Disney announced today that the Brightline rail station project that was planned to open at Disney Springs, has now been cancelled.
The Brightline high-speed rail station was originally set to connect guests from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Disney Springs. This project would have made traveling for guests to the “city beautiful” much easier after the entertainment company removed, “Disney’s Magical Express” which was a shuttle service that brought guests to Disney World property without needing a car.
Disney Spokesperson Avery Maehrer said in a statement the company’s decision was based of Brightline’s new route configuration along I-4.
“As many people who are involved in this project are aware, the new route configuration does not support a Disney Springs station and as a result, we don’t anticipate being part of this project,” Maehrer said.
The route originally was designed to bypass Orlando and go straight to Walt Disney World from Orlando Internationally Airport (MCO) before following I-4 to Tampa. This was changed after a push for businesses along International Drive and Rival Theme Park Universal Orlando Resort pushed for the station to be at the tourist corridor of the Orange County Convention Center before continuing to Disney World.
Due to this change in plans from Brightline, Disney has pulled the plug on the new project that was originally slated to be complete in 2026.
