Amtrak

[xbonnie38]

We decided to take Amtrak down to Orlando to Disney from Upstate Ny/( Rochester Area). Anyone take the train down and if so enlighten me , we usually fly but thought this would be a neat experience. Two adults going coach on the train later part of September just for some short info. Fill me in on your experiences and tips!

 

[Kara315]

There is a big thread in the transportation board all about the Amtrak. There are pictures and many tips and stories from people who have taken it to Disney.
I posted pictures from my trip with my mother when we had a bedroom including our meals.
We really enjoyed our trip down and are doing it again when we go in two years. We left from Albany which makes a stop in NYC at Penn Station where we switched trains, we had the coach during that leg and the bedroom from Penn Station to Orlando, we loved the bedroom. I saw some people say they didn't mind the coach seats for their whole trip on the Amtrak thread. I would check that thread out, so many pictures, tips and everyone is so helpful.

 

[dawnhaze]

I've never taken Amtrak to WDW, but I take it pretty regularly elsewhere. My tips for a long haul ride in coach:
- Bring a real pillow - not just a travel one (I bring both) - and a blanket or sweatshirt, even in summer. Sometimes the air conditioning is set on "refrigerate." Sleeping in coach isn't exactly luxurious, but this stuff helps. (You'll also want earplugs and an eye mask - it's never silent or totally dark.)
- Bring a lunchbox-size cooler with some water and snacks - food on the trains ranges from horrible to mediocre and is also somewhat pricey, plus delays are common and they sometimes run out of things. Does not count toward your 2 carry-on bag allowance unless it's larger than 12 x 12 x 12.
- Try not to sit too close to the bathrooms if you have a choice!

You'll probably have a connection in New York Penn Station. Don't be afraid to ask for Red Cap assistance for boarding your connecting train, NY Penn is a zoo. It's free (they do expect good tips) but they can help you down an elevator rather than the cattle call at the escalators, and also usually get you boarded ahead of most of the crowd. I find it worth tipping them well, especially for a long distance trip.

I've heard a lot of people on the Transportation board saying that the Kissimmee station is less crowded and technically closer to WDW than the Orlando station is, it might be worth searching that board for those opinions to get the full picture.

 

[JustPeachy2014]

I took a long amtrak trip once and regretted that I did not upgrade to a cabin with a bed. I don't remember how long the trip was, but I traveled a bit under 1000 miles. The regular seats were very uncomfortable for sleeping.

 

[pepe of ohio]

We're avid Amtrak travelers... So sense going to that mole long train thread for a few suggestions...

Here's our take... We travel from northeast Ohio to Kissimmee Florida...Kissimmee station is a lot less chaotic with few boarding and leaving and is closer to WDW...

We usually travel coach ( roomettes are very small and confining ) claustrophobic mind you, for me that is, very narrow corridor down car ( roomettes on both sides ) makes passing others impossible... We seem to prefer the coach seats for one night ( roomette has an upper berth, tough to hike up there ) and most of all, sleepers are very expensive..but include meals...

As I said, coach is quite doable for the one night, bring a small blanket, pillow, eye mask, ear plugs... Portable DVD player/ IPod, games, books Kindle what have you for entertainment... Anything noisy requires earphones etc...we pack sandwiches, snacks and drinks... Like I said its one one day and our train switch is DC so we can eat there or pick something up for later ..

We try to keep our costs down, no sleeper, bring our own food, etc... It's comfortable, safe but hardly runs on time so it's an adventure...very relaxing seated in a huge reclining seat, plenty of leg room, high backed and watch the world roll by...

And as stated, use the Red Caps in station... For a tip they haul you and your stuff to the correct train car ahead of general boarding... So nice not to line up with others dragging their belongings..!need anymore info, ask away or PM me..!

 

[Luvchefmic]

It wasn't me but this is a terrific TR with many pictures The poster was taking their DS down from NJ to WDW for the college program It was a very fun and informative read Lots of pictures and info about the cost of everything It may be helpful to you I read a LOT of TRs and this is one of the best I felt like I was right there with them

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3125412&highlight=train+cp


Oooops This report is about the Amtrak Auto Train Is that the same thing ?

 

[prgal0715]

When I was younger, my family and I often took Amtrak from Providence, RI to Kissimmee, FL for our annual WDW trip. We'd transfer from the commuter train to the long-distance train at Penn Station in NYC for the "adventure" portion of our travel!

First things first, traveling coach isn't luxurious in the least but it is economical. Previous posters had some great suggestions such as packing food, blankets and a good pillow. That will certainly make things more comfortable! I do also agree that disembarking at the Kissimmee station is far less crowded/stressful/overwhelming than the Orlando station. It's also quite a bit closer to WDW so you'll save money on cab fare.

All that said, traveling by train is an experience. I have great memories of seeing Washington D.C. at night and how amazing the Lincoln Memorial looks lit up. I also remember the excitement of waking up in the morning and being in Georgia - that meant Disney World was so close! And getting to Jacksonville meant we were just three hours away. So exciting!!

No matter what you decide, HAVE FUN!!!

 

[xbonnie38]

There is a big thread in the transportation board all about the Amtrak. There are pictures and many tips and stories from people who have taken it to Disney.
I posted pictures from my trip with my mother when we had a bedroom including our meals.
We really enjoyed our trip down and are doing it again when we go in two years. We left from Albany which makes a stop in NYC at Penn Station where we switched trains, we had the coach during that leg and the bedroom from Penn Station to Orlando, we loved the bedroom. I saw some people say they didn't mind the coach seats for their whole trip on the Amtrak thread. I would check that thread out, so many pictures, tips and everyone is so helpful.

Thank you so much I will definatley check it out!

 

[xbonnie38]

Thank you to everyone who replied with all the great tips and information! Especially the Red Cap info, being in remission I still get tired when I push to hard so we will definatley be utilizing this service! Cant wait for the our trip I am so EXCITED to be going back and the fact that I am still Alive to be able to make it back!

 

[Luvchefmic]

Thank you to everyone who replied with all the great tips and information! Especially the Red Cap info, being in remission I still get tired when I push to hard so we will definatley be utilizing this service! Cant wait for the our trip I am so EXCITED to be going back and the fact that I am still Alive to be able to make it back!

Sorry to say I never even noticed this God Bless You

 

[JCornell]

I can't tell you about the whole train ride to Florida but a few years ago we did take the train from Rochester to Penn Station in NYC (which is the first leg of your trip). It was fun but once was enough for us, for a while anyway. Like others said, expect delays. We boarded about 2.5 hours later than schedule and arrived about 4 hours later than schedule (it was the Lake Shore Limited which I have learned has the nickname Late for Sure Limited). Also, for the ride to NYC, there were only a few stretches where we had much of a view (Hudson River area is the only part that stands out). The seats are way more roomy and comfortable than a plane but they need to be since it's a much longer ride. We weren't thrilled with the food on board but did like the ability to get up and move around and that there was power available at our seats. It was also interesting to find that security is way more relaxed compared to flying. You don't need to get to the train station way early or anything so if you can keep an eye on arrival time online, I'd recommend waiting it out in the comfort of your home and heading there sometime after the train leaves Buffalo (there really isn't much at the Rochester train station to see or do). We went in the summer but it was quite cold on the train so, like others mentioned, bring blankets.

Honestly I'd be curious to try this out someday but the two things preventing it are that you first have to take a long ride to NYC and then head south which adds quite a bit of travel time, and that it's actually more expensive than a direct flight which gets me there in 2.5 hours. Maybe when the kids are grown and it's only two tickets and we're not as anxious to get there. I'd love to hear about your experience.