A STOLport is an airport specifically designed for STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) aircraft, as opposed to conventional airport facilities. STOL aircraft require significantly shorter runways than conventional aircraft and have steeper approach and climb out paths and a relatively slower cruising speed. An aircraft landing strip at Walt Disney World was built and designed as a STOLport and helicopter pad. Its official name is the Lake Buena Vista STOLport. So far as I have ever been able to determine, there was never any intention to build a major airport on or near Disney World.

The landing strip is visible from the monorail as it travels from Epcot to the Magic Kingdom. It is off to the right as the monorail approaches TTC and just a bit past the Magic Kingdom toll plaza. It is also visible from the roadway that goes from World Drive to Fort Wilderness. It is mostly used for parking now for special events and overflow cast member parking.

The fire department uses it for driver training of the larger apparatus and as a landing zone for medivac helicopters where there is a patient that needs to go by helicopter to one of the local hospitals. There is also a helipad backstage at Epcot behind the Land pavilion that can be used for the same thing.

I have several pictures of the STOLport that were taken during the summer 2002.