Amtrak train info w/pics!All Aboard-Choo-choo!UPDATED

[pepe of ohio]

I am in the planning stages of taking the train for our trip to Disney in May of next year. Daughter really does not want to fly, so I suggested the train. So the train it is. A new adevnture for us.
We will be leaving from Albany NY to the NY Penn Station and then onto either Orlando or Kissimmee.
A couple questions for those in the know.
Is it easy to find the next train you need to get on in Penn Station? Are they all located near each other or is it easy to get lost like you can with all the different sections of an airport?
Also, which station would be better to get on at and off at - Orlando or Kissimmee?
Do car services (not taxis) pick you at either of these stations? We are planning on having a limo or towncar for the ride to the resort as we do not want to drive.
Thanks for any help.

Finding the connecting train can be alittle tough seeing you've never been in Penn Station, but you can go to the info desk, they can tell you which stairway you'll be boarding at.....little tip: we use the Red Caps (Amtrak porters).. approach their counter an hour before and they will escort you and haul any luggage to the right train and car before the regular boarding begins...just for the price of a tip (usually 2 bucks a bag) we always use them, makes it line free for boarding and we're on the train, seated way before the regular boarding begins....

As for where to get off...we always get off in Kissimmee, smaller station, right after Orlando...Orlando is too hectic for us, especially for going home....we've seen the long lines of guests waiting in the sun before the train arrives (hot Florida sun) and then entering one by one and there's alot of people...I'll take Kissimmee any day, we've boarded there with maybe 20 others (over 15 trips by Amtrak).

We use a car service for pick up, some go to Kissimmee and alot don't, I'm no help there...check companies web sites or call to see if they do....we don't rent or drive while at WDW too and we like the 30 minute grocery stop offered by most car service companies.....

 

[labfan]

Thank you Pepe - your info is extremely helpful. I will definitely use your tip in regards to the Red Caps. That's a small price to pay for ease of mind.

I'm really looking forward to this as I've never taken the train before. Always flown down.

 

[lisa-upnorth]

I am in the planning stages of taking the train for our trip to Disney in May of next year. Daughter really does not want to fly, so I suggested the train. So the train it is. A new adevnture for us.
We will be leaving from Albany NY to the NY Penn Station and then onto either Orlando or Kissimmee.
A couple questions for those in the know.
Is it easy to find the next train you need to get on in Penn Station? Are they all located near each other or is it easy to get lost like you can with all the different sections of an airport?
Also, which station would be better to get on at and off at - Orlando or Kissimmee?
Do car services (not taxis) pick you at either of these stations? We are planning on having a limo or towncar for the ride to the resort as we do not want to drive.
Thanks for any help.

Yeah, another train fan! You will be doing the exact route I travel so you should read the start of this thread for info-if you didn't already.

As for Penn-the 1st time is a little much BUT do not panic!! It is really quite easy.There is a main section where everyone stands and watched for their train info to come up on a large info board.The board is like the info boards at an airport--it shows if a train is on time and when it is boarding and where.You will get off the albany train and head up the stairs to the main area where you will see the board.The main floor is a giant circle of shops and restaurants.Just keep walking until you see the main board.If you don't see it just ask at an info desk or ask one of the police/military men they are walking by.YOU WILL FIND IT!!Then just hang out there until they post where your train is loading.Around the board are numbered gates and the numbers will be posted on the board once the train is ready to load.I have never used the redcaps but do see them around asking people if they want help with their luggage.We don't want to pay so we just hang out for the 1/2hr or so until it is time to load and then head to the gate like all the other travelers.It is not hard to take your luggage but as my friend Pepe said,it might be worth a few bucks to help get in line and on the train easily with them.

Next up is will you be booking a roomette???I strongly advise this!Read the thread for some info.If you have good credit I can send you a link to sign up for the Chase amtrak rewards card.They have a GREAT offer right now that will get you enough points for that room FREE!!!! If you get a roomette, I usually get on the train and head to our room to unload luggage then plan on eating lunch in the dining car soon (since it is free with a roomette).

As for the car, I have used Mears,taxis and the last trip I rented a car. I will ALWAYS rent from now on.Easy and much cheaper!To each his own though.I agree that you should get off in Kiss.

I could help you plan if you would like.Send me a PM.I am near Glens Falls. You will have a great time riding the rails!!!!!!

 

[labfan]

Thanks Lisa-upnorth. The info you gave for Penn Station is perfect. I like to know a bit about an area that I will be going thru and you definitely gave that. That helps a lot.
I will definitely be getting sleeping quarters - not sure if it will be a roomette or a bedroom. My daughter was looking at their website and would prefer to stay in one of them rather than coach. I don't mind splurging a little for that since it will make her more comfortable.
I am really looking forward to it as I have never been on a train before and I am considering this as part of our vacation experience not just a means of transportation to get there.
Please post the link you have - I am definitely interested in that.

If we enjoy this trip we may never fly again.

