Plaque unveiled in Orlando to mark the site of historic Walt Disney World "Florida Project" announcement

A new commemorative plaque honoring the Walt Disney World announcement location has been unveiled with a dedication ceremony celebrating meaningful, full-circle moment for Disney.

A new commemorative plaque was just unveiled at the historic spot in Thornton Park where Walt and Roy Disney first shared their vision for what would become Walt Disney World in 1965.

What began as an ambitious vision from the Disney brothers more than 60 years ago has since grown into the largest and most visited theme park destination in the world.

On Nov. 15, 1965, Walt and Roy joined then-Florida Governor Hayden Burns in what is now the Thornton Park District of Downtown Orlando to announce the “Florida Project” – a bold idea that promised to bring happiness, innovation and opportunity to the state.

Today, Walt Disney World welcomes millions of guests to Florida each year, fueling the state’s economy, creating jobs and driving tourism that benefits local communities.

In honor of Disney’s history in the region, the Thornton Park District – a member of Orlando’s Main Streets program – unveiled a new commemorative plaque at the very same building in Downtown Orlando that Walt and Roy held the 1965 Florida Project press conference.

A dedication ceremony was held to celebrate this meaningful, full-circle moment for Disney in Florida. Community members, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Walt Disney World President Jeff Vahle gathered as the plaque debuted at the very same building Walt and Roy first announced their vision for what would become Walt Disney World.

“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,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “With this plaque, we honor more than a historic announcement. We honor a relationship, with both Walt Disney World and our Orlando Main Streets, that bolsters our economy, strengthens our neighborhoods and defines our identity.” 

The new plaque from the Thornton Park District forever links Disney’s earliest days in the state to the vibrant community that surrounds it. It’s an honor to be recognized – one that will be carried closely as Disney continues to grow in Florida.

“We thank the city of Orlando and the Thornton Park District for honoring this important part of our shared history,” Walt Disney World President Jeff Vahle said. “This commemorative plaque celebrates our past and reflects the bold vision we need for the future.”

Keep up to date with the latest theme park news and updates from Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando, LEGOLAND Florida, and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

What started as the Florida Project now spans nearly 30,000 acres in Central Florida. For reference, that makes 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 an influx of jobs, tourism and public revenue for the state. 

In fact, Walt Disney World is the largest single-site employer in the United States, supporting 80,000 cast members. Disney leads the industry in employee retention at a rate of over 80% and an average tenure of 12 years. Many cast go on to build lasting careers at Disney, some staying three times longer than the national average (BLS).  

Beyond that, Disney also supports thousands of small businesses, many who are local to Florida and employ additional workers. In total, one out of every 32 jobs in Florida can be attributed to Disney. 

Walt Disney World is also committed to creating happiness and positive change for communities across the state. Since opening in 1971, Disney has provided hundreds of millions of dollars in support to local nonprofits, schools and other organizations who help our neighbors in need. Disney cast members play a big part in that impact too and have spent more than 170,000 hours giving back as Disney VoluntEARS in 2025.

More than 60 years after that historic day in Thornton Park, Disney continues to invest in Florida. This includes work that is underway right now, like Tropical Americas at Animal Kingdom, the Magic of Disney Animation and a Monsters, Inc. land at Hollywood Studios, the largest expansion of Magic Kingdom with Cars and Villains-themed lands and more. 

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 and neighbors alike. As these adventures continue, the commemorative plaque in Thornton Park is a touching reminder of the great story that Disney and Florida have written together over generations.

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