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Florida Government Replaces Disney World Landmark With Charlie Kirk Memorial

A stretch of road near one of Walt Disney World Resort’s most unique landmarks has been officially renamed to honor the late conservative activist, Charlie Kirk.

According to Fox35, the Lake County commissioners voted unanimously last month to rename part of Wellness Way, which runs from U.S. 27 to the Orange County line, as the “Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway.” The renamed section of the road also includes Schofield Road in Clermont, a location that is just a short drive from Walt Disney World Resort. While the designation is purely honorary, with GPS services continuing to use the official road names, a sign marking the new highway has already been installed.

The Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway near Walt Disney World Resort
Credit: Lake County Commissioners

One interesting tidbit about Schofield Road is its proximity to what’s known as the “Hidden Mickey forest.” This unique area consists of thousands of pine trees that Disney cast members helped plant as part of a conservation project in the 1990s. Though much of the area has since been redeveloped, the Mickey Mouse-shaped pattern remains visible in aerial images. Disney Parks fans sometimes refer to it as the “world’s largest Hidden Mickey,” though Walt Disney World does not own the property.

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

The renaming comes weeks after The Walt Disney Company found itself at the center of a media scandal involving Charlie Kirk. After Kirk’s assassination at a college campus event in Utah, late-night host Jimmy Kimmel made a joke about President Trump’s response to the incident. This led to a significant backlash, and broadcasting networks Sinclair and Nexstar chose to pull Jimmy Kimmel Live! from their stations. In response to the controversy, Disney-owned ABC decided to pull the show indefinitely.

Jimmy Kimmel interviews Katy Perry
Credit: ABC

The incident sparked significant debate, with many feeling that Disney’s decision was a violation of free speech. Fans on both sides of the political spectrum took to social media to express their discontent, and many canceled their Disney+ subscriptions. On September 23, Jimmy Kimmel Live! returned, but it took several days of negotiations before Sinclair and Nexstar would air the show on their local stations. Together, these networks represent nearly one-quarter of American households.

Do you agree with the decision to name this road near Walt Disney World Resort after Charlie Kirk? Share your thoughts with Disney Dining in the comments!

Author

  • Jess Colopy

    Jess Colopy is a Disney College Program alum and kid-at-heart. When she’s not furiously typing in a coffee shop, you can find her on the hunt for the newest Stitch pin.

Jess Colopy

Jess Colopy is a Disney College Program alum and kid-at-heart. When she’s not furiously typing in a coffee shop, you can find her on the hunt for the newest Stitch pin.

16 Comments

  1. Charlie Kirk was just a man. He was lucky enough to build a multi million dollar career on controversial subjects. He is/was a 21st century shock- jock. Howard Stern paved his way. He did not deserve to be murdered like that. Nobody does. He also does not deserve to have a Highway dedicated to him. He did not find the cure for cancer, MS, or ALS. He did not dedicate his life to service. He did nothing to promote world peace…or even peace in this country. He talked. About his own opinions in life and tried to pass them off as facts. So im opposed to having a highway named after Charlie Kirk.

    1. Tell us all how delusional that you are without telling us that you are a lost liberal. If you don’t like it here than go to Cali, Chicago, Minnesota, or New York. We won’t stop your departure!

  2. Nothing like racists supporting a racist, who was some much more than that. He was a misogynist, homophob, who didn’t care about those killed by gun violence and one of their own allegedly killed him! But, some how the liberals caused this? The right is so delusional!

  3. This is so incredibly atupid!!! Why not memorialize all the children killed in school shootings instead of this person who incited chaos on college campuses!!! And now there is talk about making this idiot a martyr….give me a break!!!!

  4. GPS services have already changed Schofield Road to Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway. I wish that, like other memorial Highway signs, it was just left like that. I am amazed that Lake County could unanimously vote and install those signs in less than a month when more important issues agent stalled indefinitely.

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