Magical Express pick up at AMTRAK?

[Gmouse]

Anybody know if Magical Express pick up/drop off is avail. at Orlando or Kissimmee Amtrak Station? I googled this but can't find my answer- only OLD anwers! We will be traveling with a 12 and 1 yr old...not so sure about getting a cab. Never been in one.... and we won't have a car seat! We usually drive, but the fare is so cheap and it would be quicker. ...just riding at night might be an issue for our 1 yr old!?

 

[disneymarie]

No ME at Amtrak.
Often recomend a cab or rental car with a good code. I think some have a car service they use with a grocery store stop.

 

[OKW Lover]

As noted, there is no ME service to the AMTRAK station. You'll find the Kissimmee station is closer to WDW so the cost of a taxi/car service should be lower there.

 

[Alesia]

I would take a car seat. You can request a taxi with a car seat, but there's a good chance that it will be unsafe and/or filthy.

Cab fare from the Kissimee station will be about $45, plus tip, one way. About $10 more if you go to the Orlando station.

 

[Gmouse]

Thanks guys! Alesia- I can only imagine how filthy a cab co. car seat would be! YUCK. I would rather just strap her into my lap and pray al the way to WDW! lol I need to think about all the things we are going to have to load up if we do Amtrak......car seat, stroller, all of our clothes all the little foods that she eats (doesn't eat much restaurant food) IDK what Amtrak charges for all this extra stuff. Need to check into that tomorrow.

 

[BillyBuff]

I actually posted about this situation a month ago.

I'll be arriving at the Orlando Amtrak station and were presented withe the following options:

- Car service or cab to resort
- Car service or cab to MCO then take DME to resort

We're opting for the first one to save time. We could've booked to arrive at the Kissimmee station but it's too late to change train reservations.

 

[tjmw2727]

Instead of a cab how about a town car? Usually the same price or cheaper and you can make a reservation for one with a carseat. We use Tiffany Town car but you will have to check to see which companies service the amtrack stations. Many of them will offer a 30 minute grocery stop so you can stock up on the baby foods and not have to bring them from home.

You may also be able to get a car rental and a carseat even if you do a one way tirp each way from an onsite company. Mousesavers.com has some great tips on rental car discounts and transportation to and from WDW in general.

Thanks guys! Alesia- I can only imagine how filthy a cab co. car seat would be! YUCK. I would rather just strap her into my lap and pray al the way to WDW! lol I need to think about all the things we are going to have to load up if we do Amtrak......car seat, stroller, all of our clothes all the little foods that she eats (doesn't eat much restaurant food) IDK what Amtrak charges for all this extra stuff. Need to check into that tomorrow.

I hope this was in jest. As dangerous as riding without a carseat would be for a 1yo, strapping her in with you would be even more dangerous. This would cause the baby to act as your airbag in the event of an accident. In fact; even in a sudden stop a baby could be injured this way.

Most airlines don't charge for baby equipment and I would imagine amtrack has simliar policies. I can't think of anything more important to bring for a baby than the carseat

Nevermind that it is against FL law; the roads IMHO are so crazy with us tourists driving rental cars that we aren't familiar with to places some of us have never been to!!

 

[bumbershoot]

I would rather just strap her into my lap and pray al the way to WDW! lol

I know you're saying you'd rather do that THAN use the nasty rental car carseats. I know you wouldn't really do that.


Amtrak's luggage policies:

3 50lb bags checked EACH. 2 carryon bags EACH.

NOT INCLUDED in these limits are "personal items such as purses, briefcases, laptop computers, baby items such as strollers, diaper bags and car seats, and equipment required for a passenger's medical condition such as breathing assistance devices and oxygen tanks."


Honestly, you can take on far more than you guys will be able to carry.

The only oddity about Amtrak and carryons is that generally the space AT your seat is relatively small, and you'll be leaving the bulk of the carryons in an unmanned luggage bin (on west coast trains it's downstairs while seats are upstairs). So bring those luggage locks and luggage tags!

Of course you know you won't be able to use the seat while ON the train, but it will be helpful to have it once you're there, even if only for the ride to and from WDW.

 

[Gmouse]

OMGosh- YES, I was kidding!!! No way in this world would I EVER strap my child in with me. Especially in Orlando of all places. I don't like the fact that we would be on a TRAIN without one....that's even worse. Trust me- I am the MOST fanitacal PARANOID germ freak parent on earth!! I fear the CAB more than anything-being bolted around thour Orlando's crazy traffic in car by stranger!? Maybe the ones that cover the areas around the Mouse's house aren't as bad as what I've seen on TV!! lol

 

[Gmouse]

I actually posted about this situation a month ago.

I'll be arriving at the Orlando Amtrak station and were presented withe the following options:

- Car service or cab to resort
- Car service or cab to MCO then take DME to resort

We're opting for the first one to save time. We could've booked to arrive at the Kissimmee station but it's too late to change train reservations.

