Brightline nixes plans for Disney Springs stop, spokesperson confirms
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.
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.
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Earn 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200K miles when you spend $150K in the first 6 monthsLIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus milesAnnual Fee
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The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month