Pre-Disney Orlando...What was it like?

[Mickey_777]

Does anyone here have photos of what Orlando (I-4, International Blvd etc.) used to look like before Disney came to town? I bet even a photo from the early to mid 80's would be fascinating to compare with what is there now. Anybody know of a place online I could see some pre-Disney Orlando pics? Thanks.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

International Blvd etc

International Drive :animwink:

 

[Master Yoda]

For the most part is was swamp land and orange groves. It was a bit before my time (born in 1971) but an older friend of mine has always told a funny story about WDW's creation. He lived in North Florida in the 50's-60's and went to DL a couple of times as a child. Naturally he always pestered his parents to go back. One day his dad told him that they were building a DL in Florida. He of course asked where to which his father replied "Some little town in a swamp called Orlando"

Here is a side by side map of the Orlando metropolitan area in 1970 and 2000.

 

[zurgandfriend]

I passed through there once when I was in the Army. It was when they were building WDW, the best way I can discribe it is Buffalo NYwithout the snow.

 

[yankspy]

Unfortunately I have no pictures but I can remember the general area from the late 70's. I-Drive was pretty barren for the most part. I can remember my Dad suggesting buying land there once. If only he took his own advice. The thing I remember the most was the old airport. It was so tiny.

 

[EPCOTPluto]

Certainly unmagical..... but there was quite a vision!

And great info as usual, Master Yoda!

 

[cblodg]

Certainly unmagical..... but there was quite a vision!

And great info as usual, Master Yoda!

Great photo!

 

[luvlifeinfl]

WOW. Just completley amazing. Just think what it will look like in another 30 yrs?:shrug:

 

[Master Yoda]

WOW. Just completley amazing. Just think what it will look like in another 30 yrs?:shrug:

It might look something like this.

 

[Mickey_777]

Certainly unmagical..... but there was quite a vision!

And great info as usual, Master Yoda!

I'm guessing that's the entrance to Magic Kingdom?

It might look something like this.

LOL...where'd you get that from?

 

[Master Yoda]

LOL...where'd you get that from?

I believe it is concept are for a new video game.

 

[Disney4Eva]

the best way I can discribe it is Buffalo NY without the snow.

How would that be? 'Cause I'm a Buffalonian, so I'm curious :lol:

But yeah, great thread idea. I love "little did they know" stories

 

[montyz81]

That there is Walt Disney. Someone told me this is around TTA. I am not sure if that is true.

 

[brkgnews]

Another WDWMagic member (sadly, I cannot remember who) posted this a while back. I had saved it but forgot to note the source.

 

[montyz81]

That is the one I was looking for. I put that in a post awhile back. This time I could not find it on my computer.

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

For the most part is was swamp land and orange groves. It was a bit before my time (born in 1971) but an older friend of mine has always told a funny story about WDW's creation. He lived in North Florida in the 50's-60's and went to DL a couple of times as a child. Naturally he always pestered his parents to go back. One day his dad told him that they were building a DL in Florida. He of course asked where to which his father replied "Some little town in a swamp called Orlando"

Here is a side by side map of the Orlando metropolitan area in 1970 and 2000.

Hah...what a great story.

 

[zurgandfriend]

How would that be? 'Cause I'm a Buffalonian, so I'm curious :lol:

But yeah, great thread idea. I love "little did they know" stories

A small city without all the hustle and bustle of a large metropolis, I could have compared it to Allentown Pennsylvania, Green Bay Wisconsin or Rochester New York. All nice quiet cities.

 

[palmage]

A small city without all the hustle and bustle of a large metropolis, I could have compared it to Allentown Pennsylvania, Green Bay Wisconsin or Rochester New York. All nice quiet cities.

I've been to Buffalo, you're being very kind.:lol:

 

[dznygirl64]

I just remember how long of a drive it was to Kissemmee every night to our Motel in the early 70s.We would stay one or two nights at the Poly then the rest of the week at the Holiday inn in Kissemmee.There was nothing between Disney and Kissemmee back then.I do remember a horse farm and was so happy when they built a 7/11 and a Red Lobster.I remember one year christmas eve probably 73 or 74 All the resturants in Kissemmee (only chain resturant was Red Lobster)where closed that night early so we had to drive back to Disney and eat supper at the Contemporary.Probably hard for younger people to believe.

 

[dznygirl64]

For some reason Dad back in the 70s would stay in Kissemmee so we never went to Orlando.And for some reson we would fly into Tampa St Pete airport not Orlando.Maybe the Orlando airport was to small at the time for what came out of Chicago at the time?Not sure when the Orlando airport even opened I know where it is today was a military base.