Brightline to Disney cancelled

[erionm]

Per brightline in a twitter thread, there will still be a stop near the original Disney Springs site, BUT not on Disney owned property.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1541821346686042112

 

[Jenglish13]

People travel with young kids all the time and all over the world. WDW was an anomaly for offering a ride from the airport to the hotel. Some carribean all inclusive resorts include a bus but not all. We go to Disneyland and took Uber to and from the airport. People can easily figure out a ride.

Now in saying all that, it was a nice option to have but hardly a deterrent from travelling with kids.

Yes you all make a great point. Even if Disney put in extra infrastructure and organized transportation to resorts it would still likely be a major sweaty headache! I think most really want to just get straight to their room from the airport.

 

[CarolMN]

Now in saying all that, it was a nice option to have but hardly a deterrent from travelling with kids.

The point is that many guests would be a lot more likely to use Mears, uber or taxi or etc. and go directly to their resort. Since the train is not likely to be cheap, the direct to resort route may even be less expensive.

 

[clarker99]

The point is that many guests would be a lot more likely to use Mears, uber or taxi or etc. and go directly to their resort. Since the train is not likely to be cheap, the direct to resort route may even be less expensive.

Yes, Uber/Lyft/Taxi are almost all cheaper/same price as the Mears or Rainbow Flyers options and they go right to the resort.

If/when Disney launches their own service it will likely be more expensive than all those options. See Minnie Van pricing as an example.

 

[disEAR]

This is such a short sighted decision by Disney (Bob Paychek). In all likelihoods them not having a station will impact them more than Universal having one before theirs.

We will now surely go to Universal before Disney in any trip, spend the bulk of our money and energy there and Disney will be the afterthought/add-on.

way to play yourselves Disney.

 

[tjkraz]

The timing makes Disney look rather petty. There appear to be some logistical challenges with the new route, but the hot take is that they didn't want to cooperate with a plan that includes Universal.

That said, when Disney first pledged involvement, I was unclear of how this benefits most Disney guests. Coming from the airport, you're gathering bags and queuing for a train. Then upon arrival at Disney Springs, you're presumably queuing for a bus to reach hotel. How is that any more convenient--or likely, any cheaper--than a Mears bus or Uber?

For departure service, how many people are going to be confident enough in bus AND train schedules to use this process to get to MCO in time for their flight?

The train might be a good option for locals. Though I cannot imagine many people taking a train to Disney Springs and then transferring to theme park bus. Perhaps the greatest benefit is transportation between other FL cities like Miami and Tampa.

But the likely deal-breaker is the ease-of-access to Universal. The massive size of WDW means they'd have to support the train station with regular bus routes. So Disney is ultimately subsidizing an easy way for their own guests to visit Universal. Epic Universe is likely to draw new business into the Orlando area but Disney is still the 8000 lb gorilla. I think they stand to lose more than they gain with any direct connection to Universal.

The station will still happen and it probably won't be much further than the proposed Disney Springs site. The only difference is that Disney won't absorb the cost of getting people to-and-from the train station.

 

[clarker99]

This is such a short sighted decision by Disney (Bob Paychek). In all likelihoods them not having a station will impact them more than Universal having one before theirs.

We will now surely go to Universal before Disney in any trip, spend the bulk of our money and energy there and Disney will be the afterthought/add-on.

way to play yourselves Disney.

How much do you think the train will cost vs. a taxi/uber? Is the train stopping right in front of (insert Universal Hotel here)? No, it is not. And Epic Universe is not really convenient to 2 main parks. The whole train thing does not make sense.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

But that's the thing. It NEVER made sense.

My guess is someone at Disney finally realized that and they have been looking for a good opportunity to tuck tail and run.

 

[Disney mac]

Seems like a reasonable possibility. Most definitely will not be ‘free’ if it does Come back.

Free? It will have "Dynamic" pricing to help pay for the new Chapek bonus.

 

[kes601]

Land at airport. Collect luggage. Wait for train. Get off at Disney Springs. Then what? Get luggage. Find Disney bus, uber, or taxi to resort? Lots of stress, especially with young kids.

I agree with you, it never made sense to me whatsoever. Even your example is missing something though. You can't take luggage on a Disney bus. There was never going to be service from DS to the resorts from Disney. It was always going to be 3rd party (or a Minnie Van).....

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

For departure service, how many people are going to be confident enough in bus AND train schedules to use this process to get to MCO in time for their flight?

I suspect people who use public transit like subway systems would be fine. People use Amtrak like the Auto Train (which is frequently mentioned on the Boards) to get to the area although in that case people may or may not be also transporting their cars. Still though it's hardly a new and upcoming thing where people have no idea how it works. If you don't use trains in your normal everyday life or frequently enough while traveling you wouldn't have been a person to have even thought about a train. Confidence in bus and train schedules have nothing to do with it.

 

[tjkraz]

I suspect people who use public transit like subway systems would be fine. People use Amtrak like the Auto Train (which is frequently mentioned on the Boards) to get to the area although in that case people may or may not be also transporting their cars. Still though it's hardly a new and upcoming thing where people have no idea how it works. If you don't use trains in your normal everyday life or frequently enough while traveling you wouldn't have been a person to have even thought about a train. Confidence in bus and train schedules have nothing to do with it.

I never meant to suggest it was a "new thing here people have no idea how it works." In the passage you quoted, my point was basically this: you're juggling the possible unreliability of both Disney buses to-and-from the train station plus that train itself. And these trains are unlikely to run as often as--say--a NYC subway. Miss your subway and you're 15 minutes late for work. Problems with the bus+train could lead to missed flights.

