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

[Miffy]

Hi all! I am going to read through this thread and look foward to seeing the newest pictures.

I am headed to Disney via Amtrak, Newark, NJ on March 21, 2013.
It says to Orlando. Is that the stop that I wanted, not Kissimmee, is that correct?

It will just be me when I get off with a carryone and a piece of luggage.
Is it better for me to get in a cab (will one be there) or should I arrange a taxi to pick me up? If so, whom would I call.

Thanks all VERY much!

Orlando is fine. That's where we always get off, although I know other people on this thread prefer Kissimmee.

If you arrange for a car service, you can get a good round-trip fare (that's assuming you need a round-trip car service to the train) and many of these services also include a 30-minute grocery stop, which we always find very useful. Plenty of car services are recommended on these boards. I'm sure they're all quite fine and the prices are very similar. But there are plenty of taxis and car services who wait for the train, so if you don't book ahead of time, you'll still be able to get a cab to your resort.

Enjoy the train!

 

[nicole83]

Assuming you have time between trains, because you have a roomette, you can go to the Acela lounge at Penn Station. They'll let you know when your train's boarding and which track. It's very pleasant to wait there. Much nicer bathroom than the public restrooms at Penn Station. When we were there in December, an Amtrak employee took all of the passengers in the lounge to the gate when the track was announced, so we didn't have to wait in the line.

But even if you don't go to the lounge, they clearly post the track on a GIGANTIC board at least 15 minutes before departure.

Thanks for the info, I read about the Acela lounge, I'll definitely be taking advantage of that

 

[lisa-upnorth]

I can't wait to take the Amtrak to FL! We have a roomette. I think I'm as excited about the train ride as I am about the trip!!

Leaving from my home state of Lil Rhody! I have a pic of the LARGE train info board in this thread. At first you will want to panic but do NOT! It is very easy! There are tons of workers around to point you in the right direction. Just ask where the main info board is and they will get you there. It should take you about 5 min from getting off the train to being at the board so no worries

Once we see how long we have, we usually grab a few great magazines at the news stand and then some drinks at a coffee shop.Once you get on the train and are in your room, it shouldn't be long before it is time to eat in the dining car.Always head there the minute it opens-since food runs out. Have fun!!!! You will love it.Read through the thread when you have time and it should have you well prepared.

 

[lisa-upnorth]

Miffy-if you want less crowds you could tell them you want to get off in Kiss instead. It is closer to the mouse after all!

 

[lisa-upnorth]

Post #225 has a pic of the info board

 

[Miffy]

Miffy-if you want less crowds you could tell them you want to get off in Kiss instead. It is closer to the mouse after all!

Hi, Lisa!

We've never had a problem getting off at Orlando, and since we always do a grocery stop, I'm not sure that it'd be any different at Kissimmee.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Hi, Lisa!

We've never had a problem getting off at Orlando, and since we always do a grocery stop, I'm not sure that it'd be any different at Kissimmee.

I've posted before, Kissimmee is the next stop after Orlando going south and first headed north.

We've seen the hordes trying to board in Orlando, tons of souvenirs, luggage and carry ons all standing in a long long line waiting to board one by one in the hot sun....we've gotten off in Orlando a couple of times and it is a mad house trying to get to your luggage ( no orderly method or place) and find your driver and car or cab...

Kissimmee is small, but with everyone getting off in Orlando, we're off the train, retrieved our luggage and found our car service so easy with about 10 other passengers... Same for going home... When the train stops, we're on and away in 15 minutes... No standing in a long line waiting..

And as some one pointed out, Kissimmee is closer to WDW, cheaper taxi fare, there is a Publix in route and a heck of a lot less congestion... Be it as it may, Kissimmee is Berger all around for us!

 

[Miffy]

I've posted before, Kissimmee is the next stop after Orlando going south and first headed north.

We've seen the hordes trying to board in Orlando, tons of souvenirs, luggage and carry ons all standing in a long long line waiting to board one by one in the hot sun....we've gotten off in Orlando a couple of times and it is a mad house trying to get to your luggage ( no orderly method or place) and find your driver and car or cab...

Kissimmee is small, but with everyone getting off in Orlando, we're off the train, retrieved our luggage and found our car service so easy with about 10 other passengers... Same for going home... When the train stops, we're on and away in 15 minutes... No standing in a long line waiting..

And as some one pointed out, Kissimmee is closer to WDW, cheaper taxi fare, there is a Publix in route and a heck of a lot less congestion... Be it as it may, Kissimmee is Berger all around for us!

Hi, Pepe! Hope you're having a wonderful winter.

I guess the Orlando station isn't a big deal to us because (a) we have a roomette and (b) we don't have any baggage in the baggage car. We just have our carry-on bags. We get off the train in Orlando with our carry-on bags, find our car-service guy in about 2 seconds, and are on our way. On the way back, we just get on the train car with our roomette in it. No waiting in line, no problemo.

Kissimmee may be closer to WDW, but it takes longer to get there. It's the stop after Orlando and, on the way down, the train stops for a while at Orlando, to let everyone off. I'm not sure that, because of that, it really saves any time on the trip.

