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Walt Disney World
Industry
Founded October 1, 1971; 52 years ago (1971-10-01)
Founders
Headquarters Lake Buena Vista and Bay Lake, Florida, U.S.
Key people
Jeff Vahle (President)
Number of employees
77,000+
Parent Disney Parks, Experiences and Products
(The Walt Disney Company)

The Walt Disney World Resort, also called Walt Disney World or Disney World, is an entertainment resort complex in Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista, Florida, United States, near the cities of Orlando and Kissimmee. Opened on October 1, 1971, the resort is owned and operated by Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, a division of The Walt Disney Company. The property covers nearly 25,000 acres (39 sq mi; 101 km2), of which half has been used. The resort comprises four theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom), two water parks (Disney's Blizzard Beach and Disney's Typhoon Lagoon), 31 themed resort hotels, nine non-Disney hotels, several golf courses, a camping resort, and other entertainment venues, including the outdoor shopping center Disney Springs.

Designed to supplement Disneyland in Anaheim, California, which had opened in 1955, the complex was developed by Walt Disney in the 1960s. "The Florida Project", as it was known, was intended to present a distinct vision with its own diverse set of attractions. Walt Disney's original plans also called for the inclusion of an "Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow" (EPCOT), a planned community intended to serve as a testbed for new city-living innovations. Walt Disney died on December 15, 1966, during the initial planning of the complex. After his death, the company wrestled with the idea of whether to bring the Disney World project to fruition; however, Walt's older brother, Roy O. Disney, came out of retirement to make sure Walt's biggest dream was realized. Construction started in 1967, with the company instead building a resort similar to Disneyland, abandoning the experimental concepts for a planned community. The Magic Kingdom was the first theme park to open in the complex, in 1971, followed by Epcot (1982), Disney's Hollywood Studios (1989), and Disney's Animal Kingdom (1998). It was Roy who insisted the name of the entire complex be changed from Disney World to Walt Disney World, ensuring that people would remember that the project was Walt's dream.

In 2018, Walt Disney World was the most visited vacation resort in the world, with an average annual attendance of more than 58 million. The resort is the flagship destination of Disney's worldwide corporate enterprise and has become a popular staple in American culture. In 2020, Walt Disney World was chosen to host the NBA Bubble for play of the 2019–20 season of the National Basketball Association to resume at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Walt Disney World (as well as Disneyland) is also covered by an FAA prohibited airspace zone that restricts all airspace activities without approval from the Federal government of the United States, including usage of drones; this level of protection is otherwise only offered to American critical infrastructure (like the Pantex nuclear weapons plant), military bases, the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area Special Flight Rules Area, official presidential travels, and Camp David.

In 2020, Disney World laid off 6,500 employees and only operated at 25% capacity after reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On April 22, 2022, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law which officially stripped the Walt Disney Company of its longtime self-governing status in the area around Walt Disney World by June 2023.

History

Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom
Cinderella Castle, the icon of the Magic Kingdom.
1 epcot spaceship earth 2010a
Spaceship Earth, the icon of Epcot.
The Great Movie Ride and Chinese Theater at Walt Disney World
The Great Movie Ride, the visual centerpiece of Disney's Hollywood Studios.
Disney's Tree of Life
The Tree of Life, the icon of Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Planning and construction

Conception

In 1959, Walt Disney Productions began looking for land to house a second resort to supplement Disneyland in Anaheim, California, which had opened in 1955. Market surveys at the time revealed that only 5% of Disneyland's visitors came from east of the Mississippi River, where 75% of the population of the United States lived. Additionally, Walt Disney disliked the businesses that had sprung up around Disneyland and wanted more control over a larger area of land in the next project.

Walt Disney flew over a potential site in Orlando, Florida – one of many – in November 1963. After witnessing the well-developed network of roads and taking the planned construction of both Interstate 4 and Florida's Turnpike into account, with McCoy Air Force Base (later Orlando International Airport) to the east, Disney selected a centrally-located site near Bay Lake. To avoid a burst of land speculation, Walt Disney World Company used various dummy corporations to acquire 30,500 acres (48 sq mi; 123 km2) of land. In May 1965, some of these major land transactions were recorded a few miles southwest of Orlando in Osceola County. In addition, two large tracts totaling $1.5 million were sold, and smaller tracts of flatlands and cattle pastures were purchased by exotically-named companies such as the "Ayefour Corporation", "Latin-American Development and Management Corporation" and the "Reedy Creek Ranch Corporation". Some are now memorialized on a window above Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom. The smaller parcels of land acquired were called "outs". They were 5-acre (2 ha) lots platted in 1912 by the Munger Land Company and sold to investors. Most of the owners in the 1960s were happy to get rid of the land, which was mostly swamp at the time. Another issue was the mineral rights to the land, which were owned by Tufts University. Without the transfer of these rights, Tufts could come in at any time and demand the removal of buildings to obtain minerals. Eventually, Disney's team negotiated a deal with Tufts to buy the mineral rights for $15,000.

