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Virgin Trains USA Plans to Connect Miami and Orlando, and Extend to Disney World

April 05, 2019
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3 min read
Virgin_MiamiCentral_Unveiling_-_Group_Shot[1]
Virgin Trains USA Plans to Connect Miami and Orlando, and Extend to Disney World
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What if you could get off a cruise in Miami and take a comfortable high-speed train all the way to inside the gates of the Walt Disney World complex in Orlando? According to Sir Richard Branson, this is not a dream, but the plan. Thursday in Miami, Branson helped reveal the newly renamed Virgin MiamiCentral station, displaying the Virgin Trains USA branding for the very first time.

In 2018, Virgin Trains invested in the Brightline train service that already operates Miami - Ft. Lauderdale - West Palm Beach. The plan is to transition from Brightline to Virgin Trains branding in 2019, with the Virgin MiamiCentral station starring as the first visual piece of that plan.

(Photo courtesy of Brightline / Virgin Trains)

The President of Virgin Trains USA, Patrick Goddard, said that in three years you will be able to ride the train all the way to Disney World. From Miami, that ride should take about three hours with speeds topping out at 110 - 125 mph in some places, according to the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

According to this week's announcements, not only will you be able to take a Virgin Train from Miami to Orlando and into Disney World as early as 2022, but these trains will also help those who fly directly into Orlando for their family vacations.

While the exact timing hinges on funding and permits, Goddard told the Orlando Sentinel that it is "entirely conceivable" that the Orlando station and the 20-mile extension into Disney World would be completed at the same time.

Currently, the drive from the Orlando Airport to Walt Disney World can be done in 20 - 25 minutes without traffic, but during traffic, it can mean over an hour of stop and go driving each direction to start or end your family's vacation. Of course, if you are renting a car to make the drive, then your total time from landing to arriving at Disney World is greater -- and you then likely have to contend with parking fees.

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Inside Brightline / Virgin Trains USA. (Rendering courtesy of Brightline)

To get a hint at future Virgin Train pricing in Orlando, look to current prices on the roughly 30-minute line from Ft. Lauderdale to Miami where tickets range from $17 - $35 each. The priciest tickets include premium lounge access, cocktails, early boarding, wider 21-inch seats (compared to 19-inch) and included parking in the garages. Some of those inclusions would likely be less important on the short journey from Orlando's airport to Disney World.

Virgin Trains USA isn't just eyeing expansion to Orlando and Disney, it also hopes to have future service on to Tampa, and between Las Vegas and Southern California.

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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)

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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.
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  • $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.