Orlando city commissioners are considering an ordinance that would allow police officers to take immediate action against anyone who intentionally blocks people on sidewalks.
The easiest/ fastest way to discover what the future holds for this stretch, is to contact the local planning board to see what applications for development are under consideration/ approval. There's probably a community thread that also discusses current approved/ under consideration applications.
Growing up we ALWAYS stayed on 192. I remember 192 feeling just as magical as the parks did when I was a kid. Coming up from South Florida, as soon as we hit St. Cloud, that feeling would start. Once we hit the 192 markers, we were deep in it! All the quirky roadside attractions, gift shops, and restaurants (that the parents NEVER took us to 😂) just blew my little mind. I still love the area. A shadow of it’s former self, but VERY nostalgic nonetheless
I thought the Viking Inn was SOOOO cool. We kids begged dad to stay there. Finally got to stay there for 2 nights. But we usually stayed at the Days Inn's.
I have very fond memories of 192. I would spend one week a year at the timeshare on safari dr, right next to Arabian Nights. Did that every year for about 30 years. Old Towne, the Go Karts, Water Mania.... so much has changed, but that will forever be my memory of 192.
Sometimes properties like these are demolished not because there’s a development plan but because the buildings are too far gone and the taxes are prohibitively expensive. The squatters are also a problem and an insurance liability.
Where I live, not many empty business buildings stay for long. The tax bill is to large and as you said, squatters take over a building it you leave it unprotected. Not in the city though....most city buildings just get boarded up and giraffe takes over, and people find a way in and make the area look like sh*t.
The expansion (parks, hotels) of WDW and Universal have made it so visitors spend most of their limited vacation time at those places, plus maybe an extra excursion to SeaWorld. That has hit Hwy 192 very hard. I remember visiting the Hwy 192 area during the 1990s. As you have shown, it’s sad how it has changed. Good or bad, change is constant.
Our first trip in 1989 we stayed on 192 and then all thru the 90s. Then when all star hotels went in at Disney for 99 dollars we went on property then never stopped.
With all the traffic that is on 192, it is unbelievable to me that the businesses there don't do better. I know Disney did a pretty good job of drawing many people into staying on site for a long time, but the prices to stay onsite now are so high, lots of Air BnB stuff is available offsite, and plenty of people stay at them, and use 192 to get back and forth to the parks. I would think that would generate business for the 192 corridor. I know that my family stayed on site at Disney for quite a few years, then we became a family of 5, and then 6, and suddenly our only option at Disney was 2 rooms, or Deluxe, both of which were insanely expensive, so we started renting off site, and as a result, discovered all of the shops, restaurants and attractions on 192, and International Drive, which became an important part of our vacations.
Hey I really appreciate this video, I know this is something that you do all the time, but my wife passed away a couple of Novembers ago and my favorite thing to do would be to go to Orlando from Pasco, and her and I have frequented most of the shops that you've shown so it's bittersweet, thank you so much!
@TheDailyWoo Thank you so much I've enjoyed your content for quite a while and yours just seems to be a little bit better than others. LOVE the 192 stuff! I wanted to post but when you covered the National Lampoon's Vacation House, that was NEXT LEVEL!! So lucky to have you!
Hey Woo, I'm very sad to say that sister passed away this morning. She loved your channel very much. I would always send her silly texts and videos and my last one to her was me imitating you, and she loved it! You and I kind of met a long time ago by the Rusty Mullet on Hollywood Blvd. I was getting on my motorcycle and said "The Woo!" or something? And you shot me a smile. My sister's name was Wendy, and she loved The Woo! You helped kept her entertained for many years man, thanks buddy!
It’s sad to see so many abandoned places. I was surprised when that Hyatt shut down, it was always busy whenever we would pass by as kids. I miss the old days when 192 was thriving.
My wife and I were pretty skint at the time, but back in 92 we got a cheap flight from the U.K. and stayed at the arse end of 192 in the Broadway Inn. It probably wasn’t a great hotel even then but we loved it and 192 was booming. Sad to see. It really went downhill when Disney built all the extra hotels on site.
My family went to the area in July on vacation. Definitely a far cry from the early 2000’s when I visited a lot. But still enjoyed visiting and taking my kids to the area. Merry CHRIStmas to you and your family, Adam!
I was a regular on the west side of 192 at the Ramada, Knights Inn, and Maingate Lakeside Motel in the early to mid 2000's. These were the best budget friendly places to come and stay for Disney World. My Mom and I never had any issues. When I moved to Kissimmee in 2015, I stayed at Maingate for a few days until I could find a place to live. I was shocked that it was still in the same state, the rooms looked exactly the same, 15 years later, and it seems to have gotten worse since the pandemic. It's such a great location, and it could have so much potential. But, I do realize a lot of low income families would be without a home. If they could fix it up, turn the motels to affordable housing, and make building leases affordable for small businesses. It could be an incredible small community, I would live there in a heartbeat.
@@bodyloverz30 yes you are correct! I've noticed this downward trend slowly creeping up the 535/ Apopka vineland area as well, and with the new freeway ramp from I-4 to Hotel Plaza Blvd skipping the 535/ Apopka vineland. They have a trapped audience.
The place was near death, by 2012, when I moved to South Florida. Even the Indian Canteen Buffet I used to go to closed. The Kissimmee Police tactics become paramilitary, like in Iraq. It was time to go!
If all the surrounding areas of Disney get run down, and become crime ridden, the tourists visiting will stay in the Disney bubble, since it's the only safe place. This would be devastating to the hospitality industry outside of Disney.
This vlog is outstanding I love the history of 192 especially since the Florida Project came out. You’re definitely in your wheelhouse with content like this excellent work Adam.
I'm in Melbourne, and highway 192 for us is quite busy. We have a mall here that is right on 192 and it's one of the few malls that actually stays relatively busy.
Yay! Revisiting locations from your early days will be fun!!! I always love those "then and now" videos to see how things have changed, especially abandoned places.
When my 36 year old son was about 9 or 10 we stayed at the Tropical Palms campground down the road behind Old Town several times. We spent a lot of evenings in Old Town. I loved to stay in Kissimmee if we weren't going to Disney. If we were going to Disney I preferred to stay on their property. Being close to I-4 was very convenient and there was lots to do along HWY 192.
hello again Adam and *merry Christmas* , change is hard but needed i suppose but sad when old places you have known for years get torn down , really well done and thank you 😊
My family used to stay at the Maingate Lakeside Resort on U.S. 192 Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway nearly every year from 1987 - 1997 during our Disney vacations when it was the Sheraton Lakeside Inn. Back then, it was a beautiful, clean, well landscaped, well-maintained motel with resort amenities including tennis, mini golf, basketball courts, paddleboats on Black Lake, three pools, poolside tiki bars, Pizza Hut Express, Hurricane Sam's bar, Greenhouse Restaurant, convenience store, arcade, and fitness center. Each room had a refrigerator even in the 1980s and 1990s when that was still relatively rare. In 1997, the hotel was showing some signs of minor wear and tear compared to earlier visits, but was still nice. My family never returned after 1997 because we started staying at the then new moderate and value Disney resorts. Prior to the 1990s, the only onsite Disney owned hotels were expensive luxury resorts which resulted in many people who were unable or unwilling to spend luxury level prices to stay at the hotels on 192. 192 began to decline once people began to migrate to Disney's onsite value and moderate resorts. I began to occasionally read online reviews for the Maingate Lakeside Resort in 2010 to reminisce and to follow the dramatic and sad decay of the property. The room decor at the Maingate Lakeside Resort is largely the same as it was in the 1990s with some of the rooms still having the same bedspreads from the 1990s, which is gross, or at least bedspreads that look the exact same. I would love it if you were to visit the Maingate Lakeside Resort in one of your vlogs sometime.
