This week's Business Backdrop takes a look at a new partnership by Disney and Adobe, as well as the latest chapter for high-speed rail operator Brightline.

Technology advances continue to give companies the edge on business, and the region's largest employer, Walt Disney World, entered a partnership to utilize artificial intelligence more. Computer software giant Adobe announced June 16 it would be collaborating with Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development to provide its Firefly Foundry AI services to the company’s theme park design and visualization pipeline. The collaboration is expected to help further improve the theme park's think-tank processes.

Meanwhile, Miami-based Brightline, the high-speed rail system connecting Miami to Orlando, is facing uncertainty, despite a growth in ridership. Faced with a debt issue, the rail operator is considering the bankruptcy protection process to find viable alternative paths to better stability.

To speak more on each subject, Dow Jones News Reporter Kendal Asbury and Senior Staff Writer and Transportation Reporter Ryan Lynch join the Business Backdrop to share the latest on each trend and what it means for each business.

Read the stories behind this episode:

• Disney to integrate AI into theme park design amid $17B expansion
• Brightline considers bankruptcy as ridership grows but $5.5B debt load looms

Port Canaveral CEO Capt. John Murray joins the Business Backdrop to discuss the state of Central Florida's sea hub. New projects are underway that may be the catalyst for the next big cruise ships sailing the seas. Also, the burgeoning commercial space sector primes more areas of opportunity for the port, as well as other tertiary improvements. Find out what's the latest for Port Canaveral.

Read the stories about this episode:

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2026/06/06/port-canaveral-cruise-terminal-10-upgrades-ship…

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2026/05/22/carnival-glory-port-canaveral-upgrades-casino-c…

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2026/03/25/port-canaveral-turns-down-natural-gas-plant-dea…

This week’s Business Backdrop explores a week of ups and downs for one of the region's big commercial space operators: Blue Origin.

In just a few weeks, Blue Origin went from announcing a $600 million capital investment and securing a $188 million NASA contract to making headlines after its New Glenn rocket exploded May 28.

The company remains optimistic it can launch another rocket into orbit by year’s end, though experts have raised questions.

Orlando Business Journal Space Reporter Riley Benson join Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao on The Business Backdrop to discuss more on what she has heard in the days following the New Glenn explosion, as well as how the other activity plays into the future of Central Florida.

Curious about the stories behind The Business Backdrop? Click the links below to catch up.

• Blue Origin targets year-end launch as Space Coast contractors eye new opportunities
• Blue Origin faces months of delays, massive costs after New Glenn explosion
• Blue Origin confirms 'anomaly' after New Glenn rocket explodes in Cape Canaveral
• Blue Origin snags $188M contract amid NASA's moon base push
• Blue Origin to bring 500 jobs to Florida's Space Coast with $600M expansion

Tourism Reporter Patricia Tolley joins the Business Backdrop to talk about the fancier side of travel in Orlando. How has the region's hotel scene changed when it comes to luxury travel? Also, Rob DelliBovi, owner & CEO of RDB Hospitality Group shares insight on the changes in the luxury hospitality market, and the indicators that show a boom in the works.

Curious about the stories behind The Business Backdrop? Click the links below to catch up.

• High-end travel CEO opens Lake Nona office, says Orlando luxury market poised to explode
• Westcourt site work underway, general contractor selected for $500M project
• New Disney-area beachfront luxury hotel Conrad Orlando opens

The Business Backdrop dives into one of the hottest topics on Central Florida's west side — Winter Garden's downtown change. The historic downtown has seen a rapid change in real estate ownership that has business owners and residents curious of what comes next. Commercial Real Estate Reporter JC Carnahan joins the show to share more on his findings about Winter Garden's transformation.

Read the stories here:

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2026/04/21/winter-garden-retail-strategies-plant-street-cr…

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2026/04/16/downtown-winter-garden-plant-street-bistro-sell…

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2026/04/02/exchange-winter-garden-plant-street-foundry-ant…

We are sticking in downtown Orlando for this episode of the Business backdrop. Orlando Business Journal Managing Editor Steven Ryzewski has an engaging conversation with First Capital Property Group's Jeré Matheny on activity in the central business district. What are some of the changes? Who's moving in and out of the downtown? Also, what does this spell for the overall region?

n this episode of the Business Backdrop, we hit the sports and space sectors of Central Florida. The region is set to welcome another sports franchise in 2027 with the Jacksonville Jaguars coming to town. Also, the Artemis mission from the Space Coast opens a new frontier of opportunities for the region. Staff Writers Riley Benson and J.C. Carnahan join to share their insight.

Want to read the stories? Here are the links:

Jaguars coming to Orlando: https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2026/04/01/jacksonville-jaguars-camping-world-stadium-nfl.html

Artemis II launch spells big business: https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2026/04/01/space-coast-nasa-artemis-ii-launch-moon-landing.html

The Boring Co., a tunneling firm by Billionaire Elon Musk, is the name in Orlando that could bring a new transportation concept to Orlando. The firm is working closely with a Universal-created infrastructure district to see how a new system could connect the tourism corridor. Orlando Business Journal Staff Writer Patricia Tolley joins Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao to discuss the topic. Also, Tolley talks with a tunneling expert on how the Boring Co. may approach the project.