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Brightline nixes plans for Disney Springs stop, spokesperson confirms
June 28, 2022
•
2 min read
Brightline nixes plans for Disney Springs stop, spokesperson confirms
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In a blow to those looking for a direct link from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Walt Disney World without a rental car, a Disney spokesperson confirmed the Brightline train will not stop at Disney Springs, as was previously planned since November 2020.
At the time, a joint announcement read: “Brightline will offer a car-free connection to the millions of visitors … who plan to make Walt Disney World Resort a part of their vacation plans.” But, as of yesterday, that partnership has dissolved.
Related: Disney and Brightline ink deal for new train station with direct link to Orlando airport, Miami
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. The train connecting Orlando with Tampa will now continue directly from International Drive in Orlando’s tourism corridor to the Tampa Bay area.
Related: Florida’s new high-speed train makes 1st test run to Orlando airport
The multimillion-dollar station would have allowed tourists to ride the Brightline from MCO directly to Disney property, then hop on a bus to their desired hotel or theme park destination.
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Brightline’s senior vice president of corporate affairs, Ben Porritt, said community leaders — including International Drive business and Universal Orlando Resort representatives — asked the company to “explore alternative alignments” for the planned east-west rail expansion.
Related: Brightline breaks ground on Orlando extension
According to Porritt, the new solution is called the Sunshine Corridor and includes two new stations: one at the Orange County Convention Center (near SeaWorld and Universal Orlando Resort) and another near Disney Springs, but not on Disney-owned land.
With the 2025 opening of Universal Orlando Resort’s new theme park, Epic Universe, on the horizon, it’s no wonder Universal’s executives lobbied for the change. Universal expects to add more than 100,000 jobs by the time Epic Universe opens its doors to the public.
Brightline’s current route serves Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach. The station connecting South Florida to the Orlando International Airport’s new Terminal C is under final testing and review. It's expected to open by mid-2023, and construction on the expansion to Tampa is expected to begin in 2024.
Featured image by Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Best for dining at restaurants
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Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.