Orlando Auto Museum at Dezerland Park

Written By: Gail Clifford | Published By: Weekend Notes | February 3, 2023

https://www.weekendnotes.com/orlando-auto-museum-dezerland-park/

“Amazing!” “Astounding!” “I can’t believe how much is here!”

All of these exclamations, heard during a visit to Dezerland Park’s Orlando Auto Museum, the most engaging in the world, don’t surprise at all since they’re all true statements.

Located not far from the Universal Studios part of town, this complex houses the Auto Museum, the 007 Bond Museum (story coming soon) with its extensive collection, plus fun activities for the entire family including go karts, pinball, movie theaters, bowling alleys, and places to eat or gather for parties.

On a rainy day, a hot day, a cold day, or, really, any day in Orlando, though, come to the Auto Museum to get inside and be impressed.

The Auto Museum is the brainchild of Mr. Michael Dezer. Originally from Israel, he draws visitors in with the movie-related cars lining the extensive lobby area that begins the museum.

Front and center during our visit were the silver car from League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, the “Bugs Mobile” with Bugs Bunny and a carrot standing nearby, one of two Mystery Machines from the Scooby Doo franchise, and cars with eclectic figures of James Dean and Marilyn Monroe. Of course, there must be a flashy Elvis car, too.

Once you enter the actual halls of the museum, you appreciate Mr. Dezer’s presence of mind in dividing the original vehicles by decade. While the 1920s are enhanced by their association with original silent stars turned black and white movie comic legends, Laurel & Hardy, the cars are mostly Ford and mostly black, though a regal red accompanies them, as well as a Bonnie and Clyde shot-up car (the one in Las Vegas apparently has more bullet holes). If you’re going to make a living robbing banks, I guess you should expect your vehicles to be shot at. And sometimes law enforcement will win.

The 1940s room is packed full of motors … boat motors. Apparently, all of them are new. A few beautiful speedboats adorn the room with models of all types of ships.

The next room returns to favorite movies, from the Hornet with its deep green finish, and a Bugs Bunny car built atop a golf cart the red car Christine from a horror movie in the 1980s. Javier, my tour guide, kindly showed me the Fandango outtake from the movie where Christine repairs herself. The hero of the tale is a boy bullied at school and the love between him and his car is protective.

Exiting this room, you cross a hall to another secure warehouse sized room … prepare to be amazed. This is filled with movie and TV memorabilia that will propel anyone back to the favorite shows of their childhood.

Did you love Knight Rider? KITT is here with a photo of David Hasselhoff front and center.

How about TheMunsters? Yup, they’re here too, with a funeral-like chariot pulled behind the hearse.

Ghostbusters? The ‘mobile is here, complete with a little ghost inside … and if your guide is willing, this is one of the cars you may be able to sit in. It’s fun. Even if you don’t normally get your picture taken (like me) suck it up and get it done. It’s fun, and a memorable keepsake.

If you like watching classic TV, you’ll recognize Simon Templar, The Saint, and a figure of his angelic TV image accompanies his gorgeous car. This is Roger Moore, of course, in his television series, who’s also represented across the way at the 007 Bond Museum.