Working strictly in secrecy, real estate agents unaware of their client's identity began making offers to landowners in April 1964 in parts of southwest Orange and northwest Osceola counties. The agents were careful not to reveal the extent of their intentions, and they were able to negotiate numerous land contracts with some including large tracts of land for as little as $100 an acre. With the understanding that the recording of the first deeds would trigger intense public scrutiny, Disney delayed the filing of paperwork until a large portion of the land was under contract.

Early rumors and speculation about the land purchases assumed possible development by NASA in support of the nearby Kennedy Space Center, as well as references to other famous investors such as Ford, the Rockefellers, and Howard Hughes. An Orlando Sentinel news article published weeks later on May 20, 1965, acknowledged a popular rumor that Disney was building an "East Coast" version of Disneyland. However, the publication denied its accuracy based on an earlier interview with Disney at Kennedy Space Center, in which he claimed a $50 million investment was in the works for Disneyland, and that he had no interest in building a new park. In October 1965, editor Emily Bavar from the Sentinel visited Disneyland during the park's 10th-anniversary celebration. In an interview with Disney, she asked him if he was behind recent land purchases in Central Florida; Bavar later described that Disney "looked like I had thrown a bucket of water in his face" before denying the story. His reaction, combined with other research obtained during her Anaheim visit, led Bavar to author a story on October 21, 1965, where she predicted that Disney was building a second theme park in Florida. Three days later after gathering more information from various sources, the Sentinel published another article headlined, "We Say: 'Mystery Industry' Is Disney".

Walt Disney had originally planned to publicly reveal Disney World on November 15, 1965, but in light of the Sentinel story, Disney asked Florida Governor Haydon Burns to confirm the story on October 25. His announcement called the new theme park "the greatest attraction in the history of Florida". The official reveal was kept on the previously-planned November 15 date, and Disney joined Burns in Orlando for the event.

Roy Disney's oversight of construction

Walt Disney died from lung cancer on December 15, 1966, before his vision was realized. His brother and business partner, Roy O. Disney, postponed his retirement to oversee construction of the resort's first phase.

On February 2, 1967, Roy O. Disney held a press conference at the Park Theatres in Winter Park, Florida. The role of EPCOT was emphasized in the film that was played. After the film, it was explained that for Disney World, including EPCOT, to succeed, a special district would have to be formed: the Reedy Creek Improvement District with two cities inside it, Bay Lake and Reedy Creek, now Lake Buena Vista. In addition to the standard powers of an incorporated city, which include the issuance of tax-free bonds, the district would have immunity from any current or future county or state land-use laws. The only areas where the district had to submit to the county and state would be property taxes and elevator inspections. The legislation forming the district and the two cities was signed into law by Florida Governor Claude R. Kirk, Jr. on May 12, 1967. The Supreme Court of Florida then ruled in 1968 that the district was allowed to issue tax-exempt bonds for public projects within the district, despite the sole beneficiary being Walt Disney Productions.

The district soon began construction of drainage canals, and Disney built the first roads and the Magic Kingdom. The Contemporary Resort Hotel and Polynesian Village were also completed in time for the park's opening on October 1, 1971. The Palm and Magnolia golf courses near Magic Kingdom had opened a few weeks before, while Fort Wilderness opened a month later. At the park's opening, Roy O. Disney dedicated the property and declared that it would be known as "Walt Disney World" in his brother's honor. In his own words: "Everyone has heard of Ford cars. But have they all heard of Henry Ford, who started it all? Walt Disney World is in memory of the man who started it all, so people will know his name as long as Walt Disney World is here." After the dedication, Roy Disney asked Walt's widow, Lillian, what she thought of Walt Disney World. According to biographer Bob Thomas, she responded, "I think Walt would have approved." Roy Disney died at age 78 on December 20, 1971, less than three months after the property opened.

Admission prices 53 years ago in 1971 were $3.50 for adults, $2.50 for juniors under age 18, and one dollar for children under twelve.

Recent history

Much of Walt Disney's plans for his Progress City were abandoned after his death after the company board decided that it did not want to be in the business of running a city. The concept evolved into the resort's second theme park, EPCOT Center (renamed Epcot in 1996), which opened in 1982. While still emulating Walt Disney's original idea of showcasing new technology, it is closer to a world's fair than a "community of tomorrow". Some of the urban planning concepts from the original idea of EPCOT would instead be integrated into the community of Celebration much later. The resort's third theme park, Disney-MGM Studios (renamed Disney's Hollywood Studios in 2008), opened in 1989 and is inspired by show business. The resort's fourth theme park, Disney's Animal Kingdom, opened in 1998.

