Need the 411 on taking the train...

[gigi1313]

where it leaves you, how to get from train station to wdw, costs (of transport to wdw), etc?

please help! have a friend traveling in march, afraid of flying, and came to me as her "disney expert!"

TIA!

 

[MartDM]

I don't have any first hand information but my sister-in-law is taking the train to Orlando then moving further south to see my in-laws. She said that Amtrak has their own bus that will take her to Sarasota...given that, I've gotta believe they have some sort of shuttle to WDW.

Try contacting Amtrak for more info...

 

[gigi1313]

thanks mart...

i know i can contact amtrack or even google it and get some info but i was hoping for some feedback from some first-hand train takers... LOL!

anyone?

 

[gigi1313]

well, i did some research... it's not cheap!! (not sure why i thought it would be)

are the coach seats comfortable enough for a 24 hour trip? if you were a family of five (3Adults, 1Child, 1Baby) do you think one room would be enough and take turns? even if you get a room, do you also get coach seats or is it one or another?

again, what are the ground transportation options from the amtrak station in orlando to wdw?

someone? anyone? Help will be greatly appreciated

 

[malibuconlee]

I have no first hand knowledge of that route. However the East/West runs are quite often hours late. DH's aunt and uncle often take the train between Denver and SE Iowa. It's a constant thing to watch and see how late they are going to be. Many times 3-4 hours. Amtrak doesn't own the tracks they use, the freight companies do. If there is a conflict the freight company wins and gets use of the track.

You either get a "room" or a coach seat. It's one or the other not both.

The only other thing my DH has said about taking the train (he did from Iowa to Utah for spring break one year in college)...after about a day on the train people start to stink LOL.

 

[lisa-upnorth]

gigi-I have done the trip many times.Most recent was July and I love it BUT it is not cheap!Ask your friend for her budget and I can help you work on it.The train is great fun IF(and that's a big if) you get the room and are well rested!The trip for me from Albany NY to WDW is 24+ hrs.The trains can run late and often do.This last trip we were on time but I have had trip go 4 hours over I would not advice basic coach setting with a baby and children.I started a trip report(sadly, I never finished it) but it has train pics and stuff that might interest you.I was a family of 4 so we got 2 roomettes round trip and it was about $2400.Since I will not fly there is no choice.Feel free to write me with ???

 

[gigi1313]

thank you lisa for the info... wow, that is not cheap at all~ yikes!
i don't understand how if you get a roomette, you get no seat, so where do you go if you are awake and don't want to lie down... some of those "rooms" don't have chairs! (at least there is none in their little diagram)

how about transport from the train station to wdw? is taxi the only option?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Actually, all the roomettes come with seats - they're what folds out into the bottom bed at night (your cabin steward will do that; remember extra money for the tip).

It's been several years since I've taken the train anywhere. I only went from Boston to Washington overnight, and just got business-class seating. I had both seats to myself - most passengers opt for general coach, although it'd probably be different on a longer trip

A couple of people have mentioned the train running (hours) late. Amtrak doesn't own the tracks, the/a freight train company or similar does. Freight trains therefore get the right of way; the train's timing can also be affected by weather.

Yes, taxi (or town car) is the only option. Your friend will want to use the Kissimmee station, not the Orlando one. It's a little closer to WDW, but this is especially important on the return trip and moreso if they're not going for the roomette - since this station is smaller and not nearly as busy.

Totally apart from this, though - we have a family friend who, about twelve years ago, had a panic attack while boardng a plane home from Orlando and refused to fly after that. He was using Amtrak to travel across the country - yes, all the way across - for a number of years.

He went to a hypnotist in Boston known as The Mad Russian - and it worked! He flew out west, just last year! Saved himself three and half/four days' travel! Why am I telling you this? Well, I'm guessing Long Island/the NYC area has equally well-known and effective behavior modification specialists. Your friend might want to ask around

 

[lisa-upnorth]

Gigi-as the previous poster mentioned all roomettes have 2 very nice seats .You are also free to move to a seat in one of the cars but why would anyone want to.
Also, I just wanted to run down the price and what you get.First you pay for your ticket onto the train like everyone in coach(I think this is a wee bit of double dipping if you are buying a room but that is a fight for another day!).The price on the stubs I have was $63 for a child age 4 and $126 for an adult from Albany one way.Then you add the roomette if you chose at approx. $400.The roomette is for 2 people only(they may let you add the baby into the room but that is it.Since we had myself,hubby,17yr old and 4 yr old we had to get 2 roomettes.So that is $800 each way.I would like to add that for this money you get to eat 3 meals a day in the dining car for free.You may eat whatever you like.You may take it back to your roomette or eat it there in the dining car.I have a picture of this in my trip report.
My thinking is this--I will not fly and haven't in over 14 years(scares me to death!!).The stress of driving from New England to Disney with 2 kids is a lot for most parents that are on vacation.That is a long time in the car.You need to stop to get gas, pee, eat and stretch, and unless you are crazy, you need to stop and spend the night in a hotel along the way.You will also arrive a wee bit frazzled after the long trip with kids asking are we there yet If you add up the gas,food,hotel and any other issue that may pop up, and take into consideration how draining it will be to arrive at disney and be ready to go after that trip my feeling is that the train is worth it.To us, it is a great adventure and like a second part of the vacation.The kids love it and we have a great time playing games and reading and planning our disney days.
As for transport-I agree with the above poster-you get off in Kiss. and not Orlando.We rented a car at Hertz which is right there in the train station.Took me 10 minutes at most from train to being in the car.Then within a 1/2 hr we were at our hotel and ready for the magic

 

[JB2K]

where it leaves you, how to get from train station to wdw, costs (of transport to wdw), etc?

please help! have a friend traveling in march, afraid of flying, and came to me as her "disney expert!"

TIA!

The board expert on Amtrak (as it relates to Disney) is pepe_of_ohio

Pepe often says if you are taking the train, it's much easier to terminate your travel in Kissimmee (rather than the main station in Orlando).

 

[lisa-upnorth]

Pepe is great for Amtrak scoop

 

[kaytieeldr]

Gigi-as the previous poster mentioned all roomettes have 2 very nice seats .You are also free to move to a seat in one of the cars but why would anyone want to.

Thank you for that information, Lisa! I actually have a question (well, two - but the other one has nothing to do with travel, so I'll hit the community board momentarily ).

Okay, here goes. While roomette/sleeping car passengers can move to other cars, the reverse is false, correct; coach, even business passengers aren't allowed in the sleeping car(s)?

 

[lisa-upnorth]

You are correct! No one is allowed in a sleeping car unless they have a room paid for there.In the back of each sleeping car there is also free coffee and juices.We also asked for and rec'd cans of soda to have in our roomette.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Have you thought about taking the autotrain from Lorton Va. to Sanford Fl.?

I've seen great reviews of the autotrain.

I wish there were several autotrain routes!

 

[Swmr359]

I would much rather travel by train than plane. The rooms are worth the extra cost in my opinion. Our meals were included in the cost of the room, someone came around at night to put our beds down, delivered a newspaper in the morning and woke us up in the morning so we would have time to eat before arriving. Train people are really nice also, it's fun to meet new people during your meal.

 

[lisa-upnorth]

I totally agree with the last poster
Driving 24hrs with kids in traffic VS waking up to palm trees and having the paper delivered to you in bed is a no brainer!

(one of our train games is to see you can spot the first palm tree.We all know that we are not up north anymore!!)