If you’ve driven down the I-4 and US-192 interchange in Kissimmee recently, you’ve probably seen it. A massive, sprawling ghost town of a complex that looks like it belongs in a post-apocalyptic movie rather than a mile from the "Happiest Place on Earth."
That's the Orlando Sun Resort and Convention Center.
Honestly, it’s wild to think that this place was once the crown jewel of Central Florida tourism. It wasn't just a hotel; it was a 77-acre statement of 1970s ambition. Today, it’s a skeleton of rotted drywall, murky green pools, and graffiti-covered "pods." But as of January 2026, the story is finally changing.
The Rise of a Kissimmee Giant
Back in 1972, the Carolando Corporation had a dream. They wanted to build the biggest hotel in Florida right at the doorstep of the brand-new Walt Disney World. They even planned a massive observation tower that would have been the tallest building in the state.
They went broke before they could finish.
The Hyatt Corporation stepped in and completed the project, opening it as the Hyatt Orlando Resort. For decades, this place was the spot. We’re talking over 900 rooms (some older records suggest even more in the initial planning phases) clustered in these unique, octagon-shaped "pods." Families loved the layout because it felt like a little village rather than a sterile high-rise.
Why the pod design?
It was futuristic. In the early '70s, the idea was to create mini-communities within the resort. Each pod had its own courtyard and pool. It felt private, lush, and expensive. During its peak in the '80s and early '90s, the convention center was a hub for massive corporate events that couldn't fit anywhere else in Kissimmee.
The Slow, Painful Decline
So, what went wrong? Basically, everything.
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The first major blow was the license plate issue. You might remember the national news stories from the early '90s. Criminals were targeting rental cars because they had specific plate prefixes. Tourists were being robbed, and the US-192 corridor—where the Hyatt sat—gained a reputation for being unsafe.
Then came 9/11. Tourism in Orlando didn't just dip; it cratered.
Hyatt eventually pulled out, and on September 12, 2003, they did something almost unheard of in the industry. They closed the doors permanently with zero notice. Guests were told to be out by noon. Employees were out of a job before they'd even finished their shifts.
The property was eventually sold to the Moinian Group. They spent about $1 million on a "refresh"—which, for a property this size, is like trying to fix a sinking cruise ship with a roll of duct tape—and rebranded it as the Orlando Sun Resort and Convention Center in 2007.
It was a disaster.
Reviews from that era are legendary for all the wrong reasons. Guests complained about:
- Mold growing on the curtains.
- No hot water for days.
- The "legendary" pools turning into mosquito-breeding swamps.
- Unpaid staff walking off the job mid-shift.
By 2012, the Orlando Sun Resort and Convention Center closed for good. It has sat rotting ever since.
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Life After Death: Squatters and Urban Explorers
For the last 14 years, the resort has become a "no man's land." If you’ve spent any time on YouTube, you’ve seen the videos from creators like TheDailyWoo or Exploring with Josh. They show a reality that's hard to square with the resort’s former glory.
It’s dangerous. Let’s be real.
The complex is so large that the police have struggled for years to keep people out. It became a haven for squatters and, unfortunately, criminal activity. Entire wings of the hotel have caved in. The grand convention center, where CEOs once gave keynote speeches, is now a graveyard of broken glass and scavenged copper wiring.
People call it "Lonely World."
The 2026 Ovation: A Billion-Dollar Rebirth
Here is the news everyone has been waiting for. On December 30, 2025, a $70 million deal finally closed. Accesso Development and the Meyers Group have officially taken ownership of the 70+ acre site.
The Orlando Sun Resort and Convention Center is finally being demolished.
As of January 2026, the "Ovation Orlando" project is moving forward. This isn't just another hotel. It’s a $1 billion mixed-use "entertainment district" designed to compete directly with Disney Springs.
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What’s coming to the site?
The plan is massive. They aren't trying to save the old buildings—they're leveling everything.
- The Celebration Zone: A mix of retail and "music-themed" restaurants.
- The Water’s Edge: High-end dining around a newly designed three-acre lake.
- Three New Hotels: This includes a 4-star full-service hotel (350 rooms) and two smaller "select-service" hotels.
- 740 Residential Units: A mix of condos and luxury apartments.
Osceola County is even chipping in $6.5 million in reimbursements just to help with the demolition because the old resort has been such an eyesore for the community.
What Most People Get Wrong
A lot of people think the resort failed because it was "too far" from Disney. That’s a myth. It’s literally a mile away. The real failure was the "pod" design itself.
While it was cool in 1972, it was a maintenance nightmare. Having six or seven separate pools and dozens of separate buildings meant the air conditioning and plumbing costs were astronomical compared to a single-tower hotel. Once the occupancy dropped below a certain point, the math just didn't work. The Orlando Sun Resort was essentially designed to be too expensive to survive a recession.
Actionable Insights for Visitors and Locals
If you’re interested in the history or the future of this site, here’s what you need to know right now:
- Stay Away: Seriously. Do not attempt to "explore" the site. Demolition crews are active as of January 2026, and the structures are physically unstable. Security is at an all-time high to prevent accidents during the teardown.
- Watch the Perimeter: If you want a last look at the history, you can see the remaining pod structures from Parkway Blvd. But do it soon—the wrecking balls are moving fast.
- Property Value Shift: If you own property in the Celebration or West Irlo Bronson area, the Ovation project is expected to significantly boost local values. This has been a "dead zone" for a decade; the $1 billion infusion is going to change the vibe of that entire I-4 exit.
- Job Opportunities: Construction for Ovation is expected to create thousands of local jobs through 2027 and 2028. Keep an eye on the Osceola County economic development boards for vendor and labor contracts.
The era of the Orlando Sun Resort and Convention Center is officially over. The "Ovation" era is just beginning. It’s a bittersweet end for those of us who remember the octagon rooms and the "futuristic" 70s vibe, but honestly? It’s about time.