Orlando Hotel Mogul and Philanthropist Harris Rosen Passes at 85

- Michelle Snow

Orlando Hotel Mogul and Philanthropist Harris Rosen

Orlando hotel mogul Harris Rosen is best known for the many area hotels that bear his name, but he also worked to build the city up, as well.

Rosen’s first steps in the Orlando hotel business world began after he joined the Walt Disney Company as the Director of Hotel Planning. There, he helped design the Contemporary Resort, the Polynesian Village Resort and Wilderness Lodge.

He left Disney in 1974 to purchase the Quality Inn on International Drive, and in the decades following acquired and built seven more hotels, including some under his own name. His newest property, the 1,500-room Rosen Shingle Creek, earned a four-diamond rating by AAA.

In the last few decades, Rosen has also given back to the city, including saving the Olympic-sized Orange County Aquatic Center, now named the Rosen Aquatic & Fitness Center,

He donated 20 acres of land at the foot of Rosen Shingle Creek, along with $10 million, to develop the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, for UCF. He also recently was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Public Service from UCF.

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Plus through his Rosen Gives Back initiatives and The Harris Rosen Foundation, he helped design and build southwest Orlando’s Jewish Community Center, which serves 150 students from infants to kindergarteners.

He also helped turn the area known as Tangelo Park around. His Tangelo Park program, founded in 1993, provides free education to all two- through four-year olds in the neighborhood. He also pays for all expenses for any Tangelo Park resident who has been accepted to a trade school, community or public college in Florida.

In 2017, Rosen expanded his offering to the Parramore neighborhood, where 24 classrooms now provide no-cost education to preschoolers and high school graduates are given the same scholarship opportunities.

I had the priviledge of meeting Mr. Rosen several times over the years, covering events for his hotels. He was always warm and kind, and just as excited to talk about his hotels as his philanthropy.

Rest in Peace Mr. Rosen.

Orlando Hotel Mogul and Philanthropist Harris Rosen

He is survived by three children: Jack, Joshua and Shayna. His family has not yet made their funeral arrangements known.

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Here is the family’s notice of Rosen’s passing:

“On behalf of the Rosen family, it is with profound sadness that I announce the passing of Harris Rosen, who left us this morning at the age of 85, surrounded by family and loved ones. Harris was an angel to so many here on earth, and now he takes his place among the angels in heaven. A beloved father, grandfather, and a pillar of our community, his boundless generosity and love touched countless lives through his unwavering commitment to helping underserved communities, promoting education, advancing the fight against cancer, and supporting health and wellness initiatives. The family will hold a private Celebration of Life and kindly asks for privacy during this difficult time. Thank you.”

— Frank Santos Vice President, Rosen Hotels & Resorts

About Michelle Snow

Michelle is the owner and editor of CitySurfing Orlando. She also owns Zengrrl.com, is a freelance writer specializing in travel and entertainment, has authored/co-authored four guidebooks on Orlando and Florida, and was head editor/writer at TheDisneyBlog.com for 10 years. She's lived in Orlando near Walt Disney World since 1995, and still finds there's so much fun to be had in Central Florida.
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