Memorymakerfor4
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2018
- Messages
- 1,044
1. The train ride itself was wonderful and relaxing. Everything is nice and new. Took about 3 hours from MCO to Fort Lauderdale.
2. They're still working out the kinks on the DCL side. When we boarded the bus to MCO the woman taking our info stated we were the first group she'd had who was taking the train and had to check with someone to confirm it was terminal C. We were told we'd be a separate drop-off but the bus driver unloaded our bags with everyone else and said this was where we needed to be, which I now think was incorrect.
3. There's very little signage at the airport, at least that we saw. Brightline's instructions online said to ride the elevator from terminal C to level 5 but... there was no level 5 where we were dropped off. A helpful security guard finally told us we had to ride to level 4, cross the walkway, take another elevator to level 5, go across the bridge, through the parking garage, turn right, up the escalator, through the ticket terminal, to grandmother's house we go. It was a stupid long walk with suitcases. I understand we were probably dropped off at the wrong location, but it would be nice to see something pointing you in the right direction from other airport locations.
4. Bags are $25/ea to check. I guess I missed this when I booked our tickets, so $75 out the window there, but that's on me.
5. Food. This was our biggest beef with them. Food is scarce and that's a problem when you've taken Disney transport after going through customs, have had nothing to eat since 7, and your train doesn't arrive at it's destination until almost 4. The only food between the ship and the train was a bar and a convenience type store right at the train. Both were very poorly stocked, the bar only had cold sandwiches for sale that day and they were truly terrible, we are not super picky and just nibbled. The Caesar salad wrap was particularly bad. There is food service on the train but it was equally bad and they were out of most food by the time they got to our car, except for gummy worms, Cliff bars, and chips. If you have kids, there was also no milk or juice anywhere either, just booze, soda, and bottled water.
The last bit I'll add here is when I asked for a bag to go with the 3 sandwiches I bought so I could carry them on the train, the bar was out and I was sent to the other shop to ask for one (I think they're operated by the same people). I picked up a snack for my son here, then asked for the bag while paying. The woman at the convenience counter tapped the screen where I'm prompted to tip, then smiled at me. No tip, no bag, I guess.
6. We thought car 2 (1 is premium class) would be next best, we were wrong. They started food service from the back of the very last car and worked their way up. Food service didn't arrive at our car until about 2 1/2 hours into the trip.
My takeaway here is I would be willing to ride the train again, maybe, but only if I'm able to secure something for my family to eat elsewhere. With kids it was a huge issue but I'm also pretty sure we're not their target audience. We may look at renting a car next time.
2. They're still working out the kinks on the DCL side. When we boarded the bus to MCO the woman taking our info stated we were the first group she'd had who was taking the train and had to check with someone to confirm it was terminal C. We were told we'd be a separate drop-off but the bus driver unloaded our bags with everyone else and said this was where we needed to be, which I now think was incorrect.
3. There's very little signage at the airport, at least that we saw. Brightline's instructions online said to ride the elevator from terminal C to level 5 but... there was no level 5 where we were dropped off. A helpful security guard finally told us we had to ride to level 4, cross the walkway, take another elevator to level 5, go across the bridge, through the parking garage, turn right, up the escalator, through the ticket terminal, to grandmother's house we go. It was a stupid long walk with suitcases. I understand we were probably dropped off at the wrong location, but it would be nice to see something pointing you in the right direction from other airport locations.
4. Bags are $25/ea to check. I guess I missed this when I booked our tickets, so $75 out the window there, but that's on me.
5. Food. This was our biggest beef with them. Food is scarce and that's a problem when you've taken Disney transport after going through customs, have had nothing to eat since 7, and your train doesn't arrive at it's destination until almost 4. The only food between the ship and the train was a bar and a convenience type store right at the train. Both were very poorly stocked, the bar only had cold sandwiches for sale that day and they were truly terrible, we are not super picky and just nibbled. The Caesar salad wrap was particularly bad. There is food service on the train but it was equally bad and they were out of most food by the time they got to our car, except for gummy worms, Cliff bars, and chips. If you have kids, there was also no milk or juice anywhere either, just booze, soda, and bottled water.
The last bit I'll add here is when I asked for a bag to go with the 3 sandwiches I bought so I could carry them on the train, the bar was out and I was sent to the other shop to ask for one (I think they're operated by the same people). I picked up a snack for my son here, then asked for the bag while paying. The woman at the convenience counter tapped the screen where I'm prompted to tip, then smiled at me. No tip, no bag, I guess.
6. We thought car 2 (1 is premium class) would be next best, we were wrong. They started food service from the back of the very last car and worked their way up. Food service didn't arrive at our car until about 2 1/2 hours into the trip.
My takeaway here is I would be willing to ride the train again, maybe, but only if I'm able to secure something for my family to eat elsewhere. With kids it was a huge issue but I'm also pretty sure we're not their target audience. We may look at renting a car next time.
