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.
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
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 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.
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!
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