An interesting comparison of 1947 and 2016 aerials illustrating the impact of expressways penetrating through various Orlando neighborhoods and districts.

7. Universal Studios

The Universal Orlando Resort opened on June 7, 1990 and is now the second-largest theme park resort in Central Florida.

8. Walt Disney World - Magic Kingdom

In 1947, 12 years before Walt Disney began looking for land to house a second resort east of the Mississippi River, what would become Walt Disney World was nothing more than woods, wetlands and cow pastures.

9. Downtown Disney

In 1965, the City of Reedy Creek was established and fully controlled by the Walt Disney World Company. At the time, Walt Disney envisioned Reedy Creek becoming a “community of the future”. Disney’s vision never became reality. Instead, Reedy Creek was renamed Lake Buena Vista, after the Southern California street where Walt Disney is headquartered, and developed as a location for hotels, restaurants and retail catering to tourist.

10. Dr. Phillips / Sand Lake Road

In 1947, the drive along Sand Lake Road, into Dr. Phillips, was lined with orange groves and isolated lakes. Nearly 70 years later, the citrus industry has been replaced with arterial highways and suburban development.

Article by Ennis Davis, AICP. Adobe Photoshop aerial overlays by Ennis Davis, AICP. 2016 aerials courtesy of Google Earth. 1943 historic aerials courtesy of the University of Florida George A. Smathers libraries Digital Collection. Contact Ennis at edavis@moderncities.com