What is MCO? Airport?? how much would we save on cab fare by doing that....if that's the airport. We do need to watch what we spend-main reason we are thinking about Amtrack. We live in SC and gas alone is going to cost what our train tickets would...and we would be more comfortable...except for our baby. She will be turn during our trip, but still NEEDS her sleep....I MEAN needs it. Leaving SC at 1:44 a.m......(actually leaving our house at 12:00 a.m.....I dunno.... never traveled with her during the night. If we can take her car seat on the train- she will sleep a little in that...otherwise she might be running the isles

 

[Gmouse]

I know you're saying you'd rather do that THAN use the nasty rental car carseats. I know you wouldn't really do that.


Amtrak's luggage policies:

3 50lb bags checked EACH. 2 carryon bags EACH.

NOT INCLUDED in these limits are "personal items such as purses, briefcases, laptop computers, baby items such as strollers, diaper bags and car seats, and equipment required for a passenger's medical condition such as breathing assistance devices and oxygen tanks."


Honestly, you can take on far more than you guys will be able to carry.

The only oddity about Amtrak and carryons is that generally the space AT your seat is relatively small, and you'll be leaving the bulk of the carryons in an unmanned luggage bin (on west coast trains it's downstairs while seats are upstairs). So bring those luggage locks and luggage tags!

Of course you know you won't be able to use the seat while ON the train, but it will be helpful to have it once you're there, even if only for the ride to and from WDW.

oh shoot! I was hoping we could use her seat on the train! she would sleep in it too I know....I guess we'll be chasing her up and down the train if she decides NOT to sleep
and that IS alot of luggage they allow! we usually take very little when we go-but now we have a little one -and it's good to know we can take all her "things" she needs. it's been a while since we took a little one to Disney!

 

[Gmouse]

Instead of a cab how about a town car? Usually the same price or cheaper and you can make a reservation for one with a carseat. We use Tiffany Town car but you will have to check to see which companies service the amtrack stations. Many of them will offer a 30 minute grocery stop so you can stock up on the baby foods and not have to bring them from home.

You may also be able to get a car rental and a carseat even if you do a one way tirp each way from an onsite company. Mousesavers.com has some great tips on rental car discounts and transportation to and from WDW in general.

What exactly is the diff. between town cars and cabs, in your opinion?? I am from a SMAAAAAALL town- we probably have 2 cabs for the whole town! If that. I don't know about all this big city stuff I just know Disney

 

[goofy4tink]

Cabs are, well cabs. Towncars are nice Lincoln towncars that can be hired by guests for a nice, private ride to their destination. Some refer to them as limo's but they truly aren't limos....just very nice larger cars. They cost about $60 each way...but that's from MCO to WDW. And, they can accomodate your car seat needs.

 

[tjmw2727]

Cabs are, well cabs. Towncars are nice Lincoln towncars that can be hired by guests for a nice, private ride to their destination. Some refer to them as limo's but they truly aren't limos....just very nice larger cars. They cost about $60 each way...but that's from MCO to WDW. And, they can accomodate your car seat needs.

This - and the price is usually around he same but when you make a reservaiton in advance with a towncar you know exactly what the fare will be and the car will be waiting when you arrive. Find one that guarantees a carseat and your all set.

Other questions you asked above,
MCO is the airport, that poster was saying that the cab fare may be cheaper from the amtrack to the airport after which you could use the Magical Express. This doesen't solve the carseat issue though unless you decide to bring yours.

Honestly - from South Carolina I would probably just drive if you can. Baby will sleep in the carseat, you can bring as many bags and baby car items as you need and you won't have to rely on WDW transportation when you arrive (unless you want to!).

 

[Gmouse]

The town car does seem like the better way to go from what everyone's saying. I think it would be worth a few extra dollars to use them and their car seats (which are probably better than a cab co's!?) than to have to lug around a car seat everywhere. We use Dis transportation when we are there. We never get in the car until time to leave! We usually do drive, but we went to Panama City in May-about the same distance to Disney- and it was BAD. She screamed all the way. A few LITTLE cat naps and a dvd here and there, but our back seat is too cramped. We have an older child and he got tired of hearing it-poor thing! A larger rental car is way too expensive for us.
On the train (I am THINKING?) we may be more comfortable..able to move around more. Change diapers and feed her easier...without stopping every two hours on the car. We have drove striaght down and never stopped one time- we had food in the car and kept on driving The biggest problem is the train won't leave until 1:44 a.m....if she will go to sleep we're good to go.......AND on the way back home it doesn't leave Kissimee until 6:40 pm...what to do with our luggage between check out and a car pick us up? We usually hit Downtown Disney on the morning we leave, but no where to keep the luggage if we Amtrak........
I guess I just need to call these places and find out. I just like to hear oponions of those who have been there and done it

 

[tjmw2727]

Your wdw resort will store all your bags after you check out, no charge but the bellman should be tipped.

I would plan to be back at the resort at least 30 minutes before your scheduled pickup time for the towncar so you can get your bags etc. I would keep this in mind when leaving DTD as in my experience the buses don't run as often as the park buses.