An Amtrak train picks up riders bound for Walt Disney World. (c) 2009 Peggy Macdonald
Although the majority of travelers to Walt Disney World arrive by plane or automobile, many families have discovered that an old-fashioned train ride makes the journey to Disney almost as fun as arriving there. Amtrak's Silver Star and Silver Meteor trains provide service from destinations as far north as New York City and as far south as Miami. Grandparents, parents, and children can also board the train from myriad stops in between New York and Miami. Aside from the sheer pleasure of riding a train, one of the main advantages of train travel over airplane travel is space. Amtrak's coaches provide ample leg and elbow room for adults, and kids are free to walk up and down the aisles (under the watchful eyes of parents). Many families bring coolers with drinks, snacks, and bags of toys to occupy children. Each cluster of seats has an electrical outlet for riders to charge personal DVD players, MP3 players, cell phones, and laptops. Yet most kids will be too excited about riding the train to bother with electronic gadgets.
An Amtrak worker lets a train aficionado wear his conductor's hat.
Just like the classic Disney cartoon where Mickey Mouse carries Pluto onto a train in a suitcase--only to be hounded by a villainous conductor attempting to enforce a no pets policy--a real conductor punches your ticket on the Amtrak train. If you're lucky, he or she might let you wear an official Amtrak conductor's hat. Another advantage over flying to Disney World is that passengers can visit the train's club car and dining car. This also beats driving, because riders do not need to stop to eat. The club car features casual dining: Snacks, meals, beverages, and domestic and imported beers are available for purchase. The dining car offers delicious hot meals served with an ever-changing view. Try the Railroad French Toast for breakfast, the Angus burger for lunch, and steak for dinner. Seafood, chicken, and vegetarian dishes are also available. The menu suggests fine wines that complement each dish. All meals are served at linen-covered tables with comfortable booth seating. First class tickets include meals in the dining car. Coach class passengers pay separately for meals.
The Amtrak dining car offers gourmet meals with ever-changing views of natural Florida.
As the train gets closer to the Orlando station, the conductor walks through the aisles announcing, "Next stop Disney World." For children, the excitement becomes unbearable. Although most Disney travelers get off at the Orlando station, the Kissimmee station (the next stop after Orlando) is actually closer to Walt Disney World. The small station is located in historic downtown Kissimmee. Taxi drivers greet riders at the station. The Osceola Parkway leads directly from downtown Kissimmee to Disney World. On the sad day that families' Disney vacations come to an end, travelers return to the train station for the journey home. There are no long security lines to grapple with and no worries about traffic on the Interstate. Other Amtrak passengers can spot families returning from Walt Disney World by their Mickey Mouse ears and large bags full of Disney souvenirs. Fortunately, Amtrak does not charge extra fees for most luggage, so Disney travelers can take plenty of loot on the train. The long train ride home provides families with a chance to regroup after their vacation and savor their new Disney memories.
For more information on taking a train to Walt Disney World, visit the official Amtrak Web site.
Comments
My wife and I took Amtrak's Silver Star from Raleigh, NC to Kissimmee, FL in December 2008 and it was the worse travel experience either of have ever had. We were assigned to the last car from the end on our departure and the rides was so jerky we could hardly sit in our seats and the trip toodk 13hours 38 mins. and we were exhausted. We went straight o ur room and crashedashed for five house, lost that day. On our return trip home we were assigned to last car on the train, just imagine being on the tip end of a dogs tail, we werte thrown all over our seats. We have good friends that are retired exec. from the railroad, they asked why would anyone in their correct minds ride the train, we can ride for free and we will not do such!!
I just returned from a round trip vacation to Disney World via the Auto Train and my entire family loved it. It is well worth the extra cost to book a sleeping compartment. The food was amazing and free wine flowed abundantly. The bedrooms were small yet comfortable. I will never drive to Orlando again. I will say that the media player in the First Class lounge broke down on the return trip and we had to go to the coach lounge to watch the evening film presentation. There is a stark difference between coach and sleeping car accomadations and I would never want to make the trip in coach - but I will go using the sleeping cars anytime!
We always ride Amtrak from NY to WDW. Wish the Mouse would arrange for transportation to and from the station they way they do for the airport.
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