Underground Tunnels Coming to Universal Orlando? We Have an UPDATE

There’s a lot of talk about some big stuff coming for the Universal Orlando Resort’s theme parks, and Orlando in general!

Universal Orlando

There has been word about a transportation system project connecting Universal Orlando Resort’s theme parks, which could help mainly with getting to and from Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure to Universal’s Epic Universe. However, the proposed tunnel system doesn’t stop there, as there are talks to use it to transform how people navigate International Drive!

For some time now, a proposed transportation system project to connect guests from Universal Orlando Resort’s main campus and its newest theme park, Epic Universe, which is roughly five miles away, has been in the works. According to the Orlando Business Journal, “as contract negotiations are underway with the district that oversees Universal and Elon Musk’s The Boring Co. to get the ball rolling on this project, bid documents from companies that did not get selected suggest what may come next.”

Epic Universe

With Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure being right beside each other, traveling a large distance between parks is not something Universal has had to deal with. You could either walk between parks or take the Hogwarts Express, until Epic opened. The Boring Co. would help bring this new project together. It’s an infrastructure and tunnel construction firm founded by Elon Musk in 2017. It is known for its tunnel projects, such as the Vegas Loop.

Hogwarts Express

With this new project being talked about, and the Boring Co. being selected as the preferred bidder on the project back in February by the Shingle Creek Transit & Utility Community Development District, “companies needed to show the district that future expansion opportunities were considered in the design of its system as a part of the bid process.” Boring Co.’s proposal stated the loop is designed with future expansion in mind. However, “it did not include a map on what this may look like for Orlando, according to the records released by district officials.”

©The Boring Company

That being said, it was stated by the Orlando Business Journal, “the unselected bid from Sunshine Connection Partners offers a glimpse of what future expansion could include. The group consisted of autonomous vehicle transit company Glydways and other firms providing services such as construction.” A map was included that showed future expansion of the proposed system, and it could include stops at four unnamed points along I-Drive and at:

Rosen Centre Hotel
Hilton Orlando
Hyatt Regency
Orange County Convention Center’s North-South Building
Orange County Convention Center’s West-Building

©Orlando Business Journal

“Expanding the system along I-Drive would multiply origin stations for the proposed system and generate ancillary revenue opportunities for trips originating or ending outside the Universal properties,” Sunshine Connection Partners’ pitch stated. The president and CEO of The International Drive Resort Area Chamber of Commerce, Maria Triscari, said she hasn’t been involved in any ongoing discussions between the district and Boring. She also stated she hasn’t been made aware if the two parties plan to expand the planned transportation system along the tourism corridor.

©Expedia

The system is planned in three phases, with a potential fourth phase adding a stop along Destination Parkway, which has been listed in documents as a “future connection.” This separate transportation project would involve passenger trains connecting International Drive and the Orlando International Airport. Orlando Business Journal added, “It is currently in the planned development and environmental review phase, which will finalize the rail route. This part is expected to be completed by May 2027.”

Orlando International Airport

The potential phase four is the only stop the district has confirmed to be beyond Universal Orlando Resort. It’ll be interesting to see how this project develops going forward, and what this means for transportation at Universal and in Orlando. For more news and updates, make sure to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog!