Revisiting taking Amtrak to WDW

[WolfpackFan]

Okay, there is another thread that talks about taking Amtrak to WDW and a couple people said they prefer getting off at the Kissimmee station versus the Orland station. I am wondering why? My concern is the availability of taxis - wouldn't there be more taxis at the Orlando station than the Kissimmee station? Also, still trying to find out how much it would cost to take a taxi from either station to Animal Kingdom Lodge. It is seeming like not many people take Amtrak to WDW.

 

[wdwrich]

The Kissimmee station is closer to WDW, so the taxi ride will cost less. There are taxis available at both stations, so I wouldn't let that be my deciding factor.

 

[BillyBuff]

I've taken the Amtrak to WDW and it is cheaper and closer for taxis/transportation to get there. Plus added charge if you wanted to make a stop for groceries.

 

[WolfpackFan]

Thanks. I will book Kissimmee.

 

[pepe of ohio]

We've used Kissimmee exclusively....other than being closer to WDW, boarding to return home is so much easier since everyone and their brother boards at Orlando...

We've seen the long long line of guests standing out in the hot Florida sun, trying to get in a coach door with their carry ones and souvenirs plus jamming the aisle trying to find their seat number and store their stuff...line hardly moves and the train is in station at least an hour or more...

Kissimmee, few guests use the station and train is there like 20 minutes or less...cabs are available, run to WDW used to run around 40.00....

 

[Lori day]

I live in the area the Orlando station is kind of in rough area if you get off in Kissimmee the lynx bus is right next to it get the 56 it will take you to magic kingdom parking lot (it will say magic kingdom on the bus) for 2 bucks a person and from the magic kingdom parking lot just take the boat across and there are Disney buses to the resorts .I am a single female and ride the buses all the time they are very safe .

 

[sweet maxine]

I live in the area the Orlando station is kind of in rough area if you get off in Kissimmee the lynx bus is right next to it get the 56 it will take you to magic kingdom parking lot (it will say magic kingdom on the bus) for 2 bucks a person and from the magic kingdom parking lot just take the boat across and there are Disney buses to the resorts .I am a single female and ride the buses all the time they are very safe .

How can you manage this with luggage or a large backpack to the resorts? I'm thinking of doing this, but have read that Disney does not allow any type of luggage on their resort transportation.

 

[Lori day]

I have done my shopping before and live near disney and get on the bus pushing a large cart full of food and push it right off and on and I am not even staying at resort they never say word to to me.I always carry a large backpack and they never say a word .I take my bag with my bowling shoes and bowling to go to down disney on the disney bus and they never say word.People get on with there kids and bring big bags of stuff for the children larger strollers and they never say anything .

 

[MarkF0wle]

How can you manage this with luggage or a large backpack to the resorts? I'm thinking of doing this, but have read that Disney does not allow any type of luggage on their resort transportation.

You would be fine with a backpack, as they wouldn't be able to know if it was a park backpack or what. However they don't allow luggage (cases, etc) on the bus. I have personally watched the driver refuse boarding to a couple with cases who wanted to get on at DTD & go to their resort (they were transferring from one of the DTD hotels to a Disney hotel).

 

[sweet maxine]

I have done my shopping before and live near disney and get on the bus pushing a large cart full of food and push it right off and on and I am not even staying at resort they never say word to to me.I always carry a large backpack and they never say a word .I take my bag with my bowling shoes and bowling to go to down disney on the disney bus and they energy say word.People get on with there kids and bring big bags of stuff for the children larger strollers and they never say anything .

Okay, thanks!

 

[sweet maxine]

You would be fine with a backpack, as they wouldn't be able to know if it was a park backpack or what. However they don't allow luggage (cases, etc) on the bus. I have personally watched the driver refuse boarding to a couple with cases who wanted to get on at DTD & go to their resort (they were transferring from one of the DTD hotels to a Disney hotel).

Hmmmm. That's what I'm thinking about. Is there no way to get from the train station to a resort otherwise? Seems I would be forced to use a cab for that, and I'm not a fan of riding in a cab.

 

[MarkF0wle]

Hmmmm. That's what I'm thinking about. Is there no way to get from the train station to a resort otherwise? Seems I would be forced to use a cab for that, and I'm not a fan of riding in a cab.

My honest answer would be to contact Disney directly. Whenever I have had a question regarding transport at WDW the answer I get from every cast member is that they won't leave a Disney guest stranded anywhere on property. They have a fleet of minivans around property that I am always seeing them bus people around when they need it. If you contact them & ask them they may be willing to provide a solution & the worst that can happen is they will confirm you need to get a taxi.

 

[sweet maxine]

My honest answer would be to contact Disney directly. Whenever I have had a question regarding transport at WDW the answer I get from every cast member is that they won't leave a Disney guest stranded anywhere on property. They have a fleet of minivans around property that I am always seeing them bus people around when they need it. If you contact them & ask them they may be willing to provide a solution & the worst that can happen is they will confirm you need to get a taxi.

Thank you. I think you're right to go to the source directly. Will call today to check on this.

 

[DanBoris]

Hmmmm. That's what I'm thinking about. Is there no way to get from the train station to a resort otherwise? Seems I would be forced to use a cab for that, and I'm not a fan of riding in a cab.

Another option is a car service which is a step up from a cab.

 

[pepe of ohio]

We've used a cab once the first time traveling by Amtrak, then discovered car services... It's been awhile going by train but cabs were 40.00 one way...car services were 100.00 round trip with a 30 minute grocery stop..we enjoyed that stop at Publix...next door was a liquor store...tremendous saving doing this....way better than using a grocery delivery service....Disney is not going to come to the Kissimmee Amtrak station to pick anyone up...your decision...Towncar or cab...or Lynx

 

[Accident]

Absolutely use Kissimee. Orlando is further away and there's some highways you have to use, we almost missed a train home even leaving well in advance with evening traffic. It's never been a question to get back in time at kissimee.

We've always seen a cab there, they tend to walk around to baggage claim and make sure everyone is ok calling in more taxis if needed. We've also seen plenty of signage for the numbers to car services and taxis on both the small store in the parking lot, and the amtrak waiting room it never once concerned us. There's always uber, lyft and I forget the local area big taxi company but they also have a press a button for a taxi app.

I do agree with PP, the hired cars are a great value to have a car pre-scheduled to/from the resort and that 30 minute grocery stop is great to grab some things on the way in so you can avoid the extra costs.

 

[DanBoris]

Last time we hired a car service they didn't have any of their sedans available to pick us up, so they sent a stretch limo at no extra charge.

 

[sharadoc]

How about a rental car? Are they available in Kissimmee?

 

[WolfpackFan]

Regarding car services - does anyone have any recommendations for one that will pickup in Kissimmee? Also, what if the train is late? Will the car service monitor if the train is on time or not?

 

[Accident]

How about a rental car? Are they available in Kissimmee?

I never rented a car from there but from previous research hertz is really close and offers pickup service to bring you and your luggage to them from the train station. IIRC it's only 2-3 short blocks away. I believe booking a car rental is also possible via the amtrak website but never really used the other options other than train tickets.