But I totally understand why someone who had baggage in the baggage car and/or someone who was traveling coach would prefer Kissimmee.

Also, the Kissimmee station might be nicer. I don't know. On the way home, waiting in the Orlando station is not exactly a treat. There are only vending machines there--no real food, and no newsstand, even.

Pepe, what's the Kissimmee station like?

 

[pepe of ohio]

Miffy, the way you use Orlando with sleeper cars is a lot different then coach general boarding ... Very few sleeper patrons, makes boarding a 1-2-3 affair... Try coach and see the difference!!

As for the Kissimmee station, small, real small... Waiting room holds about 10 people, not sure on any vending machines and one Amtrak employee... Nothing fancy at all but efficient and sufficient .....like I said, train stops for 10 minutes or less and away it goes....

As for the closeness to WDW, Kissimmee is a quick run, no I4 traffic to contend with.... Cab fare from Kissimmee ran us once ( years ago) $36.00.... Cab fare once to Orlando ( years ago) ran us 48.00.....big time difference too....

Be it as it may, both stations will work for WDW... It's anyone's picks but those are the logistics of each station and boarding coach and sleepers is different .

 

[Pooh2]

We have taken the autotrain to Disney once and enjoyed it but my hubby was thinking he would rather skip the 9+ hours of driving this time and just take the regular train from Boston.
One advantage of the autotrain was that we could pack our car to the hilt. Trying to figure out how to condense into a large rolling duffel and a backpack. Are large oversized bags allowed in the bedroom, or would we have to check em?
I know they do not have bag check service from Bos to NY, so not sure what we do with the bags for that leg? Does it have to fit in the overhead or underfoot?
Will probably be back with lots of questions for you regular train travelers!

 

[pepe of ohio]

We have taken the autotrain to Disney once and enjoyed it but my hubby was thinking he would rather skip the 9+ hours of driving this time and just take the regular train from Boston.
One advantage of the autotrain was that we could pack our car to the hilt. Trying to figure out how to condense into a large rolling duffel and a backpack. Are large oversized bags allowed in the bedroom, or would we have to check em?
I know they do not have bag check service from Bos to NY, so not sure what we do with the bags for that leg? Does it have to fit in the overhead or underfoot?
Will probably be back with lots of questions for you regular train travelers!

Hey there, we're regular Amtrak users...we sometimes go roomette... Very little room for a rolling duffel, but we check our bags in DC, we switch trains there but when we board in Ohio at an unmanned station, we carry our bags and place them either on the first level, or the back of the car ... The overhead is for small carry ons and larger bags won't fit....they also won't fit underfoot...Amtrak regular and Auto Train cars are the same literally....

We have no use for a car in WDW so never even consider the AT.... as for hauling more stuff??? Wife and I each has 1 rolling duffel and one small carry on each... We stay on property 9-12 nights and never do laundry ... We have packing down to a science after 47 trips to WDW with quite a few by train and want for nothing and even come home with clothes we never wore ....it's the bring what you want but you're going to haul it idea...

It's the you can make a chore out of traveling or try to make it comfortable, what do I really need or am going to use.... Can I sleep one night in a coach seat for spend a lot to sleep in a cramped little room... We're fine in coach, we bring blankets, picnic lunch and drinks and are pretty cozy, the 2 of us snuggled up for one night... Do as you may but regular Amtrak suits us fine, and if we ever had the need for an auto, we'd take regular train and rent in Florida, why haul your car and pay thru the nose to put it on board?

 

[nicole83]

Thank you for your review.
I'm taking the train myself from Newark, NJ to Orlando in March.
I'm meeting my dh and son and his baseball team at Caribbean Beach Resort.
I'm actually looking forward to the time alone
BUT, can anyone please tell me if I am allowed to bring on liquids such as drinks? Also, I did not get a roomete so I will be sleeping in a regular seat.
I would also like to be in a quite car for the full ride. How do I do this as soon as I get on.
Is Amtrak Silver Star or whatever it's called wireless for internet.
Thanks so much!

When in march will you traveling?? I'll be going to Orlando via Amtrak coming from RI. I'm staying at the Caribbean beach resort, it looks beautiful!

 

[nicole83]

just booked my family bedroom for my upcoming spring trip to visit THE MOUSE!!

FREE WITH POINTS!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is awesome!! When is your next trip??

 

[pepe of ohio]

JS. Yes you can take food and drinks aboard... Can even get a cup with ice in the club car...

We travel coach, we take small flannel blankets for comfort, usually the AC is too low especially at night, eye mask helps some and ear plugs .... Electronics require earphones and as for. Quiet car, never had one on our south bound d
From DC to Florida but would enjoy one since we're golden agers and like quiet too...
Wife likes one of them neck doughnuts too... A good book, crossword puzzles , whatever amuses you, IPod for done music, portable DVD player for entertainment, whatever you like, usually an outlet at every pair of seats too... Enjoy your trip!