I used to stay on 192 in the 70’s and 80’s. You could always find good rates at the hotels there. I remember when Days Inn had their own gas pumps. The guy that ran The MapleLeaf was friendly. Our room was robbed at the Quality Inn in Kissemee and the police were useless . There was a hotel with a lounge singer named Kay that was always fun. 192 was the only way into Disney in the 70’s. I remember the road had a grass median and was so rural.
Very cool, Californian here, stayed with my now wife, a lifelong S Fla resident until now, at Old Town a couple years back as we visited WDW. love the Fla history
I went to Kissimmee with my family on a trip in 1988. While there, my Dad and I went to a Blue Jays Spring training game in Dunedin fla. Great memories with my Dad.🙏 Season's greetings Adam!!
I remember when greyhound would have bus service to Disney world from ft Lauderdale and would take to Disney world by 11am and you would meet the bus back at 5pm and they would take you to Howard Johnson on 192 for the night then in the morning you would get back on the bus and head back to Ft Lauderdale Lauderdale the cost was $70 for all
I really hope they can turn 192 around like they did Harbor Blvd. The only time I ever went to Anaheim was in 1986 and Harbor Blvd was very similar looking to 192 now. It was pretty bad. Now with all the beautiful trees and wide sidewalks and maintenance of it all, it really looks nice.
The difference is that area on Harbor is only about a mile long or a bit more that they tuned into the “Resort District”, so it was a lot easier to do. Also the land right around Disneyland is far more valuable than those areas on the 192. Empty land is rare in Orange County, CA and gets re-developed very quickly.
I occasionally visit the town I grew up in, but haven't lived in since 2010. It is crazy to see how much has changed over that time and I noticed that I'll be a little more excited over stores that didn't do much for me before I moved. I'll be a little excited over stores/eateries I may have went to 1-2 times ever, but if I recognize it from seeing it as a kid, then it stands out. Funny how that works
So I'm 42 years old when you refer to the nineties as being back in the day it blows my mind. When I think of back in the day I'm thinking of the 50s 60s 70s. But then I thought about it and you're right the nineties was back in the day but to me it seems like just yesterday. It's hard to believe that a car made in 1998 next year will be considered an antique. And that's just absolutely insane.
Great video, 192 is full of interesting history. Those three abandoned plots of land were hotels that got demolished within the last two years (Palm Lakefront, Star and Lake Cecile) due to public safety concerns and the owners abandoning the properties. Also, if you go to Google Street view for 2011, your Checkers sign is immortalized forever
Adam you are the man who notices things. Small details, things other people don't pay attention to . That's how you found the snow white premier theater, old Disney land never to be, and filming locations. And you saw the necklace, and notice the way 192 changes.
Good morning Adam thanks for sharing what's going on in Kissimmee Florida on hwy 192. Don't look that good everything going down sad. Happy holidays 🎄 happy New Year 🎊😎📸
As sad as it is sometimes, documenting how an area of town was, and now is, is part of the history of the area. We’ll all be able to look back at this video and think how it used to be. You do this kind of thing so well. Take care Adam, and hope your move is smooth to your new place.
Love your channel and have been a subscriber for years. Would really be great if you could provide some history for the places you visit, like you've done in the past. Thanks Adam 😊
Love your exploration of urban decay on 192. Use to essentially reside at Old Towne back in the day. Pop by from time to time. Miss all the leftover early theme hotels and funky attractions that have long since gone.
My sister and I decided to go to a really nice restaurant for breakfast and the only thing there was the foundation. A sign said they were coming back. They did, we could tell it was the same place but they sold it a year later. Then it was not the same place. Some Asians bought it and decided to cheap out on the food amount. A sure receipe for going to go out of business. Tiny eggs, they need to give you 3 they were so small. We never went back, that is why these places go out of business. Poor management. We had a Marie Callendars we’d go to, good food, good prices, lots of old people. One day, no old people. One look at the menu told us they raised the prices. Went back about 10 months later, back to old prices but took a while for customers to come back. About 3 years later they closed that location, I guess that time hurt its chances to keep it open. Poor management.
It’s so sad to see and as a resident who is very close to that area the homeless population has increased and they have taken every bench in the area and most bus stops. It’s heartbreaking!
I am really enjoying your coverage of the 192 area of Orlando. I have clear, good memories of taking a break from Disney on family vacations in the 90s and adventuring down 192 toward St. Cloud and seeing all the cool stuff along the road. So much of what is gone now was a product of a different generation of holiday-makers . . it's sad to see the decline, but that's progress . . I guess.
Adam, over by the 535/192 area there are now wrap banners on the fences of a group of the old hotels including the old Holiday Inn saying "Dimora" resort hotel going in. I heard it is a 20 story hotel resort being built by a Miami developer. A big addition to the area. That property on the lake is seeming as if it all being redevelop including the old South Beach townhomes that were recently demolished. Alot of good things coming to 192. Alot of redevelopment. Looking forward to seeing it all come together.
It would be interesting to see a revitalization of 192, but many of the types of places that would open there have shifted to the I-drive area. Sometimes they tear down the old to make way for the new, but there is also a big push to clear out those areas to prevent homesteading in the abandoned buildings. Another big push is that insurance companies are telling land owners they will not insure the vacant properties, especially if they are in disrepair, and if someone gets hurt there, the property owner will be liable so they tear them down.
The box that says American Sign and Indicator was a company I worked for in the late 70’s and early 80’s from Spokane WA. This was probably on a time and temperature sign (think banks in that time frame). It’s amazing how big the electronics were before the miniaturization of electronics. BTW, we also did a big share of the college and professional football stadiums along with a sign in Time Square (I believe the first color one).
My in-laws live just a couple of blocks from the west end of 192. I always enjoyed the drive just looking at all the interesting places along the way. The in-laws hate 192 because of the traffic. We are going back first part of January and I plan to explore some myself. Thanks for sharing.
I think Osceola Parkway was the death of 192. From Ft. Lauderdale, 192 was the main artery from the Turnpike to Disney, until Osceola opened. So many 80/90s 192 memories! Love these videos.
