Roadtrip Nostalgia: Old Ocala Info Center

L

Le Petomane

Active Member
Original Poster
Does anybody remember the old WDW Information Center and gift shop which used to sit alongside I-75 in Ocala, Florida? It was just off one of the Ocala exits, and you could see the building from the interstate. They would sometimes display a giant balloon decoration in the grass field out front. I remember on one trip seeing a giant inflated Lady & The Tramp balloon, and another time it was Sorcerer Mickey (<--which I often wonder if it was the same balloon used for Sorcery In The Sky fireworks once MGM opened in '89).
On the building outside the welcome center were themed windows with moving figures from Disney films (very similar to MK's Emporium window displays). Once inside the building, there was a gift shop to the right which featured clothing, figurines, CD's/casette tapes, plush's, and other WDW goodies to purchase. In the back was the info desk where helpful CM's would answer your questions, book resort rooms/dining, and so on if needed.
Stopping at this welcome center was always a staple for our family Fla roadtrips of yesteryear. Good memories, fun place, and it was the point in the trip when we realized WDW was getting close. Does anyone have any pictures of this place for old time's sake? Any memories of stopping here for those like us who took the all American roadtrip down I-75 on our way to WDW?
 
Tuvalu

Tuvalu

Premium Member
It was off Exit 350. My in-laws lived in Ocala and we always passed by the Disney Welcome Center when we got off I-75. Bought tickets and redeemed AP vouchers there.

Was sad to see the Center close (and then be torn down.) A hotel now sits on the property.

Sorry I don't have any pics to share. But I can wave at the site for you when we pass by on our way to WDW in a couple weeks. ;)
 
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MerlinTheGoat

MerlinTheGoat

Well-Known Member
Yep I remember it pretty well. Usually stopped there when we'd travel down to WDW, good chance to stretch the legs and get kind of a teaser of what was to come (it was also sponsored by AAA which we were usually members of when traveling). Not my pictures, but there are some to be found here (I especially remember that theater and the figures/cutouts in front of the counter)-
http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Ocala-Welcome-Center.html

Prior to 2010 I had not visited WDW since 1997. In that time gap I had basically not kept up with WDW news at all (at best I knew they had made some changes to EPCOT during that time but I never bothered to keep up to date with exactly what was changed). Probably goes without saying that I was pretty let down when I stopped off to revisit the old center and found that it was no longer there. I hadn't realized this was the case and expected it to still be there. I guess I would say that the removal of the WDW information center in Ocala was my "first" hint that WDW had gone downhill in the decade I didn't visit it, little did I realize at that time it was only a first small taste of the cutbacks that were to come. Before I even got to the actual parks I had already been given a sour first impression upon my new arrival (even though it was only a relatively minor cut compared to what had been done to the parks while I was away)...
 
Innkeeper's Club

Innkeeper's Club

Well-Known Member
Every August when my family and I would drive down I-75 to WDW we would always stop there.

Since I'm a pin collector I remember in 2002 they were selling a 15th Anniversary pin of the Ocala Welcome Center so it's something I needed to have for my collection. It was also only sold over there and not onsite like all other WDW pins.

I also remember another time when the state of Florida had their no tax week and bought some shirts there since the no tax week was valid at the Welcome Center since it was not on WDW property where you still had to pay the state tax.
 
okcthunder

okcthunder

Active Member
Oh gosh we miss this place. Although I am insistent on flying from now on it was always fun to stop there it was like the pre game show before the big game.
 
okcthunder

okcthunder

Active Member
Le Petomane said:
Does anybody remember the old WDW Information Center and gift shop which used to sit alongside I-75 in Ocala, Florida? It was just off one of the Ocala exits, and you could see the building from the interstate. They would sometimes display a giant balloon decoration in the grass field out front. I remember on one trip seeing a giant inflated Lady & The Tramp balloon, and another time it was Sorcerer Mickey (<--which I often wonder if it was the same balloon used for Sorcery In The Sky fireworks once MGM opened in '89).
On the building outside the welcome center were themed windows with moving figures from Disney films (very similar to MK's Emporium window displays). Once inside the building, there was a gift shop to the right which featured clothing, figurines, CD's/casette tapes, plush's, and other WDW goodies to purchase. In the back was the info desk where helpful CM's would answer your questions, book resort rooms/dining, and so on if needed.
Stopping at this welcome center was always a staple for our family Fla roadtrips of yesteryear. Good memories, fun place, and it was the point in the trip when we realized WDW was getting close. Does anyone have any pictures of this place for old time's sake? Any memories of stopping here for those like us who took the all American roadtrip down I-75 on our way to WDW?
Click to expand...
When did it close? I would say Early 2000's but I could be wrong..
 
CorgiPants

CorgiPants

New Member
Was curious what happened here. We live in Naples (way down south for non-Floridians) and don't get up past I4 very often, however I remember stopping there many times growing up and always tell my fiance about it when we pass the exit. I've got a ton of photos of the grounds and the topiaries around somewhere. I'll see if I can upload them.
 

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