Image from ORLANDOTRAINS.COM
All Aboard! These are words everyone likes to hear. Time to go, come on, let’s go!
The Orlando Star Clipper is a train that departs from Eustis, Florida, to parts unknown. And there are so many unknown parts of Florida, like Eustis, Mt. Dora and other locales just outside of Orlando.
Everyone knows Orlando – Mickey, Goofy & the gang. Now, it’s time you experience a little bit of reality – not everyone wears mouse ears and lives in a pink castle. The Orlando Star Clipper will show you a bit of Florida off the beaten track, all while being on the tracks.
Imagine a dinner train, complete with quality service, a five course dinner and drinks galore. You begin to feel like you’re in another time as you feel the train begin to roll down the tracks, but with all the amenities of today. What could be better? Dinner train tickets are $55 per person and cash bar is available for those who like to imbibe… and who doesn’t?
The Orlando Star Clipper Dinner Train departs Eustis and takes you on a tour of aptly named Lake County, Florida traveling along side Lake Eustis, Lake Francis and Lake Dora. Didn’t realize there were so many lakes in Florida, right? Well, there’s many more than just those three if you take one of the longer cruises available on the Star Clipper.
Our trip on the Star Clipper began with arriving to the depot in Eustis. Located near Ferran Park on Lake Eustis. The whistle blows, the ride begins and time as you know it melts away. The scenery unfolds beside you and you realize there are still parts of Florida that are beautiful and untouched.
Dinner is served during the ride and you won’t be disappointed. The staff is friendly and professional, the food is good and everything on board runs like a ship… or is that train? The nice thing is you don’t realize how much formula is involved in running a dinner train because you’re enjoying the experience with your travel mates.
The set up of the dining car allows for large parties and small. You’re able to move about the cabin, no seat belts required, no crazy flight attendants barking at you to sit down. The atmosphere is fun, the dining car is full of people and everyone is part of the fun. Entertainment was provided by the riders on our train car, but the Star Clipper also offers live music on some of the trips.
Image from ORLANDOTRAINS.COM
The Star Clipper Dinner Train is just one of three services offered by Rail Entertainment USA just outside of the Orlando area. After a dinner on the Star Clipper, you can retire to the Pullman Palace which will offer first class accommodations in a sleeper car and concludes with a railroad breakfast.
The Mt Dora Scenic Railway offers family entertainment for the younger train enthusiasts with themed rides on a 1920′s era passenger train.
So, you’re going to Orlando? Well, do something different than the obvious Disney or Universal. Climb aboard a piece of history and take a step back in time as you enjoy. You might find that some of the real adventures Florida has to offer are better than the make believe.
