Amtrak at the Wilson (NC) Station
Amtrak at the Wilson (NC) Station

From Charleston, SC, to Disney World By Amtrak

For now, I will skip the post about my visit with Abby in Charleston, SC, and jump to the next phase of the trip: traveling to Disney World by Amtrak. Abby and I mainly went to the dog park, brushed her, fed her, and repeated that every day, but I may return to it if you want.

Disney World by Amtrak is at the bottom of the story (feel free to skip the rest if that is what you are looking for)

Charleston, S.C. to Disney World by Amtrak via Kissimmee, FL

Charleston SC Amtrak Station
The new North Charleston, SC, Amtrak Station

On Sunday, March 31, my brother-in-law drove me to the new North Charleston Amtrak Station to head north to catch a train and head back south again.

When I arrived last week, it was a quick walkthrough because my little niece was unhappy that she and her mom had to pick me up at 5:30 am.

So I could not see much of the station, but I enjoyed the new station and took a few photos during this visit.

They are still finishing things like parking, landscaping, and interior decorating.

Inside the new Charleston (SC) Amtrak Station
Inside the new Charleston (S.C.) Amtrak Station

This time gave me more time to walk around and enjoy myself. While waiting, I heard my name announced over the P.A. system to come to the ticket office, the first time this had ever happened.

Walking up, I thought something had happened or wondered who had died.

The agent noticed my ticket and said she could save me time and money on my trip.

She called me up. It was very kind of her. This station has the best agents I have ever dealt with for years of Amtrak travel. To get to Kissimmee, I had three train routes to choose from, and I decided on the most extended way because I could, and it fit everyone’s schedule the best.

If the agent only knew I rode Amtrak for fun as well as transportation.

Kev
Palmetto coming into CHS
Amtrak’s Palmetto pulling into the new Charleston Station

The first train: Charleston, SC to Wilson, NC

The Palmetto was the first train of this adventure; from Charleston, S.C. to Wilson, N.C., I went north to go south. Last year, I rode the Palmetto from Philadelphia, PA, to Charleston, SC. Like then, I used business class.

The ride was pleasant but for a gaggle of gals who boarded in Charleston. They were much louder than I would appreciate, but it worked out.

I don’t mind others having a good time, but people should remember they didn’t invite everyone else in the car to their party, so it can be a little annoying when they get a little too loud—this is why I pack over-the-ear headphones to block the noise out, and we are all happy.

The moral of the story is to be respectful of your fellow passengers
The mural inside the Wilson, NC Amtrak station
The mural inside the Wilson, NC, Amtrak station

At Wilson, N.C.

Waiting area Wilson NC Amtrak Station
The larger of the two waiting areas in the Wilson, NC, Amtrak Station

The Wilson, (N.C.) Station, an old 1924 Atlantic Coastline Railroad Station, has a nostalgic charm. To celebrate the 100-plus years of railroad history in  Wilson, the NCDOT commissioned a mural for the station.

The station has two waiting rooms: a larger waiting room, where the mural is the focal point, and a smaller place off the side that works well if you need work or want less traffic.

Vending machines are in the hallway between the two waiting areas if you need a snack or beverage.

This staffed station offers a check bag service (if applicable to your trip). Because this is a small station, the agents may not be available for ticket sales or other in-station assistance right before a train comes or while the train is in the station because they are working on getting passengers on and off the train. The station also has Amtrak Connecting Bus services.

Miss Rail Rose
Miss Rail Rose

On your next visit to Wilson, say hello to Miss Rail Rose, a mosaic lady who greets and bids farewell to all passengers. I am unsure if she is waiting for a train, but when it arrives, she is ready.

While in Wilson, I forgot that most southern cities close on Sundays, so nothing was open around the station.

The City of Wilson offers free Wi-Fi but is spotty in the stations. When you have free Wi-Fi, you can’t complain. The station, owned by the City of Wilson, provides a parking lot for passengers.

To Raleigh, NC

Amtrak's Carolinian at Raleigh Union Station
Amtrak’s Carolinian at Raleigh Union Station

The short trip to Raleigh happened aboard the Carolinian in business class.

I sat next to a lady on her way to stay with her daughter, who had an upcoming surgery. We started chatting while waiting for the train and then quickly became seatmates.

One enjoyable feature of business class on the Carolinian is the car attendant.

The attendant helps passengers on and off the train, assists with ticket collection, and offers complimentary hot and cold beverages. I experienced a similar service on the Pacific Surfliner in C.A.

