Disney World will be discontinuing the Magical Express in 2022, but there might be another way to get between the Orlando Airport and Walt Disney World soon after.
By train! Brightline has been working to bring a high-speed train to Florida that will span from Miami to Tampa, with a stop at Disney Springs. And, more talks are underway about the development of this train line.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, Florida Transportation will require that Brightline wrap up agreements with local and state governments for the railway connecting the Orlando International Airport to Tampa by mid-summer.
While work has already begun on the railway connecting Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach, quite a few negotiations still need to be finalized for the additional route. Brightline must come to an agreement with Central Florida’s SunRail system (because the tracks will cross), Central Florida Expressway Authority (since toll revenue will be lost), and the Orlando Utilities Commission (because they’ll need access to the coal-train rail spur).
There will likely be a few revisions to the current proposal, but Brightline will need to come to an agreement with these authorities this summer. We’ll continue to keep you updated as more developments are made on the new Brightline high-speed railway system!
NEWS! Brightline Announces Potential Opening Time for High-Speed Train Station in Disney World!
Join the AllEars.net Newsletter to stay on top of ALL the breaking Disney News! You'll also get access to AllEars tips, reviews, trivia, and MORE! Click here to Subscribe!
Would you be willing to take the train to Disney Springs? Let us know in the comments!
We used the Mears service before the Magical Express starting operating with no major issues. However, the Magical Express was really convenient until our last trip in August. Without the WDW luggage delivery to and from the resort to MCO it is no different than when we dealt directly with Mears. Really sad to see that WDW management is dropping this service and the complimentary Magic bands.
I look forward to the train service but like other skeptics, I doubt it will be very efficient at moving WDW guests from MCO to their final resort destination. To drop off everyone AND their luggage near DisneySprings will create a nightmare for guests.
I have to chuckle at the local governments concerns of lost toll revenues. They always sell you on toll roads with a claim that the tolls pay to provide the “alternate and better” toll road. Now they are worried more about losing out on their revenue grab than they are on potential environmental reliefs the train should provide and the probable fact that they won’t need to build larger toll roads, hence saving money.
Finally, why does the Florida government think they have the right to set a deadline for negotiations by this private company? Sounds like strong arm tactics to force Brightline to submit to heavy sanctions for providing public transportation options that the government can’t afford to do.
Interesting ! A train that commutes to and from MCO and Disney Springs, hummm ?
Not controlled by Disney Corp. And it won’t be “free” like the Disney Magical EXPRESS. Lots of luggage to move for hotel guests and bodies to seat. A dedicated car or line between point A and B to WDW makes the most sense and dedicated cars to handel luggage would be needed.
The bags could be delivered like ME used to to rooms, but how to get to your resort with two kids and three bags if they won’t deliver ?
Or just cram cars onto the freeway and traffic backups for hours.
Mears moves bags, Disney buses have no capacity to do so. How would that work ? Uber from Disney Springs to your resort ? Luggage trucks deliver and pickup bags. Do they make it to MCO or do you drag em’ yourself ?
But as the suits said, Our customers have more choices than ever, to travel to our resorts, so the Magical express is discontinued. Typical corporate/governments speak/Houdini distraction gobbledygook for, were passing the cost on to you, along with all the headaches.
A great way to celebrate 50 years in business, shoot yourself in the foot, then pass on the expense, and add a tax for consumers to pay, to local communities for a ride a train !
Wow thats Hutzpah ! In it’s truest definition !
Worried about missing your flight, thats your problem, you’ve got no one to help you now !
Too Bad !
The Magical Express, with it’s door to door service, was very convenient. Anyway you slice it, taking the train will be more difficult, especially with luggage.
You heard it here first folks…this train, like all high speed trains will be a colossal flop financially and from a practical standpoint!