Back in 2020, Brightline announced that a high-speed train station would be added to Disney Springs, connecting Disney World to a multitude of other stops, including Orlando International Airport.
Since then, more details have slowly been released about the station and the proposed plans, but now, Disney has announced a major change to the plans.
Disney just announced that there are backing out of the proposed high-speed rail line, according to the Orlando Sentinel. “As many people who are involved in this project are aware, the new route configuration does not support a Disney Springs station and as a result, we don’t anticipate being part of this project,” said Disney spokesperson Avery Maehrer.
This decision comes as the route has been redrawn to include a train station on International Drive, and does not include a station at Disney Springs, as the plan originally proposed. So, the plan for the rail corridor is moving forward, just without Disney.
The train will travel on a rail corridor between the airport and the tourism district, and will include a stop near Universal Orlando. Service from Miami to Orlando International Airport is expected to start in about a year, and Brightline has also expressed interest in establishing a rail line from the Orlando Airport to Tampa, Florida, as well.
This news comes just as the project has received funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Grant Program.
There is still no information on when the rail corridor will open, but we’ll be on the lookout for more news! Make sure to stay tuned to AllEars for all the latest.
Click here for important updates for those traveling this summer
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!
What do you think of this change in plans? Let us know in the comments!
Hmmm, the route was “revised” to no longer include Disney Springs but does include Universal. Is that right? I wonder why. It might be for some legitimate reason but it sure seems like it might be another way to causes retribution to the Walt Disney Company by the state of Florida. Sure, it may increase traffic to Universal but it could well have an unintended effect. Tourists visiting Disney will likely stay off of it entirely and just consider all of the potential passengers and revenue that could cost them by their ‘revision’.
This was to replace the magical express so let’s bring back the magical express
They could – but I will bet you will have to pay.
Time for Disney to step up and outdo the train. Bring back Disney’s Magical Express. Charge for it if you have to. And reconsider the luggage service. With all the increased headaches of a WDW vacation :the cost and the long lines, do something that brings back the magic.And people won’t care if that train stops within 100 miles of WDW.
Totally agree James!!