Walt Disney World STOLport Kevin Mentioned Today

[CJLove79]

I Googled the STOLport that Kevin was talking about earlier today & found what I read was a rare pic of what it looked like. I was amazed at how close to the Contemporary Resort it was. Too bad Disney didn't have their OWN airport, it would be very convenient for their customers. Here's the article: http://progresscityusa.com/2010/01/11/retroworld-the-lake-buena-vista-stol/ I found that explains the STOLport even further, great read too.

 

[OKW Lover]

You can still see the remains of the runway today. If you are driving to Ft Wilderness its on your left shortly after you make the turn after you've gone through the toll booths. If you're driving to the Contemporary, Poly or GF it is on your right as you progress up towards the hotels. You'll notice lots of construction trailers, busses and assorted other equipment parked there.

 

[k5jm]

There was also an ultralight airfield where The Art of Animation Resort now sits.

...and some additional info on the STOLport. Every once in a while the landing strip will get cleared off for "special" visitors.

Among the millions of visitors who arrive at the Disney World resort every year,

how many people realize that the resort has its own private airport,

situated just adjacent to the east side of the main parking lot?


A 1969 aerial view did not yet show any sign of an airfield at this location.


Disney World's airfield was reportedly built in 1970 or 1971 during the construction of the Disney World resort.

It was not yet depicted on the October 1971 Jacksonville Sectional Chart (according to Chris Kennedy).


The earliest depiction of the Disney airfield which has been located was on a 1971 DisneyWorld map (courtesy of Dallam Oliver-Lee).

It depicted a single northwest/southeast runway, with a taxiway leading to a small office on the northwest side.


When Walt Disney World opened in 1971,

Shawnee Airlines began regular passenger service from Orlando's McCoy Airport directly to Disney World's own STOLport,

using 19 seat DeHavilland DHC-6 Twin Otters.

The actual flight time was only a few minutes.

Shawnee was the only airline ever to fly directly into the Magic Kingdom.


According to David Henderson, “Shawnee Airlines & Executive Airlines both commenced service to Disney on 10/22/71 using Twin Otters.

Shawnee initially offered nonstop service to Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando Herndon Airport, Tampa, and West Palm Beach

while Executive operated nonstops to Orlando Herndon & Tampa.

A third airline, VQ, operated by Volusia Aviation Service, used Beech Bonanzas & a Piper Cherokee on flights between Disney, Orlando Herndon and Daytona Beach.”

A circa 1971 advertisement for Shawnee Airlines, describing their flights into Walt Disney World.


However, LJ reported in 2006, “I work for the company & go by the airstrip on a regular basis.

The airstrip is closed only to the public but is still in use.

In the last 2 years they have been parking buses, sea creates, and tractor trailers on the runway.

The monorail has never been a problem.

Yesterday 2/16/06 the sea creates & truck trailers were moved off but still lined the runway.

At 3:00 an aircraft landed & took off after making its drop.

A truck trailer was then immediately towed on to the runway to block any other aircraft from landing.

This turned out to be the preparation team for President Bush's visit today.

I have known company executives to also land there on occasion.”

 

[SorcererHeidi]

Just finished watching the e-mail portion of this week's show (thanx for helping me get through another weeks's worth of laundry, team!) , and I had a few thoughts/comments.

First of all - I went on a Backstage Tour years ago - maybe 94 or 95 or so (forget the name, but it was a long day, and went to the MK, the Utilidors, backstage on some MK rides, talked about theming along the roads to, and at, the Yacht and Beach Clubs, the sewage treatment plant and laundry, and the horticulture and topiary backstage areas, among other things), and they took us by to look at that landing strip. And - unless I'm totally dreaming it - they told us the plane you used to see on the Backlot Tour in MGM (at the time) that was Walt's plane used to take off/land at the STOLPort.

Also, I definitely remember the Splashtacular Show Kathy was talking about - and besides the "smoking thing" that came out of the side of the building (the things she called a dinosaur, I always thought it was a dragon 'cause it breathed out smoke), and the iridescent silver "disco looking" coast Mickey wore, I thought it was the lametst show ever. I distinctly remember my friends and I laughing, because the basic premise of the whole show was "bringing color back the world". If I remember right - the "dragon/dinosaur" and some wicked witch or something had stolen color, and Mickey in his "many colored coat" was bringing it back. Only - the show only took place during the DAYTIME - so the colored lights that turned the fountain colors, and the small colored fireworks they set off - you couldn't SEE 'em, 'cause it was DAYTIME!! We also used to call it "c**ptacular", for just that reason. LOL

I must totally agree with Corey about the American Pavilion QS being a total embarrassment - I used to think "do we REALLY want foreigners to think this is ALL that us Americans eat, and have to offer?" Besides - you can get hot dogs/burgers/french fries, etc. ANYWHERE. Again - friends I volunteered on another forums web site with had around the same ideas as were mentioned - how about maybe a lobster roll from Maine, cioppino from San Francisco, gumbo from N'Awlns, etc. etc. - SO much out there!!

I LOVE the idea of having a "backstory to the podcasters" show planned in the future - BRAVO, can't WAIT, I've said that several times!!

I also totally agree with Kathy(as I find myself doing a LOT!) on the Biergarten and it's theming/entertainment, etc. being unique, and some place I also bring "Disney newbies" to constantly through the years. And sorry - but I happen to ENJOY the food there, it's a "must do for me!

Last but not least - I was so touched by Ryno's story of what he did for that family with the little girl in the wheelchair - good for you - but you made me misty-eyed, but with a HUGE smile on my face!!