Disney Reverses Course on the Sunshine Corridor

You may want to check the temperature in Hades’s realm, as it may have frozen over.

In a legitimately unexpected development, Disney has evolved its position on Brightline’s plans for Central Florida.

Disney has reversed course on the Sunshine Corridor. Here’s what that may mean for Walt Disney World tourists.

About the Brightline Station

Hilariously, I just wrote a Disney Headlines update on the Brightline negotiations last Tuesday.

So, the timing here doesn’t surprise me. Once a project changes from theoretical to tangible, everyone’s calculus updates.

Affected parties contemplate how they can benefit from the new developments.

In Disney’s case, it has much to gain from this project. It just didn’t like what happened along the way.

The frustration is understandable, but now is the time to put hurt feelings aside and be the grown-up in the room.

I’m getting ahead of myself, though. Let’s circle back to what has happened and what it means.

Twelve years ago, a company called All Aboard Florida embarked on a daring plan to connect Florida’s popular tourist destinations.

This plan centered on a high-speed rail service that would cost billions of dollars to construct.

Fortunately, the Federal Railroad Administration liked the plan and provided loans to the company we now know as Brightline.

Six years later, the first Brightline service opened, connecting rail stations at Miami and West Palm Beach.

Since then, Brightline has opened several additional stations across Florida.

I wouldn’t quite say that Brightline has blanketed the Sunshine State, but it definitely has improved transportation options.

About Brightline Travel

Along the way, Brightline has developed a reputation as a comfortable means of travel.

Here’s influencer Jeb Brooks performing a comparison between flying from Orlando to Miami versus taking Brightline.

You’ll notice that his “plane vs. train showdown” heavily favors Brightline, giving the service the edge in comfort, onboard service, and price.

While flying remains faster, Brooks notes that he got more work done during the train ride than the short flight.

When you’re taking a puddle jumper, packing and unpacking your laptop almost isn’t worth the aggravation.

Conversely, Brightline provides a comfortable workstation, arguably making its slightly longer ride superior for business trips.

There’s a catch with the service, though. Brightline offers multiple cabins and prices.

Here’s a comparison of Premium vs. Smart Class:

While both options work well for most, Brightline fans have noted that the best experience dwarfs the other.

I don’t necessarily think that’s the case, but it’s something to consider.

Overall, when you’re inside the train, Brightline is typically smooth.

Thus far, the only significant issues with Brightline have involved incidents, some of which weren’t avoidable.

The Disney/Brightline Beef

Given the success of Brightline service thus far, Disney warmed to the idea of a station on the Walt Disney World campus.

In fact, such an agreement was reportedly in place before it all fell apart.

Specifically, Brightline confirmed plans for a station at Disney Springs.

This station would have connected the Brightline station at Orlando International Airport to Walt Disney World.

Disney was so confident in this plan that it canceled its Mears Transportation contract for Magical Express.

Mears struggled mightily during the pandemic, causing Disney to decide Brightline made the bus system archaic.

Then, the unexpected happened. Comcast, one of the most successful lobbying companies ever, identified an opportunity.

Comcast is the corporate owner of NBCUniversal and Universal Studios theme parks.

As you should know, Universal Epic Universe will debut in 2025, but construction has been underway for several years.

Disney claims it has known about Epic Universe for a decade now and even if the math doesn’t check out, the point is clear.

Epic Universe is coming soon, and it’ll alter the landscape of Central Florida tourism.

Comcast lobbied for a stop on the so-called Sunshine Corridor, which would connect SunRail, Central Florida’s internal rail system, to Brightline.

With this system in place, you can hop around Florida via train station and ultimately wind up at Disney Springs.

Similarly, you can exit the airport, jump on a train and be at Disney Springs soon.

That’s why Disney didn’t see the need for Magical Express. 

On paper, Brightline checked all the boxes, at least it did until Comcast muddied the waters.

Why Disney Abandoned Brightline

Comcast’s opportunity stemmed from a proposed second stop along the way.

This Sunshine Corridor station would reside near the Orange County Convention Center.

Conveniently, that location is only a couple of miles away from…Epic Universe.

You can understand why Universal Studios officials would love that idea, while Disney would absolutely despise it.

Comcast was friendlier with Florida politicians at the time and sweetened the deal by donating 13 acres of land and up to $125 million.

Florida officials weren’t about to turn down that much generosity, especially not when they were mad at Disney.

Once Florida confirmed the Sunshine Corridor station near Universal, sure enough, Disney dropped out of the project.

We’ve been in a nuclear winter since then, and the Florida Feud hasn’t helped any.

Then, a few surprising events occurred, the most significant of which was Disney and Florida’s governor declaring a truce.

Now, everyone has gone back to business, and a Brightline station at Disney Springs makes good business sense.

Not coincidentally, Disney released a quote to the Orlando Business Journal the other day. It states:

“We have long been open to discussions around the proposed SunRail expansion to Disney Springs and have been engaged with state and community leaders on the topic.”

Disney adds this part as a kind of a purpose pitch: “This is not to be confused with the agreement we previously had for a Brightline station that Brightline decided not to pursue.”

That’s a not-at-all subtle message that Disney will broker a new deal, but the previous agreement is no longer on the table.

In other words, the idea is back on the table, but Brightline must make some reparations for the previous Comcast-related backstab.

Disney is expecting an apology and a prolonged “Baby, I can change…” speech from Brightline.

Why Disney Reversed Course on the Sunshine Corridor

We can debate how much of a threat Universal Studios is to Disney, but it’s almost irrelevant to this conversation.

Comcast recognized a chance to get a piece of the Brightline action.

With a station located near its upcoming theme park, Comcast ensures that more guests will consider split vacations.

You can leave the airport, stop at Epic Universe for a day and then spend the rest of your trip at Walt Disney World.

The same Sunshine Corridor station will transport you to Disney Springs just as conveniently the following day.

So, you can understand why Disney haaaaates the idea of this extra stop. It hurts their business.

That’s been the company’s position all along, and that may make you wonder why the company has relented.

The answer here is simple. A new Sunshine Corridor station is happening with or without Disney’s approval.

The company’s options here are to remain petty and force the station off Walt Disney World’s campus or…be an adult.

A Brightline station near Disney Springs clutters traffic in the air, something Disney cannot control.

If the company agrees to a station on its campus, it regains control of the process. That’s necessary.

Sure, Disney would probably describe it as a “necessary evil” instead, but what’s done is done.

We’re talking about doing what’s best for Florida for decades to come. This isn’t a time for Disney to be a petulant sore loser.

Thankfully, the ice just cracked, and Disney has signaled it’s ready to play ball again.

This is really good news for all of us. Years from now, the Sunshine Corridor squabble will be a mere footnote in Disney history.

The Brightline station itself will be profoundly impactful. 

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