• Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
  • Advertising Disclosure
Live and Let's Fly
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
  • Advertising Disclosure
Home  >  Florida • Universal  >  Florida’s Brightline Train Swaps Disney For Universal
FloridaUniversal

Florida’s Brightline Train Swaps Disney For Universal

Kyle Stewart Posted onJuly 10, 2022July 10, 2022 36 Comments
My dear readers, some links on this site pay us referral fees for sending business and sales. We value your time and money and will not waste it. For our complete advertising policy, click here. The content on this page is not provided by any companies mentioned, and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by these entities. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone.

Florida’s exciting rail development, Brightline, cancelled its plans for a stop at Disney Springs; Universal would be an ideal replacement. 


If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support LiveAndLetsFly.com.


If you haven’t followed us on Facebook or Instagram, add us today.

Florida’s Brightline Train

The Brightline high-speed train has designs on connecting Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Orlando, and Tampa. The current completed track has train stations throughout South Florida with the passenger rail line running from Miami to West Palm Beach with stops along the way.

Connecting Miami and Orlando has long been a dream, not just for the tourism industry, but for travelers too who might be more inclined to visit both cities during a trip to the region. Original plans called for a stop at both Disney Springs and Orlando International Airport reducing the need for a rental car.

Brightline train

Disney Plans Cancelled

A spokesperson for Disney confirmed that Disney and Brightline severed ties. The “Sunshine Corridor” would run from Orlando International Airport to the Convention Center (a potential stand-in for Universal Studios’ current operation, and Sea World) before carrying on to Tampa.

The planned Disney Springs stop was cancelled over the route the train would take. An alternative has been mentioned that would reside off Disney-owned property but still serve Disney Springs. Few details are available at this time with regard to the alternatives.

Universal’s Epic Opportunity

Universal Studios is opening its “third gate”, a park whose real estate matches all of its current hotels, water park, and two theme parks (Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure) combined. The new Universal Orlando park, Epic, is slated to open in 2025 and is currently under construction. Universal is expanding roadways that connect its fairly concise property alignment with this new development, a few miles away.

For Brightline, a stop at Disney World or with a reasonable connection is a great marketing addition to the line. It makes almost any international traveler to Florida, and most domestic flyers, available customers for the train line. However, by adding the convention center and Sea World as well as Universal to the mix, Brightline likely has an easier path to growth and fewer hurdles with Disney who jealousy guards its brand.

Universal is going to be at the forefront of American tourism in a way that it hasn’t been since it opened the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Supporting Brightline opens up more visitors looking for a seamless experience to their Florida itinerary and will grow Universal at a moment when the brand is ready for expansion.

I, and presumably other visitors, could treat Florida airports as co-terminals. A flight into Orlando may be the most convenient, but if there is significant cost-savings or better availability, I may choose to fly into Fort Lauderdale for a Universal trip and just take the Brightline north.

Conclusion

Disney might have had any number of reasons to depart the partnership with Brightline. It’s not been clear whether Brightline added the “convention center” stops and Disney didn’t want to compete, or if the partnership with Disney dissolved, and the new stops were added. Regardless, it’s bound to be a big win for Universal.

What do you think? Is this Disney’s loss, Universal’s win, or neither? 

Previous Article Kitty Hawk: Wright Brothers National Memorial
Next Article Frontier Risks Losing Spirit Deal Forever

About Author

Kyle Stewart

Kyle is a freelance travel writer with contributions to Time, the Washington Post, MSNBC, Yahoo!, Reuters, Huffington Post, MapHappy, Live And Lets Fly and many other media outlets. He is also co-founder of Scottandthomas.com, a travel agency that delivers "Travel Personalized." He focuses on using miles and points to provide a premium experience for his wife and daughter. Email: sherpa@thetripsherpa.com

Follow us on FacebookFollow us on Twitter

Related Posts

  • chunnel eurostar dining car

    A Surprise Trip To Paris On The Eurostar (Chunnel)

    December 18, 2022
  • Lufthansa business class falling apart A340-600

    Review: Lufthansa A340-600 Business Class Munich – Miami

    December 4, 2022
  • thanksgiving in manchester 2022

    Celebrating Thanksgiving Abroad: Why We Do It

    November 27, 2022

36 Comments

  1. Dave Young Reply
    July 10, 2022 at 12:35 pm

    Go BRIGHTLINE !

    • Eric Meyer Reply
      July 11, 2022 at 10:16 am

      Brightline is a great idea for travel throughout the state.

      As to Universal vs Disney stops, Universal is a win and I believe Disney will regret not making a stop possible.

  2. Interested Traveler Reply
    July 10, 2022 at 1:39 pm

    The issue had to do as I understand it with the route the train would take originally bypassed the I-4 tourist corridor and lots of businesses in the area were upset about that.