George Kalogridis was named president of the resort in December 2012, replacing Meg Crofton, who had overseen the site since 2006.

On January 21, 2016, the resort's management structure was changed, with general managers within a theme park being in charge of an area or land, instead of on a functional basis as previously. Theme parks have already had a vice-president overseeing them. Disney Springs and Disney Sports were also affected. Now hotel general managers manage a single hotel instead of some managing multiple hotels.

Timeline

Year Event
1965 Walt Disney announces the Florida Project
1966 Walt Disney dies of lung cancer at age 65
1967 Construction of Walt Disney World Resort begins
1971
  • Magic Kingdom opens, including Main Street, U.S.A., Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, Tomorrowland and Fantasyland
  • Palm and Magnolia Golf Courses open
  • Walt Disney World Airport / Lake Buena Vista Airport opens
  • Disney's Contemporary Resort opens
  • Disney's Polynesian Village Resort opens
  • Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground opens
  • 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage opens in Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom on October 14.
  • Roy O. Disney dies at age 78
  • Flight to the Moon opens in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom on December 24.
1972
  • Disney's Village Resort opens
  • Lake Buena Vista Golf Course opens
  • The first three hotels open in the Hotel Plaza Boulevard area, an area designated for non-Disney hotels
1973
  • The Golf Resort opens
  • Tom Sawyer Island opens in Frontierland at Magic Kingdom on May 20.
  • Pirates of the Caribbean opens in Adventureland at Magic Kingdom on December 15.
1974 Discovery Island opens
1975
1976 Disney's River Country opens
1977
  • Main Street Electrical Parade premiered in Magic Kingdom (in Orlando) on June 11, 1977.
1980
  • Walt Disney World Conference Center opens
  • Mickey Mouse Revue closes in Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom on September 14.
  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad opens in Frontierland at Magic Kingdom on September 23.
1982
  • EPCOT Center opens, including Future World and World Showcase
  • Le Carnaval de Lumière debuts in World Showcase Lagoon at Epcot on October 23.
  • Monorail service to Epcot is extended, Walt Disney World Airport / Lake Buena Vista Airport Closes
1983
  • Journey into Imagination opens in Future World at Epcot on March 5.
  • Le Carnaval de Lumière holds its final performance in World Showcase Lagoon at Epcot.
  • A New World Fantasy debuts in World Showcase Lagoon at Epcot.
  • Horizons opens in Future World at Epcot on October 1.
1984
  • A New World Fantasy holds its final performance at Epcot.
  • Laserphonic Fantasy debuts in World Showcase Lagoon at Epcot on June 23.
  • Morocco Pavilion opens in World Showcase at Epcot on September 7.
1986
  • The Golf Resort is expanded and renamed The Disney Inn
  • The Living Seas opens in Future World at Epcot on January 15.
1988
  • Laserphonic Fantasy holds its final performance in World Showcase Lagoon at Epcot on January 24.
  • IllumiNations debuts in World Showcase Lagoon at Epcot on January 30.
  • Norway Pavilion opens in World Showcase at Epcot on June 3.
  • Mickey's Birthdayland opens at Magic Kingdom on June 18.
  • Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa opens
  • Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort opens
1989
  • Disney-MGM Studios opens, and divided into Backstage Studio Tour and Theme Park, including Production Center, Hollywood Boulevard and Lakeside Circle.
    *However, Production Center is later renamed Animation Courtyard, Lakeside Circle is later renamed Echo Lake, later divided into Commissary Lane, New York Street and Mickey Avenue, New York Street is later renamed Streets of America and Mickey Avenue is later renamed Pixar Place at Disney-MGM Studios.
  • Disney's Typhoon Lagoon opens
  • Pleasure Island opens
  • Wonders of Life opens in Future World at Epcot on October 19.
1990
  • Walt Disney World Swan opens
  • Mickey's Birthdayland was renamed Mickey's Starland at Magic Kingdom
  • Walt Disney World Dolphin opens
  • Disney's Yacht Club opens
  • Beach Club Resorts opens
1991
  • Disney's Port Orleans Resort French Quarter opens
  • Disney Vacation Club is launched
  • Disney's Old Key West Resort opens
  • Main Street Electrical Parade closes its first run on September 14.
  • SpectroMagic debuts at the Magic Kingdom on October 1.
1992
  • Disney's Port Orleans Resort Riverside (formerly known as Dixie Landings) opens
  • Bonnet Creek Golf Club opens
  • Splash Mountain opens in Frontierland at Magic Kingdom on October 2.
1993 Mission to Mars closes in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom on October 4.
1994
  • EPCOT Center is renamed Epcot '94
  • Disney's All-Star Sports Resort opens
  • Disney's Wilderness Lodge opens
  • Kitchen Kabaret closes in The Land Pavilion at Epcot on January 3.
  • CommuniCore closes in Future World at Epcot on January 30.
  • Food Rocks opens in The Land Pavilion at Epcot on March 26.
  • Innoventions opens in Future World at Epcot on July 1, and divided into Innoventions East and Innoventions West.
  • Sunset Boulevard, which includes The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror opens at Disney's Hollywood Studios on July 22.
  • 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage closes in Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom on September 5.
  • The Disney Inn is leased and then purchased by the U.S. Department of Defense and is renamed Shades of Green
  • Disney's All-Star Music Resort opens
1995
1996
  • Epcot '95 is renamed Epcot
  • World of Motion closes in Future World at Epcot on January 2.
  • Universe of Energy closes in Future World at Epcot on January 21.
