The project would open up thousands of acres to new commercial development from Orlando to Tampa, FL, a 90-mile westward frontier, and from Orlando-Tampa to Lakeland, FL, a 60-mile southward jaunt. But that scenario is not the issue here.

At stake is future tourist market share--a lucrative market dominated by Disney for 30 years in Central Florida. Disney adamantly opposes the direction of the planned rapid rail project that would link the area's largest attractions with a single line. That line would run from Orlando International Airport, run west to the four million-sf Orange County Convention Center; turn south along Interstate 4 on its way to Disney's 30,000-acre enclave; then continue south and west to the Lakeland-Tampa hub.

Disney opposes the line's direction because arch rival Universal Orlando owns 2,000 undeveloped acres adjacent to the convention center where it plans to build 10,000 hotel rooms and at least one new theme park by 2012. Another 20,000 new hotel rooms are also planned along International Drive, the city's main tourist corridor. Those projects could cut into Disney's market share if the new train drops off passengers all along International Drive and at Universal Orlando, Disney fears.