ICYMI: a train is currently in the works that will connect the Orlando International Airport to Disney World!
©Brightline
It’s part of Brightline’s high-speed rail service, which is currently in development and will also travel to Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and more. Although the train was originally targeting a 2023 opening date, it has been delayed to 2026. And now, we have an update on an alternate path for the train through Orlando.
According to the Orlando Business Journal, Brightline is considering 2 Orlando-to-Tampa routes: one down State Road 417 and another along State Road 528, which could lead to I-Drive. While the latter option would cost almost $1 billion more, stakeholders such as the I-Drive business chamber of commerce and Universal Orlando Resort may push for its implementation.
©Brightline
Orange County officials have confirmed to OBJ that discussions will take place regarding a transportation option connecting I-Drive and Brightline. Maria Triscari, president and CEO of the International Drive Resort Area Chamber of Commerce, stated that “With millions of visitors to the I-Drive corridor…a mass transit from OIA to I-Drive is imperative to best service our community and continue the economic growth of our entire region.”
©Brightline
Universal Parks and Resorts Chairman Tom Williams stated in 2019 that Universal would push “with every bit of strength that we’ve got” to get this connection. With its new Epic Universe theme park under construction, this connection would greatly benefit the company.
©Orlando Business Journal
Orange County assistant county administrator Carla Bell Johnson has acknowledged these requests. She states, “we do anticipate there will be upcoming discussions with International Drive stakeholders regarding potential options for providing transit connectivity to the International Drive area.” However, there have been no meetings since February focused on this connection.
Potential Routes ©Brightline | Obtained via the Orlando Sentinel
The key issue with this I-Drive connection is the $1 billion added cost associated with the State Road 528 route. Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings has proposed a future transportation tax to cover this cost, but it was tabled in 2020 due to the pandemic. Since then, Demings has not made any decisions on whether or not to pursue the tax.
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We’ve previously taken a close look at how much the train might cost, how Disney might get you and your luggage from the train station to your Disney hotel, and where the Disney Springs station may be located. We’ll keep a close eye for more updates and keep you posted. Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney news!
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I highly doubt this extension will get build by Brightline. They are selecting he 417 route because of it’s cost. At $3 Mil per mile to lay just the track, it would be too cost prohibitive.
They could do what they have done on the SE FL Coast. Tell the parties who want it built to raise the money and then give it to Brightline Free & Clear, without any encumbrances. Brightline was successful because they built MIA to MCO without using any tax/public dollars. It keeps the politics out of the mix and lets Brightline do what is best for them.
Railroads are federally controlled entities. The states have very little to do with them except for safety and taxes. Counties and local governments don’t have any say at all. Everyone can say to Brightline, from The Mayor to the CEO of Univerasl “We want you to come down 528 and go up and down I-Drive, and all Brightline has to to is say “Thanks but no thanks. The 427 option is less money.” They will say “We’ll raise the money with taxes.” That gives everyone else leverage. They will control the schedule, the frequency, etc. Brightline will run from that. Without leverage, they are all SOL.
I don’t know the locations of things in Orlando, but would this route (the I-Drive option) mean it wouldn’t stop at Disney Springs? Or is this just a different way to get to Disney Springs?
Chrystie, International Drive would put the station off Disney property.
Yes, it would still stop at Disney Springs. That’s what the Letter of Agreement says between Brightline and Disney. A station on Disney property is already a done deal. There’s a reason why Brightline doesn’t like the SR 528 option, almost a billion of them. It costs $3 Million a mile to just lay track. Add in lease costs from the state, signalling, etc, and the costs add up.
Brightline is supposed to be a form of High Speed rail. It is not supposed to stop and start and stop and start and stop and start like the I-Drive Trolley does. Brightline likes the idea of Disney because it’s on the way to Tampa. There was a lot of speculation where stations would be along I-4 when Brightline announced the Tampa extension. Champions Gate, Haines City, Auburndale, Lakeland, Plant City, the Florida State Fairgrounds all thought they would be a great location for a stop. Brightline said “No, we’re not a commuter rail service. Maybe Lakeland and downtown Tampa. That’s it.”
Marriott World Center? Of course you’re putting a station in front of us, we’re the largest hotel in town. The Gaylord Palms? You’re damn straight we’re getting a station. A stop at Seaworld? Sure, why not. How about one across the street at the Doubletree? Of course. The Rosen Center and the south Convention Center? Uh, sure. How about the Hyatt and OCCC west Building? Definitely. How about the Rosen Plaza? Of course, what with all that Harris Rosen has done. The Rosen Inn and The Point Orlando? Yep. Wait, they are now north of 528. Well yeah, because Universal wants them to stop there too. Sand Lake Road and Restaurant Row? Of course, we would be silly not to. Wait, did we pass an Embassy Suites there on I Drive? What about Marriott Village? You have to stop in front of us, people don’t want to drag their luggage too far to their hotels.
Can anyone imagine the infighting along I-Drive with the hotels, tourist places and vendors who don’t get a station in front of their building? Can anyone fathom how many places are already thinking “Well, we’re getting a station right in front of us so we don’t need to worry about it.”
Brightline isn’t getting involved in all that. The station at MCO can handle a third train system. If Mayor Demmings wants to start a tax Brightline will say, “Go ahead, tax and build the commuter line the station at MCO will handle. But we don’t wan any part of it.”