Back when they used to give you those paper toll tickets and you gave it to the teller at the booth when you exited off the highway. I remember my Dad would always put it in his sun visor with the window open, I was scared it would fly out. Crazy memories back then miss it so much.
In the late 80s90s we stayed on 192 then went to all the spring trainings around central Florida including our Cleveland Indians. Remember the boat wreck on little lake Nellie
I love videos like this, because when I go back to my home town Waldorf, MD I drive around and see how things have changed and it drives my wife nuts every time I do it.
I wish there was good, clean hotels on 192. So sad, they never up kept the hotels. Many might have to be torn down, maybe because there’s no way or to costly to refurbish them. Looking at someone else’s comment. I remember hwy 192 fondly for all the mini golfs, fun spots, helicopter rides etc. It was such a magical place, although times, needs, and interests have changed for the population.
I always love driving through 192 and seeing all the tacky tourist traps and sketchy discount ticket shops. I remember as a kid seeing these shops and being so amazed by them. I love watching the Florida Project movie because it brings a sort of comfort for me in a way. I’m hoping the tourist shops don’t get torn down and are instead renovated and get new paint or something. Love ur vids about 192. Brings back so many childhood memories!
My family used to stay there as well nearly every year from 1987 - 1997 during our Disney vacations. It is still there now as the Maingate Lakeside Resort and has declined and decayed tremendously.
I used to live in one of the properties that you showed it was called Star motel. Lake Cecile was right next door and Palm hotel was on the other side. Quality inn was a little bit up but was also tore down. All the properties were sold at an auction when the owner went through bankruptcy.
This area ain’t coming back anytime soon. As the saying goes, “it’s the economy stupid”. Those who have lots disposable income spend it at places like Disney. Middle income families are just s.o.l.
Your early 192 videos is how I found you when your Channel first started I was looking for a campground on 192 my dad worked out for a while I used to swim there a lot when I was a kid it had a nice pool with a rock formation with the slide and waterfall and platform to dive off of I found out it's torn down now but the campground might still be there it wasn't the same abandoned Campground you were filming then I kept watching your channel it was great from the start
If you visited Disney back in the mid 70s and early 80s, 192 was the place to stay off site. Days Inn was a good motel to stay for the money, always had clean rooms.
So sad to see when so many neighborhood businesses close down . At one time for many miles from the Disney parks people would stay in the motels and utilize the businesses around them but now with all the onsite hotels on Disney property they can’t make it any longer. Sad.
During the early 90s, WDW was a tad smaller and Universal had just opened. Pleasure Island and Disney Marketplace were still tiny compared to the high end retail area now. Disney really buried 192 with The Magical Express in 2005. Folks often rented cars on vacation in Orlando, but The Magical Express dramatically changed that. WDW would transport you for free to the resort in high class style leading vacationers to cut visitors going off property by 60%+. Packaged vacations and deals during the Great Recession kept the little bit of tourism on property. I remember being disappointed I couldn't take my kids for the first time to WDW in 2010 because I was at language school in the Army and there more or less were no opportunities for leave while there. WDW was offering almost free tickets and cheap stays at their hotels for military at the time. Disney rode out The Great Recession while the rest of 192 couldn't. 192 also become a self-fulfilling prophesy... The more sketchy it became, the less people went or stayed off property there. Disney Springs became where all high end retail wanted to be and going from the pristine way Disney property looks to 192 is disorienting. Now that Disney's only rival for hotels is Universal which is too far from Disney property they have jacked up rates tremendously since 2014. If I didn't have Shades of Green, I wouldn't be able to justify the cost of staying on property at Disney. The last time I stayed at a Disney hotel was 2016 at Disneyland Hotel. Prices are up 60%+ since then. 192 would have a better future if it re-zoned much of the area and built housing. Disney and Universal have serious issues with their people being able to afford to live in Orlando. It would help mitigate the housing crisis in Central Florida, revitalize the aesthetics of 192, and bring back some business.
Love this video, do wanna offer some feedback. My mom and I used to go to the Food Lion at 17:35 all the time in the 90s before WalMart opened closer to us. That Save-A-Lot used to be an Aaron's furniture store. The Food Lion was to the other side next to the Family Dollar where that Plasma Center and Autozone is now. The shopping Plaza before that is interesting. As you said it was a Scotty's then I think it stayed abandoned for a while until they repurosed half to be a Salvation Army thrift store. Seemed to be a store that sold cheap items too before that I think. At some point staples moved in next to the salvation army store, and then the Salvation Army closed that store and it became a Conn's Furniture. The indoor shopping Plaza there near Michigan was neat. Would ocassionally go to the Bealls Clearance center at the end of that Plaza, but never going into the indoor portion too often. When I did it was when I was in middle school and renting a Trombone from a music store located there called Bandroom South (guess they're still around with a shop called Band Room Orlando on Curry Ford). They closed shop and redirected people to Jammers Music store on Broadway (looks like it's a dance school now.)
I think that's the Publix where I used to work. Near the corner of 192 and Michigan Ave. ( where Michigan turns into Oak). There was an Eckerd pharmacy and a Baskin-Robbins there, at one time. At the other end was a Bealls retail store where I also worked briefly. That area has changed so much. I don't even recognize it much anymore when I am back visiting. Thanks for posting.
I live in the Disney area. It has been heartbreaking to see international drive too. Just sad to see Sending fruit from the Big Orange to friends around the country this year! I am trying to support local
Was nice meeting you yesterday Adam! What happened on central was that people were shooting out of 2 cars driving up central towards 192. Some of my coworkers saw it while they were at lunch
In the 90’s we always stayed at a hotel I think it was called WallyWorld or something like that. It was a family friendly hotel with an indoor pool, had a restaurant and a snack bar which had karaoke at night. Had a lot of good memories there.
With the large influx of people moving into Central Florida (and especially into the theme park areas) these empty buildings will eventually be put to better use. It's such an odd dichotomy to watch the rural orange groves be torn out to build new construction and booming areas, while the land closest to Disney sits dilapidated. I'm sure some of it is tied up in foreclosure or litigation and a lot of it might be being held by the county, to eventually have land to expand 192.
@@markjones5757 From a CNN report, more people have moved to Florida since 2017, than had moved there between 1950 and 2016. All you have to do is watch all of the orange groves and farm land disappear to make way for new homes and apartments or sit on one of the freeways for hours, to see how many new residents are moving into Florida. I've lived here since 2008 and I've watched it grow by leaps and bounds in the last few years.
@ellavaderknows Been living here permanently since 2011. I've been coming here several times a year since 1993. Florida, specifically the Orlando/Kissimmee area, has always been similar to Vegas, meaning there is always something getting built or knocked down. Resorts,apartments,hotels,motels, restaurants, shopping malls, new,old,closed down, or newly opened have always been a thing here since the theme parks arrived. Also, you mentioned a "CNN report" well there go you problem there. You're quoting something from CNN.
