Disney Silent as Government Forces Charlie Kirk Memorial Near Florida Parks

A highway near Walt Disney World Resort has been renamed in honor of Charlie Kirk, the Turning Point USA founder who was killed at a campus rally in Utah last month.

According to Fox35, last month, Lake County commissioners voted unanimously to rename a section of Wellness Way, which runs from U.S. 27 to the Orange County line, as the “Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway.” The affected roadway includes a part of Schofield Road in Clermont, just a short drive from Walt Disney World Resort. The highway’s new designation is honorary, with GPS and navigation services continuing to use the original names, but a sign has already been installed to mark the change.

This section of Schofield Road is located near the “Hidden Mickey forest,” a patch of pine trees planted by Disney cast members in the 1990s as part of a conservation project. Although the area has been redeveloped over the years, the Mickey Mouse-shaped pattern remains visible in aerial images, prompting many Disney Parks fans to dub it the “world’s largest Hidden Mickey.” (However, Walt Disney World Resort does not own the land.)

Lake County commission unanimously voted to dedicate Schofield Rd. near Walt Disney World to be named in honor of Charlie Kirk the Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway pic.twitter.com/6qo87ksfhl

— Showcase of Wishes (@ShowcaseWishes) September 25, 2025

The renaming of Schofield Road comes in the wake of a media firestorm that embroiled Disney after Charlie Kirk’s assassination at a college campus event in Utah. Days after the tragedy, late-night host Jimmy Kimmel made a controversial joke about President Trump’s response to the event. This joke led to significant backlash, and broadcasting networks Sinclair and Nexstar pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! from their stations. In response to the controversy, Disney-owned ABC decided to pull the show indefinitely.

The decision sparked an intense political debate, with many accusing Disney of capitulating to political pressure. Fans from both sides of the political spectrum expressed their discontent, with some even canceling their Disney+ subscriptions and theme park vacations. Disney brought the show back on September 23, but it took several days of negotiations before Sinclair and Nexstar would agree to air Jimmy Kimmel Live! on their local stations, which represent nearly one-quarter of American households.

The Walt Disney Company hasn’t commented publicly on the renaming of the Central Florida roadway to Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway.

What do you think about the Lake County commissioners renaming this road near Walt Disney World Resort in honor of Charlie Kirk? Share your opinion with Disney Fanatic in the comments!