Train To WDW Questions

[NHKristy76]

Hi there,

We have finally convinced my inlaws to make the trek to Walt Disney World. These folks don't go ANYWHERE because my father in law is afraid of flying but have recently decided to take the train from MA to FL.

Anyway, I am not sure how to advise them on getting to our resort, AKL, from the train station. Can anyone shed some light on the best ways to get there?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I believe there is a rental car company close to the train. I think it is Budget. Or there only other option would be a cab. Or you could rent a car onsite at either the car care center or the Dolphin hotel and go and get them.

http://trip.amtrak.com/car_searches/3986835

 

[pepe of ohio]

Real easy to take a cab or have a car service pick them up....

Kissimmee station, cab fare runs 38-40+ .....one way...

Car service, 100.00-120.00 round trip and most give a 30 minute grocery stop....


We enjoy the personalize service of the car service and the grocery stop is a God send, especially at Kissimmee, Publix in route with a liquor store next door... Money saver while at WDW..... We load up on booze and lunch meats for pool picnics... For me, after a day of restaurant food, I need me a homemade sandwich...

As for renting a car.... 47 trips and haven't used a car yet and don't plan on it.... Disney transportation has been great for us....rental is just an extra expense!

 

[NHKristy76]

Ugh! I was really hoping to find a Mears shuttle!

I wonder if it would be cheaper for them to get a transfer to the airport and catch ME?

These people are not competent on their own. I wouldn't mind renting a car but my DH doesn't want to do that...

 

[pepe of ohio]

Ugh! I was really hoping to find a Mears shuttle!

I wonder if it would be cheaper for them to get a transfer to the airport and catch ME?

These people are not competent on their own. I wouldn't mind renting a car but my DH doesn't want to do that...

Someone might correct me but I think there is Mears shuttle or someone's shuttle at the Orlando station.... Out of say 20 Amtrak trips to WDW, we've used Kissimmee station 18 times.... But I believe I've seen shuttle services offered at Orlando.... Google Orlando Station or call the station and ask what conveyances are offered !!

Still, getting into a cab and saying which resort they are headed to, or put on a piece of paper to show the driver can't be that hard..... Believe cab from Orlando is higher than Kissimmee.... 50.00+ one way.... Kissimmee 40.00 one way!

 

[NHKristy76]

Hi everyone!

I decided to ask the CM when I was making some changes to my reservation and found out that there is a Mears shuttle from the Kissimmee (and Orlando) stations. In fact, you book and pay Disney and they arrange for the shuttle to pick you up - very similar to how ME works.

The cost is $74 roundtrip for 2 people. I was psyched that it was so affordable!


Thanks for your input!

 

[pepe of ohio]

Hi everyone!

I decided to ask the CM when I was making some changes to my reservation and found out that there is a Mears shuttle from the Kissimmee (and Orlando) stations. In fact, you book and pay Disney and they arrange for the shuttle to pick you up - very similar to how ME works.

The cost is $74 roundtrip for 2 people. I was psyched that it was so affordable!


Thanks for your input!

There again for an extra 25.00 a car service could be gas with the grocery stop... But if you're not interested in snacks, drinks and things, shuttle might work better....

I'd check again , CM's are known for semi off info.... In all our trips to WDW, over 20 by Amtrak, never seen a shuttle at the Kissimmee station...

 

[NHKristy76]

Well... I booked it and it is printed on my confirmation so I'm thinking it's solid.

My in-laws would just be confused by a grocery stop so we won't be taking that option. I'm sure it would be a benefit to many but not for them!

The best option for us is to get them on a non stop transfer!

 

[pepe of ohio]

Well... I booked it and it is printed on my confirmation so I'm thinking it's solid.

My in-laws would just be confused by a grocery stop so we won't be taking that option. I'm sure it would be a benefit to many but not for them!

The best option for us is to get them on a non stop transfer!

Still never heard of such a thing... Especially printed on your confirmation (who's confirmation, can't be Amtrak)....

I google transportation from Amtrak to Disney and came up with cabs.... Especially from Kissimmee....no shuttles...

Keep us posted, this can be interesting, hope all goes well!

 

[NHKristy76]

It's on our confirmation from Disney... Listed right on the invoice!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

These people are not competent on their own. I wouldn't mind renting a car but my DH doesn't want to do that...

They managed to raise your husband! I hope you're not as dismissive of your in-laws in person as you are here.

 

[chartle]

My in-laws would just be confused by a grocery stop so we won't be taking that option. I'm sure it would be a benefit to many but not for them!

The best option for us is to get them on a non stop transfer!

Ok this got me thinking and this falls into the "only you know your inlaws" category.

If they would be confused about a grocery stop are they going to be OK on the train. Do they have to transfer trains or have major layovers they have to worry about? If I was the one traveling I would be researching this up the wazoo. But anyway i'm with a PP and think you should spring for the car service.

They are going to have to disembark, get their luggage and then find where to catch the shuttle. If the car service is like any other car services, the driver will be standing somewhere noticeable as they get off the train with a sign actively looking for your parents. Once found he/she will probably help them gather up their luggage and help them to the waiting car. I doubt you will get that kind of service from the shuttle. Also this shuttle will probably make numerous stops and since you are at AKL they would most likely be the last ones dropped off.

I just think the car service would be a better start to their probably once and only trip and make it that much more magical. While I'm sure the Mears Shuttle works just fine, you don't want their vacation to maybe start out on the wrong foot.

 

[paults]

just want to know what happens, is there a shuttle?

 

[NHKristy76]

They managed to raise your husband! I hope you're not as dismissive of your in-laws in person as you are here.

Oh please! Save the judgmental comments for someone else.