I truly miss HYW 192 OBT Kissimmee The Big Orange the air museum the rodeo it was so busy and full in 98. It looks like a empty shell of what it was. Sad to see Disney take away all the business from Kissimmee and surrounding areas. Thanks for covering this area Woo 😁
As I said above, large entertainment parks and casino's drain the life out of the surrounding business. Most now see no reason to leave the big property because of what they offer.
You may be interested in exploring the Frank Loyd Wright inspired bldg's in Lakeland, around the Fl. Southern univ. Campus. Several swans and geese on the lake to the south of campus.
I think you’re right about the revitalization efforts. Did you see the new Everest Place development started behind Margaritaville? Tons of construction back there.
You should see what the direct opposite looks like, it’s happening in south Florida. The Malls are PACKED with teenagers, and new construction is non stop. Really interesting how hollowed out central Florida has become. The south is probably one of the most vibrant, economically healthy areas of the country.
@@mylegsasleep1934 You bring up a good point. What is the cost of living within a 10-mile radius around the parks, versus 11-25 miles out? Is it because central FL is dominated by constant year-round tourism that those who are employed in the tourism industry or are dependent upon tourism employees to keep their own businesses/jobs, are solely dependent upon tourism? I mean, can a nice hotel chain stay in business on 192 without direct tie-in to the parks? I remember St. Cloud and Kissimmee being a lot like Myrtle Beach SC back in the 1980s-90s. Kitschy, quirky roadside attractions, nice hotels and motels, theaters, restaurants out the wazoo, shops and souviner stands, grocery stores and the like. If you wanted to spend 2 days at the theme parks (or the beach), you could and still have fun after you left the major crowds. You were almost staying and doing things away from the main attractions like the locals did. Let the tourists spend their money 'uptown' in the fancy stores, but the locals knew where to shop and eat and enjoy life without spending the kids' college fund that week. Is it urban sprawl? Is it a homeless issue? Is it an issue of drug use/abuse and theft? Why have so many businesses left the area? What's keeping them out? Taxes? Regulations? Zoning? Lack of knowledgable workforce? What's available to lure businesses back into the area? Better roads, affordable housing? Where has the American dream gone? Gosh I sound like a curmudgeon, talking about the past. Y'all stay off my lawn, too! Hehe...
@@aeb491 So it's quite possible the old abandoned businesses and motels etc have just relocated/realigned themselves with the flow of tourism traffic (airport, I-4, etc) and what's left of 192 is being erased to make room for something else or to take it back to earth and let future developers see it without prejudice. I get it. I'm glad central FL has the ability to generate good. Here in northeastern KY the main employers (steel mill, coke/ore plant that fed the steel mill, and even the original Ashland Oil & Chemical have either gone away after generations (thanks to EPA & closing of coal mines). The only employer of more than 500 employees is the hospital. Our gov is a bleeding heart, reelected by the teachers union, while good for big cities. Never seems to trickle down to the needy and once prosperous towns.
That’s so sad that so many of those hotels are being torn down. That area used to be a beehive of activity and I stayed at many of those hotels in the 1980’s.
Never stayed on 192 . My parents always stayed at the Las Palmas Hotel on International Drive in early to mid 80's.. Last time went to Disney area stayed at Animal Kingdom Kidani Village in 2000's and we drove on 192 several times and the motels looked pretty rundown even back then...
I grew up all over Florida from the 70s to the 80s, I found it funny how much it cost to live in the Kissimmee/Orlando area but its really a dead area away from Disney and other parks. In the 80s and 90s the area you are showing was so busy with people all year around, but Not it's dying and buildings are fallen apart
That Long John Silvers in Kissimmee was awesome. It's probably gone as well. I remember my family used to leave the team parks to eat there every day. And remember staying at the Days Inn on McCoy Road for $29. Nuttin fancy but all we needed. We rode the rides at the parks like everyone else
I have very fond memories of 192. I would spend one week a year at the timeshare on safari dr, right next to Arabian Nights. Did that every year for about 30 years. Old Towne, the Go Karts, Water Mania.... so much has changed, but that will forever be my memory of 192.
I enjoy these videos very much because I lived down there in the mid-late nineties and I remember most if these places. Thank you. Would love to see something on Vista Way. I heard that Disney sold the property.
Instagram- AdamTheWooATW
Anyone have any clue what might have happened on corner of central and Hwy 192 ?
Orlando city commissioners are considering an ordinance that would allow police officers to take immediate action against anyone who intentionally blocks people on sidewalks.
The easiest/ fastest way to discover what the future holds for this stretch, is to contact the local planning board to see what applications for development are under consideration/ approval. There's probably a community thread that also discusses current approved/ under consideration applications.
Thanks for the video! I used to work right behind that Olive Garden selling timeshare in 1990. There was a not much around back then.
Adam. Do you remember a place called the Banana Bay Grille? It was at the corner of 192 and 535
Adam have you ever considered doing a Disney cruise would love to hear your perspective on it
Growing up we ALWAYS stayed on 192. I remember 192 feeling just as magical as the parks did when I was a kid. Coming up from South Florida, as soon as we hit St. Cloud, that feeling would start. Once we hit the 192 markers, we were deep in it! All the quirky roadside attractions, gift shops, and restaurants (that the parents NEVER took us to 😂) just blew my little mind. I still love the area. A shadow of it’s former self, but VERY nostalgic nonetheless
Same feelings here as well. Coming up from South Florida also.
I thought the Viking Inn was SOOOO cool. We kids begged dad to stay there. Finally got to stay there for 2 nights. But we usually stayed at the Days Inn's.
@@aeb491it’s all cool my dude
@@aeb491 192 & 441 is in Holopaw! That is definitely not what he showed today
I have very fond memories of 192. I would spend one week a year at the timeshare on safari dr, right next to Arabian Nights. Did that every year for about 30 years. Old Towne, the Go Karts, Water Mania.... so much has changed, but that will forever be my memory of 192.
Sometimes properties like these are demolished not because there’s a development plan but because the buildings are too far gone and the taxes are prohibitively expensive. The squatters are also a problem and an insurance liability.
Where I live, not many empty business buildings stay for long. The tax bill is to large and as you said, squatters take over a building it you leave it unprotected. Not in the city though....most city buildings just get boarded up and giraffe takes over, and people find a way in and make the area look like sh*t.
@@iworkout6912 I would love for giraffes to take over empty buildings in our town! 🤣🤣 JK. I know you meant graffiti. 😃
The expansion (parks, hotels) of WDW and Universal have made it so visitors spend most of their limited vacation time at those places, plus maybe an extra excursion to SeaWorld. That has hit Hwy 192 very hard. I remember visiting the Hwy 192 area during the 1990s. As you have shown, it’s sad how it has changed. Good or bad, change is constant.
Yep that has a lot to do with it for sure
192 on this side was for Floridians who needed a break from vacationing people. It used to be full of locals . I loved it.
