Gaylord/Epcot/Amway Center

[JJ2017]

Looking for some alternative ideas to get this one day accomplished with the least amount of "fees" but also least amount of stress. We will not look into public transportation.

We are staying offsite at Gaylord Palms and this will be during the busy xmas/nye week (and a weekday). We would like to start our day at Epcot and possibly park hop but then need to get to Amway Center for a Magic Game that starts at 7. Would like to get inside the arena by 6:30 pm.

We could either drive to the parks, use the car for park hopping, then drive to Amway Center. Have never been - no idea what parking is like (I have researched garages) and what traffic looks like going in that direction during a holiday week, but also during rush hour.

Or we uber in the morning to Epcot, then uber from whatever park we "end" at before the game. Then uber back. Does anyone know where ride share drops off/picks up at Amway? And....if getting an uber after the game is a frustrating experience?

Thank you!!!

 

[MrKnight]

Given the peak holiday period, road traffic will be VERY heavy throughout all of the Orlando area. For the Amway Center I would recommend the following alternative option:

Take the SunRail train (FREE for Orlando Magic ticket holders), from Gaylord you could either drive or take a quick rideshare to the nearest SunRail stations (either Kissimmee or Tupperware stations), and then hop on the Northbound SunRail train to Church Street Station in Downtown Orlando which is within a 5 minute walk of the Amway Center. This will most likely be the quickest and least stressful option, and also the most cost effective given this service is free with an Orlando Magic ticket. Here is a link to the special gameday schedule: https://sunrail.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/23155_SUN_Magic-Train-2022-2023-Season_Schedule_F.pdf

 

[JJ2017]

Given the peak holiday period, road traffic will be VERY heavy throughout all of the Orlando area. For the Amway Center I would recommend the following alternative option:

Take the SunRail train (FREE for Orlando Magic ticket holders), from Gaylord you could either drive or take a quick rideshare to the nearest SunRail stations (either Kissimmee or Tupperware stations), and then hop on the Northbound SunRail train to Church Street Station in Downtown Orlando which is within a 5 minute walk of the Amway Center. This will most likely be the quickest and least stressful option, and also the most cost effective given this service is free with an Orlando Magic ticket. Here is a link to the special gameday schedule: https://sunrail.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/23155_SUN_Magic-Train-2022-2023-Season_Schedule_F.pdf

OK - I'm intrigued. What would be the easiest station to park at - Kissimmee or Tupperware. Is parking free at the station?

 

[tobikaye]

I was intrigued by the SunRail option for the games. Looks like free parking.

https://sunrail.com/station/kissimmee-amtrak/

https://sunrail.com/station/tupperware/

I need to check out these options for a few other things.

 

[Mle8308]

OK - I'm intrigued. What would be the easiest station to park at - Kissimmee or Tupperware. Is parking free at the station?

I would NOT take Sunrail from Kissimmee. First, because the parking lot is very small, and second, it will take you at least 40-45 minutes to drive there. Traffic on 192 is awful, especially when driving from Disney property. The Tupperware stop is just about as long of a drive, you are driving away from downtown Orlando when you drive to Kissimmee. And it's about 30 minutes on the train, add that to the 45 minute drive time. I would drive yourselves, leave at least 60 minutes beforehand to account for traffic and parking downtown. If you use a rideshare, you may be ok on the way to the game, but expect surge pricing after.

 

[MrKnight]

OK - I'm intrigued. What would be the easiest station to park at - Kissimmee or Tupperware. Is parking free at the station?

Yes parking is free at most of the SunRail stations.. Tupperware station has a larger parking lot than Kissimmee so IMO I would recommend parking at Tupperware station..

 

[MrKnight]

I would NOT take Sunrail from Kissimmee. First, because the parking lot is very small, and second, it will take you at least 40-45 minutes to drive there. Traffic on 192 is awful, especially when driving from Disney property. The Tupperware stop is just about as long of a drive, you are driving away from downtown Orlando when you drive to Kissimmee. And it's about 30 minutes on the train, add that to the 45 minute drive time. I would drive yourselves, leave at least 60 minutes beforehand to account for traffic and parking downtown. If you use a rideshare, you may be ok on the way to the game, but expect surge pricing after.

This is totally false, the drive from Gaylord Palms to either Kissimmee or Tupperware stations is no more than a quick 15-17 minutes and parking is free at the station versus 45-60 minute drive to Amway Center and then having to deal with downtown traffic and hefty parking fees around the arena.. The convenience and value of taking the SunRail far supersedes driving..

 

[Mle8308]

This is totally false, the drive from Gaylord Palms to either Kissimmee or Tupperware stations is no more than a quick 15-17 minutes and parking is free at the station versus 45-60 minute drive to Amway Center and then having to deal with downtown traffic and hefty parking fees around the arena.. The convenience and value of taking the SunRail far supersedes driving..

Except they will be leaving from one of the theme parks, not Gaylord Palms. It's basically, on average, 30 minutes without traffic to Tupperware from any of the parks, plus tolls. If you want to go a no toll route, it goes up to 40 minutes with no traffic. And hitting all the traffic lights green.

 

[JJ2017]

We did decide to change hotels to a more north location. This should help a bit as we continue to plan the best route. Thanks everyone!

 

[Mle8308]

We did decide to change hotels to a more north location. This should help a bit as we continue to plan the best route. Thanks everyone!

Have a great time at the game!

 

[betterbutter]

Given the peak holiday period, road traffic will be VERY heavy throughout all of the Orlando area. For the Amway Center I would recommend the following alternative option:

Take the SunRail train (FREE for Orlando Magic ticket holders), from Gaylord you could either drive or take a quick rideshare to the nearest SunRail stations (either Kissimmee or Tupperware stations), and then hop on the Northbound SunRail train to Church Street Station in Downtown Orlando which is within a 5 minute walk of the Amway Center. This will most likely be the quickest and least stressful option, and also the most cost effective given this service is free with an Orlando Magic ticket. Here is a link to the special gameday schedule: https://sunrail.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/23155_SUN_Magic-Train-2022-2023-Season_Schedule_F.pdf

Sunrail doesn't run on weekends or holidays. Additionally, the last train leaves downtown Orlando headed south at around 9:00 pm. Sunrail could be an option to get to the Amway Arena, but it will not work on the return.
It is impossible to get a ride share from the arena side of I-4 after a game. You'll want to walk towards downtown and call for an Uber or Lyft from in front of one of the hotels.

 

[MrKnight]

Sunrail doesn't run on weekends or holidays. Additionally, the last train leaves downtown Orlando headed south at around 9:00 pm. Sunrail could be an option to get to the Amway Arena, but it will not work on the return.
It is impossible to get a ride share from the arena side of I-4 after a game. You'll want to walk towards downtown and call for an Uber or Lyft from in front of one of the hotels.

Click the link in my post above before stating false information, there is a special gameday train that leaves Church Street Station at 10:30pm on gamedays.. In regards to SunRail only operating on weekdays, that part is correct and the OP stated in their original post above that they are attending a game on a weekday..