Has anyone taken AMTRAK to the World?

[shopn24seven]

Was thinking it would make a fun summer trip....taking the train and not being in a hurry.
Has anyone done this? Not looking to board our car.
We would be travleing from Philly to Orlando.
How could you get to WDW from there? Is it possible?

Thanks for advice.

 

[pepe of ohio]

We just returned last night from WDW via Amtrak from Ohio. It's a time consuming trip but to us an adventure. As for getting to WDW from the train station, cabs and car services are available.

We've taken Amtrak over 20 times and I must say, this past trip was the best, trains on time and even early. Amtrak is known for always running late, very late. We train from northeat Ohio to DC and then DC to Kissimmee. We travel reserved coach and book far ahead for the best rates, AAA will get you 10% off. Coach travel is doable for one night, take a lunch and drinks and snacks, plus a blanket. seems they can never regulate the A/C on the train and it gets mighty cool during the night. There's tons of room around your pair of seats, sometimes each pair of seats has a receptacle, depends on the train car. We take stuff to occupy ourselves with, Ipods, gameboys, portable DVD players and books. Great way to travel if you have the time and the prices are mostly better than flying.

 

[shopn24seven]

It would be an adventure for us, too.
About how much or the cab fare?

I had a friend so the autotrain and it cost SO much and inconvenient for our needs.

 

[gmomof15]

It would be an adventure for us, too.
About how much or the cab fare?

I had a friend so the autotrain and it cost SO much and inconvenient for our needs.

We go Amtrak every year from Philly to Orlando and love it. That said if you don't love trains you might not like it.

It's about a 20.5 hr. ride (on a good day) Delays are usually caused by CSX, the freight service that owns the tracks. Sometimes Amtrak has to pull to the side for a long freight and that causes delays.
Normally there are no big delays.

The coach cars are really quite comfortable not at all like an airline seat. But the rest-rooms leave much to be desired. They are not clean at all and your feet stick to the floor.

We always get a large sleeper because it has a private enclosed bathroom but be forewarned it costs more than my hotel does at POR for 12 nights
I don't really care because I LOVE the train and won't fly. You can also get a small sleeper for about half the price of the large one and it has a tiolet but it's right in the room you're sitting in. (although nicely camouflaged)

Sleepers are considered first class and entile you to all meals in the dining car and entrance to the VIP lounge in Philly.

If you go coach take a small blanket, as stated earlier it will be cold. You can also take a small cooler with your own drinks and food. Any other questions ask away or send me a pm.

We get a private town car that picks us up at the station and brings us back when we leave. It's about $ 109. round trip. A cab will run you about $45. plus tip each way. It's worth it to me to spend the extra money for a town car.

 

[shopn24seven]

**waving from south jersey**
A town car would work for ME.....

I will definitely check this out for a summer trip. I have no problem FLYING, I just thought my 10 y/o would LOVE to look out the window and see AMERICA. LOL.

Does it pick up at 30th st? I am kinda psyched about this endeavor.

 

[beccasmom]

We've done it from Philly. It was a few years back, but the train left 30th Street Station at around 2:00 p.m. and arrived in Orlando at around noon the next day. We did not have a sleeper compartment; slept in our coach seats. The seats are roomy, have lots of space between the rows and recline. They are pretty comfy. Be sure to bring a pillow and blanket. I will not say you will actually get a great night's sleep - everyone is different - but it is certainly possible to doze and get some rest.

We used Mears to get to our resort - CR on that trip. The train makes lots of stops. And delays are quite common. The views are not as exciting as you would think; you are traveling on freight rails, so the views are usually of warehouses and such. But it is definitely more comfortable than flying.

We are contemplating taking the Auto Train at some point in the future. I am not afraid to fly either. Just kind of sick of it. It has become a huge hassle - I can handle the extra security, but the fees for luggage and everything else are just getting out of hand, IMHO.

 

[shopn24seven]

This sounds like such FUN. I don't like to drive long distance any more.
Sitting on a train is more my speed.
I will have to rice it out for summer time. '

I know they have specials every now and then.