Maybe a bit overdramatic. But here's the $64,000 question: For transportation between MCO and Disney hotels, in what way is this better than a Mears bus or Uber?

 

[Boopuff]

This whole thing is just crazy. I used to take a train to work daily. Riding a train is a pita. First if it’s strictly commuter, there isn’t a lot of space for luggage, then to wait For the train, schlep your family/stuff on then get off again schlepping stuff, land at station… now you’ll still have to taxi/Uber. I’m not seeing how people were thinking this is a great alternative to DME. Take me directly to my resort

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I never meant to suggest it was a "new thing here people have no idea how it works." In the passage you quoted, my point was basically this: you're juggling the possible unreliability of both Disney buses to-and-from the train station plus that train itself. And these trains are unlikely to run as often as--say--a NYC subway. Miss your subway and you're 15 minutes late for work. Problems with the bus+train could lead to missed flights.

Maybe a bit overdramatic. But here's the $64,000 question: For transportation between MCO and Disney hotels, in what way is this better than a Mears bus or Uber?

Millions of people everyday do just what you're talking about, work with getting to the airport with enough time to make it to their plane. Not every train or bus ride is perfect either.

If you're not a person who normally takes public transit like this you're less likely to even consider it regardless of some thought of reliability with Disney transit or otherwise (especially as that means you've experienced enough of Disney transportation to feel this way and there are many who haven't).

If you're more used to Uber you're more likely to use Uber. If you used DME a lot back when it was around you'd be more likely to use a similar type service like Mears (paid) or Sunshine Flyer. If you're the type of person who rents a car all the time you'd be more like to rent a car.

The conversation isn't about which option is better or some $64K question relative to your comment I quoted. It's about what type of person would even consider a train such as this to even be thinking about train schedules (part of your comment) which practically speaking is someone already familiar with using public transit.

How well Brightline works with MCO is an entirely different thing than talking about "how many people are going to be confident enough in bus AND train schedules to use this process" because confidence in a system like this is usually requires familiarity in how those two things work.

TLDR: people are more likely to stick with what they know, if they don't know trains like this when there are a variety of other options available they are unlikely to use Disney as their newbie exposure to the system.

 

[kristenabelle]

Not much if a loss, if any, if you ask me. I wonder how many would have actually used this option (at least more than once). Sure doesn't seem either quick or convenient.

Land at airport. Collect luggage. Wait for train. Get off at Disney Springs. Then what? Get luggage. Find Disney bus, uber, or taxi to resort? Lots of stress, especially with young kids.

No thank you. Rather pay a little extra (maybe, train is unlikely to be cheap) and go directly to the resort. YMMV.

Yeah, I take the train to NYC every day, lugging my purse and briefcase. And as much as I love Paris, shoving my luggage on the metro & from CDG was not fun. I'm not doing that on vacation - happy to pay for the ubers.

 

[tjkraz]

TLDR: people are more likely to stick with what they know, if they don't know trains like this when there are a variety of other options available they are unlikely to use Disney as their newbie exposure to the system.

At some point in the last 10 years, Uber / Lyft was new to everyone. Millions have tried ride sharing because there were clear advantages over things like taxi (cost) and mass transit (slow).

Sunshine Flyer is $32 pp door to door. Ride sharing is $50-60 each way for a group. Town cars offer more personalized service including grocery stops. Even the auto train is a unique solution that fills a specific need.

I don't see where this rail + bus option provides any advantages over current MCO-to-WDW alternatives. Even if they come in under the Sunshine Flyer (individual) or ride share (group) cost, it's another layer of inconvenience for travelers.

 

[DonMacGregor]

I suspect people who use public transit like subway systems would be fine. People use Amtrak like the Auto Train (which is frequently mentioned on the Boards) to get to the area although in that case people may or may not be also transporting their cars. Still though it's hardly a new and upcoming thing where people have no idea how it works. If you don't use trains in your normal everyday life or frequently enough while traveling you wouldn't have been a person to have even thought about a train. Confidence in bus and train schedules have nothing to do with it.

My sister and brother in law have lived in Manhattan for almost 20 years. Number of times they've taken the subway or bus to any of the three airports? Zero. They always take a taxi or Uber. Number of times they take a taxi or Uber during their day in and day out commuting lives? Zero.

They have no kids by the way, but still won't face the hassle of lugging suitcases onto the subway. There's just no space for luggage, as there is none on any Disney buses once you reach Disney Springs. As someone said above, the RER train to Charles de Gaulle is also a commuter train and has no luggage racks.

ETA: They do take a taxi every now and then in bad weather or if they get out of work after the subway's go to late night schedules (they live in Inwood park, way up past the GWB at 218th, and both work on Broadway).

 

[Jenglish13]

Yeah, I take the train to NYC every day, lugging my purse and briefcase. And as much as I love Paris, shoving my luggage on the metro & from CDG was not fun. I'm not doing that on vacation - happy to pay for the ubers.

Yeah I'm with you. Commuting to work is one thing but vacation should be vacation!

NJ Transit or LIRR? I've paid my dues on the north Jersey coast line over the years!

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I don't see where this rail + bus option provides any advantages over current MCO-to-WDW alternatives. Even if they come in under the Sunshine Flyer (individual) or ride share (group) cost, it's another layer of inconvenience for travelers.

That's the thing I don't disagree with you there although none of us know in practice how it will work out. I was just commenting on who would even consider this option based on your prior comment.

 

[BeachClub2014]

I don't even like to have to ride the tram from my gate to the terminal at MCO, let alone lug all my crap on a train to get off at Disney Springs to transfer to a resort bus. I just don't see many folks wanting to do that?