Our first trip in 1989 we stayed on 192 and then all thru the 90s. Then when all star hotels went in at Disney for 99 dollars we went on property then never stopped.
Gotta think that all the Airbnb and Vrbo housing options had a lot to do with the closures of all the motels along rt.192 too
Ewww all Star Hotels@@lindamemo5224
With all the traffic that is on 192, it is unbelievable to me that the businesses there don't do better. I know Disney did a pretty good job of drawing many people into staying on site for a long time, but the prices to stay onsite now are so high, lots of Air BnB stuff is available offsite, and plenty of people stay at them, and use 192 to get back and forth to the parks. I would think that would generate business for the 192 corridor.
I know that my family stayed on site at Disney for quite a few years, then we became a family of 5, and then 6, and suddenly our only option at Disney was 2 rooms, or Deluxe, both of which were insanely expensive, so we started renting off site, and as a result, discovered all of the shops, restaurants and attractions on 192, and International Drive, which became an important part of our vacations.
Hey I really appreciate this video, I know this is something that you do all the time, but my wife passed away a couple of Novembers ago and my favorite thing to do would be to go to Orlando from Pasco, and her and I have frequented most of the shops that you've shown so it's bittersweet, thank you so much!
Bless you 💕
My condolences Matt . Hope you have a good day
@ckbarry Thank you so much for taking the time to say that!
@TheDailyWoo Thank you so much I've enjoyed your content for quite a while and yours just seems to be a little bit better than others. LOVE the 192 stuff! I wanted to post but when you covered the National Lampoon's Vacation House, that was NEXT LEVEL!! So lucky to have you!
I have not been down 192 in over 20 years. I had heard it was getting to be bad but didn't realize just how deserted it has become in some areas.
Hey Woo,
I'm very sad to say that sister passed away this morning. She loved your channel very much. I would always send her silly texts and videos and my last one to her was me imitating you, and she loved it! You and I kind of met a long time ago by the Rusty Mullet on Hollywood Blvd. I was getting on my motorcycle and said "The Woo!" or something? And you shot me a smile.
My sister's name was Wendy, and she loved The Woo! You helped kept her entertained for many years man, thanks buddy!
I’m sorry to hear that Howard . My condolences. Take care buddy
It’s sad to see so many abandoned places. I was surprised when that Hyatt shut down, it was always busy whenever we would pass by as kids. I miss the old days when 192 was thriving.
My wife and I were pretty skint at the time, but back in 92 we got a cheap flight from the U.K. and stayed at the arse end of 192 in the Broadway Inn. It probably wasn’t a great hotel even then but we loved it and 192 was booming. Sad to see. It really went downhill when Disney built all the extra hotels on site.
11:11 anyone else think someone is living in that dock ? 😮 Scary. 😱 nice footage .
My family went to the area in July on vacation. Definitely a far cry from the early 2000’s when I visited a lot. But still enjoyed visiting and taking my kids to the area. Merry CHRIStmas to you and your family, Adam!
I was a regular on the west side of 192 at the Ramada, Knights Inn, and Maingate Lakeside Motel in the early to mid 2000's. These were the best budget friendly places to come and stay for Disney World. My Mom and I never had any issues. When I moved to Kissimmee in 2015, I stayed at Maingate for a few days until I could find a place to live. I was shocked that it was still in the same state, the rooms looked exactly the same, 15 years later, and it seems to have gotten worse since the pandemic. It's such a great location, and it could have so much potential. But, I do realize a lot of low income families would be without a home. If they could fix it up, turn the motels to affordable housing, and make building leases affordable for small businesses. It could be an incredible small community, I would live there in a heartbeat.
Disney killed it, by building the Value Motels on property.
@@bodyloverz30 yes you are correct! I've noticed this downward trend slowly creeping up the 535/ Apopka vineland area as well, and with the new freeway ramp from I-4 to Hotel Plaza Blvd skipping the 535/ Apopka vineland. They have a trapped audience.
The place was near death, by 2012, when I moved to South Florida. Even the Indian Canteen Buffet I used to go to closed. The Kissimmee Police tactics become paramilitary, like in Iraq. It was time to go!
If all the surrounding areas of Disney get run down, and become crime ridden, the tourists visiting will stay in the Disney bubble, since it's the only safe place. This would be devastating to the hospitality industry outside of Disney.
@@transformedics7104 This is what happened, Disney knew this, their plan worked. All the money stay's in Disney, nothing goes outside.
This vlog is outstanding I love the history of 192 especially since the Florida Project came out. You’re definitely in your wheelhouse with content like this excellent work Adam.
I love Hwy 192 . Florida project is an amazing accurate representation of the road and area
I'm in Melbourne, and highway 192 for us is quite busy. We have a mall here that is right on 192 and it's one of the few malls that actually stays relatively busy.
Yay! Revisiting locations from your early days will be fun!!! I always love those "then and now" videos to see how things have changed, especially abandoned places.
When my 36 year old son was about 9 or 10 we stayed at the Tropical Palms campground down the road behind Old Town several times. We spent a lot of evenings in Old Town. I loved to stay in Kissimmee if we weren't going to Disney. If we were going to Disney I preferred to stay on their property. Being close to I-4 was very convenient and there was lots to do along HWY 192.
TP is still there and amazing! It’s been renovated and is super clean!
hello again Adam and *merry Christmas* , change is hard but needed i suppose but sad when old places you have known for years get torn down , really well done and thank you 😊
My family used to stay at the Maingate Lakeside Resort on U.S. 192 Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway nearly every year from 1987 - 1997 during our Disney vacations when it was the Sheraton Lakeside Inn.
Back then, it was a beautiful, clean, well landscaped, well-maintained motel with resort amenities including tennis, mini golf, basketball courts, paddleboats on Black Lake, three pools, poolside tiki bars, Pizza Hut Express, Hurricane Sam's bar, Greenhouse Restaurant, convenience store, arcade, and fitness center.
Each room had a refrigerator even in the 1980s and 1990s when that was still relatively rare.
In 1997, the hotel was showing some signs of minor wear and tear compared to earlier visits, but was still nice. My family never returned after 1997 because we started staying at the then new moderate and value Disney resorts.
Prior to the 1990s, the only onsite Disney owned hotels were expensive luxury resorts which resulted in many people who were unable or unwilling to spend luxury level prices to stay at the hotels on 192.
192 began to decline once people began to migrate to Disney's onsite value and moderate resorts.
I began to occasionally read online reviews for the Maingate Lakeside Resort in 2010 to reminisce and to follow the dramatic and sad decay of the property.
The room decor at the Maingate Lakeside Resort is largely the same as it was in the 1990s with some of the rooms still having the same bedspreads from the 1990s, which is gross, or at least bedspreads that look the exact same.
I would love it if you were to visit the Maingate Lakeside Resort in one of your vlogs sometime.
Stayed there in 2022. Scariest night ever. Will never again do this.
I used to stay on 192 in the 70’s and 80’s.
You could always find good rates at the hotels there.
