More Information
- 1980s - Service industry plateaus
- 1982 – Disney World Epcot Center opens; Construction of Osceola Parkway impacted small businesses on 192
- 1983 - Medieval Times Dinner Tournament (Kissimmee) opens
- 1985 - Florida Growth Management Act adopted
- Mid-1980s - Fisherman fought County on rise of effluent within Shingle Creek
- 1987 - Fort Liberty (Kissimmee) opens; Dart Boulevard opens as a two mile stretch between U.S. Highway 441 and Buenaventura Boulevard; Fall Chase Master Plan approved
- 1989 - Formosa Gardens Master Plan approved
- 1990 - Universal Studios Florida opens; Disney builds additional hotels at lower per-night pricing, to out-compete Hwy 192’s hotels and smaller motels/hotels falling into decay
- 1993 - Splendid China Theme Park Opens
- 1994 - Xenorida Master Plan approved; Celebration construction begins
- 1995 - Dart Boulevard extended and upgraded the road to a 12.4 mile, four-lane parkway with an interchange to Florida’s Turnpike, becoming Osceola Parkway
- 1996 - Master Planning for Harmony begins; residents move in 2003
- 1997 - CTS Investments Plan approved
- 1998 - Animal Kingdom opens; Rise in Hispanic population-particularly of Puerto Rican descent
- 2002 - Bellago Master Plan approved; Westside Master Plan approved
- 2003 - Splendid China closes; Toho Water District by Florida legislature to provide water, wastewater and reclaimed water services
- 2007 - First phase of City Center mixed use project completed in Kissimmee