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Thread: Winter Park shopping trip by SUNRAIL

  1. #1
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    Winter Park shopping trip by SUNRAIL

    We're always looking for something just a little different to do when in Orlando and have often visited Winter Park a suburb to the north of Downtown Orlando but negotiating the city and finding a space to park in the village was a bit of a chore so when my SIL who lives in Orlando suggested going there by train....the idea really appealed.

    You park up for free at the Sandlake Road Sunrail station and purchase tickets from the automatic ticket machines (either single or return with senior concessions). From there the ticket works a bit like the Oyster cards do in London....you tap the ticket on a validating post before boarding the train and again at your destination and the same for returning. Return tickets from Sandlake Rd. to Winter Park were only about $3 - $4 and the journey takes about 30 mins. The Sunrail train...although full size locomotive and rail stock is more like a tram system and just goes backwards and forwards between Sandlake Road (soon to be extended south) and Sanford and DeBary to the north. It's a very relaxing way to get to Winter Park passing through the industrial areas of Orlando with short stops at Orlando Health/ Orlando Hospital and Church Street Stations.

    The rail station in Winter Park is right in the centre of the park area, which if you've been there before you will know is just a couple of minutes walk from the small shops and restaurants in the village and about ten minutes or less walk to the lake and boat tour area.

    There are several trains in the morning period and about one every half hour in the afternoon (but it is quiet for trains over the lunchtime period.....possibly as one of the main purposes of the service is to get health workers to and from the hospitals in Orlando) but it's ideal for shopping trips too without the hassle of the city traffic.

    Winter Park is quite an affluent area, full of small boutique type shops and eateries which tend to be expensive..ish but certainly well worth the visit.

    For train times see http://sunrail.com/

    Maybe next trip we'll try the train to Altamonte Springs or Sanford?
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails IMG_4012 (1280x960).jpg   IMG_4013 (1280x960).jpg   Winter Park Station (1280x960).jpg  
    Last edited by KevinT; 26-05-2015 at 14:44.
    Kevin


  2. #2
    Super Moderator carolmc's Avatar
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    Cheers Kevin - I'll have to take Richard ( hubby) on our next trip, he loves train travel


  3. #3
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    This sounds interesting and will definitely have to try it on our next trip. Am sure Stuart will be getting train commuting withdrawal symptons now he has retired although I guess you are not packed on like sardines and the cost is considerably lower than Greater Anglia


  4. #4
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    Thanks for the responses Carol & Jill. Have done this journey twice by rail now and certainly no "sardine" situation....in fact lots of empty seats, although this might change on early morning and late afternoon due to commuters. However, judging from the number of cars in the Sandlake Rd. car park it doesn't seem like it gets busy at all!
    Kevin


  5. #5
    Florida Expert autumnc's Avatar
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    Another one to the list! Thanks again
    Sarah


  6. #6
    Gold 5 Star Member SDJ's Avatar
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    Sounds like a 'must do' on our next visit. Thank you for posting.


  7. #7
    Florida Chatterbox mary and colin's Avatar
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    Thanks Kevin,
    We will have to give this a try, we have been by car but this sounds like a lovely way to see things.

    Mary


  8. #8
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    Hi Mary,
    Lovely to see you and Colin a couple of weeks back. Hope you had a good trip home? the Winter Park rail trip is great if, like me you don't like the hustle of driving through Downtown Orlando. Check out our Giraffe Ranch post too....well worth the journey.

    Hope to see you (and Liz?) later this year
    Kevin


  9. #9
    Florida Chatterbox mary and colin's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by KevinT View Post
    Hi Mary,
    Lovely to see you and Colin a couple of weeks back. Hope you had a good trip home? the Winter Park rail trip is great if, like me you don't like the hustle of driving through Downtown Orlando. Check out our Giraffe Ranch post too....well worth the journey.

    Hope to see you (and Liz?) later this year
    I will go and have a read. It was great to see you both as well.
    Happy belated birthday to Christine hope you enjoyed Grand Floridian for your afternoon tea, that is another place we would like to visit.

    Mary


  10. #10
    Florida Chatterbox burtonl's Avatar
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    Sounds great. I love Winter Park but it is a hassle finding somewhere to park so this would be ideal.
    Linda


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