MiceChat contributor and self-professed train nut, Roger Colton, has a very special trip planned for you Walt Disney World and train fans. Read below for more information on a trip to Walt Disney World by train for the 50th anniversary of the Magic Kingdom!
Magical 50th on Rails!
If you are a Disney theme park fan, the date of Friday, October 1, 2021, should be well marked on your calendars by now. For those who may not remember, it was fifty years ago on that date that the Magic Kingdom and the Walt Disney Resort in Orlando, Florida, opened their doors to guests for the first time.
As that date draws near, Private Car Service is pleased to be able to offer a vintage travel experience to coincide with that event: A Private Railroad Car Excursion from New York City to Orlando and back, with 4 nights at the Walt Disney World Resort – all for the price of $4750, per person, based on double occupancy.
Disney’s Florida resort project was the culmination of the dream of Walt Disney and a revolution in the world of urban planning. After the success of Disneyland’s opening in 1955, many people wondered when Walt would look to open a similar theme park elsewhere. Initially, Walt resisted the idea; saying that, “There would only be one Disneyland.”
It is no secret that Walt Disney was a dreamer. A big dreamer. Look at how Disneyland added attractions in the first few years it was open and you see those dreams in action. Yet, Anaheim had limits on just how big those dreams could become. So, Walt began quietly looking elsewhere for a space big enough to bring all his dreams to fruition.
Now, Florida had become a destination for travelers many years before Disney ever set eyes on the state. With swift and speedy trains from points all along the East and Midwest, and steamships sailing to many Caribbean island destinations, generations had left winter weather of snow and cold temperatures behind. At one time, you could even board a train from New York City and travel directly to Key West where sun and balmy tropical breezes awaited.
Trains such as the Florida Special routinely operated in as many as seven or eight sections to meet the demand of those happy travelers. With Pullman, accommodations on every train making sure the trip was as comfortable as staying at the best hotels. The meals and beverages served in the dining cars and lounges of these named trains were famed for the treats enjoyed by passengers.
Florida enjoyed being the prime destination for travelers for many years. With the establishment of many military installations during World War II, even more people saw that the state was the place to grow. So when the Disney company looked for a new location for another theme park, it was a great choice.
Walt saw this as the opportunity to shape the future in many ways, not just theme parks, but urban planning in shaping the communities of tomorrow. Along with the contributions of the industries of America, that future promised many innovations. Sadly, Walt passed away before he could lead the efforts to bring those plans to completion. It was up to his brother Roy to follow through on Walt’s dreams. And so he did, with the help of the many talented people Walt had brought on board, Walt Disney World opened its door to guests with the Magic Kingdom on Friday, October 1, 1971.
Since that date, Walt Disney World has welcomed hundreds of millions of people, creating memories and enjoying all kinds of experiences. Today, with four theme parks, thirty-three on-property hotels, a dedicated shopping district, two water parks, four world-class golf courses (and two miniature golf courses), and much more, there is no shortage of things for guests to enjoy during their stays.
Before Disney World opened its doors, the traveling public was already visiting Florida in droves. Even though the Interstate Highway system and airlines had become more attractive options, the passenger train was still a primary mode of travel for many. When Amtrak took over operations the year before, there were multiple trains coming to the Sunshine State from the North. The idea of boarding a train for a relaxing trip to start and end a vacation still continues today.
Private Car Service has arranged to charter two classic railroad passenger cars to make this trip to WDW’s 50th anniversary. Taking a page from the past, the travel experience aboard evokes memories of the standards of service and attention to the passenger accommodations.
The first car is the Pullman sleeping car, “Salisbury Beach.” Delivered in December 1954 to the Boston & Maine, by Pullman Standard, this car has six roomettes (for single occupancy), four bedrooms (for double occupancy), and five open sections (for either single or double occupancy). Altogether, there are accommodations for 20 aboard.
The car was originally built for service between Concord, New Hampshire and New York City on the “State of Maine Express”. The car subsequently was assigned to first-class trains throughout the United States until it was sold to the Canadian National Railway in 1966. It was retired in 1982 and restored/upgraded by private owners.
The second car we are using is the “Lamberts Point”. Disney fans may recall the car from a previous charter trip, where it was one of several railcars Disney used on a promotional tour for the film “A Christmas Carol” in the summer of 2009.
It also has a classic railroad history: it was built in 1918 by Pullman for the Norfolk and Western Railroad as their business car #200, and later given the name “Lamberts Point”. The car was used by the railroad as a mobile office for officials. They could tour the railroad, making inspection trips or visiting customers along the line to discuss how to improve their business relations.
The plan of the car is similar to many other business cars. The open platform allowed for observation from inside the car with the large windows. Lounge seating offers a comfortable place to enjoy the view and socialize while en route.
There are three bedrooms aboard; a master suite for the railroad official assigned the car, the secretary’s room (with and upper and lower berth), and a room for the crew of the chef and steward assigned to the car. There is also a bathroom and shower in each room; and a separate shower and bathroom for general use.
But the highlight of any trip is the dining room between the bedrooms and the kitchen. Meals are still enjoyed from a modern kitchen, prepared by a chef aboard the car. The length of our trip will give everyone the opportunity to dine at the table, once reserved for the finest meals for guests of the railroad.
For more information on the two railcars, including floor plans, visit the Private Car Service web site at: privatecarservice.net
The reason for our excursion is the 50th anniversary of the opening of not only the Magic Kingdom theme park, but of the Walt Disney World resort itself on, Friday, October 1st. While Disney has not announced details of what will await guests for the day, we do expect to enjoy new attractions and entertainment throughout the resort.
We are booking our stay at the Cabins at the Fort Wilderness Resort for four nights, starting Wednesday, September 29th. The cabins are just a brief ride in a water launch across Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon from the Magic Kingdom. This location offers a great place to act as our base for our visit. Theme park tickets for 4-days are also included along with access to all of the usual amenities.
On Sunday, October 4th, we will travel by motorcoach back to the Orlando Amtrak station to board our private railroad cars for the overnight trip back to New York City.
We also hope that as the summer progresses and Disney expands operations throughout the resort, that various classic experiences may resume. When these are announced, we will share them with passengers so that more can be planned or more available during our stay.
If you are a fan of Walt Disney World, the 50th-anniversary celebration promises to be a special time. Why not combine that with a classic travel experience for the best of all worlds? It promises to be a memorable seven days!
For additional information and details, you can visit the web pages of Private Car Service, or contact Roger Colton by telephone (925-321-0023) and by e-mail at [email protected]
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