmee station is small and not too many get off, baggage comes of real quick, hardly no wait and trains gone. Figure about a 20 minute ride to WDW.

Any more info needed, just ask, we've used Amtrak most every trip for the last 10 years and we train from northeast Ohio to Kissimmee.

 

[Willow16]

Thanks so much!

 

[pepe of ohio]

Hope you have a great rail trip and a grand time in Walt Disney World, enjoy the magic!

 

[NJBILL]

We have done this trip 3 times from Philly...The Kissimmee station is closer to WDW then Orlando and is in a nicer neighborhood. If you have a choice, go to Kissimmee. The Stop before Orlando Winter PArk is also a very nice area.

Your baggage is unloaded by AMtrak employees and you pick it up nect to the tracks. if you have a shuttle service, they are usually waiting for you and will load your luggage. I always use SEJAC transportation. They are honest and reliabkle and have great customer service

http://www.sejactransportation.com/

Keep in mind that Florida trains usually run AT LEAST 2 hours late..so be prepared and expect a delay. Food on AMtrak is expensive and so so but not bad overall.

Go to www.amtrak.com and at the bottom of the home page you can check train status. It goes back about 2 weeks.

 

[Willow16]

Thanks for the info! I'll check into the transportation.