They are wonderful people and I'm thrilled that they have finally agreed to come with us after years of begging.

They are not, however, competent travelers. So I'm doing the planning... They will not fly so all of the train related details are new to me.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Just to inform, I looked up a trip from Boston to Kissimmee and there's a 3+ layover in New York.... We do one in DC that's 8 hours....

Where we board is an unmanned station which means we haul our baggage on ourselves ( no baggage car) and haul it off in DC, sit in station and wait for our transfer train ( with our luggage)

When our train does pull in to head south, we can either drag our luggage with us or deposit it with the baggage car ( checked baggage) get on the train, right train... Right car and right seat and away we go... This is all coach tickets...

Train do run late, normal pick up for us is 3:15 am.... We've been picked up as late as 7am.... Same in DC you just never know and have to be prepared for anything.

Just warning you in advance that train travel can be an adventure so you must be prepared for all kinds of issues, lateness being a big one, we've hit things on the trains, breakdowns, bomb scare, medical issues.... Just a few to slow up your trip and a few trips been taken off the train and loaded on a motor coach bus to race to another town due to train lateness or rail problems...

Some of this should be explained before hand just in case but hope for an uneventful trip..just so ya know!

 

[bumbershoot]

Just warning you in advance that train travel can be an adventure so you must be prepared for all kinds of issues, lateness being a big one, we've hit things on the trains, breakdowns, bomb scare, medical issues.... Just a few to slow up your trip and a few trips been taken off the train and loaded on a motor coach bus to race to another town due to train lateness or rail problems...

Yes yes and more yes.


I'm actually a bit scared for these people that I don't know. Train travel isn't luxury sitting in a chair with nothing to think about. It can be confusing and stressful, and lateness is something pretty much to be expected. (though maybe it's not as bad on the East Coast as on the West)

At first I thought they were doing the Auto Train, which would be much more simple, but since they don't have a car and they are leaving from MA, that cancelled that hope!

 

[pepe of ohio]

Yes yes and more yes.

I'm actually a bit scared for these people that I don't know. Train travel isn't luxury sitting in a chair with nothing to think about. It can be confusing and stressful, and lateness is something pretty much to be expected. (though maybe it's not as bad on the East Coast as on the West)

At first I thought they were doing the Auto Train, which would be much more simple, but since they don't have a car and they are leaving from MA, that cancelled that hope!

Definitely, we've used Amtrak for over 20 trips and its still confusing...I don't know about New York Penn Station but DC station puts big malls to shame....I tell you, I ask where and what gate our train transfer will be at and just sit there watching our carry ons ( suitcases etc can not be left unattended at all)....as for using the restrooms, we go one at a time so one is with our stuff.... In DC we use the Red Caps ( Amtrak porters in station) they help, guide and inform and take us to the correct train, in time, correct car before general boarding....

When we board in Ohio, unmanned station... It's a little ingested booth out in no where and the train stops for 2 minutes, if you're just meandering down to that booth, it doesn't wait.... And you have to haul all your luggage and stuff to the train ( parking is about 50 yards from the pick up booth) we no sooner step aboard and the train is away....

It's all in good when you have a few trips under your belt and know what to expect... Where to go and who to ask question about but first time, unseasoned travelers its quite undaunting.....

 

[NHKristy76]

I am worried about them traveling by train also... But they recently have taken the train to Pittsburg and a separate trip to Charlotte, NC. They had some stories to tell but made it fine and even enjoyed it quite a bit. My husband likes to joke that they like to travel like it's 1910.

I swear my father in law is afraid to fly but he swears that he just doesn't like "the hassle" of flying and would rather take the train. :

Mind you, we take a non stop flight from Manchester, NH to Orlando and it is the simplest trip imaginable. We live about 10 minutes from the airport and you could find it with both eyes shut.

There is NO way on Earth that a train is simpler but my FIL insists and there is no talking to them.

 

[chartle]

1. I am worried about them traveling by train also... But they recently have taken the train to Pittsburg and a separate trip to Charlotte, NC. They had some stories to tell but made it fine and even enjoyed it quite a bit. My husband likes to joke that they like to travel like it's 1910.

2. I swear my father in law is afraid to fly but he swears that he just doesn't like "the hassle" of flying and would rather take the train. :

Mind you, we take a non stop flight from Manchester, NH to Orlando and it is the simplest trip imaginable. We live about 10 minutes from the airport and you could find it with both eyes shut.

3. There is NO way on Earth that a train is simpler but my FIL insists and there is no talking to them.

1. I guess Orlando shouldn't be a problem then. Also not to be a spelling troll but unless they went to Pittsburg, California or maybe Kansas its Pittsburgh (And yes its Pittsburg in the American Experience but then it didn't have an "H" but thats another thread. )

2. By hassle he may mean Security.

3. At least you got your's to go. My Inlaws think we are crazy because they would never spend $80 a day to just sit on a bench and watch the "kids" ride those crazy rides. They think WDW is just like our local park Kennywood. They are still upset that Kennywood got rid of the $8 general admission.

 

[NHKristy76]

1. I guess Orlando shouldn't be a problem then. Also not to be a spelling troll but unless they went to Pittsburg, California or maybe Kansas its Pittsburgh (And yes its Pittsburg in the American Experience but then it didn't have an "H" but thats another thread. )

2. By hassle he may mean Security.

3. At least you got your's to go. My Inlaws think we are crazy because they would never spend $80 a day to just sit on a bench and watch the "kids" ride those crazy rides. They think WDW is just like our local park Kennywood. They are still upset that Kennywood got rid of the $8 general admission.

Why do people say, "Not to be a spelling troll..." and then be a spelling troll?

Does it make you feel better to point out that I missed the "h" ?