Amtrak to Orlando?

[torinsmom]

Anyone ever tried this? We are coming from Raleigh NC and the fare for me and 10 year old son is 123.00. It takes about 12.5 hours which is what it took us to drive last year. Airfare is coming up $175 each. We will be staying on site or at a hotel with a shuttle, so no need for a car, only a taxi to the hotel from the station. Only bad thing is the only times available are riding the entire night, and not sure how much rest we will get. Any advice?

Marsha

 

[lbgraves]

We just did this two weeks ago from Rocky Mount. You may want to check the thread that I posted on our experience. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=837103&highlight=amtrak You can sleep some, but it will take ALOT longer than 12 1/2 hours with the maintenance work that is going on. If it wasn't for that, I would recommend it. Right now, I honestly wouldn't. If you do...do NOT plan to do anything that first day in town because you wont be getting there until later in the day.

 

[Selket]

I've often considered taking the train from where I live (near Washington, DC) down to Orlando because I don't really like to fly. Besides the possible delays (which perhaps you could handle fine if prepared) I think you may need to pay about $30-50 for a cab each way from the station to your hotel. At least check into the cab fares cause it could add a lot more $$$. With Disney's magical express bus service to the airport at least you wouldn't have to pay transport costs on that end.

I figured with the extra expense we'd pay (4 of us) to eat on the way down and back and RT cab fare to the hotel and back from the station it would substantially eat up much of the savings we get by taking the train. Plus you have to deal with train delays, sleeping on the train, and I've read some bad things about the condition the the train (as the previous poster noted in her post plus things about the bathrooms and so forth - yuck!). If I could afford a sleeper car I'd do it but that is more expensive than flying by far!

Like anything else however, it can't hurt to try it once though. All the bad experiences I've read about here have make me think twice about it

 

[beccasmom]

My mom and I took a quick trip in March 2000 on Amtrak because of a twofer deal. I don't remember the fare, but it was excellent. We left from 30th Street Station in PHL at approximately 3:00 p.m. and arrived in Orlando at around noon the next morning.

We purchased food beforehand (great Italian hoagies at the station) and had food to nosh on. The seats are exceptionally comfortable and although I can't say I slept well, I must have gotten at least a few winks. There are a lot of stops and the train made pretty good time.

Going back north was another story - extremely crowded, really loud and obnoxious "neighbors" (not Amtrak's fault, I know) on cellphones a major portion of the time into the night, and a grouchy conductor. We left at 11:00 a.m. and before we were out of the state of Florida were running two hours behind. Let's say I was not at my finest when we arrived back in Philly.

I would take the plane.