HSR Coming to FLA, AKA "See I told you so"

[wm49rs]

The thing is, I-4 won't need to be deserted...if this takes up even 20-30% of traffic from I-4 it will help traffic flow, specifically in the main Orlando and Tampa downtown areas.

The key to this is the other infrastructure around. Disney obviously has theirs, the Airport, International Drive, but for those trying to get to other places, will it be better to try to take a taxi or bus once they arrive at one of the stations? That is the question.

I agree. It's going to take a good deal of time (and money, both public and private) for Orlando to build up the infastructure of a Boston or NYC. It's one thing to put in a train station, another to build the remaining infastructure around it....

 

[WDW1974]

I like all the youthful exuberance ... trains are magical ... and fast one are way kewl.

 

[SirGoofy]

I like all the youthful exuberance ... trains are magical ... and fast one are way kewl.

There's a reason Walt loved 'em.

 

[wm49rs]

The thing is, I-4 won't need to be deserted...if this takes up even 20-30% of traffic from I-4 it will help traffic flow, specifically in the main Orlando and Tampa downtown areas.

The key to this is the other infrastructure around. Disney obviously has theirs, the Airport, International Drive, but for those trying to get to other places, will it be better to try to take a taxi or bus once they arrive at one of the stations? That is the question.

I like all the youthful exuberance ... trains are magical ... and fast one are way kewl.

You mean like using "kewl" to replace the word cool?

 

[Figment1986]

Here is how I think it will be in the long run. MCO to the convention center station with private monorail connections available to Sea World and Universal.

Continuing to WDW where Disney will create bus connections around property and maybe one day an expanded on property monorail line.

Continuing to Lakeland's station which will have a shuttle service to Legoland.

Continuing to Tampa Airport with shuttle service available to the Busch Gardens area.

I-4 will be deserted.

More room for me to go 80mph :lookaroun

and I dont know about a shuttle service from Lakeland to legoland... I can see a bus service to universal and seaworld... but lakeland to legoland is quite far... any word on a station inbetween disney and lakeland?

 

[tecowdw]

So how long would be a commute of HSR between Tampa and Disney, you think?

Sounds like another potential blow for car rentals companies which are already sky high due to Magical Express! And would Magical Express be discontinued if a station is at the aiport?

 

[dxwwf3]

Hopefully the Orlando city stop is going to be close to downtown, which will make it very easy for us to go to Magic games from WDW.

 

[jt04]

The thing is, I-4 won't need to be deserted...if this takes up even 20-30% of traffic from I-4 it will help traffic flow, specifically in the main Orlando and Tampa downtown areas.

The key to this is the other infrastructure around. Disney obviously has theirs, the Airport, International Drive, but for those trying to get to other places, will it be better to try to take a taxi or bus once they arrive at one of the stations? That is the question.

The car rental business at the airports will be fine. The main impact will be getting folks to the resorts much more efficiently. And I seriously believe Sea World and Universal will build their own connections to the Convention Center station. It's going to be very good for everyone.

 

[WDW Vacationer]

Here is how I think it will be in the long run. MCO to the convention center station with private monorail connections available to Sea World and Universal.

Continuing to WDW where Disney will create bus connections around property and maybe one day an expanded on property monorail line.

Continuing to Lakeland's station which will have a shuttle service to Legoland.

Continuing to Tampa Airport with shuttle service availale to the Busch Gardens area.

I-4 will be deserted.

Great post,until the last part.

Didn't Disney set aside land for this toward the south? I can see a TTC South with monorail connections in the future....

 

[unkadug]

I wonder if Disney realizes that this will also make it much easier for people to LEAVE the property, where now a lot of people are at the mercy of Disney Transportation ONLY.

 

[Figment1986]

So how long would be a commute of HSR between Tampa and Disney, you think?

