On November 15, 1965, Walt and Roy Disney walked into the Cherry Plaza Hotel in Orlando and changed the world. Standing before hundreds of reporters, civic leaders, and business figures, they unveiled what would become Walt Disney World — a vision Walt called not just a theme park, but a “model community.” Now, more than 60 years later, a new commemorative plaque at the Walt Disney Florida Project announcement site makes it official: that moment is permanently marked in history.
Quick Summary
- A new plaque has been installed at the former Cherry Plaza Hotel site in Orlando’s Thornton Park District
- This is the exact location where Walt and Roy Disney announced the Florida Project on November 15, 1965
- The plaque was presented by Thornton Park District, Orlando Main Streets, and The Walt Disney Company
- A dedication ceremony included Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Walt Disney World President Jeff Vahle
- Walt’s famous quote from that day is featured on the plaque
Walt Disney Florida Project Announcement Site Gets a Permanent Marker
The former Cherry Plaza Hotel site in Orlando’s Thornton Park District is now home to a commemorative plaque marking one of the most significant moments in theme park history. It was here, on November 15, 1965, that Walt and Roy Disney stood side by side and told the world about their plans for a massive Florida entertainment enterprise — one that would dwarf even Disneyland.
The plaque was presented jointly by the Thornton Park District, Orlando Main Streets, and The Walt Disney Company. A formal dedication ceremony brought together community members, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, and Walt Disney World President Jeff Vahle to mark the occasion.
What Walt Said That Day
The plaque features one of Walt Disney’s most memorable quotes from the 1965 announcement:
“Here in Florida, we have something special we never enjoyed at Disneyland … the blessing of size.”
— Walt Disney, November 15, 1965
That quote captures exactly what made the Florida Project so different from anything that came before it. Walt didn’t just want to build another theme park — he wanted room to build an entire experimental city. The land they had quietly assembled in Central Florida gave him the canvas to do it.
What Walt Actually Announced
On that November day in 1965, Walt spoke not just of rides and attractions, but of a “model community” built around innovation in urban living, technology, and design. He envisioned a city of tomorrow — what would later take shape as the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, EPCOT. The scope of the vision was unlike anything the public had heard from a theme park company before.
Roy Disney Brought the Dream to Life
Walt Disney passed away just over a year after the 1965 announcement, never seeing his Florida project completed. It was his brother Roy who carried the vision forward, shepherding the entire enterprise through construction and all the way to opening day on October 1, 1971. Roy even renamed the park “Walt Disney World” in tribute to his brother.
Mayor Dyer spoke at the dedication ceremony and captured the spirit of that original moment: “Walt and Roy Disney didn’t just announce a theme park in 1965. They announced a partnership with a community that was ready to dream bigger about its future.”
How Big Did the Dream Get?
Walt wasn’t wrong about the blessing of size. What started as the Florida Project now covers nearly 30,000 acres in Central Florida — roughly twice the size of Manhattan. Walt Disney World today employs 80,000 cast members, making it the largest single-site employer in the United States.
From a single hotel ballroom announcement in 1965 to the largest theme park resort on Earth, the distance between the vision and the reality is remarkable. And now, the corner of Orlando where it all began has a permanent marker to prove it.
Why This Matters for Disney Fans
If you’re ever in Orlando outside the parks, the Thornton Park District is worth a visit. It’s a charming neighborhood that most tourists never see — and now it has a piece of Disney history embedded right in the sidewalk. Standing at the Walt Disney Florida Project announcement site and reading Walt’s words in person is the kind of experience that hits differently than any attraction.
For history buffs and lifelong Disney fans, this plaque is a small but meaningful addition to the story of how Walt Disney World came to be. It connects the physical city of Orlando to the origin of the dream in a way that nothing else has before.
A Fitting Tribute to Walt’s Vision
The new plaque at the Walt Disney Florida Project announcement site is a long-overdue tribute to one of the most pivotal moments in Central Florida history. Walt Disney had a vision big enough to require a state the size of San Francisco to contain it, and Orlando said yes. More than 60 years and 80,000 cast members later, that partnership continues to shape this community every single day. Check out DisMornings for more Walt Disney World history and the latest news from the parks.
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Meet the Author: Nate Bishop
I’m a die-hard Disney fan with 38 years of visits under my belt, having stepped into Disney World 120+ times. Proud to be a Disney Annual Passholder, a Vacation Club member since ’92, a Castaway Club Member, and a runDisney enthusiast. Oh, and I’ve graduated from the Disney College of Knowledge. Need Disney insights or planning tips? I’m your guy!
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