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 holds first JEA Special Committee meeting over potential unpaid capacity fees
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Ludvig Åberg talks about entering the final round of The Players Championship with a 3-shot lead
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Nocatee community rallies around resident who was left with a brain injury after a golf cart crash
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