    Instead the route will along the 528 and Taft Vineland rd stopping at the convention center before turning towards Tampa.

    It is my understanding that there is going to be an off property Disney Springs stop, maybe connected by Sun Rail or bus, I am unclear on that.

    • Verena Coes Reply
      July 10, 2022 at 8:10 pm

      Yes why not connect Daytona beach to keep traffic lower ? Help tourists and airports with that relief – also is the cost low enough to be interesting ?

  3. Katherine Salvio Reply
    July 10, 2022 at 5:36 pm

    It’s because DeSantis put a stop to it

    • CHRIS Reply
      July 10, 2022 at 8:40 pm

      Has nothing to with DeSantis. Stay in NY/NJ/PA …..or whatever liberal dump you exist in.

      • Marc Reply
        July 10, 2022 at 11:04 pm

        Attack another person – the calling card of the maga hate group members

        • CHRIS Reply
          July 11, 2022 at 12:05 am

          ULTRA maga…..get it right.

        • Patrick McAuliffe Reply
          July 11, 2022 at 6:33 pm

          Marc, every liar must be challenged and attacked. There is no evidence whatsoever to support this statement. Do you approve of lying and deceit? If this is hate speech, fine. I for one hate liars.

      • MC Reply
        July 12, 2022 at 9:46 am

        Amen & Ditto! Liberals always blame Conservatives for everything!! I guess that they have to have a scapegoat for all their pathetically wrong actions!

    • Ang S Reply
      July 11, 2022 at 1:17 pm

      Wokeness

    • Patrick McAuliffe Reply
      July 11, 2022 at 6:30 pm

      And where is your evidence to support your statement? It doesn’t exist. Small petty liars like yourself are constantly exposed but shame has no effect upon you. Is this hate? Hardly. It’s OK to hate a liar, a cheat and a fraud.

    • JESSICA M. Reply
      July 11, 2022 at 11:30 pm

      You attack our Gov. with lies and then get upset when someone bites back? Yikes.

      • MC Reply
        July 12, 2022 at 9:51 am

        Liberals are notorious for only wanting their voices and opinions to be heard!

  4. Jo Walsh Reply
    July 10, 2022 at 8:11 pm

    We need a stop in Cocoa, it makes a turn there anyway, and you have Port Canaveral as well as the Cape.

  5. Mr Marcus Reply
    July 10, 2022 at 9:49 pm

    It’s hard to envision that separating Disney and the train is a good idea for either party– the train needs riders, and there has to be an upside for Disney being on the train line too.

    I’m not sure that I buy into the whole idea of the train making Miami and Orlando “co-terminals” though. The train from Miami to Orlando will take 3 hours is my understanding. And it’s not like you can always step off the plane and immediately onto a train that is ready to depart. Meanwhile the difference in flight time for a flight going to MIA vs MCO is generally 20-30 minutes.

    Orlando already has nonstop air service from the vast majority of meaningful markets in the US– much of it covered by low cost carriers. Adding in one-stop flights covers even more territory. A one-stop flight will likely be just as fast if not faster than the a flight plus train service. The train will have a role in the future I believe, but I’m not so sure how much it will open flight competition to MIA, FLL, and PBI for the orlando vacation market.

    • JESSICA M. Reply
      July 11, 2022 at 11:34 pm

      But how much time do you spend in the airport pre and post flight waiting for the actual 30 minute flight?

  6. Hadassah Reply
    July 10, 2022 at 11:07 pm

    Public transport in Florida is already abysmal. They just don’t know how to “ do” public transportation . I’m anticipating a wretched mess. I’ll take my chances coping with the worst drivers in America, Floridians.

    • Charles Davis Reply
      July 16, 2022 at 6:11 pm

      Since there’s not many native Floridians, the worst drivers are coming from somewhere else

  7. Adam Simmons Reply
    July 11, 2022 at 3:12 am

    Projected running time from Fort Lauderdale to Orlando is around 2.5 hours, which works if the train stops at FL airport. But it doesn’t, does it??

    • Jay Reply
      July 11, 2022 at 10:56 am

      It doesn’t. It stops closer to downtown, near the Museum of Discovery and Science. I remember seeing a long-term plan for FLL which included a new intra-transit station at the east end of the property. I believe that also included a people-mover that would connect all terminals and possibly Port Everglades. Might be just a dream now, but it sure would be convenient.

  8. Barry Paulus Reply
    July 11, 2022 at 8:03 am

    I think itbis is disneys big lose..and universals big win…disney has made some stupid business blunders the past year….they should consentrate more in their core business then in politics….

