I know Anaheim got kinda sketchy in the early/mid 1990's (and is still sketchy today) but it's nothing like this film. Plus, Anaheim (and all Southern California) had a diverse fast growing economy from 1945 to 1990 that had started falling apart in the 1990's. Orlando's really only ever had farms and Disney, so nothing to really "fall apart." So what happened?
shareThe second rate gift shops, Disneyish-named motels and the abandoned condos tell the story. Where there is a big tourist attraction drawing in rich tourists from all over the globe, there is also going to people on the fringes trying to catch some of the gold. Nothing fell apart, but a mish mash of cheap businesses kind of sprouted up around it.
shareYes orlando has some seedy areas that would make vegas blush. Google orlando news for some juicy stuff.
And no, it wasnt always this way. Used to be a lot different.