? for anyone who has done the steamtrain tour

[BankBunny]

DH and I will be doing the steamtrain tour at MK this coming May. I was told when I booked it that we had to park at the Contemporary (MK parking lot is not open that early) and either take to monorail over ar walk to the MK. This is no big deal since we will have a car, but I was wondering about travel time. The tour begins at 7:30 am so I would like to get to MK by 7:10/7:15. Any idea how much time we'll need to drive from POR to CR and then get over to MK? TIA for the help.

 

[bobbiwoz]

DH took the tour in October, and left BWV between 6:30 and 6:45. He met DUnc in the lobby (DH left the room at 6:30) and they drove over, parked and walked to MK in fine time.

Bobbi

 

[Dan Murphy]

I would leave about 6:30 from the resort.

I took this tour several years back, you'll love it, a good one. Enjoy.

 

[SEC]

We have taken this tour twice and it is great! The second time we took it was with a large group (Carolwood Pacific Historical Society) and we arrived about 7:15, however, the tour really did not start until about 7:45 or 8 since they waited for everyone to arrive.

 

[dsjmeadors]

Can someone tell me what a steam train tour is?

 

[Lancer]

Can someone tell me what a steam train tour is?

The tour covers Walts fascination with steam trains and the history behind WDW steam trains in particular. The tour group boards their own train for a tour around the park where the guide(ours was a former conductor that started the tour years ago) gives you lots of interesting trivia and stories about the trains and Disney. You go backstage to the "round house" where they are kept and maintained. There, you can climb aboard the engine to get a look at things. Then you get to watch as they fire it up from a cold start. You also observe the safety checks they do each morning before they run. There is a section of track off the mainline where we stop and had the opportunity to take pictures with the engine and crew. Our conductor/guide, (I think his name was jay or phil, not sure), was absolutely great. He had alot of great stories. The tour ended at the mainstreet station where we heard as saw some more historical trivia. They used to give out gold spikes at the end of the tour, but the airports asked them to stop after 9/11 so now you get a specially designed pin. Its one of the cheaper priced tours and well worth the time.

Lancer

 

[rlovew]

We took the Steam Train tour last March and were staying at POR. We left the parking lot at 6:45 and arrived at the Contemporary at 7:05. We walked to the MK. Actually we parked right at the edge of the parking lot so it was actually about the same distance to walk to the MK as to walk to the monorail.

 

[Wendy1953]

We took the steam train tour, and loved it.....however....we were given instructions to get to the TTC and take the monorail....it was running late, and so when we arrived for the tour, we were the last too arrive...they did however wait for us, but they really need to make some other type of transportation arrangements for tour guests on this tour. The tour itself was wonderful, lots of information given about Walt's love of trains, where the trains in WDW and Disneyland are from, sitting in the engineers seat was a blast (also very hot!)

 

[CDSTapisRouge]

we were given instructions to get to the TTC and take the monorail....it was running late, and so when we arrived for the tour, we were the last too arrive...they did however wait for us, but they really need to make some other type of transportation arrangements for tour guests on this tour

Unfortunatley you were given miss information. When you book the tour they are supposed to advise you to drive (or take a taxi) to the Contemporary and walk over from there. The buses from the resorts will also drop off in time for the tour (they start running about 6:45am and make it just in time to check in) but you can not get there...As you found out...via the TTC!

Another thing I wanted to mention for those that have not taken the tour and plan to. BRING A CAMERA. When you book the tour they will tell you cameras are not allowed, this is true of other tours so it is just the standard speil. The train tour has LOTS of photo ops build into it so don't miss out! Bring the camera with you.

 

[dsjmeadors]

The tour covers Walts fascination with steam trains and the history behind WDW steam trains in particular. The tour group boards their own train for a tour around the park where the guide(ours was a former conductor that started the tour years ago) gives you lots of interesting trivia and stories about the trains and Disney. You go backstage to the "round house" where they are kept and maintained. There, you can climb aboard the engine to get a look at things. Then you get to watch as they fire it up from a cold start. You also observe the safety checks they do each morning before they run. There is a section of track off the mainline where we stop and had the opportunity to take pictures with the engine and crew. Our conductor/guide, (I think his name was jay or phil, not sure), was absolutely great. He had alot of great stories. The tour ended at the mainstreet station where we heard as saw some more historical trivia. They used to give out gold spikes at the end of the tour, but the airports asked them to stop after 9/11 so now you get a specially designed pin. Its one of the cheaper priced tours and well worth the time.

Lancer

Thanks so much for your description. Can you tell me how to go about booking this, and how much it costs? My son is a train enthusiest!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Can someone tell me what a steam train tour is?

http://www.allearsnet.com/btp/tours.htm#rr

 

[dsjmeadors]

http://www.allearsnet.com/btp/tours.htm#rr

Thanks so much! Do I just call guest services? Thanks,again so much, I think this will definitly be the highlight of my sons trip! Whose favorite ride is Thunder mountain!

 

[DJ Disney Kid]

Theres a steamtrain tour?!

"Here you'll see the steamtrain. Here you'll see where we put the coal for the steamtrain. Thank you and have a great day at the Magic Kingdom."

 

[CDSTapisRouge]

Do I just call guest services?

You would call 407-WDW-Tour to book, but keep in mind that children must be at least 10 years old to participate in this tour.

DJ Disney Kid... The train tour is really well done, even for those that are just along for the ride. They range of guest on the tour is from the novice that is just there to be with their significant other to the train enthusiasts and even some train crew from around the world. Most everyone enjoys this tour. It has a lot of Disney history and gives you the opportunity to actually go to the roundhouse and get into one of the locomotives. The tour guides are awesome (and I am not just saying that because I work on the trains ... they really are great).

 

[BankBunny]

Thanks for all your help. DH loves trains so I knew this one would be perfect for him. I think we'll aim for 6:30. I really like to be early. Also, as far as the price is concerned...if you have a Disney VISA card and use that for payment you save 20%.

 

[mlill]

We just did the Magic Behind the Steam Trains Tour a few weeks ago, and I have some pictures of it in my Trip Report...

Train Tour Pictures

We had a great time on the tour!

-Michelle

 

[dsjmeadors]

Well Rot, he's only 4. But a train lover. Thank you again for the information.

You would call 407-WDW-Tour to book, but keep in mind that children must be at least 10 years old to participate in this tour.

DJ Disney Kid... The train tour is really well done, even for those that are just along for the ride. They range of guest on the tour is from the novice that is just there to be with their significant other to the train enthusiasts and even some train crew from around the world. Most everyone enjoys this tour. It has a lot of Disney history and gives you the opportunity to actually go to the roundhouse and get into one of the locomotives. The tour guides are awesome (and I am not just saying that because I work on the trains ... they really are great).

 

[CDSTapisRouge]

Well Rot, he's only 4. But a train lover. Thank you again for the information.

If you go to the Toon Town Train Station you can easily get right up front by the locomotive. Most of the engineers would be happy to hop down and say hi. They can tell your son a little about the train and show him some of the locomotive. This is also a great place to take photos. You can get close up at Main Street as well, but Toon Town is the best.