  • Ellen's Energy Adventure opens in Future World at Epcot on September 15.
  • Mickey's Toyland was closed for refurbishment
  • Disney Institute opens, and the Conference Center, as well as other common buildings, are renovated and absorbed into the Institute.
  • Disney's BoardWalk Inn and Villas open
  • Fantasia Gardens opens
  • Mickey's Toyland reopened as Mickey's Toontown Fair at Magic Kingdom
  • Walt Disney World Resort and Magic Kingdom celebrated its 25th anniversary on October 1.
1997
1998
  • Disney's Animal Kingdom opens, including the Oasis, Safari Village, DinoLand, U.S.A., Camp Minnie-Mickey, Africa and Conversation Station
    *However, Safari Village is renamed Discovery Island and Conversation Station is later renamed Rafaki's Planet Watch at Disney's Animal Kingdom.
  • DisneyQuest opens
  • Mr. Toad's Wild Ride closes in Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom on September 7.
  • Journey into Imagination closes in Future World at Epcot on October 10.
  • Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin opens at Magic Kingdom in Tomorrowland on November 3.
1999
  • Horizons closes in Future World at Epcot on January 9.
  • Disney's All-Star Movies Resort opens
  • Winter Summerland opens
  • Asia opens at Disney's Animal Kingdom on March 1.
  • Test Track opens in Future World at Epcot on March 17.
  • Discovery Island closes
  • SpectroMagic closes out its first run at the Magic Kingdom on May 21.
  • Main Street Electrical Parade returns for the second run at the Magic Kingdom on May 22.
  • The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh opens in Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom on June 4.
  • Hurricane Floyd closes the resort for the first time in its history on September 15.
  • Walt Disney World Millennium Celebration began on October 1 at Walt Disney World Resort.
    *Journey into Imagination Pavilion is renamed Imagination! Pavilion, which includes Journey Into YOUR Imagination, in Future World at Epcot.
    *IllumiNations 2000: Reflections of Earth (until it was renamed IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth) debuts in World Showcase Lagoon at EPCOT.
  • The Skyway closes at Magic Kingdom on November 10.
2000 The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge opens
2001
  • Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge opens
  • Walt Disney World Millennium Celebration ended on January 1 at Walt Disney World Resort.
  • Main Street Electrical Parade closes out its second run at the Magic Kingdom on April 1, 2001.
  • SpectroMagic returns for its second run at the Magic Kingdom on April 2, 2001.
  • The Magic Carpets of Aladdin opens in Adventureland at Magic Kingdom on May 24.
  • Disney's River Country closes
  • On September 11, a series of terrorist attacks closes the resort for the second time, due to national safety concerns.
  • Journey into YOUR Imagination closes in Imagination! Pavilion at Epcot on October 8.
2002
  • Disney's Beach Club Villas opens
  • Shades of Green closes for renovations
  • Journey into Imagination with Figment opens in Imagination! Pavilion at Epcot on June 2.
2003
  • Mission: Space opens in Future World at Epcot on August 15.
  • Mickey's PhilharMagic opens in Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom on October 3.
  • Wishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams debuts at Magic Kingdom on October 9.
  • ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter closes in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom on October 12.
  • Disney's Pop Century Resort opens
2004
  • Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa opens
  • Shades of Green reopens after renovations
  • Food Rocks closes in the Land Pavilion at Epcot on January 3.
  • Hurricane Charley causes the resort's theme parks to be evacuated on August 13, with Animal Kingdom remaining closed for a short while afterwards.
  • Hurricane Frances closes the resort for the third time from September 4 to 5.
  • Hurricane Jeanne closes the resort for the fourth time on September 26.
  • Stitch's Great Escape! opens in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom on November 16.
2005
  • Soarin' opens in The Land Pavilion at Epcot on May 5.
  • The Living Seas closes in Future World at Epcot on August 21.
2006 Expedition Everest: Legend of the Forbidden Mountain opens in Asia at Animal Kingdom on April 7.
2007
  • Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas opens
  • Wonders of Life closes in Future World at Epcot on January 1.
  • The Seas with Nemo & Friends opens in Future World at Epcot on January 4.
  • Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor opens in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom on April 2.
2008
2009
  • Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort opens
  • Treehouse Villas opens
2010
  • SpectroMagic holds its final performance at the Magic Kingdom on June 4.
  • Main Street Electrical Parade makes its third return to the Magic Kingdom on June 6.
2011
2012
2013 The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa opens
2014
  • Phase 2 of Magic Kingdom's Fantasyland expansion opens, including the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.
  • Camp Minnie-Mickey closes at Disney's Animal Kingdom on January 5.
  • Studio Backlot Tour closes in Streets of America at Disney's Hollywood Studios on September 27.
2015
2016
  • Disney Springs finishes construction
  • Soarin' closes in the Land Pavilion at Epcot on January 4.
  • Streets of America closes at Disney's Hollywood Studios on April 2.
  • Muppets Courtyard opens at Disney's Hollywood Studios on April 3.
  • The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic debuts in Discovery River Lagoon at Disney's Animal Kingdom on May 26 until hold its final performance on September 5.
  • Soarin' Around the World opens in The Land Pavilion at Epcot on June 17.
