Taking the train (NOT the Auto Train) to WDW

[Therinian]

I would be coming from the Washington DC area. Amtrak offers service into Kissimmee and Orlando, and if I am staying in the Pop Century Resort, then my best bet would be to take the train into Kissimmee?

Also, which would be recommended from the train station to my resort: a taxi or town car (if they do that)?

Thanks!

 

[ValDisney]

I took the train from NY to Kissimmee this past DEc. Kissimmee is a much smaller station so their weren't crowds. It was great getting off. i used Sunray and the driver was right there when we got off the train. Leaving we were the stop b4 Orlando so it was great. We picked our seats and were settled. When we arrived in oralndo there was a line of people who were waiting to get on.
I heard alot obout delays. We had none. WE arrived in fla on schedule and got home 30 min early.
Valerie

 

[Therinian]

I took the train from NY to Kissimmee this past DEc. Kissimmee is a much smaller station so their weren't crowds. It was great getting off. i used Sunray and the driver was right there when we got off the train. Leaving we were the stop b4 Orlando so it was great. We picked our seats and were settled. When we arrived in oralndo there was a line of people who were waiting to get on.
I heard alot obout delays. We had none. WE arrived in fla on schedule and got home 30 min early.
Valerie

Thank you, Valerie; your tips were wonderful! Is there an actual station (building) there at Kissimmee? I saw a brief video and I couldn't tell. Also, I'm not familiar with Sunray, but I will definitely check it out! Do you have that link?

 

[ValDisney]

Yes, its a very small station. There is a building(rest rooms and 2 booths) Not as big as orlando. They had benched to sit on outside while waiting for the train. it was early so it was fine.
As we were heading to Fla and passed stations I couldn't believe how small there were. At 3:00 am (yes I was still up) I saw a woman standing alone waiting for the train.
I didn't notice if cabs were waiting for people at Kissimmee so. I would arrange ahead of time. Sunray charged $90.00 for round trip. I went to All star movies.
It was great. Like I said he was waiting for us as soon as we got off the train. (i was alone with my children). Bc it was a small station he parked right in front. We went back to get out bags (again right there).
On the way back he came to the hotel and dropped us off right in front of the station. That is a plus about the smaller staion.
Alot of bigger staions (we used Penn going) have Red cap services to help
WE were going during Peak time so the train was sold out. I was glad to be settled in my seat be orlando. Any other questions i would be happy to answer. I searched alot be deciding to take the train
Valerie

 

[Therinian]

Yes, its a very small station. There is a building(rest rooms and 2 booths) Not as big as orlando. They had benched to sit on outside while waiting for the train. it was early so it was fine. ....
I didn't notice if cabs were waiting for people at Kissimmee so. I would arrange ahead of time. Sunray charged $90.00 for round trip. I went to All star movies. .... On the way back he came to the hotel and dropped us off right in front of the station. That is a plus about the smaller staion. .... Any other questions i would be happy to answer. I searched alot be deciding to take the train
Valerie

Restrooms are a plus, especially if you have a 6 year old in tow--lol.

$90 for round trip transportation from the station to Pop Century doesn't seem too steep; we paid $80 r/t for a car from OIA to CSR back in 2000. Oh... I found 'Sunray Transportation' ( http://www.sunraytransportation.com/ ) and am guessing that's the right one?

Also, how long was your ride--from the train station to the hotel?

 

[ValDisney]

My son is 7. I don't remember how far the hotel was from the train. Not long maybe 20 minutes. Sunray will be able to tell you.I believe I read kissemmee is closer then the orlando staion to disney, but since the kissemmee staion is past the orlando station you actually might be in disney earlier if you got off in orlando Pros and cons. With young children i wanted a smaller. less hectic station. i was glad i did.
My son had his dvd palyer.
Best thing to bring (and the PSB, gameboy).
He meet a boy on the train and they watched movies and played with their games. it was very cute.
Valerie

 

[DC7800]

Kissimmee is indeed closer to WDW than Orlando, and there will be taxis waiting at the station if you need one. You might get to your hotel slightly faster getting off at Orlando if you don't have any checked baggage to claim or anything, and could just get off the train and make straight for the taxi stand. But then the taxi will cost you more.

 

[cherylp3]

You might want to wait for Epcotmatt to get back from his trip.

 

[pepe of ohio]

We are a step further in Ohio and we take Amtrak to Washington D.C. and switch trains to head south. Been doing this for years and with our Reward Points we book a roomette out of Washington to Kissimmee. Kissimmee is one stop further than Orlando but everyone gets off in Orlando and that stop tends to be too crowded with everyone trying to get a cab, car or bus to WDW. The 20 minute ride on the train to Kissimmee is great, most of the time only 8-10 people detrain here and there are cabs in a line for your use. Cab fare from Kissimmee to the MK loop of resorts runs around 38.00 one way and take about 15-20 minutes. As I stated above, we like the roomette on the train, only myself and wife, and having the convenience of a bed, though small, is great, in this sleeper all meals are included. Train for is okay, pricey but its included in the sleeper. We usually board in DC around 3:30 pm and by the time we pull out and head on down the tracks its dinner time and off we go to the dining car. While we're gone the porter makes our bunks up and gets the room ready for sleeping. We lolly around over dinner, we been on the trains since 3 am out of Ohio, and we're ready for bed, a good book and maybe a movie, portable DVD player we brought. Wife has the upper, big window and she likes to watch the stars and such. In the am, they provide you with a newspaper and its breakfast time, included, and they come and make up the bunks and you're ready for up right travel. By the time we finish breakfast and relax in our roomette we're in Florida and not too far from Kissimmee. If all goes well, no delays, we arrive around 10:30-11:30 am.

Alittle tip in DC, use the Red Caps, cost you only tips and they take you to the train as soon as it comes in before all the regular people that wait in line board, real neat, all by yourself in the car to pick your seat. We usually have 4 bags and tip him 8-10 bucks, worth it not to lug them and get on the train first by ourselves. Any more you need, just ask, we have been using Amtrak for over 8 years and enjoy the ride, not big flyers and time on a train is relaxing and comfy.

 

[EpcotMatt]

You might want to wait for Epcotmatt to get back from his trip.

We're heading down to Kissimmee from Philly tomorrow. Got a nice discount on a roomette. I called Mears transportation last week. They told me {and their website calculated} that it will be approx $25 from the station to SSR. I'm just going to give them a call when we're about 20 minutes out.

And if anyone's looking for a discount code, aside from AAA's 10% discount, there's an Orlando Magicard you can sign up for. Their code gives you 20% off. I'm not sure of any specific restrictions. But from what they've told me, the current code runs from Feb 1 '07 through the end of Feb '08.

I'll check back when I return & give an update on how things went.

 

[Mickey's Sister]

We're heading down to Kissimmee from Philly tomorrow. Got a nice discount on a roomette. I called Mears transportation last week. They told me {and their website calculated} that it will be approx $25 from the station to SSR. I'm just going to give them a call when we're about 20 minutes out.

And if anyone's looking for a discount code, aside from AAA's 10% discount, there's an Orlando Magicard you can sign up for. Their code gives you 20% off. I'm not sure of any specific restrictions. But from what they've told me, the current code runs from Feb 1 '07 through the end of Feb '08.

I'll check back when I return & give an update on how things went.

I'd love to hear how you did on Amtrak to Kissimmee. We're thinking of doing this for our June trip. Thanks!

Jessica

 

[christobol]

Local county bus service would be less money than taxi. Iam thinking about the train as well- Thanks ahead for for a heads up!