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I think New Orleans probably would be a better matchup against Vegas here.
In a way yeah...but I think Vegas would will win given without its theme, it probably wouldnt even exist - New Orleans would still exist but basically another Baton Rouge.
In a way yeah...but I think Vegas would will win given without its theme, it probably wouldnt even exist - New Orleans would still exist but basically another Baton Rouge.
The topic is who does theming the best, not which would still exist without a theme. But New Orleans isn't part of the thread and I don't want to hijack it.
I do see your point, but don't you think there is a good chance Orlando would have remained a sleepy, small southern city without it being "anointed" by Walt Disney?
My guess is that Miami, Jacksonville, Tampa (all coastal) would be larger by far. Orlando, I would think, might have been in the population range of places like Gainesville or Talahassee.
Disney helped, sure, but even without it, it would still be a major city in Florida. Lockheed Martin brought in loads of residents and was the true catalyst to the city's growth.
Smaller than Jacksonville? I doubt it. It would be smaller than it is, but still slightly larger than Jacksonville IMO. Its biggest growth spurts occurred between 1940 and 1960 -- before Disney World was a thing.
Obviously this is anyone's guess and over the course of 60 years, minor trends and changes could easily swing one way or another. So it's very hard to say. But...
It would be very impressive if Orlando outgrew Jax without the Disney (and subsequent overall tourist) bump. Orlando lacks most natural advantages. As for the growth numbers, note this:
In 1960 (after Orlando's "biggest growth spurts" as you say), city of Orlando was at 88k and Jacksonville was over 201k. This was pre-consolidation for Jax and its city limits were just 30 sq miles. It is not until the most recent census in 2010 that Orlando would surpass that city population, and that's with a land area of 105 sq miles.
Anyway, Jax's growth certainly slowed quite a bit through those last three decades of the 20th century so no one really knows what would have happened. However, if Jax had landed Disney World for itself, then obviously this wouldn't even be a discussion. Also as I have said before on this site, although there are widely shared stories about Walt Disney meeting with the Jax mayor, the head of the largest bank in FL at the time (based in Jax), etc, most of the stories are exaggerated myths. I am pretty sure Jax was never really close to getting it.
Obviously this is anyone's guess and over the course of 60 years, minor trends and changes could easily swing one way or another. So it's very hard to say. But...
It would be very impressive if Orlando outgrew Jax without the Disney (and subsequent overall tourist) bump. Orlando lacks most natural advantages. As for the growth numbers, note this:
In 1960 (after Orlando's "biggest growth spurts" as you say), city of Orlando was at 88k and Jacksonville was over 201k. This was pre-consolidation for Jax and its city limits were just 30 sq miles. It is not until the most recent census in 2010 that Orlando would surpass that city population, and that's with a land area of 105 sq miles.
Anyway, Jax's growth certainly slowed quite a bit through those last three decades of the 20th century so no one really knows what would have happened. However, if Jax had landed Disney World for itself, then obviously this wouldn't even be a discussion. Also as I have said before on this site, although there are widely shared stories about Walt Disney meeting with the Jax mayor, the head of the largest bank in FL at the time (based in Jax), etc, most of the stories are exaggerated myths. I am pretty sure Jax was never really close to getting it.
Jacksonville was effectively eliminated before any cities began being considered. Disney had stated he never looked anywhere near the coasts due to hurricanes. The only city in Florida that could satisfy a true interior setting was Orlando.
Yeah, with the exception of Disney Springs I avoid the attractions area of Orlando.
That being said, I love the core of the actual Metro 20 miles to the NE. From south of Downtown up through Winter Park, Maitland and Altamonte Springs is the attractive living, breathing heart of the area and it's very nice. The majority of the population has no connection to the Parks, and this is where you'll find them. It's actually quite beautiful in spots, and feels as if it may as well be a 1,000 miles away from the SW side. Winter Park in particular is one of the nicest suburbs in the country.
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