I remember when Days Inn had their own gas pumps.
The guy that ran The MapleLeaf was friendly. Our room was robbed at the Quality Inn in Kissemee and the police were useless .
There was a hotel with a lounge singer named Kay that was always fun.
192 was the only way into Disney in the 70’s.
I remember the road had a grass median and was so rural.
Very cool, Californian here, stayed with my now wife, a lifelong S Fla resident until now, at Old Town a couple years back as we visited WDW. love the Fla history
I have a bunch of timeshares at the Vacation Village and I'm always fascinated driving down 192. Love this kind of stuff.
I'm really enjoying these 192 videos. I remember back in the 80's when this was the place to stay.
Sad to see how back 192 has gotten. I hope it has a major recovery soon.
I went to Kissimmee with my family on a trip in 1988. While there, my Dad and I went to a Blue Jays Spring training game in Dunedin fla. Great memories with my Dad.🙏 Season's greetings Adam!!
Spring training is awesome
Ya, we also went to Magic Kingdom and epcot center. Universal studios wasn't even built yet.😂
I remember when greyhound would have bus service to Disney world from ft Lauderdale and would take to Disney world by 11am and you would meet the bus back at 5pm and they would take you to Howard Johnson on 192 for the night then in the morning you would get back on the bus and head back to Ft Lauderdale Lauderdale the cost was $70 for all
I really hope they can turn 192 around like they did Harbor Blvd. The only time I ever went to Anaheim was in 1986 and Harbor Blvd was very similar looking to 192 now. It was pretty bad. Now with all the beautiful trees and wide sidewalks and maintenance of it all, it really looks nice.
The difference is that area on Harbor is only about a mile long or a bit more that they tuned into the “Resort District”, so it was a lot easier to do. Also the land right around Disneyland is far more valuable than those areas on the 192. Empty land is rare in Orange County, CA and gets re-developed very quickly.
Dang. I remember when 192 was packed and bustling with businesses, activity etc. Sad, what has happened.
It really is
Always enjoy your 192 updates
I occasionally visit the town I grew up in, but haven't lived in since 2010. It is crazy to see how much has changed over that time and I noticed that I'll be a little more excited over stores that didn't do much for me before I moved. I'll be a little excited over stores/eateries I may have went to 1-2 times ever, but if I recognize it from seeing it as a kid, then it stands out. Funny how that works
So I'm 42 years old when you refer to the nineties as being back in the day it blows my mind. When I think of back in the day I'm thinking of the 50s 60s 70s. But then I thought about it and you're right the nineties was back in the day but to me it seems like just yesterday. It's hard to believe that a car made in 1998 next year will be considered an antique. And that's just absolutely insane.
Great video, 192 is full of interesting history. Those three abandoned plots of land were hotels that got demolished within the last two years (Palm Lakefront, Star and Lake Cecile) due to public safety concerns and the owners abandoning the properties. Also, if you go to Google Street view for 2011, your Checkers sign is immortalized forever
I like seeing these videos. Just amazing that they have all this unused land and buildings, but build new ones.
Adam you are the man who notices things. Small details, things other people don't pay attention to . That's how you found the snow white premier theater, old Disney land never to be, and filming locations. And you saw the necklace, and notice the way 192 changes.
Good morning Adam thanks for sharing what's going on in Kissimmee Florida on hwy 192. Don't look that good everything going down sad. Happy holidays 🎄 happy New Year 🎊😎📸
As sad as it is sometimes, documenting how an area of town was, and now is, is part of the history of the area. We’ll all be able to look back at this video and think how it used to be. You do this kind of thing so well. Take care Adam, and hope your move is smooth to your new place.
So sad to see 192 like this. I grew up going on holidays to Orlando and Kissimmee to the parks and the old Shoney’s
Love your channel and have been a subscriber for years. Would really be great if you could provide some history for the places you visit, like you've done in the past. Thanks Adam 😊
Love your exploration of urban decay on 192. Use to essentially reside at Old Towne back in the day. Pop by from time to time. Miss all the leftover early theme hotels and funky attractions that have long since gone.
My sister and I decided to go to a really nice restaurant for breakfast and the only thing there was the foundation. A sign said they were coming back. They did, we could tell it was the same place but they sold it a year later. Then it was not the same place. Some Asians bought it and decided to cheap out on the food amount. A sure receipe for going to go out of business. Tiny eggs, they need to give you 3 they were so small. We never went back, that is why these places go out of business. Poor management. We had a Marie Callendars we’d go to, good food, good prices, lots of old people. One day, no old people. One look at the menu told us they raised the prices. Went back about 10 months later, back to old prices but took a while for customers to come back. About 3 years later they closed that location, I guess that time hurt its chances to keep it open. Poor management.
It’s so sad to see and as a resident who is very close to that area the homeless population has increased and they have taken every bench in the area and most bus stops. It’s heartbreaking!
I am really enjoying your coverage of the 192 area of Orlando. I have clear, good memories of taking a break from Disney on family vacations in the 90s and adventuring down 192 toward St. Cloud and seeing all the cool stuff along the road. So much of what is gone now was a product of a different generation of holiday-makers . . it's sad to see the decline, but that's progress . . I guess.
Thanks for the update of the 192.
Adam, I Wanted to thank you for all the years of great content and wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas.
Most places in the U.S are getting worse. The country is declining rapidly for the middle class and major cities.
Only for the last 50 years. The rural areas are just as bad just didn't have as far to fall. Rural Ohio is nothing but opioid and meth zombies.
Hey Adam
We love when you do stuff in the forgotten areas. We are not from Florida but enjoy your videos.
Merry Xmas 😊
Adam, really enjoyed your video! Love the roof of that Mall it looks cool. Hope those ladies were okay. Looking forward to your next vlog.
Adam, over by the 535/192 area there are now wrap banners on the fences of a group of the old hotels including the old Holiday Inn saying "Dimora" resort hotel going in. I heard it is a 20 story hotel resort being built by a Miami developer. A big addition to the area. That property on the lake is seeming as if it all being redevelop including the old South Beach townhomes that were recently demolished. Alot of good things coming to 192. Alot of redevelopment. Looking forward to seeing it all come together.
Please keep praying for our country to do better.
It would be interesting to see a revitalization of 192, but many of the types of places that would open there have shifted to the I-drive area. Sometimes they tear down the old to make way for the new, but there is also a big push to clear out those areas to prevent homesteading in the abandoned buildings. Another big push is that insurance companies are telling land owners they will not insure the vacant properties, especially if they are in disrepair, and if someone gets hurt there, the property owner will be liable so they tear them down.
The box that says American Sign and Indicator was a company I worked for in the late 70’s and early 80’s from Spokane WA. This was probably on a time and temperature sign (think banks in that time frame). It’s amazing how big the electronics were before the miniaturization of electronics. BTW, we also did a big share of the college and professional football stadiums along with a sign in Time Square (I believe the first color one).
