Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World opened on the 1st of October 1971, but its story began in the quiet swamps of Florida over a decade earlier. In November 1963, Walt Disney took a flight over a potential site near Bay Lake to scout land for a second resort. He needed more space than Disneyland in Anaheim offered and wanted total control over the surrounding environment. The company used dummy corporations like Ayefour Corporation and Latin-American Development and Management Corporation to buy up thousands of acres without triggering public speculation. Landowners sold small tracts for as little as $100 an acre while most were happy to get rid of swampy property. By May 1965, some major transactions were recorded southwest of Orlando in Osceola County. The deal included mineral rights from Tufts University which cost $15,000 to secure. Rumors about NASA or Howard Hughes buying the land circulated until Emily Bavar of the Orlando Sentinel exposed the truth on the 24th of October 1965. Walt Disney publicly announced the project with Governor Haydon Burns on the 15th of November 1965, calling it the greatest attraction in Florida history.
Walt Disney's original plan for an Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow became EPCOT Center which opened in 1982. The concept shifted from a living city to a world fair showcasing new technology. One main attraction was the World Showcase highlighting eleven countries across the globe. Urban planning ideas moved to Celebration Florida instead of being built directly into the park. Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park opened in 1989 inspired by show business before becoming Disney's Hollywood Studios in 2008. Disney's Animal Kingdom arrived in 1998 adding wildlife preservation to the mix. Environmentalist pushback led Disney to purchase land adjacent to the park for wetland rehabilitation. The Disney Wilderness Preserve established in April 1993 transferred land to The Nature Conservancy. George Kalogridis became president in December 2012 replacing Meg Crofton who had overseen the site since 2006. Josh D'Amaro took over as president in 2019 after previously leading Animal Kingdom operations. FastPass+ retired in August 2021 replaced by Genie+ starting at $18 per day. The resort honored its 50th anniversary with The World's Most Magical Celebration running until the 31st of March 2023.
The Reedy Creek Improvement District governed Walt Disney World from May
1967 until the 1st of June 2023 when it was abolished. Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation ending self-governing status requiring the area under state jurisdiction. Florida Highway Patrol and county sheriffs deputies handle arrests while Disney security acts as a night watchman service. Approximately 800 security staff are employees of the Walt Disney Company rather than law enforcement officers. Bag checks began outside each park on the 11th of September 2001 following attacks in New York City. Randomized secondary screenings and explosive-detecting dogs were added in late 2015. The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District now provides fire protection utilities and road maintenance without offering law enforcement services. Disney Transport operates buses monorails gondola lifts watercraft and parking lot trams across the property. A Mickey Mouse-shaped solar panel farm near EPCOT produces enough energy for two theme parks. The entire bus fleet uses R50 renewable diesel fuel obtained from used cooking oil. Energy costs reach nearly $100 million annually with over 400 megawatts required per year.
Magic Kingdom attracted 10,712,991 visitors during its first year of operation in 1971. By 2018 the
resort hosted more than 58 million guests making it the most visited vacation resort globally. Magic Kingdom alone drew 20,859,000 visitors that year while Animal Kingdom reached 13,750,000. Walt Disney World employed about 5,500 Cast Members when opening but grew to over 77,000 by 2020. Total payroll exceeded $3 billion in 2019 covering more than 3,000 job classifications. The resort became the largest single-site employer in the United States. Union contracts set starting hourly rates at 17 dollars per hour effective in 2023. Thirty-one Disney-owned hotels offer approximately 23,000 rooms plus 3,600 DVC villas. Twelve independently operated hotels add another 7,300 rooms for a total exceeding 30,000 accommodations. Conference meeting space spans thousands of square feet supporting large events and conventions.
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Common questions
When did Walt Disney World open to the public?
Walt Disney World opened on the 1st of October 1971. The resort began its development over a decade earlier when Walt Disney scouted land near Bay Lake in November 1963.
Where is Walt Disney World located and how was the land acquired?
Walt Disney World is located southwest of Orlando in Osceola County Florida. The company used dummy corporations to purchase thousands of acres without triggering public speculation before revealing the project on the 24th of October 1965.
Who currently manages Walt Disney World after the Reedy Creek Improvement District ended?
Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation abolishing the Reedy Creek Improvement District on the 1st of June 2023. The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District now provides fire protection utilities and road maintenance while law enforcement duties fall to the Florida Highway Patrol and county sheriffs deputies.
How many visitors does Walt Disney World receive annually compared to other resorts?
The resort hosted more than 58 million guests by 2018 making it the most visited vacation resort globally. Magic Kingdom alone drew 20,859,000 visitors that year while Animal Kingdom reached 13,750,000.
What are the employment statistics for Walt Disney World Cast Members?
Walt Disney World employed about 5,500 Cast Members when opening but grew to over 77,000 by 2020. Total payroll exceeded $3 billion in 2019 covering more than 3,000 job classifications with union contracts setting starting hourly rates at 17 dollars per hour effective in 2023.