Yesterday, a Disney spokesman confirmed the cancellation of the Brightline high-speed rail station scheduled to open at Disney Springs. There had been a lot of discussion in regards to the transportation from MCO (Orlando International) and Disney World. The options to get to Disney World became a little more difficult after the end of Magical Express. However, now we have confirmation that the train to Disney World Cancelled. However, there is still Mears running a bus service from the airport to Disney or Disney’s Minnie Vans.
The Orlando Business Journal verified the cancellation of the station, which was supposed to provide high-speed rail service from Walt Disney World to Tampa and the Orlando International Airport. There had been several rumors as to why. But we will go over what we know at this time.
What spurred the train to Disney cancellation?
The route was originally intended to bypass Orlando to the south and proceed directly to Walt Disney World before turning into I-4 to reach Tampa. However, lobby groups in the city pushed for a station to be built along the Orange County Convention Center. As this is a typical tourist route through Orlando. Which would be directly across from the upcoming Epic Universe theme park, before continuing on to Walt Disney World. The Lobby groups included those of the Universal Orlando Resort and business associations along International Drive,
Disney is rumored to have scrapped their plans as a result of this alteration. Now the train will now go straight from International Drive to Tampa. No longer stopping at Disney Springs.
What did they have to say?
“As many individuals working in this project are aware, the revised route arrangement does not allow a Disney Springs station and as a result, we do not anticipate being part of this project,” said Avery Mather, a spokesman for Walt Disney World. No one from Brightline has been available to comment. The changes from the original plans in fact look like the reason behind the cancellation.
High-speed rail service between Tampa and Orlando is currently being proposed by Brightline. More importantly, it would include a station at the Orange County Convention Center, next to the new Epic Universe theme park from Universal Orlando Resort. The railway had planned to connect to Disney Springs. Originally, it would have provided access to Walt Disney World along the I-4 corridor.
It is unclear what this will mean for transportation in the future. Disney may opt to expand options in the future such as bringing back Magical Express. However, no rumors have been released as of yet. There are several options still out there including Uber/lyft and Mears bus. You can still sign up for Mears bus service from Orlando Internation Airport to Disney World resorts. However, this is an added cost outside of your Disney vacation.
What do you think now that train to Disney World cancelled? Let us know in the comments below!