  • Hurricane Matthew closes the resort for the fifth time on October 7.
  • Main Street Electrical Parade holds its final performance at the Magic Kingdom on October 9.
2017
  • The UK show Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway broadcasts live from the park with Ant & Dec as hosts.
  • Rivers of Light debuts in Discovery River Lagoon at Disney's Animal Kingdom on February 17.
  • Wishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams holds its final performance at Magic Kingdom on May 11.
  • Happily Ever After debuts on May 12 at Magic Kingdom.
  • Pandora – The World of Avatar opens at Disney's Animal Kingdom on May 27.
  • The Great Movie Ride closes in Hollywood Boulevard at Disney's Hollywood Studios on August 13.
  • Ellen's Energy Adventure closes in Future World at Epcot on August 13.
  • Hurricane Irma closes the resort for the sixth time from September 10 to 11.
  • Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney's Wilderness Lodge opens
  • Muppets Courtyard is renamed Grand Avenue at Disney's Hollywood Studios on September 28.
  • DisneyQuest closes permanently for the NBA Experience
2018
  • Stitch's Great Escape! closes in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom on January 6.
  • Toy Story Land opens at Disney's Hollywood Studios on June 30.
2019
  • Epcot is renamed EPCOT
  • The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilion is renamed The Seas Pavilion in Future World at EPCOT, since the attraction became part of the Seas Pavilion.
  • Rivers of Light is renamed Rivers of Light: We Are One in Discovery River Lagoon at Disney's Animal Kingdom on May 24.
  • Gran Destino Tower opens at Disney's Coronado Spring Resort on July 9.
  • NBA Experience opens at Disney Springs on August 12.
  • Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge opens at Disney's Hollywood Studios on August 29.
  • Hurricane Dorian causes the resort's theme parks to be evacuated on September 3.
  • Innoventions East closes in Future World at EPCOT on September 7.
  • Disney Skyliner opens on September 29.
  • IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth holds its final performance in World Showcase Lagoon on September 30, at EPCOT.
  • Epcot Forever debuts as the interim nighttime spectacular in World Showcase Lagoon on October 1, at EPCOT.
  • The EPCOT Experience Center opens in Odyssey Pavilion at EPCOT on October 1.
  • Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance opens in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disney's Hollywood Studios on December 5, with a virtual queue system.
  • Disney's Riviera Resort, a new Disney Vacation Club resort, opens on December 16.
2020
  • Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway opens in Hollywood Boulevard at Disney's Hollywood Studios on March 4.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting government mandates close the resort, beginning March 15.
  • The Magic Kingdom and Disney's Animal Kingdom reopen to the public on July 11.
  • Disney's Hollywood Studios and EPCOT reopen to the public on July 15.
  • ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex hosts the NBA Bubble from July 22 through October 11.
2021
  • Epcot Forever holds its final performance in World Showcase Lagoon at EPCOT on September 28.
  • Happily Ever After holds its final performance at Magic Kingdom on September 29.
  • Walt Disney World Resort and Magic Kingdom celebrated its 50th anniversary on October 1, as Walt Disney World: The World's Most Magical Celebration.
    *Remy's Ratatouille Adventure opens in France Pavilion at EPCOT.
    *Disney Enchantment debuts at Magic Kingdom.
    *Future World closes permanently and divided into World Celebration, World Discovery and World Nature and the makeover of World Showcase at EPCOT.
    *Harmonious debuts in World Showcase Lagoon at EPCOT.
    *Disney KiteTails debuts in Discovery River Lagoon at Disney's Animal Kingdom.
2022
  • Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser opens for its first cruise on March 1.
  • The EPCOT Experience Center closes in Odyssey Pavilion at EPCOT on March 14.
  • Wonders of Xandar Pavilion, which includes Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind opens in World Discovery at EPCOT on May 27.
  • The original purple road signs were dropped in favor of the new blue and yellow ones.
  • Disney KiteTails holds its final performance in Discovery River Lagoon at Disney's Animal Kingdom on September 27.
  • Hurricane Ian closes the resort for the seventh time from September 28 to 29.
  • EPCOT celebrates its 40th Anniversary on October 1.
  • Hurricane Nicole closes the resort for the eighth time from November 9 to 10.
2023
  • The Walt Disney Company celebrates its 100th anniversary as the Disney 100 Years of Wonder celebration begins.
  • Splash Mountain closes in Frontierland at Magic Kingdom on January 23.
  • Walt Disney World: The World's Most Magical Celebration ended on March 31 at Walt Disney World Resort.
  • Disney Enchantment holds its final performance at Magic Kingdom on April 2.
  • Harmonious holds its final performance in World Showcase Lagoon at EPCOT on April 2.
  • Happily Ever After returns at Magic Kingdom on April 3.
  • Epcot Forever returns in World Showcase Lagoon at EPCOT on April 3.
  • TRON Lightcycle / Run opens in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom on April 4.
  • Disney's Animal Kingdom celebrates its 25th Anniversary on April 22.
  • Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser closes after its last cruise ends on September 30.
  • Journey of Water, inspired by Moana opens in World Nature at EPCOT on October 16.
  • Epoct Forever will be final performance in World Showcase Lagoon at EPCOT on December 4.
  • Luminous: The Symphony of Us will debut in World Showcase Lagoon at EPCOT on December 5.