Sounds like another potential blow for car rentals companies which are already sky high due to Magical Express! And would Magical Express be discontinued if a station is at the aiport?

seeing the rail will cost money, they may not... esp since magical express gets the luggage as well... Magical express may begin to charge for the service in the future... but not as much as the rail may cost.:shrug:

 

[Wilt Dasney]

I wonder if Disney realizes that this will also make it much easier for people to LEAVE the property, where now a lot of people are at the mercy of Disney Transportation ONLY.

I believe that's a big reason why Disney fought this for so long, demanding that the only stop be at WDW or they'd refuse to support it. Apparently they decided the pros outweigh the cons.

 

[SirGoofy]

seeing the rail will cost money, they may not... esp since magical express gets the luggage as well... Magical express may begin to charge for the service in the future... but not as much as the rail may cost.:shrug:

But, rail cost will most likely be much cheaper than the cost of a taxi. Meaning people may be tempted to use it to visit the "other" parks in Orlando.

 

[wm49rs]

I wonder if Disney realizes that this will also make it much easier for people to LEAVE the property, where now a lot of people are at the mercy of Disney Transportation ONLY.

You can just bet the house that Disney's lawyers, engineers, lobbyists et al are going to be all over where and how the other stops are developed.

 

[jt04]

But, rail cost will most likely be much cheaper than the cost of a taxi. Meaning people may be tempted to use it to visit the "other" parks in Orlando.

Exactly. Even though it will make it easier for guests to leave Disney property it will also make it much easier for people to get there. It will be a net win for Disney. Magical Express will be discontinued once the rail is operational IMO.

 

[Figment1986]

But, rail cost will most likely be much cheaper than the cost of a taxi. Meaning people may be tempted to use it to visit the "other" parks in Orlando.

that if people find a reason to go.. I find reasons to go elsewhere (I'm a local) but others visit Disney and nowhere else. Disney may loose some people, but it encourages more people to stay on Disney property...

They are bound to get as many guests as they may loose in the end... and have a higher occupancy rate as well.

 

[Figment1986]

You can just bet the house that Disney's lawyers, engineers, lobbyists et al are going to be all over where and how the other stops are developed.

They tried that, remember 2001 - 2003 :lol: the different is this time federal money is involved so disney don't have as much of an opinion, now they can change their mind and not give the land for a station... but the state could do eminent domain for one if they really wanted. :lookaroun

The route will most likely hit the airport, convention center (It gets enough business it should be on the route), and mouse... and given universal and seaworld are just down the road from the convention center... they win...

The other stops being lakeland and tampa... and maybe a few others thrown in there.

 

[unkadug]

They tried that, remember 2001 - 2003 :lol: the different is this time federal money is involved so disney don't have as much of an opinion, now they can change their mind and not give the land for a station... but the state could do eminent domain for one if they really wanted. :lookaroun

The route will most likely hit the airport, convention center (It gets enough business it should be on the route), and mouse... and given universal and seaworld are just down the road from the convention center... they win...

The other stops being lakeland and tampa... and maybe a few others thrown in there.

I doubt the state of Florida would ever pull an "eminent domain" on Disney property. :shrug:

edit: After some quick research, it appears that Florida gave their right of eminent domain over to RCID.

 

[wm49rs]

They tried that, remember 2001 - 2003 :lol: the different is this time federal money is involved so disney don't have as much of an opinion, now they can change their mind and not give the land for a station... but the state could do eminent domain for one if they really wanted. :lookaroun

The route will most likely hit the airport, convention center (It gets enough business it should be on the route), and mouse... and given universal and seaworld are just down the road from the convention center... they win...

The other stops being lakeland and tampa... and maybe a few others thrown in there.

You're right, federal money is coming, in grant form. But remember that where the rubber meets the road on a project like this (along with most other transportation projects) is at the state level. And I have no doubt that Disney will have a legion of attorneys and lobbyists up in Tallahassee standing in line to discuss this project with the local state representative, or the Chair of the Transportation Committee....

 

[Texas84]

Get ready for that new hotel tax to pay for the cost overruns. $2.5B indeed. :lol: