Need help from Kissimee Train station..

[Disneymommie]

We are debating what to do about our June cruise. Drive from NJ or take the Train. I like the idea of having my car to be there the night before and be able to do things, also less expensive. But the thought of that drive again UGH!!! We are thinking about taking the train in. However we would arrive a day early. Is there a hotel by the Station to stay in the get a transfer to the port early the next AM? If we goto Coccoa Beach the day before we will need another transfer from hotel to port. This could get pricey and lots of cars involved. Last the Raddison has shuttles what is the earliest time they shutte you over, we like to be at port when it opens. Can someone help with the about list of questions if I have not confused you Thanks

 

[outahere]

I think I would check with one of the limo companies for a price to take you from the train station to the Radisson, then pick you up at the port to go back to the train station (when the cruise is over). Then you could take the Radisson shuttle to the port in the morning. The port doesn't open until 10, so their earliest shuttle is probably around that time.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Look into both the Orlando and the Kissimmee Amtrak stations. Coming form the north, you'll arrive in Orlando before Kissimmee. Orlando is a larger and busier station than Kissimmee.

Neither Amtark station is in walking distance from any hotel that you'd want to stay at.

Your best bet might be to have a town car service pick you up at one of the Amtrak stations and take you to a hotel (at Cocoa Beach or Port Canaveral) that has shuttle service to the DCL terminal. The town car service could recommnnd which Amtrak station, based on their pricing from each.

I recall seeing a Hertz office in at the Orlando station, but not at Kissimmee. (A one-way car rental from the Amtrak station to Port Canaveral is another option you might want to consider.)

 

[Disneymommie]

Thanks for the info, I never thought of a car rental. I will look into that. Again Thanks

 

[goodfaerie]

We're taking the train from Providence to Orlando and using Tiffany Town Car Service. They're bringing us back after the cruise, as well--hope this helps.

GoodFaerie

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

I checked out the Orlando AMTRAK station during my recent trip to Central Florida.

To reiterate Horace's comments... the Orlando AMTRAK station is not within walking distance of any hotels, and attempting to walk there is not recommended. An AMTRAK station employee with who I spoke estimated taxi fares to downtown hotels as $7 - 8.

Hertz does not have a counter at the Orlando station. However, they have a phone to their nearby office. A Hertz staffer was on site when a train came in during my visit, ready to shuttle incoming passengers to their office. Although other nearby rental agencies would also pick up customers from the train station, Hertz has a special arrangement. You can return your Hertz car directly at the AMTRAK station... you don't need to return it to the off-site office.

I would estimate about 150 people disembarking here on the day before Thanksgiving. Obviously with that number of people coming in, services will be available.

Coach USA had several vans on site and an attendant soliciting business.

Happy Limo (as recommended by Barb & Tony) picked up a family and whisked them off in a late-model Cadillac DeVille.

Based on location, I would assume Orlando to be a better location than Orlando if you're heading to the port.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by Dave_from_Marietta
Based on location, I would assume Orlando to be a better location than Orlando if you're heading to the port.

And better than Kissimmee too?

 

[christinou]

Have you thought about taking the autotrain from Washington, DC. you don't drive that far, and then you have your car with you....

 

[Magic_Fan_Bruce]

The Winter Park station is small, but very nice station in the middle of the park in downtown. I don't know if all the trains stop there, so it may be easier to use Orlando. Winter Park, Orlando, and Kissimee are all about the same distance from the port.

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Horace, thanks for confirming that I should have gone to bed instead of posting after midnight!

 

[Disneymommie]

thanks again for all the help. We are still debating what to do. I will look into all suggestions. Again I love this board what great help from everyone.