UPDATE on the Brightline Train and a Potential Stop Near Disney World

A train will soon connect Orlando all the way to Miami, and it’s set to connect key parts of Orlando to one another — but things may not be going as smoothly as some had hoped.

The Brightline Train station in Orlando International Airport is set to open in 2023. Previously, some had mentioned a plan called the Sunshine Corridor which would have the train share tracks with the existing SunRail train, pass by the Orange County convention center, and have a South I-Drive station as well. Plans for a station “near” Disney World have also been mentioned. But it seems things are getting a bit more complicated now.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, the train’s path from the airport through other parts of Orlando is what’s really at issue. There are various private and governmental groups involved in the planning, so it’s hard to know who is really in control. Plus, several possess veto power, and none is able to green-light the initiative on their own.

The Sentinal also points out that the situation makes it unclear whether “transparency for the public is appropriate or even doable under current arrangements.”

©Brightline obtained via the Orlando Business Journal

U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, whose district covers Orlando’s airport and a large part of the proposed train route with the SunRail expansion, shared “When you are talking about a major community project that requires consensus, you are necessarily going to have a lot of cooks in the kitchen for better or worse.”

As Soto explained, “We have to engage Universal, SeaWorld and Disney. We have to engage the airport, the SunRail Commission, local officials and particularly the Florida Department of Transportation…It’s not just one person driving the train.

Brightline sign in Orlando International Airport

At a meeting held in January of 2023, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings “called out” one Commissioner (Commissioner Mayra Uribe) for reportedly “moving behind the scenes” to promote the Sunshine Corridor expansion of the existing SunRail line from the airport to more of the tourist area of Orlando.

He also “called out” Universal Orlando for unveiling a plan about financing the Sunshine Corridor without the presence of Demmings or his county. Universal reportedly reached out to Demings with an apology and asked for a meeting to get him up to speed.

Brightline Train Route Concept Art ©Orange County Convention Center

Demings shared that Orange County will give NO further support to the SunRail expansion without “extensive public involvement and discussion among county commissioners leading to decisions that benefit ‘all of Orange County.'”

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is, however, working with all partners to advance a Sunshine Corridor plan that accommodates the SunRail commuter rail and intercity rail, according to a department statement.

And, to some, the variety of “cooks in the kitchen” is a good thing. Buddy Dyer, Orlando’s Mayor, indicated that collaboration is their greatest strength.

In an email, Brightline shared “We’re bullish on the idea of connecting intercity and commuter rail, which is better for the region and all parties involved…Brightline is the backbone to making this happen and we look to FDOT, and the locals to bring about the realization of integrating SunRail.”

Service from Miami to Orlando is set to begin in 2023, potentially later in the summer or in early fall. The route from Miami to Orlando should take around 3 hours and 15 minutes.

While the train station in Disney Springs is no longer a reality, there have been talks about a station “near” Disney World. And Disney appears to still be interested.

In fact, Representative Soto shared, “Disney has to be a part of this…They are continuing to work on a potential stop with FDOT and we hope to get some new plans soon. The question will be whether it is served by SunRail, Brightline or both. That’s still up in the air.”