Location

Disneyworld overview map
Map of the resort as of May 2015
Walt Disney World Resort entrance
One of four arches welcoming guests to the resort.

The Florida resort is not within Orlando city limits but is southwest of Downtown Orlando. Much of the resort is in southwestern Orange County, with the remainder in adjacent Osceola County. The property includes the cities of Lake Buena Vista and Bay Lake which are governed by the Reedy Creek Improvement District. The site is accessible from Central Florida's Interstate 4 via Exits 62B (World Drive), 64B (US 192 West), 65B (Osceola Parkway West), 67B (SR 536 West), and 68 (SR 535 North), and Exit 8 on SR 429, the Western Expressway. At its founding, the park occupied approximately 30,500 acres (48 sq mi; 123 km2). Portions of the property have since been sold or de-annexed, including land now occupied by the Disney-built community of Celebration. Now the park occupies 27,258 acres (43 sq mi; 110 km2), about the size of San Francisco, or twice the size of Manhattan.

Attractions

MGM Studios Tower of Terror
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, at Disney's Hollywood Studios
WDW Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool
Typhoon Lagoon, one of two waterparks at the resort
Downtown Disney - Characters in Flight panorama - retouched
View of Disney Springs and Characters in Flight

Theme parks

Water parks

Other attractions

  • Disney Springs, opened March 22, 1975 (Previously known as Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village, Disney Village Marketplace, and Downtown Disney)
    • DisneyQuest, opened June 19, 1998, and is to close after July 3, 2017. Being replaced by NBA Experience.
    • La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil, opened December 23, 1998
  • Disney's Wedding Pavilion, opened July 15, 1995
  • ESPN Wide World of Sports, opened March 28, 1997

Golf and recreation

Disney's property includes four golf courses. The three 18-hole golf courses are Disney's Palm (4.5 stars), Disney's Magnolia (4 stars), and Disney's Lake Buena Vista (4 stars). There is also a nine-hole walking course (no electric carts allowed) called Oak Trail, designed for young golfers. The Magnolia and Palm courses played home to the PGA Tour's Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic. Arnold Palmer Golf Management manages the Disney golf courses.

Additionally, there are two themed miniature golf complexes, each with two courses, Fantasia Gardens and Winter Summerland. The two course at Fantasia Gardens are Fantasia Garden and Fantasia Fairways. The Garden course is a traditional miniature-style course based on the "Fantasia" movies with musical holes, water fountains and characters. Fantasia Fairways is a traditional golf course on miniature scale having water hazards and sand traps.

The two courses at Winter Summerland are Summer and Winter both theme around Santa. Summer is the more challenging of the two 18-hole courses.

