Amtrak train info w/pics!All Aboard-Choo-choo!UPDATED

[pepe of ohio]

Hi Everyone,

I hope someone can help me here. My DD and I are thinking about a spur of the moment trip to WDW. If we take the train from Penn station how much luggage are you allowed o check in? Also will there be room in a roomette for a roll on bag. It's about 20inches.

I have a few more questions How early do they recommend you get to the train station in NY and are there redcaps near the amtrak lounge to take your bags. Should the bags be locked?

Once we're in Florida where do you suggest we get off~~in Orlando or Kissimmee?

Our off site timeshare is 1 mile form the entrance to Disney on Rt 192.

Are there shared shuttles that will be waiting or is there taxi service. Do we have to make advance reservations?
What would be the cost for a taxi from either station Vs. a shuttle.

So sorry for all the questions. We usually drive with my DH but he can't get the time off so this will be a girls only trip.

Thank You for your help

Liz

The space in a roomette is very tight...20" bag will fit...there is some storage space in a cubbyhole by the upper berth....

I believe you can check 2 bags, each no more than 50 pounds, plus 2 carry ons but some stations have no baggage help so you must be able to handle what you bring by yourself....bigger stations do have Red Caps...We use red caps where available, for a tip they will take you and your baggage to your car before General boarding begins...you're all settled before the line up starts to board...

We always do Kissimmee station, less chaos, way less people and closest to WDW...cabs are available...roughly 45-50 bucks one way...We use a car service, around 100.-120.00 round trip with a 30 minute grocery stop....more personalized service and that grocery stop is a money saver, Publix in Kissimmee has a liquor store next door....

Can't help you much on the time share exercises....we're on property people and use the Disney transportation system to get around, we never rent a car...and cabs aren't as cheap as others say....

 

[littlenellbell]

Hi everyone!
I came across this thread and thought I would subscribe. We are not taking the train to Disney, but to Chicago for spring break next month. We've never traveled by train before, so I'm trying to learn all about Amtrak travel.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Hi everyone!
I came across this thread and thought I would subscribe. We are not taking the train to Disney, but to Chicago for spring break next month. We've never traveled by train before, so I'm trying to learn all about Amtrak travel.

We're from northeast Ohio and have done over 20 trips to WDW on Amtrak...

We also enjoy just getting away and nothing beats traveling by train, so smooth, relaxing and carefree...

We'll hop on and take a weekend to DC or Chicago....just for relaxing and shopping....

We travel mostly coach, seats are huge, recline, have a leg rest, high back and are decent enough for one night sleep....sleepers are nice, but real pricey...roomettes being the cheapest, but very small and claustrophobic and the upper berth is a trip to climb up to...

Our pick up station boards at 3 am, is usually late but you get to relax some, catch a nap and before you know it your in Chicago....

We pack food and drink, easy to eat in coach, tray pulls down in front of you or you can bring stuff back from the club car...pair of restrooms per car...climate controlled but we like bringing a light blanket for comfort....a good book, DVD player ( all electronics must use headphones ) receptacle at each pair of seats...

Hope you enjoy and if you need anything else Amtrak wise....just ask..

 

[Liz Z]

The space in a roomette is very tight...20" bag will fit...there is some storage space in a cubbyhole by the upper berth....

I believe you can check 2 bags, each no more than 50 pounds, plus 2 carry ons but some stations have no baggage help so you must be able to handle what you bring by yourself....bigger stations do have Red Caps...We use red caps where available, for a tip they will take you and your baggage to your car before General boarding begins...you're all settled before the line up starts to board...

We always do Kissimmee station, less chaos, way less people and closest to WDW...cabs are available...roughly 45-50 bucks one way...We use a car service, around 100.-120.00 round trip with a 30 minute grocery stop....more personalized service and that grocery stop is a money saver, Publix in Kissimmee has a liquor store next door....

Can't help you much on the time share exercises....we're on property people and use the Disney transportation system to get around, we never rent a car...and cabs aren't as cheap as others say....

