Menu

Pictures: High-Speed Train to Disney World Hits Major Milestone

Published: Jan 17, 2022, at 12:55 pm ET
Updated: Jan 18, 2022, at 1:26 pm ET

Walt Disney World Guests are one step closer to having direct access from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to the Walt Disney World Resort by train.

Brightline, South Florida’s private high-speed passenger train, is in the process of extending its reach from Miami up to MCO and then to Disney World itself via a station set to be built at Disney Springs.

Brightline

Credit: Brightline

The rail service took a giant step forward by commencing test runs on its first major rail extension between West Palm Beach and Cocoa Beach on Tuesday, January 18.

In the early afternoon of the 18th, Brightline’s train was spotted heading north in Brevard County by Spectrum News 13’s Will Robinson-Smith. He shared pictures of the train on Twitter saying, “Welcome to Brevard County,” and further elaborated on the progress at hand.

He said, “Today marks the start of qualifying runs to train the crew of these future @GoBrightline passenger lines. Today’s run went from West Palm Beach up here to the Micco area. Tomorrow, they will head up to @CityofCocoa.”

“Brightline is beginning the new year with a critical step toward the completion of its intercity rail system connecting Miami and Orlando,” the company stated in a news release.

According to local ABC affiliate WPBF, “This step allows drivers to become familiar with the 130 miles along the corridor with a manager who is already familiar with the area for ‘oversight and instruction.'”

The rail test is the latest update in Brightline’s quest to connect all of South Florida by safe, reliable, and luxurious high-speed rail, and construction of the MCO station is already underway. Brightline has gone on record to say 70% of its expansion to Orlando is complete, and they expect to reach full completion by the end of this year. Passenger service between Orlando International Airport and the rail line’s Miami Central Terminal by way of Cocoa Beach, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Aventura is expected to begin as early as 2023.

Brightline Rail Map

Credit: Brightline

Related: Flying Into Orlando? Here’s How to Get to Walt Disney World Without Disney’s Magical Express

Brightline’s Walt Disney World Resort Station is expected to enter service in 2025. High-speed rail expansion will then continue down to Tampa Bay.

Brightline Orlando Rail Map

Credit: Disney

With Disney’s Magical Express motorcoach service no longer transporting Guests from MCO to Disney property, and with only more costly alternatives filling the void, Guests can only hope that this new rail connection comes sooner rather than later.

As of right now, Disneyland Paris is the only Disney Park that features its own train station.

Are you excited about train travel to Walt Disney World? Do you think this will be better than Disney’s Magical Express? Let us know in the comments!

About T.K. Bosacki

Born and raised in Tampa, Florida, TK Bosacki is a professional writer, amateur adventurer, and lifelong Disney Fanatic. His Disney Park days include Space Mountain, Tower of Terror, Kilimanjaro Safaris, and Nomad Lounge. He believes in starting at the Canada pavilion (IYKYK), and the Monorail is superior to all Ferry Boats.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.