Former attractions

  • Discovery Island — an island in Bay Lake that was home to many species of animals and birds. It opened on April 8, 1974, and closed on April 8, 1999.
  • Disney's River Country — the first water park at the Walt Disney World Resort. It opened on June 20, 1976, and closed on November 2, 2001.
  • Walt Disney World Speedway — a racetrack at Walt Disney World and included the Richard Petty Driving Experience. It opened November 28, 1995, and closed on August 9, 2015.

Resorts

Of the thirty-four resorts and hotels on the Walt Disney World property, twenty-eight are owned and operated by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. These are classified into four categories — Deluxe, Moderate, Value, and Disney Vacation Club Villas — and are located in one of five resort areas: the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Wide World of Sports, Animal Kingdom, or Disney Springs resort areas.

While all of the Deluxe resort hotels have achieved an AAA Four Diamond rating, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is considered the highest tier flagship luxury resort on the Walt Disney World Resort complex.

On-site Disney resorts

Name Opening date Theme Number of rooms Resort Area
Deluxe resorts
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge April 16, 2001 African Wildlife preserve 1,307 Animal Kingdom
Disney's Beach Club Resort November 19, 1990 Newport Beach cottage 576 Epcot
Disney's BoardWalk Inn July 1, 1996 Early 20th Century Atlantic and Ocean City 378
Disney's Contemporary Resort October 1, 1971 Modern 655 Magic Kingdom
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa July 1, 1988 Early 20th century Florida 867
Disney's Polynesian Village Resort October 1, 1971 South Seas 492
Disney's Wilderness Lodge May 28, 1994 Pacific Northwest, National Park Service rustic 729
Disney's Yacht Club Resort November 5, 1990 Martha's Vineyard Resort 621 Epcot
Moderate resorts
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort October 1, 1988 Caribbean Islands 2,112 Epcot
Disney's Coronado Springs Resort August 1, 1997 Mexico, American Southwest 1,915 Animal Kingdom
Disney's Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter May 17, 1991 New Orleans French Quarter 1,008 Disney Springs
Disney's Port Orleans Resort – Riverside February 2, 1992 Antebellum South 2,048
Value resorts
Disney's All-Star Movies Resort January 15, 1999 Disney films 1,920 Animal Kingdom
Disney's All-Star Music Resort November 22, 1994 Music 1,604
Disney's All-Star Sports Resort April 24, 1994 Sports 1,920
Disney's Art of Animation Resort May 31, 2012 Disney and Pixar animated films 1,984 Wide World of Sports
Disney's Pop Century Resort December 14, 2003 20th century American pop culture 2,880
Disney Vacation Club
Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort August 4, 2009 Modern 428 Magic Kingdom
Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas August 15, 2007 African safari lodge 708 Animal Kingdom
Disney's Beach Club Villas July 1, 2002 Newport resort 282 Epcot
Disney's BoardWalk Villas July 1, 1996 Early 20th Century Atlantic City 530
Disney's Old Key West Resort December 20, 1991 Early 20th Century Key West 761 Disney Springs
Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows April 1, 2015 South Seas 380 Magic Kingdom
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa May 17, 2004 1880s Upstate New York resort 1,320 Disney Springs
The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa October 23, 2013 Early 20th century Florida 147 Magic Kingdom
The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge November 15, 2000 Pacific Northwest 181 Magic Kingdom
Cabins and campgrounds
Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground November 19, 1971 Rustic Woods Camping 800 campsites
409 cabins
Magic Kingdom
Residential areas
Golden Oak at Walt Disney World Resort Fall 2011 Varies 450 homes Magic Kingdom

On-site non-Disney hotels

Hotel name Opening date Theme Number of rooms Owner Area
Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort Hotel November 21, 1972 None 325 Best Western Hotel Plaza Boulevard, close to Disney Springs
Doubletree Guest Suite Resort March 15, 1987 229 Hilton Hotels Corporation
Wyndham Lake Buena Vista October 15, 1972 626 Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Hilton Walt Disney World November 23, 1983 787 Hilton Hotels Corporation
Holiday Inn in the Walt Disney World Resort February 8, 1973 323 InterContinental Hotels Group
B Resort October 1, 1972 394 B Hotels & Resorts
Buena Vista Palace Resort & Spa March 10, 1983 1,014 Blackstone Group
Four Seasons Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort August 3, 2014 450 Four Seasons Magic Kingdom
Bonnet Creek Resort Various Various, 3,000 total Hilton Worldwide, Wyndham Worldwide Epcot
Walt Disney World Dolphin January 1, 1990 Seaside Floridian Resort & Under the Sea 1509 Sheraton
Walt Disney World Swan January 13, 1990 Seaside Floridian Resort & Under the Sea 756 Westin
Shades of Green February 1, 1994 Upscale Country Club 586 United States Department of Defense Magic Kingdom

