Christopher Rivera was an 8-year-old living with his mother at the Paradise Inn in Kissimmee, Florida, when crew members spotted him. He earned enough money on the film for his family to move out of the motel and into an apartment. After the film came out, Rivera was offered a full scholarship to Rollins College, a private four-year college in Winter Park, Florida, and ongoing support for his education to prepare him for college.
Helicopters flying overhead were written into the script because production didn't have enough budget to stop the helicopters from flying.
In a 2017 BBC radio interview, the director clarified that the film's garish motel settings are genuine motels. They continued operating as working businesses during filming, and some real-life residents and staff are seen in the film.
The Florida Project was an early development name for Disney World.
Producers had originally wanted a major star to play Halley and considered Britney Spears and Miley Cyrus, but writer/director Sean Baker felt it would be inauthentic to have a millionaire playing the part.