My in-laws live just a couple of blocks from the west end of 192. I always enjoyed the drive just looking at all the interesting places along the way. The in-laws hate 192 because of the traffic. We are going back first part of January and I plan to explore some myself. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Adam for reading your Facebook comment about your old sign. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!🎄🎄
I think Osceola Parkway was the death of 192. From Ft. Lauderdale, 192 was the main artery from the Turnpike to Disney, until Osceola opened. So many 80/90s 192 memories! Love these videos.
It sure has had a big effect on 192.
Ya know I never thought of that but the toll roads everywhere problem did impact or dramatically
Back when they used to give you those paper toll tickets and you gave it to the teller at the booth when you exited off the highway. I remember my Dad would always put it in his sun visor with the window open, I was scared it would fly out. Crazy memories back then miss it so much.
Hopefully one day it can come close to its former glory.
Hope you and your family have a great Christmas holiday Adam.
In the late 80s90s we stayed on 192 then went to all the spring trainings around central Florida including our Cleveland Indians. Remember the boat wreck on little lake Nellie
I love videos like this, because when I go back to my home town Waldorf, MD I drive around and see how things have changed and it drives my wife nuts every time I do it.
I wish there was good, clean hotels on 192. So sad, they never up kept the hotels. Many might have to be torn down, maybe because there’s no way or to costly to refurbish them. Looking at someone else’s comment. I remember hwy 192 fondly for all the mini golfs, fun spots, helicopter rides etc. It was such a magical place, although times, needs, and interests have changed for the population.
I always love driving through 192 and seeing all the tacky tourist traps and sketchy discount ticket shops. I remember as a kid seeing these shops and being so amazed by them. I love watching the Florida Project movie because it brings a sort of comfort for me in a way. I’m hoping the tourist shops don’t get torn down and are instead renovated and get new paint or something. Love ur vids about 192. Brings back so many childhood memories!
Looks like a place Robert Stack would talking about on Unsolved Mysteries.
We stayed at the Sheraton Lakeside on 192 in the late 80s or early 90s with our Disney trips. Probably not even there now.
My family used to stay there as well nearly every year from 1987 - 1997 during our Disney vacations.
It is still there now as the Maingate Lakeside Resort and has declined and decayed tremendously.
@@Blatsen Sorry to hear it has declined. We enjoyed it way back when.
I used to live in one of the properties that you showed it was called Star motel. Lake Cecile was right next door and Palm hotel was on the other side. Quality inn was a little bit up but was also tore down. All the properties were sold at an auction when the owner went through bankruptcy.
This area ain’t coming back anytime soon. As the saying goes, “it’s the economy stupid”. Those who have lots disposable income spend it at places like Disney. Middle income families are just s.o.l.
Merry Christmas Adam and to all viewers everywhere. Peace on earth.🙏
Your early 192 videos is how I found you when your Channel first started I was looking for a campground on 192 my dad worked out for a while I used to swim there a lot when I was a kid it had a nice pool with a rock formation with the slide and waterfall and platform to dive off of I found out it's torn down now but the campground might still be there it wasn't the same abandoned Campground you were filming then I kept watching your channel it was great from the start
If you visited Disney back in the mid 70s and early 80s, 192 was the place to stay off site. Days Inn was a good motel to stay for the money, always had clean rooms.
Just six years ago, it seemed busy and renovated…especially with all the new signage along 192. All the best.
So sad to see when so many neighborhood businesses close down . At one time for many miles from the Disney parks people would stay in the motels and utilize the businesses around them but now with all the onsite hotels on Disney property they can’t make it any longer. Sad.
Merry Christmas Adam, just for your interest gas in Melbourne Australia is currently $8.65 per gallon! 🎄🎄🇦🇺🇦🇺
During the early 90s, WDW was a tad smaller and Universal had just opened. Pleasure Island and Disney Marketplace were still tiny compared to the high end retail area now.
Disney really buried 192 with The Magical Express in 2005. Folks often rented cars on vacation in Orlando, but The Magical Express dramatically changed that. WDW would transport you for free to the resort in high class style leading vacationers to cut visitors going off property by 60%+. Packaged vacations and deals during the Great Recession kept the little bit of tourism on property.
I remember being disappointed I couldn't take my kids for the first time to WDW in 2010 because I was at language school in the Army and there more or less were no opportunities for leave while there. WDW was offering almost free tickets and cheap stays at their hotels for military at the time.
Disney rode out The Great Recession while the rest of 192 couldn't. 192 also become a self-fulfilling prophesy... The more sketchy it became, the less people went or stayed off property there. Disney Springs became where all high end retail wanted to be and going from the pristine way Disney property looks to 192 is disorienting.
Now that Disney's only rival for hotels is Universal which is too far from Disney property they have jacked up rates tremendously since 2014.
If I didn't have Shades of Green, I wouldn't be able to justify the cost of staying on property at Disney. The last time I stayed at a Disney hotel was 2016 at Disneyland Hotel. Prices are up 60%+ since then.
192 would have a better future if it re-zoned much of the area and built housing. Disney and Universal have serious issues with their people being able to afford to live in Orlando. It would help mitigate the housing crisis in Central Florida, revitalize the aesthetics of 192, and bring back some business.
Love this video, do wanna offer some feedback. My mom and I used to go to the Food Lion at 17:35 all the time in the 90s before WalMart opened closer to us. That Save-A-Lot used to be an Aaron's furniture store. The Food Lion was to the other side next to the Family Dollar where that Plasma Center and Autozone is now.
The shopping Plaza before that is interesting. As you said it was a Scotty's then I think it stayed abandoned for a while until they repurosed half to be a Salvation Army thrift store. Seemed to be a store that sold cheap items too before that I think. At some point staples moved in next to the salvation army store, and then the Salvation Army closed that store and it became a Conn's Furniture.
The indoor shopping Plaza there near Michigan was neat. Would ocassionally go to the Bealls Clearance center at the end of that Plaza, but never going into the indoor portion too often. When I did it was when I was in middle school and renting a Trombone from a music store located there called Bandroom South (guess they're still around with a shop called Band Room Orlando on Curry Ford). They closed shop and redirected people to Jammers Music store on Broadway (looks like it's a dance school now.)
LOVE your backroads videos 🇬🇧🥰
I think that's the Publix where I used to work. Near the corner of 192 and Michigan Ave. ( where Michigan turns into Oak). There was an Eckerd pharmacy and a Baskin-Robbins there, at one time. At the other end was a Bealls retail store where I also worked briefly. That area has changed so much. I don't even recognize it much anymore when I am back visiting. Thanks for posting.
Adam, maybe you can go into Black Market Minerals at Old Town? That is an interesting place.
I live in the Disney area. It has been heartbreaking to see international drive too. Just sad to see
Sending fruit from the Big Orange to friends around the country this year! I am trying to support local
I dive will improve a lot when epic universe opens
It's pretty Crazy how things change within a few decades.
