Taking the AMTRAK from Raleigh, NC to Orlando..need info

[Melanie230]

We are traveling all night long from Raleigh, NC to Orlando in October. We still don't know where we are going. Currently we are booked to go to Universal Studios and staying at Hard Rock Hotel. If Disney does the Free Dining again this fall, we may change plans and go to Disney and stay at Pop Century. I was looking at MEARS for getting from the train station to either Disney or US/IOA. Is a cab the best way to get there? I dont see any shuttles to either place. We are a family of 4 (2 adults 2 kids ages 11 and 8) Anyone have any suggestions. I don't want to pay $100 for a car etc. I want the cheapest way to get where we need to go.

 

[NJGirl]

A cab is usually 45-50 dollars each way from things I've read on here. So for 100 round trip plus tax (comparable to cab fare), I usually book a car service. They are waiting for me at Orlando Amtrak and drop me off back there at the end of my trip.

 

[Melanie230]

Really? I Mapquested Pop Century from the AMTRAK station and it was only 2 miles away. I know that the Hard Rock Hotel is further. Hmmm...I may need to research this a little more.

 

[DC7800]

Pop Century is more than two miles from any Amtrak station. In fact, the closest station to Pop Century (and most WDW Resorts) will be the Amtrak station in Kissimmee, one stop south of Orlando. Mapquest puts the Kissimmee station a little over 13 miles from Pop Century; Orlando is 20 miles away.

For Universal, I'd stick with Orlando, though, as it is closer to Orlando then Walt Disney World.

 

[Melanie230]

Thanks everyone. I am going to change our station to Kissimmee instead of Orlando. We are going to book a Towne Car round trip. Hard to believe it costs $100. Our train tickets were only $265. YIKES!

 

[2BOYMOM]

Just wanted to jump in and say we are also taking the Amtrak from Raleigh to Orlando but in August. This will be the first time we have done this. Will actually be my first time on a train!

We are going into Orlando because we are renting a car from Hertz. I'm excited about the train!

 

[Melanie230]

Just wanted to jump in and say we are also taking the Amtrak from Raleigh to Orlando but in August. This will be the first time we have done this. Will actually be my first time on a train!

We are going into Orlando because we are renting a car from Hertz. I'm excited about the train!

Oh that is great. If you remember...could you please send me an email about your trip? Are you doing coach seats or getting the little room? Since there are 4 of us...we just opted for the seats.

 

[katybugsmom]

Thanks everyone. I am going to change our station to Kissimmee instead of Orlando. We are going to book a Towne Car round trip. Hard to believe it costs $100. Our train tickets were only $265. YIKES!

Hey there!
Our family may decide to take the train from Florence, SC to Orlando. We are planning on going the week before Christmas. We were planning on going to UO too, but may spend some time at WDW if they do the FD and extend it like they did last year. Our tickets would only be $302.00 and that's a lot cheaper than using our own car, gas and two extra nights in a hotel-I have back issues and can only drive 1/2 way in a day. On the train I can move around as much as I need! I couldn't believe how expensive it would be to rent a car! Can you send the website you used for the Towne Car? We will have to keep in touch!

 

[Poohbeck]

We just did Amtrak to Orlando from CT. Yes, I know a little crazy, but, it was fine.

We rented a car in the Orlando station from Hertz. Very easy. There were a lot of shuttles and taxis around the area waiting for people. I think the reason I didn't do Kissimmee was because they didn't have a car rental place.

We didn't purchase the sleeper car, but, I wish we had during the night. Although, the price seemed quite high to add the sleeper car, so, I guess I made the right decision.

let me know if you have any questions.

 

[2BOYMOM]

Oh that is great. If you remember...could you please send me an email about your trip? Are you doing coach seats or getting the little room? Since there are 4 of us...we just opted for the seats.

I will be glad to do that. I have never been on an Amtrak train in my life, so this is a new experience. We are just going with the coach seats because it is $360 for the 4 of us (with AAA discount) for coach but the add the rooms, it is over $1,000.00 and we could fly Southwest for that. So kinda defeats the purpose (to save $$$). I'm just a little worried about sleeping but I guess it will all work out in the end.

We are going into the Orlando station also because I have reserved a car through Hertz.

 

[lisa-upnorth]

while sleeping is not easy-it can be done for a few hours I get the roomette but it is costly! As for the car ride-I would rent.I have a thread with me recent experience and I loved the car for the price VS the car service.I will bump my thread and then you can see the car info and prices. Glad so many are enjoying the rails

 

[hbehrman]

My sonand I used shuttle service in Jan at the Orlando Amtrak that for up to 5 people is $35 total to WDW. As I understand it Amtrak contracted this out so there are no cabs and fighting for customers. The service was great and the driver I had was very courteous, although you are not riding in the newest van.

 

[hbehrman]

I will be glad to do that. I have never been on an Amtrak train in my life, so this is a new experience. We are just going with the coach seats because it is $360 for the 4 of us (with AAA discount) for coach but the add the rooms, it is over $1,000.00 and we could fly Southwest for that. So kinda defeats the purpose (to save $$$). I'm just a little worried about sleeping but I guess it will all work out in the end.

We are going into the Orlando station also because I have reserved a car through Hertz.

We live in Raleigh and I did this trip with my son in Jan. The train cars are much nicer than the ones my wife and I came back on about four years ago with my twin girls.

Don't get your hopes up, but if they don't fill up the roomettes you may get a call from Marketing that will give you a sweet deal. When we went with the girls we got a call two weeks out with the offer of TWO roommettes facing each other for the trip down for $150 total (not for each one). Remember this also includes meals. I jumped all over that.

Enjoy. Also could you post what you thought of the ride south and then back north. I thought the ride south was very smooth, but the northbound was rough. Really rough between Orlando and Jacksonville.