 

[nicole83]

I have a silly question. I know if you are a party of two and eat in the dining car you will most likely be seated with another couple, which i would be fine with butI was wondering if you requested to only be seated with your party of two, what the likely hood of them granting this request would be? I don't mind dining with strangers but my bf is a bit food shy so I just wanted to see if the option was out there. I wouldn't expect it if the dining car was booked solid of course. I know there is also the option of eating in your roomette.

 

[pepe of ohio]

I have a silly question. I know if you are a party of two and eat in the dining car you will most likely be seated with another couple, which i would be fine with butI was wondering if you requested to only be seated with your party of two, what the likely hood of them granting this request would be? I don't mind dining with strangers but my bf is a bit food shy so I just wanted to see if the option was out there. I wouldn't expect it if the dining car was booked solid of course. I know there is also the option of eating in your roomette.

The way the dining car works, as you show up for your dining time, to accommodate everyone in a small car with limited tables, yes you are seated with others... I would not ask to be seated alone, and I usually have to remember to sit next to my wife instead of across...just common courtesy . It may be awkward but after a few minutes, who cares... We're not talkers, and just eat and mind our own business...

Yes, alternative is eating in your roomette, we've done that once but was a pain, roomette it small, table especially and waiting for your room attendant to fetch, eh... Easier, more convenient and more open area to walk to the dining car... That roomette gets a little claustrophobic to me after awhile...

 

[aprilgail2]

I have a silly question. I know if you are a party of two and eat in the dining car you will most likely be seated with another couple, which i would be fine with butI was wondering if you requested to only be seated with your party of two, what the likely hood of them granting this request would be? I don't mind dining with strangers but my bf is a bit food shy so I just wanted to see if the option was out there. I wouldn't expect it if the dining car was booked solid of course. I know there is also the option of eating in your roomette.

We were the only ones in the dining car yet we had to share with two other people-someone asked to sit alone and they would not let them. On the way home we ate all three meals in our roomette and preferred that over sitting with strangers. For lunch on the way there we were seated with a husband and wife and just in the time we were sitting there he had four drinks and was getting really buzzed-was not comfortable sitting with them and my 12 year old daughter while he got drunk!
We gave the room attendant a time and she had our meals there right on time-i threw her a 20 when we boarded and then tipped her for each meal she brought. She even brought the dessert when we were done eating rather than have it on the tray and melting by the time we got to it!

 

[Pooh2]

Hey there, we're regular Amtrak users...we sometimes go roomette... Very little room for a rolling duffel, but we check our bags in DC, we switch trains there but when we board in Ohio at an unmanned station, we carry our bags and place them either on the first level, or the back of the car ... The overhead is for small carry ons and larger bags won't fit....they also won't fit underfoot...Amtrak regular and Auto Train cars are the same literally....

We have no use for a car in WDW so never even consider the AT.... as for hauling more stuff??? Wife and I each has 1 rolling duffel and one small carry on each... We stay on property 9-12 nights and never do laundry ... We have packing down to a science after 47 trips to WDW with quite a few by train and want for nothing and even come home with clothes we never wore ....it's the bring what you want but you're going to haul it idea...

It's the you can make a chore out of traveling or try to make it comfortable, what do I really need or am going to use.... Can I sleep one night in a coach seat for spend a lot to sleep in a cramped little room... We're fine in coach, we bring blankets, picnic lunch and drinks and are pretty cozy, the 2 of us snuggled up for one night... Do as you may but regular Amtrak suits us fine, and if we ever had the need for an auto, we'd take regular train and rent in Florida, why haul your car and pay thru the nose to put it on board?

47 trips!! Wow!
This will only be our 5th trip but hoping now that we are empty nesters we will be making it a yearly trip.

We were thinking of splurging for the bedroom for our 30th anniversary celebration as well as a little worried that my cpap machine might bother other travelers at night. But the price goes from $550 in coach to $1800 with the room, which is a bit hard to swallow. What to do, What to do...

 

[pepe of ohio]

47 trips!! Wow!
This will only be our 5th trip but hoping now that we are empty nesters we will be making it a yearly trip.

We were thinking of splurging for the bedroom for our 30th anniversary celebration as well as a little worried that my cpap machine might bother other travelers at night. But the price goes from $550 in coach to $1800 with the room, which is a bit hard to swallow. What to do, What to do...

You're pretty secluded in a pair of Amtrak coach seats ..... I can basically see the people across the aisle, one ahead of that and maybe one behind that... Seats being high backed, you're like being by yourself.... At night when the lights are dimmed (10pm)... No ones running thru the car gawking... Worse case, pull a blanket over your head and cpap away.... Wouldn't bother me at all.... 1800.00 does bother me over 550.00

 

[Pooh2]

You're pretty secluded in a pair of Amtrak coach seats ..... I can basically see the people across the aisle, one ahead of that and maybe one behind that... Seats being high backed, you're like being by yourself.... At night when the lights are dimmed (10pm)... No ones running thru the car gawking... Worse case, pull a blanket over your head and cpap away.... Wouldn't bother me at all.... 1800.00 does bother me over 550.00

Thankyou!