I grew up in Kissimmee. Left in ‘92. Where that Save a Lot is, it used to be the Winn Dixie. Kissimmee has changed so much.
Was nice meeting you yesterday Adam! What happened on central was that people were shooting out of 2 cars driving up central towards 192. Some of my coworkers saw it while they were at lunch
In the 90’s we always stayed at a hotel I think it was called WallyWorld or something like that. It was a family friendly hotel with an indoor pool, had a restaurant and a snack bar which had karaoke at night. Had a lot of good memories there.
With the large influx of people moving into Central Florida (and especially into the theme park areas) these empty buildings will eventually be put to better use. It's such an odd dichotomy to watch the rural orange groves be torn out to build new construction and booming areas, while the land closest to Disney sits dilapidated. I'm sure some of it is tied up in foreclosure or litigation and a lot of it might be being held by the county, to eventually have land to expand 192.
You're talking about the same large influx of people that have been moving here constantly for at least the last 20 years huh.
@@markjones5757 From a CNN report, more people have moved to Florida since 2017, than had moved there between 1950 and 2016. All you have to do is watch all of the orange groves and farm land disappear to make way for new homes and apartments or sit on one of the freeways for hours, to see how many new residents are moving into Florida. I've lived here since 2008 and I've watched it grow by leaps and bounds in the last few years.
@ellavaderknows Been living here permanently since 2011. I've been coming here several times a year since 1993. Florida, specifically the Orlando/Kissimmee area, has always been similar to Vegas, meaning there is always something getting built or knocked down. Resorts,apartments,hotels,motels, restaurants, shopping malls, new,old,closed down, or newly opened have always been a thing here since the theme parks arrived. Also, you mentioned a "CNN report" well there go you problem there. You're quoting something from CNN.
@@markjones5757 You're beating a dead horse. Everyone knows that Central Florida has had a massive influx within the last 7 years. Just Google it.
I truly miss HYW 192 OBT Kissimmee The Big Orange the air museum the rodeo it was so busy and full in 98. It looks like a empty shell of what it was. Sad to see Disney take away all the business from Kissimmee and surrounding areas. Thanks for covering this area Woo 😁
As I said above, large entertainment parks and casino's drain the life out of the surrounding business. Most now see no reason to leave the big property because of what they offer.
You may be interested in exploring the Frank Loyd Wright inspired bldg's in Lakeland, around the Fl. Southern univ. Campus. Several swans and geese on the lake to the south of campus.
Nothing like a dose of urban decay with your breakfast.
This is more suburban decay.
Such has happened in many other area's of Central Florida . These old buildings will eventually be torn down and replaced by Apartments & Condo's .
Entertaining video! enjoyed the watch.
I think you’re right about the revitalization efforts. Did you see the new Everest Place development started behind Margaritaville? Tons of construction back there.
I love your Hwy 192 videos!!
There you go Adam...do some comparing videos of places that you filmed in 2009 or such and now. Merry Christmas.
Lots of businesses are shutting down everywhere. Weird times we live in.
It really is
You should see what the direct opposite looks like, it’s happening in south Florida. The Malls are PACKED with teenagers, and new construction is non stop. Really interesting how hollowed out central Florida has become. The south is probably one of the most vibrant, economically healthy areas of the country.
@@mylegsasleep1934 You bring up a good point. What is the cost of living within a 10-mile radius around the parks, versus 11-25 miles out? Is it because central FL is dominated by constant year-round tourism that those who are employed in the tourism industry or are dependent upon tourism employees to keep their own businesses/jobs, are solely dependent upon tourism? I mean, can a nice hotel chain stay in business on 192 without direct tie-in to the parks? I remember St. Cloud and Kissimmee being a lot like Myrtle Beach SC back in the 1980s-90s. Kitschy, quirky roadside attractions, nice hotels and motels, theaters, restaurants out the wazoo, shops and souviner stands, grocery stores and the like. If you wanted to spend 2 days at the theme parks (or the beach), you could and still have fun after you left the major crowds. You were almost staying and doing things away from the main attractions like the locals did. Let the tourists spend their money 'uptown' in the fancy stores, but the locals knew where to shop and eat and enjoy life without spending the kids' college fund that week. Is it urban sprawl? Is it a homeless issue? Is it an issue of drug use/abuse and theft? Why have so many businesses left the area? What's keeping them out? Taxes? Regulations? Zoning? Lack of knowledgable workforce? What's available to lure businesses back into the area? Better roads, affordable housing? Where has the American dream gone?
Gosh I sound like a curmudgeon, talking about the past. Y'all stay off my lawn, too! Hehe...
@@aeb491 So it's quite possible the old abandoned businesses and motels etc have just relocated/realigned themselves with the flow of tourism traffic (airport, I-4, etc) and what's left of 192 is being erased to make room for something else or to take it back to earth and let future developers see it without prejudice. I get it. I'm glad central FL has the ability to generate good. Here in northeastern KY the main employers (steel mill, coke/ore plant that fed the steel mill, and even the original Ashland Oil & Chemical have either gone away after generations (thanks to EPA & closing of coal mines). The only employer of more than 500 employees is the hospital. Our gov is a bleeding heart, reelected by the teachers union, while good for big cities. Never seems to trickle down to the needy and once prosperous towns.
It would do Orlando well to rezone much of HWY 192 to allow residential property. There is a housing crisis in Central Florida.
That’s so sad that so many of those hotels are being torn down. That area used to be a beehive of activity and I stayed at many of those hotels in the 1980’s.
Never stayed on 192 . My parents always stayed at the Las Palmas Hotel on International Drive in early to mid 80's.. Last time went to Disney area stayed at Animal Kingdom Kidani Village in 2000's and we drove on 192 several times and the motels looked pretty rundown even back then...
Merry Christmas Adam, I wish you all the best in your new journey. May God bless.
I was on the College program in 1987. I don't know how much remains from back then. Original Old Town and Medieval Times is about it 🤷♀️
I grew up all over Florida from the 70s to the 80s, I found it funny how much it cost to live in the Kissimmee/Orlando area but its really a dead area away from Disney and other parks. In the 80s and 90s the area you are showing was so busy with people all year around, but Not it's dying and buildings are fallen apart
Adam, as much as I love Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, if they ever became this I wouldn't want to know.
That Long John Silvers in Kissimmee was awesome. It's probably gone as well. I remember my family used to leave the team parks to eat there every day. And remember staying at the Days Inn on McCoy Road for $29. Nuttin fancy but all we needed. We rode the rides at the parks like everyone else
I remember Scotty’s and food lion! Used to go to the Publix in mill creek mall growing up.
I have very fond memories of 192. I would spend one week a year at the timeshare on safari dr, right next to Arabian Nights. Did that every year for about 30 years. Old Towne, the Go Karts, Water Mania.... so much has changed, but that will forever be my memory of 192.
I enjoy these videos very much because I lived down there in the mid-late nineties and I remember most if these places. Thank you. Would love to see something on Vista Way. I heard that Disney sold the property.