steam train tour

[unclescroogefan]

Has anyone ever done the Magic of the Steam Train tour?

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

bump

 

[mudd]

Did this tour coupleof years ago. Had a great time. They are very inormative. You get to see where they house and repair the trains. The engineer's are very freindly and informative.

 

[LibertyBelle]

Do you have specific questions regarding it? I am one of the tour guides for the train tour (as well as an engineer on the railroad)... I would be happy to answer any questions about the tour that you might have

Most people really enjoy the tour. It starts at 7:30 (but they ask you to arrive by 7:15 since they transportation that early in the morning can be kind of tricky) and is offered Mon, Tues, Thurs and Sat. The tour runs til around 10am (somtimes longer). We spend about 30-40 minutes at the roundhouse watching the morning crew prepare the trains for service and you have the opportunity to get into the locomotive of one of the trains. There is also quite abit of back history on Walt's passion for trains and how/where we aquired our locomotives from. Most people that are on the tour are train buffs, but there are a handful that just love Disney and are there because it is a story they have never heard. It is a lot of fun and gives you a side of Walt that most people don't know about.

 

[Patabel]

We've done it a couple of times. My DH who is an "rabid train fanatic" and I (a tolerates trains person) both LOVED it! It was fun, informative, CM's were the best, and learned much.

I highly recommend it.

 

[Figment2]

Friends and I took this tour last Fall. Loved it! We came away with a lot of information. You will really enjoy it!

Libertybelle - I heard something about the Toon Town station being closed for rehab. Where are you stopping now for pictures? Me bad, I don't remember what it's called when the steam is released.

Cyn

 

[mousebrat]

Thank you LibertyBelle! We are doing the tour at the end of August. You can't seem to find too much out there on this tour, so I really appreciate this thread. Also, it looks like we will be able to make a 10:30 PS at Crystal Palace for breakfast!

 

[ksy8384]

Why is the minimum age 10 to do this trip? My DS will be 9 when we go back next year and really loves the WDW train. I really think he would LOVE this tour. Is it possible to take a 9yo on this tour? We went to the MK one day just to ride the train.... went in, got on, rode around, got off and left to go to HDDR for dinner. Thanks for the info....

Kalen

 

[Banzai]

I have never done this tour, but some information can be found on WDW Info and WDWIG.



Deb's Site Information and DIS Information

 

[EeyoreJMH]

We did this tour last September (DH loves trains) and had a great time! We learned so much about the trains and WDW in general.

I would highly recommend this tour if you like trains

 

[All_Aboard!]

I just have to say this tour is definately worth it, and should not be skipped. If you love Walt, (as well as trains themselves) you will think this tour is the greatest. I went with my father (who supports me in the hobby), and even he thought it was cool.

BTW, I'm just a 14 year old train freak in love with Disney. I work with live steam trains, and I just loved the Disney RR. It's the greatest thing since sliced bread, and not to mention the largest steam operation in Florida.

My only regret is that I would have gotten more involved. I was so incredibly dumbfounded being inside the locomotive's cab and seeing the behind-the-scenes, I didn't ask any questions. I could have learned a lot more, and the engineers are extremely nice. As I know, any train buffs are more than happy to share their knowledge. I just wish I could've made some lifelong friends at the railroad.

I live here in Florida, so Disney was easy to get to just for the tour... (Yeah, I went to Disney just for those Choo-Choos!). The train tours are usually never filled, it's the "Keys to the Kingdom tour" that gets a lot of attention. But don't worry, the "Magic Behind Our Steam Trains" is worth everything 100%. In fact, I'd do it everytime I come to Disney if I could, and hopefully I'll be able to work on the railroad itself someday...

Okay, enough from me. Bottom Line: This Tour is one of the best railroad related tours I've taken-great behind-the-scenes access; the story of Walt and his trains; INCREDIBLY friendly engineers/guides; beautiful trains; what more could you ask for?
Die hard railroaders would enjoy this tour the most, but the average family would get a kick out of it too.

Thanks- and I hope you enjoy the trains! All Aboard!

Yours Truly,

Devon (a.k.a. All_Aboard!)

 

[LibertyBelle]

Figment2... the ToonTown station has reopened so the photo opportunity is still there. When it was closed we still did it there, when they ran the break check up past the block light they just held there for a minute so we could get off and then backed up for the blow down. When they were ready to leave they pulled up and picked us up.. *** Which brings me to the other thing I forgot to mention in my post*** when you book the tour they will tell you no cameras, that is a generic tour speil... you are more than welcome to bring cameras on the Steam Train tour

mousebrat... If you get Jim as a tour guide just make sure he knows you have a PS at 10:30 LOL he can "TALK" most of the time the tour ends around 10-10:15 and then the guides tell you that if you want to hang around they are more than happy to stay and chat with you.

ksy8384... the minimum age is 10 beacuse the roundhouse is considered a backstage area...Please check yor private messages I will give you alittle more info and some other options for in the park time with the trains.

All_Aboard!... Your post means a lot to me as an engineer on the railroad (and a tour guide). I would be happy to answer any questions for you that you have thought of ro think of along the way. You can PM me here on the Dis or write to me at Libertybelle99@aol.com anytime.