Anyone ever travel to WDW on Amtrak?

[pepe of ohio]

After over 30 trips to WDW from Ohio, some by car, some by plane but lately most have been on Amtrak, we still prefer the train. We're not into flying as a choice and driving equals the same gas and time wise as amtrak. We've had great trips and some bad. It's a long haul from Ohio to Kissimmee, Kissimmee is the better station for WDW arrival. Its closer, cab fare is cheaper, and less congested, about 30 minute ride to the World. Mostly is the other travelers and how they police their children that make a trip good or bad. We're in our 50's and like the quiet of the car. Amtrak suposidely has a quiet car on most of their runs that you can request. Since we have used the train alot we have built up a huge log of "train miles", and we use them to get a roomette from Washington to Kissimmee. I believe this room cost for that leg about $150.00 extra but it has 2 beds, ones a bunk and an in room toilet and sink. Room is very small but we get on the train in Washington around 4pm and sleep till Kissimmee. This price includes all meals while on the train and the dining is very good and the dining car is full linen and not nuked food. We get a newspaper in our "room" in the am with juice until breakfast time.

For us its about a 27 hour trip, costs us about 420.00 round trip for the 2 of us and its a no hassle trip. A little tip, in the stations, use the red caps. You only have to tip them and they take you and your bags to the train way before the other travelers are standing in line waiting to be called. Less hassle and with our 4 bags , 5 or 6 bucks keeps them happy. Driving is stressful now a days and for us about a 22 hour drive straight through is not fun, stopping mid way is time consuming and expensive and rooms not all that great. Long ago, driving was fun or I was just alot younger but there were less cars on the road and during the night part, hardly no one was out there. Different no-a-days!! We take our portable DVD player and novels and just relax, watch the scenery and let the train lull us to sleep.

Some day we may get back into flying but watching prices, unruly people, airport security is not our cup of tea but you can't beat the time frame. One and a half hours to Florida is great but its an hour drive to the airport, pay for leaving car, arriving 2 hours before flight and ditto on the other end and then the reverse going back. To some, they like it and after more than 15 train trip to and from Disney to Ohio, never had a train incident.

 

[loriandmatt]

for me it all comes down to the almight buck....

i hate to fly, but if the family can fly cheaper than it would cost us in gas, tolls, food and lodging (at the halfway point for the "to" and the "from" trip)....then i suck it up and fly.

would i ever take the train???? i have to vote no. it is quite expensive (way more than budget airlines and also more than gas and other expenses if driving) and if i am going to be in transit that long, i might as well drive and save tons of money.

FYI - it takes us 16 hours one way to drive from philly to WDW. the plane flight is usually around 2.5 hours or less.

- lori

 

[meloneyb21]

Thanks a lot for all of your insight and suggestions. I'm still weighing my options. After all of this, now I think I wanna get on a plane even though I'm the one who suggested we get on a train.....I'm still thinking because I like the quickness of planes, but I am terrified. If we do take a plane it would be my very first time. I don't know how I can get over this fear....

 

[Poohbear123]

I used to go to Kissimmee from Hollywood via Amtrak, but the last 3 years have been exasporating. Late trains, delays on tracks, schedule changes, I could go on...I than had to use Greyhound bus lines, but the trip was even longer-5 hours versus 4. So, now I OVERCAME my FEAR of FLYING and now I FLY to Orlando with Southwest! Yea, for ME! Sorry Amtrak, you lost me as a Passenger.

 

[Disneyrsh]

Everyone I know who's afraid of flying but still needs to fly flies Southwest. Until that incident up in chicago, they'd never had a fatality in 30+ years of flying.

More than a few people I know take an anti anxiety pill that's just for flying. I don't know what the name of it is, but I've seen the effects! I wouldn't recommend flying alone if you take it, you need somebody to steer you around because you're in such a happy place