Jacksonville's Ten Major Missed Opportunities No description found
No description found
1. Sorry Walt Disney, We Don't Deal With Carnival Folk
Believe it or not, if one Jaxson would have dealt with "carnival folk," Walt Disney World possibly would have been located in Northeast Florida. Seeking land for an east-coast theme park in Florida, Walt Disney initially reached out to Jacksonville's Ed Ball. After being told by Ball that "I don't deal with carnival folk," Disney eventually found 27,000 acres in Central Florida, opening Walt Disney World in 1971.
Today, Walt Disney World is the largest employer in Central Florida, with about 70,000 employees. The city that has benefited the most is Orlando. Once a podunk citrus town, its metropolitan area has almost doubled in population since 1990 to 2.3 million while also attracting more annual visitors than New York City and Paris.
Next Page: Jacksonville's 10 Major Missed Opportunities
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City Council to vote on $3M sale of historic downtown Armory building ▶ 1:02
City Council to vote on $3M sale of historic downtown Armory building
Clay County road construction traffic headaches ▶ 1:09
Clay County road construction traffic headaches
DeSantis delivers final State of the State address ▶ 0:54
DeSantis delivers final State of the State address
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St. Marys Elementary to remain closed Tuesday as crews remove bats found in building
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Split Happens Ep. 6: Why courtroom etiquette matters more than you think
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Jacksonville Free Press reporter's comments to Jags coach Liam Coen after playoff loss spark debate
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Cold front to bring chilly temperatures to Northeast Florida, Southeast Georgia
DeSantis announces ‘historic’ rate reductions for Citizens Insurance policyholders ▶ 0:51
DeSantis announces ‘historic’ rate reductions for Citizens Insurance policyholders
Sheriff Waters on recent officer-involved shootings ▶ 0:50
Sheriff Waters on recent officer-involved shootings
Family divided: News4JAX reporter Sophia Vitello good-naturedly grapples with her mom's Bills fandom ▶ 0:59
Family divided: News4JAX reporter Sophia Vitello good-naturedly grapples with her mom's Bills fandom
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Buffalo Bills fans make their presence known ahead of Sunday's playoff showdown
Capt. Duval came over from London and shares his love for the Jags and the people of Duval County ▶ 0:55
Capt. Duval came over from London and shares his love for the Jags and the people of Duval County
Mayor Donna Deegan welcomes Buffalo fans but predicts they'll be going home sad ▶ 0:58
Mayor Donna Deegan welcomes Buffalo fans but predicts they'll be going home sad
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Jaguars Jeopardy: Do you know as much about the Jags as our contestants?
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Airport therapy dogs win over Bills fans in Jacksonville | 'Best welcome we've ever had'
Last call for Nights of Lights! ▶ 0:29
Last call for Nights of Lights!
Jags superfan from London explains his fandom ▶ 0:49
Jags superfan from London explains his fandom
Jaguars fans across 'Duuuval' are ready to take on the Buffalo Bills ▶ 0:51
Jaguars fans across 'Duuuval' are ready to take on the Buffalo Bills
Liam Coen's father, Tim, has been his inspiration throughout career ▶ 1:39
Liam Coen's father, Tim, has been his inspiration throughout career
Man dies, another rescued after boating accident on Crescent Lake, FWC says ▶ 1:11
Man dies, another rescued after boating accident on Crescent Lake, FWC says
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Jaguars fans are hyped for Sunday's playoff game
News4JAX tailgate ahead of the Jaguars playoff game ▶ 1:47
News4JAX tailgate ahead of the Jaguars playoff game
Inflammatory comments made by Clay County School Board member addressed at Thursday meeting ▶ 1:31
Inflammatory comments made by Clay County School Board member addressed at Thursday meeting
Jacksonville protesters call for justice after ICE agent shoots, kills woman in Minnesota ▶ 0:43
Jacksonville protesters call for justice after ICE agent shoots, kills woman in Minnesota
Protesters gather outside Clay County School Board meeting to call for Robert Alvero's resignation ▶ 1:19
Protesters gather outside Clay County School Board meeting to call for Robert Alvero's resignation
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