Former resorts

  • The Golf Resort — Became The Disney Inn, and later became Shades of Green.
  • Disney's Village Resort — Became the Villas at Disney Institute and then Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. The "Tree House" Villas were decommissioned for a time because they were not accessible to disabled guests. Until early 2008, they were used for International Program Cast Member housing. In February 2008, Disney submitted plans to the South Florida Water Management District to replace the 60 existing villas with 60 new villas. The Treehouse Villas opened during the summer of 2009.
  • Celebration (A town designed and built by Disney, now managed by a resident-run association.)
  • Lake Buena Vista (Disney originally intended this area to become a complete community with multiple residences, shopping, and offices, but transformed the original homes into hotel lodging in the 1970s, which were demolished in the early 2000s to build Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa)

Proposed resorts

  • Disney's Asian Resort
  • Disney's Persian Resort
  • Disney's Venetian Resort
  • Disney's Mediterranean Resort
  • Fort Wilderness Junction

Disney's Magical Express

Guests with a Disney Resort reservation (excluding the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin) that arrive at Orlando International Airport can be transported to their resort from the airport using the complimentary Disney Magical Express service, which is operated by Mears Destination Services, as Disney Transport is not allowed to transport guests off resort property. Guests can also have their bags picked up and transported to their resort for them through a contract with BAGS Incorporated on participating airlines.

Attendance

Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom – 6483694035
Magic Kingdom, the world's most visited theme park

In 2014, the resort's four theme parks all ranked in the top 8 on the list of the 25 most visited theme parks in the world; (1st) Magic Kingdom - 19,332,000 visitors, (6th) Epcot - 11,454,000 visitors, (7th) Disney's Animal Kingdom - 10,402,000 visitors, and (8th) Disney's Hollywood Studios - 10,312,000 visitors.

Year Magic Kingdom Epcot Disney's Hollywood Studios Disney's Animal Kingdom
2008 17,063,000 10,935,000 9,608,000 9,540,000
2009 17,233,000 10,990,000 9,700,000 9,590,000
2010 16,972,000 10,825,000 9,603,000 9,686,000
2011 17,142,000 10,826,000 9,699,000 9,783,000
2012 17,536,000 11,063,000 9,912,000 9,998,000
2013 18,588,000 11,229,000 10,110,000 10,198,000
2014 19,332,000 11,454,000 10,312,000 10,402,000
2015 20,492,000 11,798,000 10,828,000 10,922,000

Operations

Employment

When the Magic Kingdom opened in 1971, the site employed about 5,500 "cast members". Today, Walt Disney World employs more than 74,000 cast members, spending more than $1.2 billion on payroll and $474 million on benefits each year. The largest single-site employer in the United States, Walt Disney World has more than 3,700 job classifications. The resort also sponsors and operates the Walt Disney World College Program, an internship program that offers American college students (CP's) the opportunity to live about 15 miles (24 km) off-site in four Disney-owned apartment complexes and work at the resort, and thereby provides much of the theme park and resort "front line" cast members. There is also the Walt Disney World International College Program, an internship program that offers international college students (ICP's) from all over the world the same opportunity.

Transportation

WDW Monorail
The Walt Disney World Monorail System provides free transport across the resort.

The Walt Disney World Resort is serviced by Disney Transport, a complimentary mass transportation system allowing guest access across the property. The Walt Disney World Monorail System provides free transportation at Walt Disney World. The system operates on three routes that interconnect at the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC), adjacent to the Magic Kingdom's parking lot. A fleet of Disney-operated buses on property, branded Disney Transport, is also complimentary for guests.

Disney Transport also operates a fleet of watercraft, ranging in size from water taxis, up to the ferries that connect the Magic Kingdom to the Transportation and Ticket Center. Disney Transport is also responsible for maintaining the fleet of parking lot trams that are used for shuttling visitors between the various theme park parking lots and their respective main entrances.

Corporate culture

Walt Disney World's corporate culture uses jargon based on theatrical terminology. For example, park visitors are always "guests", employees are "cast members," rides are "attractions" or "adventures", cast members costumed as famous Disney characters in a way that does not cover their faces are known as "face characters", jobs are "roles", and public and nonpublic areas are respectively labeled "onstage" and "backstage".

Twin town

As part of a competition run by Disney for 2010, Walt Disney World has an unofficial twinning (sister city) with Swindon, England, since 2009. Rebecca Warren's submission to the competition granted Swindon to be the twin town of Walt Disney World, which is famous for its intersection with six roundabouts. Warren and the mayor of Swindon were invited to a "twinning" ceremony, where a plaque revealing the connection will be placed.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Walt Disney World Resort para niños

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