How Disney World Came to Be – in 38 Black & White Photos

Disneys comes to Florida

Disney World is a vacation spot that families have enjoyed since 1971. I first visited the park in 1975 while working for Green Thumb Products Corporation of Apopka, Florida. The company put up all the terminal managers from around the United States at the Contemporary Hotel (then the only hotel in the park) for a manager’s conference and pep-talk to those of us working for the struggling tropical plant company.

I just happened to run across a series of historic photos held by the State Archives in Florida that give some insights into the initial purchase and development of the 43 square miles that became Disney World. It’s too bad that Roy never got to see his dream developed. I think he would be mighty proud…

Check out the photos at wesh.com.

About Leland Meitzler

Leland K. Meitzler founded Heritage Quest in 1985, and has worked as Managing Editor of both Heritage Quest Magazine and The Genealogical Helper. He currently operates Family Roots Publishing Company (www.FamilyRootsPublishing.com), writes daily at GenealogyBlog.com, writes the weekly Genealogy Newsline, conducts the annual Salt Lake Christmas Tour to the Family History Library, and speaks nationally, having given over 2000 lectures since 1983.

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