Thank You Pepe of Ohio

Well~~~ I bit the bullet and booked our roomettes down and back from Penn station in NY to Kissimmee.
A little pricey but this is a special trip and decided to go for it. It's also a plus to have your meals included

We're excited and can't wait to get out of this polar vortex!!

Would you mind sharing what car service you use? Now that we won't have our car this will be challenging getting around. And we do need to stop for some groceries. and some wine

Are you familiar with route 192 and the public buses?
can't believe we leave in almost 2 weeks I would normally be packed and ready months ago.

Thanks again for all your help
Liz

 

[littlenellbell]

We're from northeast Ohio and have done over 20 trips to WDW on Amtrak...

We also enjoy just getting away and nothing beats traveling by train, so smooth, relaxing and carefree...

We'll hop on and take a weekend to DC or Chicago....just for relaxing and shopping....

We travel mostly coach, seats are huge, recline, have a leg rest, high back and are decent enough for one night sleep....sleepers are nice, but real pricey...roomettes being the cheapest, but very small and claustrophobic and the upper berth is a trip to climb up to...

Our pick up station boards at 3 am, is usually late but you get to relax some, catch a nap and before you know it your in Chicago....

We pack food and drink, easy to eat in coach, tray pulls down in front of you or you can bring stuff back from the club car...pair of restrooms per car...climate controlled but we like bringing a light blanket for comfort....a good book, DVD player ( all electronics must use headphones ) receptacle at each pair of seats...

Hope you enjoy and if you need anything else Amtrak wise....just ask..

Thank you so much for the information! We are also from Ohio and boarding at the Sandusky station at 5:00am. You must be on the other side of Cleveland? I do have a few questions.....How far in advance to you recommend arriving at the station? Is there a way to track if they are going to be late? If so I'd rather hang out at home a little longer than at the station in the early morning with 2 kids and luggage. It's not in the best part of town, it's very small and it's unmanned.

We will be traveling coach. All four tickets round trip cost us $200. Considering it costs $50 per night to park our car at the hotel in Chicago and the gas to drive, the train trip paid for itself! We are excited for this new adventure!

 

[horselvr77]

I took the train from Kansas City to Chicago. I took the cheap train so I had to switch trains in St Louis. That was an experience with a 2yr old, a suitcase, a bag of snacks, and his backpack. The direct train would have cost us $200 round trip. I can pay less than that driving. But the train was comfortable. I brought food with us. I had a bag cooler for drinks. That was nice. I would never do it again alone with my son. It was too much for me to handle. I was a disaster. Lol

 

[pepe of ohio]

Thank You Pepe of Ohio

Well~~~ I bit the bullet and booked our roomettes down and back from Penn station in NY to Kissimmee.
A little pricey but this is a special trip and decided to go for it. It's also a plus to have your meals included

We're excited and can't wait to get out of this polar vortex!!

Would you mind sharing what car service you use? Now that we won't have our car this will be challenging getting around. And we do need to stop for some groceries. and some wine

Are you familiar with route 192 and the public buses?
can't believe we leave in almost 2 weeks I would normally be packed and ready months ago.

Thanks again for all your help
Liz

The car service we used was one of the banned one's on here but I do believe they have ceased operations....

They did pickup in Kissimmee....there are a bunch others out there, you'll have to contact them and see if they'll go to the Kissimmee station...

I guess if push came to shove, a cab to Publix, recall them to pick up to complete journey, paying them to wait can be real expensive....but there are grocery delivery services g uh eat a use....place your order, they deliver to your resort for a nominal fee...

 

[pepe of ohio]

Thank you so much for the information! We are also from Ohio and boarding at the Sandusky station at 5:00am. You must be on the other side of Cleveland? I do have a few questions.....How far in advance to you recommend arriving at the station? Is there a way to track if they are going to be late? If so I'd rather hang out at home a little longer than at the station in the early morning with 2 kids and luggage. It's not in the best part of town, it's very small and it's unmanned.

We will be traveling coach. All four tickets round trip cost us $200. Considering it costs $50 per night to park our car at the hotel in Chicago and the gas to drive, the train trip paid for itself! We are excited for this new adventure!

