Before the "Florida Project"

[rodkenrich]

I need some information on what were Walt's intentions to build Disneyland East before it became the "Florida Project" in Lake Buena Vista. I have been constantly hearing rumors that at one point and time Walt and his surveying groups were "eyeing" South Florida, specifically Miami as a possible location to start construction on his next Theme park. Could anyone elaborate on this particular location if rumors are true? In accordance to a few literature I have read over the years, there is no mention of a South Florida site to be considered.

 

[flamom]

before walt disney chose lake buena vista for disneyworld, he looked into buying land in palm beach gardens, fl for disneyworld. palm beach gardens is north of west palm beach. a billionaire named john d. mccarther(not sure of the spelling) wouldn't sell it to him at the price walt disney wanted to buy it for.I know all this because i grew up in the area and this was reported in the local paper and it was pretty well known folklore.It was pretty upsetting because i would have had walt disney world right where i lived. hope this is helpful.

 

[rodkenrich]

I am aware of the Palm Beach scenario. My concern is whether or not there were any suggestions for the Miami area.

 

[peter11435]

I am aware of the Palm Beach scenario. My concern is whether or not there were any suggestions for the Miami area.

Not that I know of. Although St. Louise was almost picked.

 

[Muushka]

Very interesting. I didn't know about Disney and Palm Beach Gardens. I lived there for a few years before moving to NC. Hard to imagine where they could have found that much land, but then I wasn't in PBG that long ago!

 

[zcasper]

According to Buzz Price's book Walt's Revolution, the Florida Project was initially called Project X. This was the Disneyland East initiative.

It started with a proposal from NBC who was going to air the Wonderful World of Disney after the contract with ABC ran out. NBC wanted to get a theme park to go along with the new show just like ABC did - but withholding Disney's ability to buy back it's share (a mistake ABC had made). This theme park was to be built in New York City. Walt decided against New York because the park would only operate 120 days per year. He also said "that city is different. Its tourism is different." This was in 1959.

Also in 1959, Walt considered a four-way development project with Disney, RCA, NBC, and John McArthur. McArthur, an insurance man, owned 12,000 acres in Palm Beach, FL. This was the point at which the EPCOT acronym was created. RCA eventually backed out.

Disney then moved his attention to Ocala as the first choice and then Orlando. There were also studies performed on Washington D.C. during this time. Orlando was finally decided in late 1963 (after the World's Fair). Project Summer began in 1964 to aquire the 27,000 acres.

Buzz clearly states that Miami was never in contention like many people think.

I hope this clears things up.

Zach

 

[rodkenrich]

When you mentioned that Buzz Price stated that Miami was never in contention, does that mean that even the "word" Miami was never mentioned or was a Miami location actually considered in the area where Florida International University (South Campus) currently resides but just was not "do-able"?

There are far too many rumors and disagreements circulating in the Miami area that at some point in time, Walt was considering Miami.

 

[brerrabbit]

In certain historic presentations I remember hearing while at and aroud DW Walt supposedly considered several locations in Florida and I do remember hearing South Florida and Miami as possibilities. The reason given for picking Orlando was because of the more central location protected the site a little more from hurricanes. Of course all the things I have seen are the quick version made simple lacking any detail so take it for what you will.

 

[jimmytammy]

Not disputing what has already been posted here, just adding to it. I remember reading in several books about WD and WDW that the reason Walt decided on Orlando was he didnt want to be near any beach areas, because he wanted his new theme park to be a destination unto itself. He felt if it was near the beach, people wouldnt make it a prime reason for going to his theme park, rather it would be secondary to the beaches ability to draw in tourists.

Seems like he had the right thing in mind. Look at Orlando area now!

 

[crusader]

I think he was more concerned about the Hurricane season when he settled on Orlando vs the beach.

 

[zcasper]

I don't have the book with me right now - but when Price begins to discuss Florida he says something like "Not in Miami as is often rumored."

Now this of course is from his perspective and I'm sure there were many others involved in location searches so Miami may have been investigated to some extent. I read Price's comments to mean there was no substantial investigations performed in Miami and was never considered seriously.

If you read the rest of the section you begin to see why. Miami is very far South and they were targeting a market all the way up the East coast. Price goes into depth about why Central Florida was ideal.

It's a great book - pick it up.

Zach

 

[ShadowWind]

What's added to the rumors throughout the years is that Disney bought land in various parts of Florida, including Melbourne in order to keep the Reedy Creek Improvement District a secret. I can't imagine Disney in Palm Beach Gardens, what a mess that would have been (especially after the hurricanes of last year). Glad he picked Orlando, though it would have been closer to my house in Palm Beach.

 

[rodkenrich]

Thank you for the clarification.

 

[mitros]

From everything that I have read over the years, the Orlando area was chosen by Walt because of it's central location, and it's access to all of the main roads at the time. I WISH he had come to Ocala, I could have been to WDW in 20 minutes instead of the hour and a half it takes us now! There were, and still are, a huge amount of horse farms in the Ocala area, which would have been a good spot for WDW, but since it was not swamp land, and there were not enough access roads at the time, it would have been a lot more costly.

 

[MarylandPirate]

I WISH he had come to Ocala, I could have been to WDW in 20 minutes instead of the hour and a half it takes us now!

I drive 14 hours! Wish it was just an hour and a half!