Virgin Trains USA has expressed its intention to connect its planned Orlando Airport rail station with Walt Disney World. The company has received approval to fund the US$950m (R13bn) 274km second phase from West Palm Beach to Orlando, after completion of the first phase, which will connect Miami to West Palm
Beach via Fort Lauderdale. From there, Virgin hopes to extend it 32km from the airport to Walt Disney World. The West Palm BeachOrlando rail line could be up and running by 2022. The ride from Miami to Disney World should take about three hours with speeds topping 177-201 km/h in some places. Celeste Muir, marketing manager of Thompsons
Holidays, says the rail link could benefit clients planning packaged tours of the region. “For SA clients landing in Tampa or wanting to combine Miami and Walt Disney World, the links could be a very popular choice.” However, as Thompsons’ Disney packages include an airport transfer, Celeste believes clients will continue to use this service.
