Orlando Station — Local services in Orlando

I will never take Amtrak again; I prefer flying. Let me tell you, my son loves trains, and his wish was to go to New York and experience it. But the experience was a nightmare. First, I watched 20 thousand videos on YouTube, and the train didn't look bad. I had experience traveling by train in Europe. I paid $300 dollars for a one-way trip from Orlando to New York in coach class. When I arrived at the station, I was shocked. There were homeless people, drug addicts, all sorts of characters traveling on that train without any control. They could carry weapons, and nobody would notice. I had previously asked if the seats were numbered and if I could reserve them. They told me it wasn't necessary, that everyone could sit wherever they wanted. That was a lie. When I arrived, my children were seated far away from me. I was nervous because what I saw on the train was not pleasant, and I didn't want to leave my two children alone. So, before leaving Florida, I called to see if there was any option to get out of that situation. They made me pay $1400 dollars to switch to a bedroom. At least we were together, but I had to pay as if it were first class on a plane. The worst part is that on the return trip, I had to pay for another bedroom. As soon as I entered, I noticed the dirtiness of the train and what I had paid for. I pulled out the table, and it was covered in sticky, dirty residue. I opened the bathroom, and there was urine in it (someone hadn't flushed). I called the attendant and told him that I paid for something that should have been clean, and I had to clean it myself. He responded with an excuse, saying that it was probably a careless worker who didn't press the button. Then, in Washington, the bathrooms broke, and we were stuck without air. On top of it all, the workers on the New York to Orlando route were rude. It was truly a terrible experience. I called on the phone, but there was no customer relations representative, and nobody knew or did anything. If Amtrak wants to survive, they better start doing their job better because they charge exorbitant prices for a 22-hour trip when flying costs much less. I am disappointed with their service, and I hope someone responds to me because I called many times and filed several complaints, but nobody has...

WHAT/WHERE: TRAIN ORLANDO TO TAMPA/TAMPA TO ORLANDO WHEN: 3/1/2020 WHO: Conference WHAT TO EXPECT: kinda bumpy ride - you may like this or not. I don't mind for the 2 hours for $14 one way and avoiding I 4 traffic! Who you are on the cart with can make or break it. If you don't like the smell of smoke- this is probably not for you! WHAT THIS IS NOT: This is NOT like the nice trains on the WEST COAST. I took the train from Los Angeles to San Diego and I HIGHLY recommend that! This is NOT THAT! ORLANDO STATION: QUICK to get through, and small, older and a BEAUTIFUL Spanish Revival architecture with stunning old high back benches. Doesn't have easy access to plugins and no WIFI, you can use your phone as hotspot but just FYI- on Sunday NO ONE to really help until the train arrives and NO clear signage to tell you where to go, they tell you stand behind yellow line as train arrive, you of course let people off first, then the train conductor gets off and tells you (what i'm sure he has said a million times) to stand back 50 ft and they won't leave you- I realized after this was for the mass exodus of people getting off to smoke which it seemed like everyone was doing and he was asking so you wouldn't have to walk through a haze of smoke as you get on. The people that ride the train seem to be what I'd describe as: Smokers, some left a DISGUSTING MESS which I don't understand as they walk through with garbage cans- they cleaned it up quickly. Some are clearly addicts (I work in healthcare and can recognize track marks a mile away), this is NOT the travel you'd want for a young adolescent or child on their own!! Women be a little more weary, especially riding alone. Most people nice, 10% pretty rough! CAREFUL! THE SIGNAGE CAN BE CONFUSING!! Went to the SOUTHBOUND track- this is for the SUNRAIL local, NOT the Amtrak! Listen to overhead announcement which is NOT easy to hear- and I'm young and can hear easily. If you have headphones on you'd be...

This station is a bust and makes Amtrak look horrible! My arrival to Orlando from the Savannah station was flawless. In Orlando the ticket booths were closed. No one was in the station at all.The women's restroom was locked.I also noticed there wasn't any updated information on the board in regards to my train. Long story short, my daughter and I missed the train because it took forever to find the keys to the restroom. It was four of us initially waiting on the restroom.The two women did not have luggage with them so i'm assuming they had been there for awhile. Unfortunately one of the ladies grabbed the key before i did and went in before us.When we came out everyone was gone! I went outside to ask about my train and some rude employee walked off stating that's your train leaving. I called Amtrak with no resolve. Amtrak stated 45 other people got on the train, SO...Those people were outside the entire time i was there and i never heard the announcement for my specific train.I had to end up spending a additional $200.00 on bus tickets, Lyft and a hotel stay. The restroom should have never been locked! We wouldn't have missed the train if they weren't. The reviews about the employees are very honest.They are very rude and very unprofessional. When i was speaking with Amtrak i asked for them to tell the manager on duty i needed to speak with her about what happened, whom i assumed was the lady who walked off when i was trying to ask her a question, she never showed up. I actually saw her walking around outside without a care in the world when i was trying to book a bus ticket. My daughter was crying and distraught. The worse experience ever and im not giving up without letting the people who make the tough decisions know that i need to be...