Disney's Abandoned Airport - The Lake Buena Vista STOLport

Summary

In this video, the narrator explores the abandoned Soulport, a former short takeoff and landing airstrip near Walt Disney World. They describe the remaining remnants of the site and debunk the popular myth that the runway featured musical rumble strips playing 'When You Wish Upon a Star.' After extensive research, the narrator reveals that the rumor was based on an experiment by Disney Imagineering, not on the actual Soulport. The video blends Disney lore, civil engineering, and urban exploration, with a teaser for an upcoming episode on Disney's Discovery Island.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video discusses the history of the abandoned Soulport, a former airstrip near Disney World.
• 😀 The Soulport was primarily used for short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft.
• 😀 There is only a portion of the runway left today, without any markings or paint.
• 😀 The narrator reveals that rumors about a musical rumble strip at Soulport are false.
• 😀 The myth of the rumble strip playing 'When You Wish Upon a Star' when planes flew over it was widely spread but is not true.
• 😀 The narrator extensively researched the myth by exploring old newspapers, contacting airlines, and even reviewing shareholder reports.
• 😀 The origin of the musical rumble strip rumor traces back to a blog by Jim Hill Media, a Disney historian.
• 😀 The rumble strip idea was allegedly tested by Imagineers using raised sections of road to create musical vibrations inside vehicles.
• 😀 Despite the rumor, no mention of the rumble strip experiment was found in any official records or newspapers from the 1960s-1980s.
• 😀 The narrator acknowledges their role in spreading the rumor in 2019 and apologizes for the mistake, clarifying that it was never true.
• 😀 The speaker hints at future content on Discovery Island, another fascinating abandoned Disney location.

Q & A

What was the original purpose of the Soulport?

The Soulport was originally an airstrip used for short takeoff and landing planes, serving as a functional runway for aircraft in the 1960s and 1970s.

What remains of the Soulport today?

Today, the Soulport is mostly reduced to just a portion of the runway without its original markings. The road nearby used to be the entrance to the site, but now it is mostly abandoned and inaccessible.

What is the common myth associated with the Soulport?

A popular myth claims that when planes landed at the Soulport, rumble strips on the runway would play 'When You Wish Upon a Star' when the planes flew over them. This is an urban legend with no factual basis.

Why does the video creator apologize in the script?

The creator apologizes for previously perpetuating the myth about musical rumble strips at the Soulport, admitting they shared this information without proper fact-checking.

What did the creator do to fact-check the myth about musical rumble strips?

The creator conducted thorough research, including purchasing a subscription to archives like newspapers.com, contacting airlines, reading shareholder reports, and perusing blogs to find evidence regarding the existence of the rumble strips. Ultimately, no supporting evidence was found.

Where did the rumor about the musical rumble strips originate from?

The rumor originated from a post on Jim Hill Media, a blog by a Disney historian. The idea was based on an experiment reportedly conducted by Disney Imagineering, which involved raised asphalt areas that produced musical vibrations in vehicles.

Did Disney ever implement musical rumble strips in their parks?

No, Disney never implemented the musical rumble strips in their parks. The idea was a test that was never used in any of their attractions or roadways.

What was the actual experiment conducted by Disney Imagineering?

The experiment conducted by Walt Disney Imagineering involved testing raised asphalt areas along a road that, when driven over at specific speeds, would cause vibrations that could produce musical notes or sounds within the vehicle.

What is the significance of Zippity Doo Dah in the rumble strip myth?

According to the rumor, bus drivers claimed that when driving over the experimental rumble strips, they could hear the opening bars of 'Zippity Doo Dah,' a popular song from Disney's *Song of the South*. However, this was never verified.

What does the creator plan to cover in the next video?

The creator teases that their next video will cover Discovery Island, an abandoned Disney site that has been the subject of discussion since the 1990s. This will be one of the most talked-about abandoned Disney locations.