Having an interest in both things Disney-related and aviation-related, I previously was aware of the ‘70s STOLport and even the ‘80s ultralight airpark, as well as the never-realized plans for a full-fledged airport on the property.
But until yesterday, I had not heard of … Air Lando Airpark.
Apart from an obscure podcast, I’ve found no mention of it in Disney fandom.
But a website about closed airports (http://www.airfields-freeman.com/FL/Airfields_FL_OrlandoSW.htm#airlando) provides a chunk of information - it roughly was located on the current site of Saratoga Springs, and operated from about the late ‘50s to the late ‘60s, when the property was acquired by Disney.
Incredibly, a remnant of Air Lando Airpark still exists - a ruined hangar on private property that once neighbored the airport. Seen in both the podcast and the website, it also can be found in Google Earth or another mapping program at 28°22'50.3"N 81°31'08.8”W.
And that leads to a story which I call “the Man Who Said ’No’ to Disney” - although I’m not sure if that’s exactly what happened.
That property until recently was owned by a man named Tom Enos, who was an aeronautical engineer before he took up knife-making, using the old hangar as his workshop (http://www.floridaknifemakers.org/Tom-Enos.html). The property is essentially surrounded by Disney and the Hyatt Grand Cypress; he and his wife filed a lawsuit in the ‘80s to ensure they actually could get in and out (https://www.floridageomatics.com/cases/enos-caseymountain.htm).
So it’s hard to believe that Disney didn’t repeatedly make him an offer that he couldn’t refuse … except that he did refuse. Unfortunately, he seems to have passed away within the past year, so he can’t be asked directly.
I’d be fascinated if anyone knows more. There are some other oddities around the edges of the Disney property (such as Bonnet Creek), but this appears to be a unique story.
But until yesterday, I had not heard of … Air Lando Airpark.
Apart from an obscure podcast, I’ve found no mention of it in Disney fandom.
But a website about closed airports (http://www.airfields-freeman.com/FL/Airfields_FL_OrlandoSW.htm#airlando) provides a chunk of information - it roughly was located on the current site of Saratoga Springs, and operated from about the late ‘50s to the late ‘60s, when the property was acquired by Disney.
Incredibly, a remnant of Air Lando Airpark still exists - a ruined hangar on private property that once neighbored the airport. Seen in both the podcast and the website, it also can be found in Google Earth or another mapping program at 28°22'50.3"N 81°31'08.8”W.
And that leads to a story which I call “the Man Who Said ’No’ to Disney” - although I’m not sure if that’s exactly what happened.
That property until recently was owned by a man named Tom Enos, who was an aeronautical engineer before he took up knife-making, using the old hangar as his workshop (http://www.floridaknifemakers.org/Tom-Enos.html). The property is essentially surrounded by Disney and the Hyatt Grand Cypress; he and his wife filed a lawsuit in the ‘80s to ensure they actually could get in and out (https://www.floridageomatics.com/cases/enos-caseymountain.htm).
So it’s hard to believe that Disney didn’t repeatedly make him an offer that he couldn’t refuse … except that he did refuse. Unfortunately, he seems to have passed away within the past year, so he can’t be asked directly.
I’d be fascinated if anyone knows more. There are some other oddities around the edges of the Disney property (such as Bonnet Creek), but this appears to be a unique story.
