Brightline High Speed Rail Not Scheduled to Connect to Walt Disney World Until, At Earliest, 2026

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Via wdwnt.com

The heavily anticipated Brightline high speed rail that would connect the Orlando International Airport to Walt Disney World is now scheduled to start service as early as mid-2026. The route from Disney property to the airport would cost anywhere from $1.03-$2.1 billion, depending on which exact route is selected.

Florida transportation authorities recently stated that they gave Brightline a deadline of mid-summer 2021 to negotiate an agreement with local and state agencies. This agreement includes securing leases that would involve adding the station at Disney Springs by the end of 2023.

With Disney’s Magical Express transportation to and from the Orlando International Airport ending in 2022, the Brightline rail could help reduce the impact of this loss once service begins. However, the train service still won’t be running for years after that end date.

Brightline Reveals Rail Route Choices & Cost Details for Disney Service in 5 Years

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Disney and Brightline recently announced they entered into an agreement to construct a train station at Disney Springs which would provide guests flying into the Walt Disney World area an easy, quick transportation option. Now, Brightline has revealed more details including route choices and cost information.

As reported by OrlandoSentinel: “Brightline disclosed on Thursday (March 11) its most detailed explanation so far on costs for a corridor between the airport and a Disney World station, preferring a $1 billion route piggybacking on Road 417 through Hunters Creek over a more than $2 billion route along State Road 528 to International Drive.”

“Passenger service of nearly 17 miles from Orlando International Airport to a station at Walt Disney World’s Disney Springs is slated to start in five years, said Brightline’s executive vice president of infrastructure development, Michael Cegelis.”

Brightline perfers the route in yellow that partly follows S.R. 417 over a route in green that partly follows S.R. 538.

“We think there are better, other ways to connect the important convention center area and I-Drive to the airport. That needs to happen. It’s imperative,” Cegelis said. “We think there are other, more efficient ways to do it than an hourly, intercity train.”

Brightline discloses costs and timing for Orlando-Disney-Tampa route, This Brightline chart compares the S.R. 417 route and the S.R. 528 route.

Brightline discloses costs and timing for Orlando-Disney-Tampa route, This Brightline chart compares the S.R. 417 route and the S.R. 528 route. (Brightline)

“The S.R. 528 alignment would cost $2.1 billion, require 1.9 million square feet of bridges, affect 76 private properties and involve a complex arrangement with SunRail.”

Construction Continues on Virgin Trains USA Brightline High-Speed Railway From Miami to Orlando

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Uncategorized

Virgin Trains USA Brightline High-Speed Railway will soon provide a means of transportation from Miami to Orlando in 3 hours. It typically takes about 4 hours to drive between the two cities. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, construction on the railway has continued, with certain adjustments and precautions implemented.

The line will include a Walt Disney World Resort station in Orlando.

A new Trains Magazine 2020 spread features an in-depth look at the Brightline High-Speed Railway.

brightline high speed railway

Florida is home to swamplands and a wide range of sensitive ecosystems, which must be taken into consideration throughout construction. Stephen Cartwright, Virgin Trains USA Field Engineer, explains the additional work required to build train tracks through this terrain.

brightline high speed railway

Once complete, the train will travel from Miami to Orlando International Airport. The tracks at MCO have already been laid.

brightline high speed railway

To achieve the trip in under 3 hours, the Cocoa-Orlando line is proposed to operate at high speeds of up to 125 mph. From Miami to West Palm Beach, trains will reach speeds of up to 79 mph. From West Palm to Cocoa, it’s a maximum speed of 110 mph.

Virgin Trains Lays High-Speed Railway To Orlando International Airport

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

South Florida residents are well on track to a high-speed rail to Orlando.

Brightline, soon to be known as Virgin Trains, posted a photo of freshly-laid track leading to their future station at Orlando International Airport on Tuesday. Construction has continued on the line during the COVID-19 pandemic, with adjustments made to take precautions against the virus.

When complete, the route will take riders from Miami to Orlando in three hours. For comparison, it typically takes four hours to drive between the two cities. Air travel typically takes an hour, but factoring the time needed for going through security and seating, the time difference is significantly shortened.

Virgin Trains signed a letter of intent with Walt Disney World in 2018 to establish a station at the resort, with engineering and design work for the station currently underway. Virgin Trains president Patrick Goddard said last year about the Orlando line, “It’s our expectation to get it done and to build out to Disney.” Currently, Brightline operates stations in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach.

The Orlando International Airport station is expected to open in 2022.