The Colorful Motels
One of the first images audiences see in Sean Baker's The Florida Project is one of the colorful motels of the film. On the outside, it appears to be a place filled to the brim with happiness and delight (after all, Disney World is right next door). However, it becomes a symbol for poverty and for those that are down-on-their-luck.
Disneyworld
Initially, Disney World is something the characters can only dream of visiting (which they talk about more than once in the film). It is something they only know from the outside looking in. Sure, they know that wealthy people attend. But they don't know what it truly is.
Towards the end of the film, Moonee and her friend visit Disney World. For the kids, it becomes a symbol of hope and of childhood innocence.
The House the Children Burn Down
The scenes Baker shows audiences inside the house Moonee and her friends end up burning down are no doubt powerful.
The shots of the children inside the house and the house burning are symbolic of childhood innocence. None of the kids enter the home intending to burn it down; instead, they enter the house in an attempt to have fun. In an attempt to break up the boring monotony of their every-day life. In the end, they are children who made a mistake -- which the house symbolizes.
The Restaurant
Audiences see the restaurant Ashley works at a number of times in the film. And each time they see the restaurant, increasingly negative things begin to happen. Throughout the film it is no doubt a place that enables Ashley to honestly provide food, shelter, and other necessities for kid. It also is a place which provides food for Halley and Moonee.
However, the restaurant becomes symbolic for two things, 1) Halley's growing jealousy towards Ashley and 2) the stark contrast between a woman (Ashley) who wants to provide a better and more fulfilling life for her and her kid and a woman (Halley) who is content with continuing to live life the way she is living it (and she is leading a bad life... a life which ultimately causes bad things to happen).