We try to be at the station 30 minutes plus....train will never be early....the 800 number used to give train status via Julie...a recording but they do say that the trashcan make up time and it will not wait for you...We tend to sit in the car, make the calls to Amtrak and track our train...there also is a Amtrak app for your phone that gives train status ....We've been on time and up to 5 hours late leaving Alliance, we've been so late that they put us on a chartered bus in Pittsburg to beat the train into DC so as not to miss our connection...

Riding the train is an adventure and crapshoot....have loose plans and go with the flow....it is relaxing and comfortable...

 

[bocaj1431]

So excited! I just booked our train tickets from penn station to orlando. Thanks to finding this thread, I chose to ride the train rather than fly and saved money by choosing the train. First trip on the train.

I have a question about the shuttles in the orlando train station. Others have posted this question, but I did not see the answer given.

What is the average cost to take the shuttle to DW?

Are there enough shuttles provided to handle everyone, if not what is the typical wait time for the next round of shuttles?

Will the shuttles bring you directly to your DW hotel. Can the shuttles fit 4 suitcases?
Thanks

 

[Teacher03]

So excited! I just booked our train tickets from penn station to orlando. Thanks to finding this thread, I chose to ride the train rather than fly and saved money by choosing the train. First trip on the train.

I have a question about the shuttles in the orlando train station. Others have posted this question, but I did not see the answer given.

What is the average cost to take the shuttle to DW?

Are there enough shuttles provided to handle everyone, if not what is the typical wait time for the next round of shuttles?

Will the shuttles bring you directly to your DW hotel. Can the shuttles fit 4 suitcases?
Thanks

I didn't realize there was a shuttle, so I am curious for the answer as well. We've always renteda car at Orlando or got a taxi from Kissimmee.

 

[littlenellbell]

We try to be at the station 30 minutes plus....train will never be early....the 800 number used to give train status via Julie...a recording but they do say that the trashcan make up time and it will not wait for you...We tend to sit in the car, make the calls to Amtrak and track our train...there also is a Amtrak app for your phone that gives train status ....We've been on time and up to 5 hours late leaving Alliance, we've been so late that they put us on a chartered bus in Pittsburg to beat the train into DC so as not to miss our connection...

Riding the train is an adventure and crapshoot....have loose plans and go with the flow....it is relaxing and comfortable...

Good advice! Thank you!!

 

[bocaj1431]

Is there a list of car rental companies that will pick you up at station to bring you to their location? Thanks

 

[aprilgail2]

Is there a list of car rental companies that will pick you up at station to bring you to their location? Thanks

If you get off in orlando Hertz is right there in the station.

 

[ayeckley]

Long time lurker, first time poster here.

We are also from Ohio and boarding at the Sandusky station at 5:00am.

We are local to the Sandusky area and have taken several Amtrak trips departing from that station. Oddly, I've never arrived at the station since we tend to return from trips via other means.

How far in advance to you recommend arriving at the station?

Ditto the 30 minute recommendation, although you could probably reduce that if you like. I've never seen one arrive early, and the latest I've experienced has been 30 minutes. Even if they do arrive early, they won't depart ahead of schedule.

It's not in the best part of town, it's very small and it's unmanned.

True, but it is pretty well-patrolled by the SPD since all of the arrivals at the station are in the middle of the night. Sometimes the building is locked, other times it isn't. On my first trip I tried the door just to look around inside but it was locked. A patrolman appeared out of nowhere and asked if I would like him to unlock it. That being said, I'd generally recommend staying in your car until shortly before the train arrives unless there are other travelers at the station.

Hope that helps...

 

[Liz Z]

The car service we used was one of the banned one's on here but I do believe they have ceased operations....

They did pickup in Kissimmee....there are a bunch others out there, you'll have to contact them and see if they'll go to the Kissimmee station...

I guess if push came to shove, a cab to Publix, recall them to pick up to complete journey, paying them to wait can be real expensive....but there are grocery delivery services g uh eat a use....place your order, they deliver to your resort for a nominal fee...