 

[gmomof15]

This sounds like such FUN. I don't like to drive long distance any more.
Sitting on a train is more my speed.
I will have to rice it out for summer time. '

I know they have specials every now and then.[/QUOTE


Kids fare is half price and they do have specials where kids are free occasionally. If your excited about it then do it. I think a 10 year old boy would love it.

The earlier you book the cheaper it is and if there is a special after you book you can call and get that price. When looking at the amtrak.com site the prices can change from morning to night or daily, just like an airline, so you have to look constantly. Right now it's $351 round trip for both of you if you went the last week of June 2010. AAA also gets you a 10% discount on the base fare only (coach seats). A small sleeper at that same time would be $820.

Even though some of the "view" isn't spectacular it's still pretty good. Going through the DC area you can see great views of the capitol even the Washington monument. Just take games, ipod or whatever to keep busy when he's bored. Definitely take a small cooler with drinks, snacks, sandwiches, etc. Prices in the lounge and dining car are $$. You can also leave you seat and go sit in the lounge at a table to hang out if you want. Do not leave any valuables at your seat if you do this. Cooler, blankets, etc. won't be touched though that's never been a problem.

Any more detailed questions I would be glad to answer just pm me.

 

[LoraJ]

I did it from MCO to NYC and hated it!!!!

I would get a sleeper car if you can.
I could not sleep at all because I was seated next to a couple of loud drunk men, and when they fell asleep they were just as loud with their snoring. Then there was this girl who was on her cell phone ALL NIGHT. And she would walk up and down the aisle on the phone. I was wishing for her battery to die.

 

[summerlady]

I did it from MCO to NYC and hated it!!!!

I would get a sleeper car if you can.
I could not sleep at all because I was seated next to a couple of loud drunk men, and when they fell asleep they were just as loud with their snoring. Then there was this girl who was on her cell phone ALL NIGHT. And she would walk up and down the aisle on the phone. I was wishing for her battery to die.

I agree with you completely! Drunks, people jabbering, kids out of control with parents who don't care, the bathrooms were disgustingly filthy. It was the most BORING and aggravating trip ever. I used to be afraid to fly, so we took Amtrak to Florida....on the way home the train derailed outside of Emporia, VA. Nightmare. People were hurt, we had to climb out of windows, not one Amtrak employee came to help any of the passengers and we were stuck out in the middle of the woods for a couple of hours until school buses were sent and we were all herded to the local high school until they could figure out what to do with everyone. HOURS later, we were bussed to D.C. and put on another train into Newark, NJ, which really isn't the place you want to end up at 4 a.m. Sheesh. Now I love to fly.

 

[gmomof15]

I agree with you completely! Drunks, people jabbering, kids out of control with parents who don't care, the bathrooms were disgustingly filthy. It was the most BORING and aggravating trip ever. I used to be afraid to fly, so we took Amtrak to Florida....on the way home the train derailed outside of Emporia, VA. Nightmare. People were hurt, we had to climb out of windows, not one Amtrak employee came to help any of the passengers and we were stuck out in the middle of the woods for a couple of hours until school buses were sent and we were all herded to the local high school until they could figure out what to do with everyone. HOURS later, we were bussed to D.C. and put on another train into Newark, NJ, which really isn't the place you want to end up at 4 a.m. Sheesh. Now I love to fly.

What a bad experience you had and I hope you weren't injured in that. It must have been very frightening.
But that happened back in 1989 didn't it?

Amtrak really has a pretty good safety record.
I am terrified of flying and even through Amtrak has it's faults if I'm going to be on anything that crashes I want to be on a train not an airplane.

 

[summerlady]

What a bad experience you had and I hope you weren't injured in that. It must have been very frightening.
But that happened back in 1989 didn't it?

Amtrak really has a pretty good safety record.
I am terrified of flying and even through Amtrak has it's faults if I'm going to be on anything that crashes I want to be on a train not an airplane.

Yep, it was in 1989, and we luckily weren't injured. After that I was just plain afraid to get on a train, I'll take my chances flying. But you're right, your odds of surviving a train wreck vs a plane crash are a whole lot better.