Amtrak to Disneyworld

[pepe of ohio]

We're not newbies to WDW nor Amtrak, many a trip by regular train... Last 4 years we went back to driving (2100 miles r/t )....

Well we decided to go back to the train but found our reliable car service is no longer in business ( banned company here)...so...

My dilemma is how to get to WDW from either Orlando or Kissimmee ( we really prefer Kissimmee) by a car service ( which we prefer with a grocery stop) or rental car ( which we would only use that arrival day and would like to return to a rental on Disney property )...

Same for returning home, rent car at Disney and drive to train station to return... One day rentals arriving and departing days... We have no use nor want the rental for the whole time at Disney, we prefer Disney transportation to get around.

Any suggestions of car services that service either Orlando or Kissimmee stations or car rentals that can be had at stations and returned at Disney... be greatly appreciated..

Not interested in taxis or grocery delivery services.. Thank you

 

[Kara315]

When my mother and I took Amtrak, we got off at the Orlando station and used Tiffany Towncar to take us to the hotel and back to the Amtrak station after as well. We were very happy with them, they were on time both times and very nice. They do have the free grocery stop as well.

 

[js]

We used FLTours.
There are also many taxies I saw at Orlando station but I had a car waiting for me.
It was very painless.

 

[pepe of ohio]

To those that replied.... Many years ago we board and got off in Orlando... Used Tiffany once and they forgot to pick us up for trip home.. That was a scramble and that was enough with Tiffany...

We have had great suggest with the banned car service for the Kissimmee Station but they are out of business...

Can't seem to find anyone to do us the same service in Kissimmee... With 10 + people boarding in a Kissimmee, we're not staying outside in a long line sweating in the sun like Orlando...

Thanks for the suggestions, we have done a cab a couple of times ( hot, terrible smoke smelling, no free grocery stop and few drivers spoke English) not an experience we want to repeat...

Last 6+ trips we have driven, but miss the train and we're getting too old for the 18 hour drive..

 

[lisa-upnorth]

Hello again Pepe!! Honestly-we rent the car and LOVE it! It costs us almost the same amount to keep it for the week as people would pay for the to-from trips by car service.You could just park it and leave it at hotel if you didn't want to use during vaca.I know...you would have to map out your route to resort but I swear it is not hard! I am no genius when it comes to maps and I do it

 

[Ali]

Can you tell me more about why you are in a long line waiting in the sun at the Orlando amtrak place? I've never been there but will be using it for a trip to DC next week and I'm looking for info

 

[postalcop]

have you booked a car service yet?
I called Mears , they will do a store "wait" for 15 min and its a $5 charge . I was hoping for more then 15 min. esp when you don't know the store .
I used them last year , they pick me up in Orlando , and the driver was waiting for me as we got off the train.
and was waiting for me at our hotel , before we departed to Amtrak .

 

[pepe of ohio]

We're still kicking around our travel means... Last 5 or more trips we drove, 2100 miles round trip... We like the freedom of arriving when we want, like 6 am... But being in our 60's, we miss the relaxing train trip..

We stopped the train travel because of the 8 hour layover in DC... Such a waste of time... Thought I seen an earlier out train DC to KIS...and with our reliable car service out of business, can't connect with one I've read to be reliable and will pick up in Kissimmee..rental car we don't want or need but need that grocery/alcohol stop in route ( not liking what I read into delivery services)

Ok, for the poster who asked about the lines in Orlando... Most everyone and anyone going to Walt Disney world use the Orlando Station ( they don't know about Kissimmee station 20 minutes down the tracks next station stop)...so at Orlando, getting off there is not a huge problem, but the entire train unloading, waiting for baggage claim in an unorganized manner, finding a cab, car service or what have you amongst 100's total chaos...

Boarding there is worse, the train pulls in, people are all ready lining up ( it's outside under a small tin covered roof) 90+ degrees out, you all are dragging bags ( souvenir and clothes) to the one or 2 doors open on the train, one by one and jamming up inside trying to find your proper seat and getting your stuff in the overhead... It takes tons of time... Since we boarded in Kissimmee ( return trip north home) along with maybe 10 other passengers, we watch out the windows, see the people filing in, hot, sweating, hauling their stuff trying to get to their seats with others pushing from behind to get out of the outside heat... You can have that... That's why the train is in station in Kissimmee for 10 minutes compared to Orlando of an hour... Same money either station but we'll always use Kissimmee

 

[disneydennis]

Have you looked into the Autotrain? Not sure how far you are from Lorton Virgina. The train drops you off in Sanford Fl and its only a 45 min drive to disney from there. That way you have your own vehicle.
I've done that a few times, but I was coming from Newark Delaware. I moved here in September and I used the Autotrain to get my car down here.
Just a suggestion!

 

[pepe of ohio]

Have you looked into the Autotrain? Not sure how far you are from Lorton Virgina. The train drops you off in Sanford Fl and its only a 45 min drive to disney from there. That way you have your own vehicle. I've done that a few times, but I was coming from Newark Delaware. I moved here in September and I used the Autotrain to get my car down here. Just a suggestion!

We did the AT like 35 years ago... But found that a car is not needed for a WDW vacation.. Plus we're in northeast Ohio and about 9 hours from Lorton...

Saying all that, could never figure why people pay to put their car on a train plus themselves to WDW... can easily board regular Amtrak closer to home and rent a car in Florida if needed...51 trips to WDW and no car needed to get around ....

We've used Amtrak over 10+ times in the past and a car service has suited us fantastic ( out of business now) Tiffany's used once many years ago we're awful to say the least... like I stated, we prefer Kissimmee station over Orlando and it's hard finding a service to use there... Poster mentioned Mears... From Kissimmee ? Have to check on this.. and again we want the grocery stop ( not paying for a delivery service, minimum order 40.00, delivery fee, gas surcharge and tip... That's plain nuts)....

 

[Pooh2]

Can you tell me more about why you are in a long line waiting in the sun at the Orlando amtrak place? I've never been there but will be using it for a trip to DC next week and I'm looking for info

We got off in Orlando (from Boston and in a bedroom) and since we did not check bags, found it to be relatively quick and easy to get off here. We were a bit irritated that the Alamo desk was not manned when the train came in and we had a dozen or so people waiting by the time the clerk finally came in from his lunch break. If not for that, would have been very quick to be on our way.

We took a plane back to Boston and were able to drop the Alamo rental at the airport. If we take the train both ways next time, I will inquire as to whether we can leave the rental at the station in Kissimee so we can try that station for boarding.