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First Disney World Project Canceled Since State Takeover

Disney Springs I-4 Ramp
Credit: Disney

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) officially scrapped a project intended to ease the flow of traffic into and out of Disney World property, seemingly the first tax-funded infrastructure project to be scrapped since the Reedy Creek Improvement District was taken over by the Florida State Government.

Hotel Plaza Boulevard

Credit: Spectrum News 13

According to Spectrum News 13, FDOT initially planned on installing a fly-over ramp onto Hotel Plaza Boulevard in the Lake Buena Vista area and the Disney Springs Resort Area from State Road 535, allowing drivers to avoid the traffic congestion that forms around the Disney World entrance.

Instead, FDOT will add a loop ramp from SR-535 onto I-4 west, eliminating the need for drivers to cross multiple lanes of traffic and make a left-hand turn. FDOT claims that this will provide “the best return on investment,” but not everyone affected feels that way.

Canceled Fly Over Ramp to Disney Springs

Credit: Spectrum News 13

“We need something to be able to get traffic down Hotel Plaza Boulevard,” said Jay Leonard, complex general manager at Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Disney Springs. “It’s going to be very disappointing because we really had this expectation on the block that we’re going to have traffic coming right into our destination, and just make it a smoother arrival down our boulevard.”

Jay Leonard, Disney Springs' Wyndham

Credit: Spectrum News 13

Wyndham Lake Buena Vista is one of the many third-party-owned hotels that populate the area around the shopping and dining center known as the Disney Springs Resort Area. Like the “Good Neighbor Hotels” over at the Disneyland Resort in California, these Central Florida hotels are given special treatment regarding Theme Park Access. Guests are treated like Disney World Resort Hotel Guests in many ways, and they are able to technically stay on property for far less.

This decision comes after the Reedy Creek Improvement District was taken over by Tallahassee and relieved Disney of taxpayer funding for things like infrastructure. Although it is unclear if the two events are truly connected.

About T.K. Bosacki

Born and raised in Tampa, Florida, TK Bosacki is a professional writer, amateur adventurer, and lifelong Disney Fanatic. His Disney Park days include Space Mountain, Tower of Terror, Kilimanjaro Safaris, and Nomad Lounge. He believes in starting at the Canada pavilion (IYKYK), and the Monorail is superior to all Ferry Boats.

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