  9. Matt Rybarczyk Reply
    July 11, 2022 at 3:04 pm

    Awesome!! Can’t wait for it to open and sweet!! Heart to hear Universal has replaced Disney Springs. But at the same time I am bummed because Disney spring he’s also a pretty cool place. That will be Disney’s downfall once Stacy Universal revenues jacking up just saying. Can’t wait until it opens

  10. David Ritter Reply
    July 11, 2022 at 3:50 pm

    https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/2022/06/01/brightline-buys-12-5-million-property-cocoa-but-no-plans-confirmed-train-station-brevard-county/9958772002/
    “Brightline picked up the 33-acre piece of land near the U.S. 1 and State Road 528 interchange in April of 2021 with no fanfare or public announcement. The land sits just near the curve where tracks will bend from north-south to east-west, a location where the train is expected to slow down already.”
    Someday north to Daytona St Augustine Jacksonville, but just a dream for now.

  11. Marq Reply
    July 11, 2022 at 5:23 pm

    Definitely Disney loss I don’t knoe why bc I lot of people will be traveling that way give them more profits, well I can go from universal to disney is not to far

  12. Robert Turner Reply
    July 11, 2022 at 10:46 pm

    Go Universal! The Mouse just doesn’t have enough cool and exciting rides or adventures for older teens or adults! I see such possibilities with this train! Stop at Universal, then possibily to Tampa Busch Gardens or on to South Beach! As a Alabamaian now living in Portland it would be a cool way to hit up Florida again! Disney thinks they are too big too fail and so many ways WE have made them that way! They own so much and control so much TV and streaming content our family absorbs! We let Disney raise our children and they think they run the state of Florida! Look at their influence in political sector and law making decisions! I love to see Universal steam roll them in at least one aspect, theme parks!!

  13. Kev Reply
    July 11, 2022 at 11:51 pm

    Disney sure has failed a lot this year. They seem to be picking fights with everyone.

  14. Apathacus Jones Reply
    July 12, 2022 at 12:19 am

    Battle is the Great Redeemer. It is the fiery crucible in which true heroes are forged. The one place where all men truly share the same rank, regardless of what kind of parasitic scum they were going in.

  15. Greg Chin Reply
    July 12, 2022 at 12:46 am

    There’s no way to connect train tracks, into Disney Springs. Not without crossing over I-4, or S.R. 535, or S.R. 536. It’s too crowded with major car traffic, as it is.
    If Universal Studios, and Convention Center , and International Drive, wants the Brightline Station, so badly, then let them have it. Disney World will be just fine, without it, directly on their property.

  16. Miamiorbust Reply
    July 12, 2022 at 6:20 am

    Brightline station for Fort Lauderdale is not very convenient to the airport. So technically feasible to fly into Orlando and out of Fort Lauderdale, which may well have a lower fare due to spirit effect, the train to terminal transfer can easily be 45+ minutes due to location and transfer schedule. Like most US trains, service works better for connecting downtown areas of cities than for airport transfers. Only decent non-commuter transfers to airport I’m aware of are BWI and EWR (sort of).

    • Spuwho Reply
      July 13, 2022 at 12:15 pm

      As soon as Brightline gets back to full operation, they are going to restore the express shuttle between FtLauderdale Airport and the Brightline station. This shouldn’t be a problem in the future.

  17. Spuwho Reply
    July 13, 2022 at 8:17 am

    There will be a stop at Disney, it just won’t be on their property. Settle down everyone. It will be at what is now a vacant lot near Vineland-Apopka Road in Kissimmee. Much a do about nothing.

  18. Marquel Townes Reply
    July 13, 2022 at 5:52 pm

    It would have been good for Disney not to bell out on bright line. But what happened was Disney wanted bright line it was already set and done until the city of Orlando was like wait we can make more with sunrail and bright line to go to the convention center then on top of that epic universe will be right across the street from the convention center more money for Universal and SeaWorld. Then the train would go to Disney good idea. But when Disney heard about it they backed out because Disney is always talking about they want to be number one. But Disney thinks that they own all of Orlando and Kissimmee because they was the first theme park here. But at the same time since the pandemic Universal has been taking over because they had the new roller coaster open up then on top of that epic universe is coming new attractions is coming to Universal and now partner or bright line will make it better for Universal to become number one so that means more money for Universal and jobs at Universal. But in my eyes Universal will always be number one.

  19. Chris Wood Reply
    July 14, 2022 at 4:42 am

    Why can the rail line stop at both parks?
    I will be visiting universal next year, i hope the train is running by then.

  20. Mary Reply
    September 9, 2022 at 3:29 pm

    It was the Hunter’s Creek community that stopped Brightline. The route was going through a upper middle class neighborhood parallel to 417 expressway. It wasn’t Disney.

  21. M from SC Reply
    September 15, 2022 at 12:09 am

    I think Walt would have a better idea! And I think he is turning in his grave over the current state of the Disney Company. Let’s see if Comcast/NBC/Universal can learn from Disney’s mistakes. Too many Hoops to jump through at Disney. Universal is still easy. Crowded. But much less problematic than Disney. Brightline is a most definite win for Universal!