Thank you I have found a car service R/T for $129 which includes gratuity and a stop at publix. Ok~~ a little pricey but so worth the convenience after the long train ride.
I'm sure taxi's aren't that cheap either from the Kissimmee station
My daughter and i will have to figure out our transportation around town. Hopefully the public buses are readily available or it's taxi's for us.

We're only a mile from Disney's entrance so cabs shouldn't be too bad.

We're just so excited to be leaving this horrible weather in the Northeast.

Liz

 

[bocaj1431]

If you get off in orlando Hertz is right there in the station.

I was looking for a different car rental company because hertz is much higher than other rental companies. Thank you though.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Thank you I have found a car service R/T for $129 which includes gratuity and a stop at publix. Ok~~ a little pricey but so worth the convenience after the long train ride. I'm sure taxi's aren't that cheap either from the Kissimmee station My daughter and i will have to figure out our transportation around town. Hopefully the public buses are readily available or it's taxi's for us. We're only a mile from Disney's entrance so cabs shouldn't be too bad. We're just so excited to be leaving this horrible weather in the Northeast. Liz

129.00 isn't that bad... Cabs run 50+ from Orlando and that's 6 years ago....40+ from Kissimmee ...one way...so I know prices have gone up and the 30 minute grocery stop is a huge money saver...especially over a grocery delivery service...

Getting around Disney is easy using Disney Transportation....out side of Disney, you're at the mercy of cabs...just to sit in one and go a few miles, 20 dollar bill... Can really add up...public transportation, Lynx buses... They run where you might not want to go, wait on them and then walk a lot ... we never leave Disney property...renting a car might be a better deal for you...and if staying off property and driving, figure in the parking fee, 15 dollars a day...all this does add up...

 

[Liz Z]

129.00 isn't that bad... Cabs run 50+ from Orlando and that's 6 years ago....40+ from Kissimmee ...one way...so I know prices have gone up and the 30 minute grocery stop is a huge money saver...especially over a grocery delivery service...

Getting around Disney is easy using Disney Transportation....out side of Disney, you're at the mercy of cabs...just to sit in one and go a few miles, 20 dollar bill... Can really add up...public transportation, Lynx buses... They run where you might not want to go, wait on them and then walk a lot ... we never leave Disney property...renting a car might be a better deal for you...and if staying off property and driving, figure in the parking fee, 15 dollars a day...all this does add up...

Hi Pepe of Ohio,

Well~~ we're all set. I ended up renting a car I have never rented one before and I'm just a little worried about all the traffic. My DD(23) unfortunately can't help with the driving.

We'll miss our AP's and have only a couple of days left on some old tickets. So not too many days at the theme parks. Hoping the weather will be warm to just lounge by the pool.

2 more weeks and we'll be on the train in our cozy roomette

BTW, do you know what people give for a tip to the attendants? I'm thinking maybe $10 a person. Also do they frown upon bringing your meals to your room? Just curious. The dining car looks very nice.

I appreciate all your help and advice.
Liz

 

[TandyR]

:

BTW, do you know what people give for a tip to the attendants? I'm thinking maybe $10 a person. Also do they frown upon bringing your meals to your room? Just curious. The dining car looks very nice..
Liz

We normally tip $40 for the four of us. I never thought about how much per person that worked out to be, but I would say yes $10 per person is about right. We did tip more if they went above and beyond. One trip our youngest who was 8 at the time wasn't feeling well and the attendant lowered the top bunk, but didn't set up the lower bunk so she could lay down and rest and my old daughter could still sit and watch things. The attendant brought my younger daughter drinks and things and check in many times to make sure she was ok. So he got a very nice extra tip.

They have no problem with you taking meals in the room. I would tip more when we have done that, but we rarely do that because we like the change of location and stretching of legs the trip to the dinging car brings. When the girls were younger and would get wiggly we eat meals in the dining car, but bring desserts back to the roomette because we didn't want to bother other passengers with their wiggles.

 

[labfan]

We gave a $10 tip when we got off the train.

For the meals you can eat in the dining car, go to the dining car and bring the meals back to your room or the attendant will bring you your meals in the room.
We had our meals in the room and gave an extra tip to the attendant after each meal.
They don't mind at all if you eat in your room.