 

[lisa-upnorth]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/catsplay/2772489425/

check this out for Penn board

 

[lisa-upnorth]

http://view.exacttarget.com/?j=fe68...2&jb=ff65157874&ju=fe291572776d017c7c1479&r=0


Go to amtrak guest rewards and sign up for an account first---FOR ALL PEOPLE TRAVELING! You can only earn points for one person even if you buy everyone's ticket!However, you may buy all the tickets and enter all of their rewards account numbers during the purchase and everyone can earn points for more travel.Then, go to this site and apply for their credit card.Print the website page with offer info.I applied and was accepted in about 6 days BUT when they applied the points it was only about 10,000 points!!I called and told them that the offer I had was for 30,000 points not what they gave me.They then added on the extra points.Not sure if it happens often but I would print the offer in case you need to refer to it later on.The 30,000 points can be used for your roomette to Florida I will be using mine!!Great thing is as long as you have the card (and you don't need to keep a bal. on it) the points do not expire on you rewards account.If you and your daughter are going, I would BOTH apply.Then you buy the trip down with your account points and she can buy the trip home with her's.Read online and it has lots of info on this great program. Pepe may have more info to offer as well

 

[labfan]

Thank you - I will definitely look into this. And thanks for the picture of the Penn Board. I definitely won't be able to miss that.

 

[torinsmom]

I just booked DS and I on the Silver Star from Cary, NC to Orlando departing August 9th. We have a roomette both ways and we are really excited! I was just reading here about the rewards program and signed up on the Amtrak site. Will I be able to get credit for this trip? And will I need to sign up on the reward for my son to get credit for his ticket? I'm excited about earning points, so we can ride the train more cheaply next year. I don't want another credit card, but I plan on using the rewards shopping link when I shop online to earn points.

Someone was asking about car rentals at the station. Last time we took the train(coach), we rented through Enterprise and they came right to the station to pick us up.

 

[lisa-upnorth]

sorry to say that you can't earn points for tickets already purchased

 

[Teacher03]

sorry to say that you can't earn points for tickets already purchased

I think you can. The points are deposited into your account until the trip is taken, so I would give it a try. Call the guest rewards site and see what they can do.

 

[torinsmom]

I think you can. The points are deposited into your account until the trip is taken, so I would give it a try. Call the guest rewards site and see what they can do.

They have a missing points request, but it says your travel dates must have been 3 weeks in the past to file the form. I'll see what they can do after my trip. It would be great to get them, but if not, oh well....

 

[teri218]

Anyone know if it’s easy to navigate at the Phila. station?
Thanks

 

[lisa-upnorth]

I haven't done the Philly station but you should be able to see it online somewhere.Have fun riding the rails

 

[Melanie230]

http://view.exacttarget.com/?j=fe68...2&jb=ff65157874&ju=fe291572776d017c7c1479&r=0


Go to amtrak guest rewards and sign up for an account first---FOR ALL PEOPLE TRAVELING! You can only earn points for one person even if you buy everyone's ticket!However, you may buy all the tickets and enter all of their rewards account numbers during the purchase and everyone can earn points for more travel.Then, go to this site and apply for their credit card.Print the website page with offer info.I applied and was accepted in about 6 days BUT when they applied the points it was only about 10,000 points!!I called and told them that the offer I had was for 30,000 points not what they gave me.They then added on the extra points.Not sure if it happens often but I would print the offer in case you need to refer to it later on.The 30,000 points can be used for your roomette to Florida I will be using mine!!Great thing is as long as you have the card (and you don't need to keep a bal. on it) the points do not expire on you rewards account.If you and your daughter are going, I would BOTH apply.Then you buy the trip down with your account points and she can buy the trip home with her's.Read online and it has lots of info on this great program. Pepe may have more info to offer as well

Thanks for the heads up! I just did it!!!

 

[GetGlowing]

What would be a good option for transfer between either the Orlando or Kissimmee stations for 5-6 adults + 1 child?

 

[lisa-upnorth]

How long are you all staying??? Would you like to have a car?? I always say that if you are going to end up paying close to $100 for one transport you should rent a car or van for a few days for the same price! Take a trip to Walmart on your way to the hotel -like we do-and stock up on small milks,OJ's and some water to have in the room. Also, we buy T-shirts and mouse ears there at their Disney section.Look around on here for discount codes.You could get a van from Hertz and pick it up at the station in Kiss. Call Mears and a few other transports to get an idea of price.If car seats are needed add that rental in--and add a tip too! See what price works best for you.Remember you need transport back too

 

[GetGlowing]

Thanks -- I don't think we'd be interested in renting since we'd plan to use WDW transport on site. I guess a lot would depend on the cost.

 

[sorul82?]

Someone was asking about car rentals at the station. Last time we took the train(coach), we rented through Enterprise and they came right to the station to pick us up.

What would be a good option for transfer between either the Orlando or Kissimmee stations for 5-6 adults + 1 child?

We took the train from Raleigh to Orlando in April. We used Hertz since the counter was right inside the station. Neither Budget nor Enterprise had shuttles available for the day we arrived. Anyhow, Hertz matched the Budget quote and the whole process was a breeze.

 

[torinsmom]

Thanks -- I don't think we'd be interested in renting since we'd plan to use WDW transport on site. I guess a lot would depend on the cost.

You can get to the parks more quickly driving your own car. No waiting in line for a bus in the morning or with hundreds of others when the parks close. I got so tired of having to stand on the buses too. You could also go offsite for some meals or to the Disney outlet stores. Just an idea...

 

[Melanie230]

You can get to the parks more quickly driving your own car. No waiting in line for a bus in the morning or with hundreds of others when the parks close. I got so tired of having to stand on the buses too. You could also go offsite for some meals or to the Disney outlet stores. Just an idea...

Also..for those going to Universal Studios and staying onsite...they have to pay the $15 per day parking fee.