Pre-Disney Summary

 

After WW2 and before Disney, Florida tourism was growing as people were coming by car. Most attractions were festivals like Gasparilla in Tampa and Tarpon Springs had a Greek festival. Historic sites like St Augustine were tourist attractions and nature areas were popular like Florida springs. Jacksonville was considered a tough town, so Robert Ripley decided to put his attraction in St Augustine. This was before 95 was built. It was the first permanent Ripley’s in the US. He also did some temporary exhibits. It opened in 1950 shortly after Robert Ripley died. In the 1950’s there was a void of national hotels and restaurants and there were a lot of visual marketing materials to bring in customers. Kevins Willson, 1951 went on vacation but did not like it. He didn’t like the surprise and he wanted consistency. Florida Food menus offered local fare. Pre Disney had more of ties into location with food and attractions. Popular attractions were, Gatorland, Orlando. 1949 open by cracker cowboy’s descendant. St. Augustine alligator farm in 1893, a Serpentarium in Miami, Silver Springs, Parrot Jungle in Miami 1936 – 2003 but then moved in Miami Beach and the name changed to Jungle Island, Weeki Wachee in 1947 by Newt Perry opened in Hernando. He was a swimmer and helped the navy, so he had an idea to create a Mermaid Show and Cypress Gardens in 1936 -2009 by Dick Pope Winter haven, Florida.