UPDATE 12/2/20: At the site of Brightline’s future train station at Orlando International Airport today, the president of Brightline Trains met with transportation members in Orlando to discuss the company’s planned expansion project in Central Florida.
The $2.4 billion project will extend the current rail line from West Palm Beach to Orlando. The line currently runs from Miami to West Palm Beach. There was discussion about a potential stop in Cocoa as well.
The station in Disney Springs at Walt Disney World will be an important stop in what will ultimately connect Orlando to the west coast of Florida. A time frame for the Tampa expansion has not been announced, but the extension to Orlando International Airport is scheduled to be finished before the end of 2022.
Brightline and Disney have given new details on their agreement for a future train station that’s coming to Disney Springs.
The agreement is conditional to Brightline meeting certain milestones, such as securing all necessary government approvals.
Patrick Goddard, president of Brightline, said the following in a prepared statement:
Brightline will offer a car-free connection to the millions of visitors from around the state and the world who plan to make Walt Disney World Resort part of their vacation plans. Our mission has always been to connect our guests to the people and places that matter, and Walt Disney World Resort is a tremendous example of this.
The concept for the proposed Disney station includes a ground-level lobby, passenger facilities, and an upper-level train platform. The exact location of the station and the timeline for completion have not been announced by Disney or Brightline.
In a prepared statement, Jeff Vahle, president of Walt Disney World Resort, said:
We’re excited to work with Brightline as they pursue the potential development of a train station at Walt Disney World Resort, a project that would support our local economy and offer a bold, forward-looking transportation solution for our community and guests.
According to OBJ, “…the Disney station could come after the completion of the company’s 170-mile, $2.7 billion expansion from West Palm Beach to Orlando International Airport in 2022. The station would serve as the first phase of a proposed Tampa expansion.”
Engineering and design work for the proposed Disney Springs station was started by Brightline earlier this year.
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