posted
I've noticed that typically there is a long delay for Sunset Limited #2 arriving in Orlando. (Recently over 19 hours).
We're staying at the Polynesian which doesn't allow cancellation within 5 days of first night's stay.
Due to the risk of not making it to Polynesian the first night, what would you guys recommend? Is it worth booking a cheaper hotel near the station for the first night, and start our stay at the Polynesian from the 2nd night? It will be a pain with transporting 2 kids, transferring luggage, etc. twice, but I guess it might be better than losing $$$ in missing the first night stay at a deluxe resort hotel.
posted
You might check with the hotel and see what they advise. They may give you a break if you are delayed beyond your control. Then if you do end up running late you should call them from the train to let them know your status.
------------------ Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth. -Mr. Toy
posted
In the UNlikely event the train is on time you still do not arrive at the station until 8:45pm. Add a shuttle, taxi, or car rental and you probably arrive at the hotel around 9:30pm. I recommend, despite having to unpack twice, you save some hard earned money and spend the first night elsewhere. Even if your on time you won't be their early enough to enjoy the "resort". Secondly, you won't be focused on your watch while your on the train and you will be able to enjoy the ride much more. I learned this lesson when my wife & I took the City of New Orleans between NOLA and Chicago and we arrived 10 hours late when I was counting on an on time arrival :-( Have a nice trip!
posted
I'd strongly suggest staying somewhere other than the Polynesian that first night. Given the Sunset's chronic tardiness and the hour of even an on-time arrival, you would arrive in Walt Disney World too late to really enjoy anything.
You might consider staying in one of Disney's All-Star Resorts the first night, which generally go for about a third the cost of the Polynesian. The big advantage here is that you can check into the Polynesian early (say, 9-10 a.m.) the next day, then enjoy the resort or the parks while Disney moves your luggage (at no charge) from one resort (and room) to the other. This saves a LOT of the hassle of moving (I've done this several times). While there is no guarantee your room will be ready that early, you can always check-in and then enjoy the parks or resort, and return later when your room is ready (and luggage has arrived).
You can find one of the chains with a good reputation certainly, perhaps with a same day "cancel by 6 p.m. policy", but it's unlikely the train will be so late you would not need the room at all. And once you get much above the $70 price range, you would do about as well in the All-Star Resorts.
posted
I live in the Orlando area. While I cannot think of any hotels/motels right in the immediate vicinity of either the Orlando or Winter Park AMTRAK stations, I might suggest the Orlando Radisson -- it's about halfway betwen ORL and WPK, and would be a convenient taxi ride from either station.
Posts: 2428 | From: Grayling, MI | Registered: Mar 2002
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic
