Train could pass though Disney World

[lovemickeyshouse]

There is reports a train my soon stop at Disney property!Stay Tuned . https://www.wftv.com/news/local/brightline-train-may-make-stop-at-disney/880003219

 

[nkosiek]

There is reports a train my soon stop at Disney property!Stay Tuned . https://www.wftv.com/news/local/brightline-train-may-make-stop-at-disney/880003219

Yeah, I'm betting this is a huge non-event when push comes to shove.

 

[writerguyfl]

Unlike many proposed mass transit routes, Brightline actually did what they promised. The service is actually already running here in South Florida. And, it's more noting that this is a private company. They are not reliant on public money for construction or operation.

I'm not sure this is change anyone's opinion, but Sir Richard Branson has purchased a financial stake in Brightline. The latest rumor is that the service will be rebranded to Virgin Trains USA. Additionally, the company was given approval to start negotiating right-of-way leases for the line between the Orlando International Airport and Tampa.

A more informative article: http://www.tampabay.com/business/br...-rail-service-heads-to-key-decision-20181128/

Branson is one of those rare people that seems to get big things done. He's started several successful travel-related companies. Considering this rail service is already operational in South Florida and the next leg to Orlando is already moving forward, I don't see why Tampa wouldn't happen.

As for a Disney World station, I think it would be a total win for Disney. The WFTV article incorrectly states that Disney wasn't interested in working with previous rail projects. They actually were prepared to provide land for a station on a previous high speed rail line between Orlando and Tampa.

One of the potential sites for a Tampa station is right near the Port of Tampa. That would be a huge opportunity to easily connect Disney World with Disney Cruise Line ships. Instead of relying on buses that are subject to traffic, simply put guests on the train. About an hour later, you're at the Port.

 

[umichigan10]

Unlike many proposed mass transit routes, Brightline actually did what they promised. The service is actually already running here in South Florida. And, it's more noting that this is a private company. They are not reliant on public money for construction or operation.

I'm not sure this is change anyone's opinion, but Sir Richard Branson has purchased a financial stake in Brightline. The latest rumor is that the service will be rebranded to Virgin Trains USA. Additionally, the company was given approval to start negotiating right-of-way leases for the line between the Orlando International Airport and Tampa.

A more informative article: http://www.tampabay.com/business/br...-rail-service-heads-to-key-decision-20181128/

Branson is one of those rare people that seems to get big things done. He's started several successful travel-related companies. Considering this rail service is already operational in South Florida and the next leg to Orlando is already moving forward, I don't see why Tampa wouldn't happen.

As for a Disney World station, I think it would be a total win for Disney. The WFTV article incorrectly states that Disney wasn't interested in working with previous rail projects. They actually were prepared to provide land for a station on a previous high speed rail line between Orlando and Tampa.

One of the potential sites for a Tampa station is right near the Port of Tampa. That would be a huge opportunity to easily connect Disney World with Disney Cruise Line ships. Instead of relying on buses that are subject to traffic, simply put guests on the train. About an hour later, you're at the Port.

If I remember right, Disney was opposed to previous plans because there was a stop in downtown Orlando that they didn’t want because of their obsession of marooning people on property. Wonder if they’d be more open this time?

 

[tlmadden73]

Don't quite understand the recent obsession with these rail lines.

Buses (good ones) come be just as comfortable, more flexible with the routes (they can go where the PEOPLE are), and cheaper to produce/maintain and cheaper to ride.

Amtrak sounds good in concept .. I'd love to hop on a train to go to Disney World and I can get it pretty close .. but it costs as much (if not more) than flying, I have to drive (or take ... a BUS!) to a train station ... they have horrible schedules ... take way too long (with the stops they do) and you still need to worry about transportation at your destination.

In the end -- flying/driving is better.

If anything, there could be a train station near Disney Springs and Disney just buses people where they need to go.

The main problem with train routes is getting the right of way for tracks and dealing with existing infrastructure. Because of that most modern train routes are forced to go where people aren't (or don't want to go). I don't see Disney really seeing the benefit of letting a private company come through their property when they have something like the Magical Express.

It all depends on how many riders they think would use this line.

 

[rteetz]

Don't quite understand the recent obsession with these rail lines.

Buses (good ones) come be just as comfortable, more flexible with the routes (they can go where the PEOPLE are), and cheaper to produce/maintain and cheaper to ride.

Amtrak sounds good in concept .. I'd love to hop on a train to go to Disney World and I can get it pretty close .. but it costs as much (if not more) than flying, I have to drive (or take ... a BUS!) to a train station ... they have horrible schedules ... take way too long (with the stops they do) and you still need to worry about transportation at your destination.

In the end -- flying/driving is better.

If anything, there could be a train station near Disney Springs and Disney just buses people where they need to go.

The main problem with train routes is getting the right of way for tracks and dealing with existing infrastructure. Because of that most modern train routes are forced to go where people aren't (or don't want to go). I don't see Disney really seeing the benefit of letting a private company come through their property when they have something like the Magical Express.

It all depends on how many riders they think would use this line.

If we think about it compared to the rest of the world the US is kind of behind the times in terms of high speed rail. We should be looking at cities in Asia who do this and do it very well. Rail can work well if done right.

 

[lovemickeyshouse]

Don't quite understand the recent obsession with these rail lines.

Buses (good ones) come be just as comfortable, more flexible with the routes (they can go where the PEOPLE are), and cheaper to produce/maintain and cheaper to ride.

Amtrak sounds good in concept .. I'd love to hop on a train to go to Disney World and I can get it pretty close .. but it costs as much (if not more) than flying, I have to drive (or take ... a BUS!) to a train station ... they have horrible schedules ... take way too long (with the stops they do) and you still need to worry about transportation at your destination.

In the end -- flying/driving is better.

If anything, there could be a train station near Disney Springs and Disney just buses people where they need to go.

The main problem with train routes is getting the right of way for tracks and dealing with existing infrastructure. Because of that most modern train routes are forced to go where people aren't (or don't want to go). I don't see Disney really seeing the benefit of letting a private company come through their property when they have something like the Magical Express.

It all depends on how many riders they think would use this line.

Trains don’t sit in traffic and I don’t fly .

 

[Moliphino]

If we think about it compared to the rest of the world the US is kind of behind the times in terms of high speed rail. We should be looking at cities in Asia who do this and do it very well. Rail can work well if done right.

Yup. In my experience, the trains in Europe can be very convenient and cost effective. Train travel in the US is not very good.

 

[jknezek]

Yup. In my experience, the trains in Europe can be very convenient and cost effective. Train travel in the US is not very good.

Understatement of the day!

 

[Farro]

If we think about it compared to the rest of the world the US is kind of behind the times in terms of high speed rail. We should be looking at cities in Asia who do this and do it very well. Rail can work well if done right.

Yup. In my experience, the trains in Europe can be very convenient and cost effective. Train travel in the US is not very good.

This is such a hot topic for me!!!

Train travel in the US is pathetic. Our whole train infrastructure needs to be revamped. There is no reason we can't have a high speed rail in this country. Also, if train travel was upgraded, imagine the economic impact it could have on smaller cities across the country. Places people may not normally visit now can be accessed by reliable rail travel, it opens so many possibilities.

I have had many conversations about this with people.

I'm waiting for a leader who puts this a priority, come on people!!!

 

[mikebb]

I wouldn't count on this in the anywhere-near-future. While having Branson (and potentially Disney) involved and invested may help to push things forward, the first South Florida-Orlando Brightline route (to MCO) isn't going to be ready for another 3 YEARS (https://info.gobrightline.com/routes-stations/orlando/). And that is a plan that's been in the works for some time.

It also remains to be seen if ridership on the Miami-WPB Brightline route is sufficient to be profitable, nevermind MIA-MCO. We have Tri-Rail (commuter rail) and Amtrak Silver Service (longer distances) as publicly run alternatives, and those would typically be cheaper options. Add in that you wouldn't see the business travel on a FL route that you would on say a NYC-DC route, only tourists, and it's a big gamble. Here's hoping they can pull it off without asking for enormous gov't handouts, but I have my doubts.

 

[tlmadden73]

If we think about it compared to the rest of the world the US is kind of behind the times in terms of high speed rail. We should be looking at cities in Asia who do this and do it very well. Rail can work well if done right.

There just is a different dynamic there. They have concentrated populations of people and NOT very high car ownership. Other countries don't have the space or amount of affordable cars that the US does.

We had passenger rail, we had streetcars, all through the late 1800s through half of the 1900s. Walt Disney himself was fascinated by them his entire life. They were they quick and easy way to get from city to city as a passenger. The Golden Age of trains in this country was taken over by the auto age when Detroit pumped out cars and our Interstate system took off. Then air travel became more affordable to the "common man". (I mean how many people fly to WDW compared to the 70s or 80s when families threw the kids in the back of the station wagon and would just drive everywhere? And that was before 70 MPH speed limits and vastly improved interstate routes).

There is a reason all the old passenger lines have been abandoned (and turned into bike paths) and the street car rails were torn up.
People moved away from the old train/streetcar lines .. quickly .. and having a rail stuck in the ground can't follow it.

Don't get me wrong -- I love trains. (I recently took the train tour at the MK -- highly recommend it). I enjoy riding old steam train excursions with my dad. I've taken Amtrak trips several times from Milwaukee to DC. It was easy and relaxing (but I CHOSE to do it that way, because of my interest - most people would not because it costs as much as flying and takes WAY too long). When you look at trains.. (whether they are high speed or not) .. they just don't compare to the other options (flying or driving). Maybe we'll get there, just feel it is being forced a bit right now. The market demand isn't there. Heck . .if self-driving cars take off there will be even LESS demand for trains. The market wants things like Uber and self-driving cars -- convenience. Even the fastest train in the world won't be convenient in our society.

When the railroads of old were built .. there was GREAT money in making them because there was great demand (just look at the story of the intercontinental railroad).
Eventually we may get there .. but my point is that our road system is amazing .. we should be investing in buses and self-driving cars.

Our society just isn't ready for trains, so we spend millions of dollars on a product not many people are looking for and thus not willing to pay for. There is probably more demand for extending the monorail line at WDW than some of these high speed rail line routes.

 

[BadPinkTink]

just throwing it out there

Disneyland Paris has a train station on property. You are basically connected to almost EVERY country in mainland Europe and to the UK via the Eurostar.

In theory, if you had the time and money, you could go all the way from Disneyland Paris to Disneyland Hong Kong JUST by train!!

 

[Farro]

There just is a different dynamic there. They have concentrated populations of people and NOT very high car ownership. Other countries don't have the space or amount of affordable cars that the US does.

We had passenger rail, we had streetcars, all through the late 1800s through half of the 1900s. Walt Disney himself was fascinated by them his entire life. They were they quick and easy way to get from city to city as a passenger. The Golden Age of trains in this country was taken over by the auto age when Detroit pumped out cars and our Interstate system took off. Then air travel became more affordable to the "common man". (I mean how many people fly to WDW compared to the 70s or 80s when families threw the kids in the back of the station wagon and would just drive everywhere? And that was before 70 MPH speed limits and vastly improved interstate routes).

There is a reason all the old passenger lines have been abandoned (and turned into bike paths) and the street car rails were torn up.
People moved away from the old train/streetcar lines .. quickly .. and having a rail stuck in the ground can't follow it.

Don't get me wrong -- I love trains. (I recently took the train tour at the MK -- highly recommend it). I enjoy riding old steam train excursions with my dad. I've taken Amtrak trips several times from Milwaukee to DC. It was easy and relaxing (but I CHOSE to do it that way, because of my interest - most people would not because it costs as much as flying and takes WAY too long). When you look at trains.. (whether they are high speed or not) .. they just don't compare to the other options (flying or driving). Maybe we'll get there, just feel it is being forced a bit right now. The market demand isn't there. Heck . .if self-driving cars take off there will be even LESS demand for trains. The market wants things like Uber and self-driving cars -- convenience. Even the fastest train in the world won't be convenient in our society.

When the railroads of old were built .. there was GREAT money in making them because there was great demand (just look at the story of the intercontinental railroad).
Eventually we may get there .. but my point is that our road system is amazing .. we should be investing in buses and self-driving cars.

Our society just isn't ready for trains, so we spend millions of dollars on a product not many people are looking for and thus not willing to pay for. There is probably more demand for extending the monorail line at WDW than some of these high speed rail line routes.

No way to have this discussion through a message board, but sorry, I could not (emphatically) disagree with you more.

 

[umichigan10]

Public transport in this country is underutilized in general. I live in the smallest state in the country and the roads suck because more people are using them than designed, and the only public transport we have (buses) just add to the wear and tear.

On the topic at hand I can see how this would work. Would make it easier to just take the train up from Tampa or Miami instead of driving and would take cars off the road. All depends on price point though

 

[Moliphino]

Understatement of the day!

I can only judge by my one train trip from Springfield, MA to Atlanta over 10 years ago, so I didn't want to completely trash all trains all over the country. It was not a pleasant trip. Then I did a summer abroad in Europe and took trains all over the place, all much better experiences than I had at home.

 

[rteetz]

Public transport in this country is underutilized in general. I live in the smallest state in the country and the roads suck because more people are using them than designed, and the only public transport we have (buses) just add to the wear and tear.

On the topic at hand I can see how this would work. Would make it easier to just take the train up from Tampa or Miami instead of driving and would take cars off the road. All depends on price point though

I agree. It also really depends on where you live. In Milwaukee we have a decent bus system but I’ve never once been on it. In downtown we just installed a street car but the downside is it only goes in a square. We don’t really need a lot of option in WI because things are more spread out and people just drive.

 

[umichigan10]

I agree. It also really depends on where you live. In Milwaukee we have a decent bus system but I’ve never once been on it. In downtown we just installed a street car but the downside is it only goes in a square. We don’t really need a lot of option in WI because things are more spread out and people just drive.

Yeah it’s just exceedingly stupid where I am in RI to not have good public transit. Our capital is essentially in the middle of our small state and you could have lines radiating out to connect major points along the way.

What’s sad is the only public rail transport we have is a line from the Massachusetts T commuter that runs down with 4 stops. Because as we say around here we can’t do anything unless Massachusetts does it

 

[umichigan10]

I can only judge by my one train trip from Springfield, MA to Atlanta over 10 years ago, so I didn't want to completely trash all trains all over the country. It was not a pleasant trip. Then I did a summer abroad in Europe and took trains all over the place, all much better experiences than I had at home.

My buddy and his girlfriend go with her family every year by train to Disney (from Rhode Island mind you so not a short trip). They swear by it, even though there’s almost always delays at some point because they find some uh, CSI material on the track

 

[tlmadden73]

I agree. It also really depends on where you live. In Milwaukee we have a decent bus system but I’ve never once been on it. In downtown we just installed a street car but the downside is it only goes in a square. We don’t really need a lot of option in WI because things are more spread out and people just drive.

LOL . .don't remind me of the Streetcar to nowhere in MKE (I used to live in MKE and still have family there and visit often - so I am familiar with it). I am curious how it goes. I suspect it will probably be popular for the first year (as a curiosity and because the fare will be cheap), but after that it won't be used that much because it doesn't GO anywhere. If I drive my car downtown .. why hop on a streetcar to go to restaurant when I can just DRIVE and park close to that restaurant? Without good public transportation INTO a city (like you see with subways in major metropolitan areas), public transportation (especially RAIL) within a city is pointless.

Sure, the young urban millennials (those who want to live/work/play in a downtown area and before they get married and have kids and move to suburbs) probably will use it to get from their condos to restaurants, but not even sure how much it will be used for that. We'll see. If it doesn't see a lot of use, they won't be able to expand it to the places where it probably COULD be heavily used -- like running to the casino, the ball park, the new basketball stadium, the museums, the convention center. But they built it in the old gentrified "hipster" area of town.

The key is . .that there usually needs to be consumer DEMAND for something in order for it to take off. When that happens, private companies will be all over helping build/fund something like that. Without consumer demand, what problem is trying to be solved by the governments pushing rail? Is it more "green"? Maybe . .but most consumers don't care if their transportation is green. They care if gets them from Point A to Point B .. quickly, cheaply and efficiently without driving themselves.

What has been created from THAT demand? Services like Lyft and Uber . .NOT a train (or streetcar).