The train came in on time at the Raleigh Union Station. After de-training, I walked through a tunnel from the platform to the station.

Raleigh Union Station
Raleigh Union Station

At the Raleigh station

Gayle and I
Gayle and I at Raleigh Union Station

During the layover, I met with a Facebook friend and TWK follower, Gayle McCurry.

Gayle was a wealth of knowledge of the Amtrak in N.C. and my guide to the city.

Gayle is an active member and the contact person for North Carolina’s Train Host Association.

The Hosts serve as “Goodwill Ambassadors” for the North Carolina Department of Transportation-sponsored Amtrak trains, Piedmont, and Carolinian. According to the NCDOT brochure, “volunteers assist passengers with travel questions and information, assist train crew in duties as they require, and promote rail safety.”

Cow Bar Burger
Cow Bar Burger, Fries, and Brew

We walked to the Food Hall to get something after Gayle and I quickly looked at the station. The Morgan Street Food Hall offers a variety of food and beverage vendors. After scouting the Food Hall, we found the Cow Bar, a burger and fries joint. I walked to the bar near the center of the building for a brew to wash it down.

The food was excellent and filling! The burger was enough, but the fries were too tempting, so I ordered those in addition to the burger.

We walked back after the delicious meal, and Gayle showed me the station’s grounds and interior. What an impressive station with room for growth. After this short visit to Raleigh, N.C., this city is on my list of cities I want to return to and explore.

Trains to Disney- via Amtrak’s Silver Service Trains

Amtrak Silver Star
Amtrak’s Silver Star in Orlando, FL

I booked a roomette aboard the Silver Star down to the Kissimmee Amtrak Stations, the other option being the Silver Meteor. From Charleston, the Meteor is a more direct route. Both trains run from New York Penn to Miami, FL; the differences between the two trains are:

  • Different schedules
    • The Star is an earlier train.
    • The Meteor runs later.
  • The routes split between Selma-Smithfield, NC, and Savana, GA.
    • The Meteor stays closer to the coast.
    • The Star travels more inland.

The Auto Train will take you to Stanford, FL, from Lorton, VA, and you have a car to drive.

My experience with the Silver Star was pleasant. I did miss the dining car, but I only lost one meal on this train because of when I got on and off.

My only regret for this part of the trip was that I didn’t get in line at the hot dog stand early enough at the Orlando Station. We were at the station longer than I thought,  so when I did get in line, they started calling All Aboard; I missed out on that.

From the Amtrak’s Kissimmee Station to the Disney Transportation and Ticket Center

Getting from the Kissimmee Amtrak Station to Walt Disney World is relatively easy, especially with basic public transportation knowledge. Look for a bus stop sign with the number you are looking for and your destination. Apps like Google Maps will tell you what bus or train you need to ride. Remember that buses go in two directions, so pay attention to the bus’s destination signs to ensure it’s going to the correct location.

If you want to take the bus to Disney

Aboard the 56 Lynx Bus headed to Disney
Aboard the 56 Lynx Bus headed to Disney

The closest #56 Lynx Bus Stop is on West Neptune Rd from the Kissimmee Station, just a short walk from the Amtrak station (about .2 miles).

#56 travels to Disney every 20 minutes and terminates at Disney’s Transportation and Ticket Center, so you will never miss your destination.

Once onboard, insert two dollars into the machine, and you are off! Remember to have the exact amount because drivers do not give change. Then, sit back for the roughly hour-long ride to the park.

From Disney’s Transportation and Ticket Center, you can find a ride to wherever you need to go on the Disney complex via bus or monorail. Before you get on the monorail, there is a security check at the Ticket and Transportation Center. Disney Security checks all bags brought into the parks, including luggage. It is easier to get through them than the TSA.

There is public transportation from Orlando, but there are transfers, while in Kissimmee, you only need one bus.

Rideshares like Uber and Lyft are also available that work better for you.

Disney World Monorail
Disney World Monorail entrance at the Ticket and Transportation Center

I hope you have been enjoying this part of the trip!

Safe travels!

Kev

Are you looking for more information on traveling Amtrak? Check out this page! If you have other questions, feel free to contact me!

Kevin Monteith

Kev Monteith has been traveling on Amtrak since 2012. With over a decade of experience, he has been on over 800 trains, covering over 200k miles of rail. Kev enjoys helping others achieve their travel dreams by providing support and information. Outside of travel, Kev enjoys making music as an organist and outings with family.

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