train to wdw

[mistee]

planning my sept wdw vaca w/o hubby cause he isn't a wdw fan

it is me,, dd12, ds 5 and ds2. I am coming from delaware and i dont' like to fly. I can drive but w/ just me and three kids it doesn't sound very fun!!

has anyone ever taken the train to orlando?
is there ataxi service that can get me to wdw and does anyone know how much?

i also have never been on a train for more then three hours so not sure what a 21 hour trip would be like..

can you get and and move around?


any help would be great!!!!

 

[Andrew Bichard]

I am coming from delaware and i dont' like to fly...

...is there a taxi service that can get me to wdw and does anyone know how much?

any help would be great!!!!

I would imagine a taxi from Delaware would be expensive!!! <gdr>

AQndrew

 

[TillyMarigold]

I've only ever done the auto train to WDW, so I don't know about the taxi question, but yes, you can definitely get up and move around the train.

 

[gigi1313]

i have a thread on here from a few days ago asking for the 411 on taking the train... you might want to look for it ('cause i have no idea how to link it) as i rec'd some great info

 

[kandb]

Look into the autotrain, it leaves Lorton, VA and is only around 20 minutes once you get off the train, it arrives at sanford, fl. You will also not need a taxi since you will have a car. Book asap as fares go up and if you cancel you get a full refund. Good luck, Linda

 

[disney_girl125]

Hi! I'm going in December alone with my 3 kids..they're around your kids' ages. Mine are 12,10, and 6. I don't fly either! So, it's the train or driving alone for me. I've pretty much decided on the train. I'll be getting it in Wilmington, DE and taking it to Kissimmee. From there yes, there are cabs. I found one and it's about $40 to pop. I am going to try to get a bedroom on the train. At least then me and the kids will be alone in our own room.

I took the auto train in December when we went to Disney. I don't think I want to do it again. We live in PA and it was a 3 hour drive, then it felt like we wasted our whole day waiting around. Then when you get to Sanford it's an hour drive to the resorts. I didn't use the car the whole time we were there. The last day I did drive to MK but it was a pain, I prefer the busses.

And as for the train..yes, you can walk around on it. They have dining cars, lounges, etc.

 

[cg1200]

I've only ever done the auto train to WDW, so I don't know about the taxi question, but yes, you can definitely get up and move around the train.

Just curious - does the train make a lot of stops? Did you go with kids? How did they like it? We always fly from the NY area, but I hate flying too. If the auto-train were closer to NY I might consider it but I think its probably 8-10 hours just to get to the train. Then another 20+ by train. As much as I hate planes, just can't beat the convenience.

 

[car55]

I always take the train From New York to Orlando. I love it. I get a sleeper roomette. The room is comfortable and the food is good. It takes about 23 hours' there are about 20 stops on they way but most you are there about 3 minutes. Some are longer to take on fule and water. Its east to get to WDW from the Orlando station and there is even a car rental agency there. Book your trip early and you will save a few dollars as well look for promotion codes.

 

[cg1200]

I always take the train From New York to Orlando. I love it. I get a sleeper roomette. The room is comfortable and the food is good. It takes about 23 hours' there are about 20 stops on they way but most you are there about 3 minutes. Some are longer to take on fule and water. Its east to get to WDW from the Orlando station and there is even a car rental agency there. Book your trip early and you will save a few dollars as well look for promotion codes.

From NY? Like Penn Station? Wow. 23 hours. Do you take kids? I think mine would go nuts for that length of time.

 

[car55]

I take a New Haven train from Conn to Grand Central Terminal than depending how many bags I have I either take a cab or the subway to Penn Station. I dont travel with kids , but I have met many families on the train, and the kids seem to like it . I had one mom tell me they get a little worked up once were in Flordia. From Jacksonville there is about four more hours of travel. I take the 11:00 AM out of Penn I go to bed around 9:30 PM in the Carolinas, and wake up in Jacksonville. If all goes well I'm at EPCOT in Germany enjoying a bratwurst and a beer by 1:30 PM

 

[cheesekate2005]

Does anyone know which Orlando area Amtrak stations have car rental agencies, and which agencies they have? I can't find this information easily on the Amtrak website!