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Search

Recent Posts

  • Spirit fight at gate via DailyMail
    Brawl: Spirit Airlines Employees Drawn Into Gate Fight February 5, 2023
  • runway incursion
    Close Call: Two Airliners Narrowly Avoid Runway Catastrophe February 5, 2023
  • belarus journalist arrested on ryanair flight
    Couple Abandon Child At Airport Over €25 Fee February 5, 2023
  • United Airlines Steakhouse Cheeseburger
    Steakhouse Cheeseburger On United Airlines February 4, 2023

Categories

Popular Posts

  • Spirit Airlines Captain Runs Out Of Cockpit After Woman Yells “I Hope Y’All Crash And Die!” January 17, 2023
  • Hotel Worker entered room
    Woman Demands $3,000 In Compensation After Hotel Worker Walked Into Her Room At Midnight January 24, 2023
  • United Airlines 2023 Status Extension
    United Airlines Quietly Extends MileagePlus Premier Status…Again January 14, 2023
  • British Airways 787-10 Business Class Review
    Review: British Airways 787-10 Business Class (Club Suite) January 10, 2023

Archives

February 2023
M T W T F S S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728  
« Jan    

As seen on:

live_and_lets_fly

The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles is the most beautiful of all Polaris Lounges. Stay tuned for a detailed look and many more photos on the blog tomorrow. Well done @united.
@malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire i @malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire its A380 fleet. While not surprising, it is sad to see the growing list of carriers retiring this superjumbo jet. On Malaysia Airlines, I flew the #A380 once from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to London (LHR) and had the entire first class cabin to myself (full review on the blog). It was a beautiful flight that I will always remember.
Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited tha Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited that a new carrier, Avelo, has launched, especially from an airport just 12 minutes from my home!
I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxair I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxairport. Hopefully this summer it will return.

.
.
.
.
#Lufthansa #FirstClass #747 #747-8 #StarAlliance #Miles #Points
I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. This is not only a lovely, all-inclusive resort, but one of the best properties to use your @hyatt World of Hyatt points.
.
.
.
.
#Hyatt #BigSur #California #WorldofHyatt #CA-1 #Points #Hotels
In terms of a spacious first class product, the @E In terms of a spacious first class product, the @Emirates suite on a 777-300ER is hard to beat. My preference is Suite 2K.

.
.
.
.
#Emirates #777 #firstclass
Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from I Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from Instagram ahead of the birth of my first child. Goodness, how time flies. While I’ve enjoyed catching up on others over the years, now it is time for me to return to Instagram. In this first post, I highlight two joys in my life, my two children, whom I trust will grow up to be prolific travelers that circumnavigate the globe as ambassadors of love and respect.

.
.
.
.
.

#travel #airplanes #airlines #miles #points #familytravel #human #integrity #honor
United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improv United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improvement over UA's current business class seat. Check out my blog at liveandletsfly.com for 70+ photos of how @united is transforming its entire business class experience starting this December!
The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben! The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben!
Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen - Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen -- oh, and I love 40°F summer weather!
One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure of flying with in all my years of flying. Thank you @flysas SK940 on 11 Aug 2016
Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I a Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I assign a window seat months in advance, don't move me to a center seat "for my convenience" with no way to get my original seat back... 😞
Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be rac Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be racing the #Delta flight to JFK at the gate next to us, which also departs at 12:45p. With @onemileatatime
Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregenc Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregencycasablanca #cassablanca #hyatt
Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the i Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the inside of the @grandhyatt_shanghai ... It is 40°C outside! 😓
From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minut From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minutes flat. I ❤️ #bur #burbankairport
@malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in se @malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in service at #kul -- beautiful livery!
View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful bran View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful brand new @parkhyattguangzhou -- look for a full review coming soon on the blog #hyatt #parkhyatt #guangzhou #parkhyattguangzhou
Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, which closes tomorrow and the Queen of the Skies #747 which will be retired in 2018.
The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. If you're ever here, get up at 5am and have a walk around the city before it gets busy. You can hear the birds instead of honking horns.
Load More... Follow on Instagram
facebook twitter instagram rss

This site is for entertainment purposes only. The owner of this site is not an investment advisor, financial planner, nor legal or tax professional and articles here are of an opinion and general nature and should not be relied upon for individual circumstances.

 

Advertiser Disclosure: Some links to credit cards and other products on this website will earn an affiliate commission. Outside of banner ads published through the Boarding Area network, this compensation does not impact how and where products appear on this site. While we do try to list all the best miles and points deals, the site does not include all card companies or credit card offers available in the marketplace. Please view our advertising policy page for additional details about our partners.

 

Editorial Disclosure: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any entity mentioned herein. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.