Podunk? Perhaps, but it was already well positioned for growth. I-4 (runs NE/SW through the state) was yanked over specifically to run through town, and we had that lovely SAC base with the 12,000 foot twin runways that was recently made into a civilian airport. UCF had just been chartered, which has become the second largest university in the country.

Disney's a big deal if course - our biggest employer after all - but it's not the whole story here.