 

[Eeyores#1Fan]

We always take the train but only from NC. It's an overnight trip so my kids don't get to bored to quick before going to sleep. DH LOVES the fact that they have outlets so you can charge your portable game devices, laptops and cell phones. We've yet to get a room because it's at least 8 of us if not more. Coming from NY can seem like you'd get bored but just think..no wear and tear on your car, not stopping for gas or food or having to get caught in traffic. When you want something to eat you simply get up and go to the dining cart to get it. We don't mind flying just rather pay $390 for 7 people vs $1,400 That's what I would have had to pay if we flew this coming Mar. vs the $390 I did pay.

 

[Eeyores#1Fan]

Oh and there is a Hertz rental desk in the Orlando Amtrack...not Kissimee.

 

[cheesekate2005]

Thanks... I suppose the best way to rent a car is to get one right at the station? Or, do rental agencies send shuttles to the train station?

 

[Eeyores#1Fan]

Thanks... I suppose the best way to rent a car is to get one right at the station? Or, do rental agencies send shuttles to the train station?

Well we always use a transportation service so recently I said 'Self...check into renting a car'. Main reason being we are going from Amtrack to Universal, from Universal to WDW, from WDW to train station. Figured it would be easier right. WRONG. I need a van and the Hertz station at Amtrack never has any vans. So I start my hunt....in the end here is what I found out.

No, other agencies will not send a shuttle to the station for you. They will tell you take a cab to the station to pick up your car. Best way to try and find a rental agency is to search by using Amtracks address. The Orlando stations is 1400 Singh St. or something like that.

Hope that helps!

 

[cheesekate2005]

Thanks...this is good information. Better get researching deeper!

 

[car55]

Hertz is the rental agency at the Orlando Station. The station is one of a very few that offer rental cars at the station. The address is 1400 Sleigh Rd Orlando. They have checked baggage too. I dont mind flying but hate the hassle with getting to the airport, lines,security and baggage. I make the train trip part of my vacation. And use the time to read,listen to music,watch a DVD on a portable player , or just relax.

 

[Rae&familyxmas05]

Took the same train ride in '05, with 3year old and a 5 year old. Left midday and it wasn't a bad ride going down. Overnight kids were a little restless, mainly because they were anxious, but overall it was a good trip. I also had a car company pick us up from station and dropped us back off, well worth the money, book this ahead of time, they will also supply car seats.

 

[hbehrman]

We always take the train but only from NC. It's an overnight trip so my kids don't get to bored to quick before going to sleep. DH LOVES the fact that they have outlets so you can charge your portable game devices, laptops and cell phones. We've yet to get a room because it's at least 8 of us if not more. Coming from NY can seem like you'd get bored but just think..no wear and tear on your car, not stopping for gas or food or having to get caught in traffic. When you want something to eat you simply get up and go to the dining cart to get it. We don't mind flying just rather pay $390 for 7 people vs $1,400 That's what I would have had to pay if we flew this coming Mar. vs the $390 I did pay.

We have done the same. Once with DW and twin DD4 in 2006, and the First week of Jan 2010 for myself and DS. The latter $132 AAA round trip. Fantastic.

The first trip we got a special offer of 2 roommettes across from each other for an additional $150 (included meals) one way south. We got called from Amtrak marketing about two weeks before our trip (second week of September). We were spoiled.

Anyway the biggest deal for us (and cost, around $110 round trip) is finding transportation to WDW form the Orlando station. The first time we used Happy limo, which was fantastic for 5. But this last time since it was just my son and I, we made no prearrangements.

This was a good thing as Amtrak now seems to have subcontracted Florida Van Pools (FVP) for transportation, rather than the craziness it was before with taxis drivers everywhere and widely varying rates. The rate FVP cahrged us was for 2-5 people for $35. What a deal for compared to what I paid before (saved about $40-50). As for leaving from the resort you make arrangements 24 hours ahead of time with the driver that dropped you off. Our driver was very prompt, punctual and courteous (MAL).

We usually drive when it is the 5 of us, but I am seriously considering taking the train (about $302 for 5) for all of us when we go down in October again.

 

[cheesekate2005]

How did you find out about Florida Van Pools, were they at the terminal, or did you find out before hand?