The City of Orlando has unveiled a commemorative plaque at the site of the “Florida Project” announcement made over 60 years ago. Walt and Roy O. Disney, along with then-Florida Governor Hayden Burns, revealed their vision for what would become Walt Disney World on November 15, 1965, in the Thornton Park District. This ambitious idea has grown into a nearly 30,000-acre resort, attracting millions of guests annually and significantly boosting the local economy.The plaque, part of Orlando’s Main Streets program, connects Disney’s early days in Florida to the surrounding community. A dedication ceremony included Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Walt Disney World President Jeff Vahle, who highlighted the importance of the partnership between Disney and the Orlando community in shaping the city’s identity and future.Credit: DisneyThe Historic Orlando AnnouncementOn November 15, 1965, the Cherry Plaza Hotel became the stage for a moment that would forever change Central Florida, following more than a year of press and Floridian speculation about mysterious land purchases and development plans in the Orlando area. Hundreds of reporters joined civic and business leaders to hear the visionaries describe initial plans for a vast new entertainment enterprise larger and more ambitious than Disneyland Park in California, with Walt speaking of building not only a theme park but also a “model community” that would showcase innovation in urban living, technology, and design.A new commemorative plaque has been unveiled in Orlando to mark the site of the historic "Florida Project" announcement https://t.co/bYCuRGlsyA pic.twitter.com/oYeaYNXd8A— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) March 6, 2026Walt Disney famously stated during the announcement that “here in Florida, we have something special we never enjoyed at Disneyland: the blessing of size,” referencing the vast acreage that would allow the Florida Project to include elements impossible at the landlocked Disneyland in Anaheim, California. The blessing of size enabled Walt Disney World to incorporate multiple theme parks, resort hotels, transportation systems, conservation areas, and the ambitious Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, a functioning city Walt envisioned to showcase urban planning innovations.Although Walt Disney passed away just over a year later on December 15, 1966, his dream lived on through the leadership of his brother Roy and the talents and dedication of the organization they established. Roy postponed his own retirement to see his brother’s vision for Florida realized, overseeing the project through to the opening of Walt Disney World on October 1, 1971, just months before his own death in December 1971.The Plaque’s Significance to OrlandoThe commemorative plaque installed at the site of the former Cherry Plaza Hotel stands as a reminder of that historic announcement, marking the location where Walt Disney’s vision first took public form in Florida, a vision that continues inspiring millions of families and children and remains central to Orlando’s story more than six decades later. The plaque text emphasizes both the historical significance of the announcement and the ongoing impact of Walt Disney World on Central Florida, connecting past and present in a physical marker that residents and visitors can experience.Walt Disney World President Jeff Vahle thanked the city of Orlando and the Thornton Park District for honoring this important part of shared history, stating that the commemorative plaque celebrates the past and reflects the bold vision needed for the future as Disney continues growing in Florida with major expansion projects that will bring new stories and experiences to life.A new plaque in downtown Orlando commemorates where Walt Disney announced the Florida Project (Walt Disney World). It includes a quote from Walt: "Here in Florida, we have something special that we never enjoyed at Disneyland…the blessing of size." pic.twitter.com/23SIZeJzcu— Ashley Carter (@AshleyLCarter1) March 6, 2026Disney’s Economic Impact on OrlandoWhat started as the Florida Project now spans nearly 30,000 acres in Central Florida, making Walt Disney World nearly twice the size of the island of Manhattan. With an ecosystem this massive, Disney has become a powerful economic engine for Florida, generating jobs, tourism, and public revenue for the state. Walt Disney World is the largest single-site employer in the United States, supporting 80,000 cast members with Disney currently leading the industry in employee retention at a rate of over 80 percent and an average tenure of 12 years, meaning cast members choose to build lasting careers at Disney, staying three times longer than the national average.Credit: DisneyBeyond its own workforce, Disney supports thousands of small businesses, many of which are local to Florida and employ additional workers. In total, one out of every 32 jobs in Florida can be attributed to Disney either directly through employment or indirectly through the ecosystem of businesses that depend on Disney tourism including hotels, restaurants, transportation services, suppliers, and countless other industries that benefit from the millions of annual visitors Walt Disney World attracts to Central Florida.Orlando Community Investment and Future GrowthWalt Disney World is dedicated to creating happiness and supporting communities across Florida. Since its opening in 1971, Disney has donated hundreds of millions to local nonprofits and schools, with cast members volunteering over 170,000 hours in 2025 alone.Disney continues to invest in Florida with major expansion projects underway. The Tropical Americas area at Disney’s Animal Kingdom will introduce new attractions themed around the biodiversity and cultures of Central and South America. Disney’s Hollywood Studios will see the addition of the Magic of Disney Animation and a Monsters, Inc. land. Furthermore, the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom’s history will bring Cars and Villains-themed lands, enhancing capacity and guest experiences.Credit: DisneyThe Ongoing LegacyThe commemorative plaque in Thornton Park serves as a touching reminder of the great story that Disney and Florida have written together over generations, connecting the ambitious announcement of November 15, 1965, to the thriving resort destination that exists today and the continued expansion that will shape Walt Disney World’s future for decades to come. The physical marker at the former Cherry Plaza Hotel site ensures that future generations can visit the location where Walt Disney publicly shared his Florida vision, understanding the historical significance of that moment and how it transformed not just Orlando but the entire state of Florida.Disney’s growth in Florida means more new stories and experiences brought to life, greater prosperity for the region, and new opportunities for guests, cast members, and neighbors alike as the vision Walt Disney articulated more than 60 years ago continues evolving and expanding in ways even he might not have imagined possible when he stood in that downtown Orlando hotel describing his ambitious plans for the blessing of size that Florida’s vast acreage provided.The post 60 Years Later, Orlando Unveils Plaque Finally Honoring Walt Disney appeared first on Inside the Magic.