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Here’s your Orlando Update for this week. I’m Richard, the Orlando Guy.
All aboard for Brightline. Brightline unveiled its brand-new Orlando Train station for the very first time! The railway is set to launch its newest 170-mile route this summer! The guest journey begins at the main entrance, located off the airport’s expansive two-story glass atrium. Once inside the station, passengers can purchase tickets from guest services or one of several self-service kiosks, and check luggage before proceeding through touchless turnstiles into the security screening tunnel. Once through the security tunnel, guests are greeted by an expansive two-story station space, featuring world-class amenities Brightline is known for, including: The Mary Mary Bar, serving hand-crafted cocktails and light bites. The signature sit-down bar is positioned at the far end of the station with a stunning panoramic view overlooking the train platforms where guests can leisurely watch as trains arrive and depart. Above the Mary Mary bar is an iconic, split-flap message board that can rotate alphanumeric text and/or graphics to form a message. It’s a nostalgic nod to historic train stations with sounds reminiscent of the first passenger stations in America. The station also has Market Place: a retail experience with convenient in-station shopping for last-minute gifts, sundries and refreshments. Brightline offers two classes of service, SMART and PREMIUM. Brightline’s PREMIUM service includes complimentary meals, snacks and beverages, a dedicated first class lounge, free checked luggage, priority boarding and a dedicated coach. Throughout the station, all guests will have access to free high-speed Wi-Fi, charging stations at every seat, 87 big screen televisions and a BrightKids children’s play area located in the SMART lounge. Ticket sales start in May. One-way trips from Orlando start at $79 with premium class service at $149. The final piece of construction before starting service is currently in progress for the rehabilitation of a railroad bridge over the St. Lucie River in Stuart, which started on April 16. I’ll keep you posted once ticket sales are announced.
Could an American Icon headquartered near Orlando be on the verge of extinction? Tupperware Brands has been headquartered in the Orlando area since 1953, when founder and inventor Earl Tupper purchased over 1,300 acres of undeveloped land in what was at the time, a small farm community. Tupperware has warned regulators that it may not be able to continue as a company without additional funding. The company did not file its Form 10-K in a timely fashion and said in the SEC filing that “there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern due to anticipated non-compliance with financial covenants and inadequate liquidity to fund its operating costs and obligations in the near term.” The board of directors is working with company management to improve the company’s capital structure and near-term liquidity, including working with financial advisers to access supplemental funding and discussions with investors. I’ll keep you updated on this ongoing story.
Finally, Universal’s Islands of Adventure plans to shutter the Poseidon’s Fury attraction after the final walk through shows on May 9th. Poseidon’s Fury is the last remaining attraction within the Lost Continent area of the theme park, which first saw half of its area removed and rethemed for the original Wizarding World area, which opened in 2010, based on Hogsmeade and Hogwarts Castle. Universal promises that it will be replaced with “exciting new experiences.”
That’s your Orlando update for this week, click the like button, subscribe to my channel and set the notification bell so you don’t miss a single update. I’m Richard – The Orlando Guy. See you next time.