Walt Disney World
Industry
FoundedOctober 1, 1971 (1971-10-01)
Founders
HeadquartersLake Buena Vista and Celebration, Florida, U.S.
28°22′20″N 81°32′58″W / 28.37222°N 81.54944°W / 28.37222; -81.54944[1]
Key people
Jeff Vahle
(President)
Jason Kirk
(SVP-Theme Parks)
Maribeth Bisienere
(SVP-Resorts)[3][4]
Number of employees
77,000+[5]
ParentDisney Experiences
Websitedisneyworld.disney.go.com

The Walt Disney World Resort, also called Walt Disney World or Disney World, or simply abbreviated WDW, is an entertainment resort complex in Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista, Florida, United States, governed by the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. The resort is located within Orange and Osceola counties, and located closest to the cities of Winter Garden and Kissimmee in Greater Orlando. Opened on October 1, 1971, the resort is operated by Disney Experiences, a division of The Walt Disney Company. The property covers nearly 25,000 acres (39 sq mi; 101 km2) (larger than Manhattan, New York City, which is 22.7 sq mi), of which half has been used.[6] Walt Disney World contains four separate theme parks, two water parks, two mini-golf courses, and four golf courses. There are twenty-one Disney-operated resorts on the property, and many other resorts on and near the property. Disney World also contains the Boardwalk, Disney Springs, and Flamingo Crossings areas for shopping, dining, and entertainment. The Fort Wilderness area offers guests numerous outdoor recreational activities and includes the Tri-Circle D. Ranch. The ESPN Sports Complex on the property hosts a variety of activities throughout the year, including runDisney marathon races and dance and cheer competitions in partnership with Varsity Cheer.[7]

Designed to supplement Disneyland in Anaheim, California, which had opened in 1955, the complex was developed by Walt Disney in the 1960s. Walt wanted to build a new park because Disneyland in California was limited from expanding by the establishments that sprung up around it. "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. Magic Kingdom was the first theme park to open in the complex in 1971, followed by Epcot (known then as EPCOT Center) (1982), Disney's Hollywood Studios (known then as Disney-MGM 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.

Walt Disney World is also covered by an FAA prohibited airspace zone that restricts all airspace activities without approval from the federal government of the United States,[8] including usage of drones; this level of protection is otherwise only offered to American critical infrastructure (such as the Pantex nuclear weapons plant), military bases, the Washington, DC, Camp David, and other official presidential travels.

In 2018, Walt Disney World was the most visited vacation resort in the world, with an average annual attendance of more than 58 million.[9] The resort is the largest single-site employer in the United States,[5] the flagship destination of Disney's worldwide corporate enterprise[10] and has become a popular staple in American culture.

History

Planning and construction

Conception

Walt Disney (left) with his brother Roy O. Disney (right) and then Governor of Florida W. Haydon Burns (center) on November 15, 1965, publicly announcing the creation of Disney World
Overlay of Walt Disney's original 1966 plans for Disney World and the proposed EPCOT city (orange) and contemporary situation (blue)

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.[11]

Walt Disney took a flight 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.[12] The development was referred to in-house as "The Florida Project".[13] To avoid a burst of land speculation, Walt Disney Productions used various dummy corporations to acquire 27,443 acres (43 sq mi; 111 km2) of land.[12] 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 the Magic Kingdom. The smaller parcels of land acquired were called "outs". They were five-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.[14]

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 landowners, including large tracts of land for as little as $100 an acre.[15] 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.[16]

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.[16] 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.[16] 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.[16] 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.[16] Three days later, after gathering more information from various sources, the Sentinel published another article headlined, "We Say: 'Mystery Industry' Is Disney".[16]

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".[16] The official reveal was kept on the previously planned November 15 date, and Disney joined Burns in Orlando for the event.[16]

Roy Disney's oversight of construction

Roy O. Disney inspecting design plans on-site in Florida

Walt Disney died from circulatory collapse caused by smoking-related lung cancer on December 15, 1966, before his vision was realized.[17] 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 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.[11] The legislation forming the district and the two cities, one of which was the Reedy Creek Improvement Act, was signed into law by Florida Governor Claude R. Kirk, Jr. on May 12, 1967.[18] 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 original logo of Walt Disney World from 1971 to the mid-1990s; this logo is still used as an alternate logo, mainly for retro-themed merchandise.

The district soon began construction of drainage canals, and Disney built the first roads and the Magic Kingdom. The Contemporary Resort Hotel and the Polynesian Village Resort were also completed in time for the park's opening on October 1, 1971.[19][20] The Palm and Magnolia golf courses near the Magic Kingdom had opened a few weeks before, while Fort Wilderness opened one month later. Twenty-four days after the park opened, 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.[21]

Admission prices in 1971 were $3.50 for adults, $2.50 for juniors under age 18, and one dollar for children under twelve.[19]

1980s–2020

An aerial shot of Walt Disney World in 1982

Much of Walt Disney's plans for his Progress City concept were abandoned after his death and 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, which opened in 1982 (renamed EPCOT in 1996). While still emulating Walt Disney's original idea of showcasing new technology, the park is closer to a world's fair than a "community of tomorrow". One of EPCOT's main attractions is the "World Showcase", which highlights 11 countries across the globe. Some of the urban planning concepts from the original idea of EPCOT would instead be integrated into the community of Celebration, Florida, 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 1996 version of The Walt Disney World logo.

In the early 1990s, the resort was seeking permits for expansion. There was considerable environmentalist push-back, and the resort was convinced to engage in mitigation banking. In an agreement with The Nature Conservancy and the state of Florida, Disney purchased 8,500 acres (3,400 ha) of land, adjacent to the park for the purpose of rehabilitating wetland ecosystems. The Disney Wilderness Preserve was established in April 1993, and the land was subsequently transferred to The Nature Conservancy.[22] The Walt Disney Company provided additional funds for landscape restoration and wildlife monitoring.[23]

The resort's fourth theme park, Disney's Animal Kingdom, opened in 1998.

In October 2009, Disney World announced a competition to find a town to become twinned with. In December 2009, after Rebecca Warren won the competition with a poem, they announced the resort will be twinned with the English town of Swindon.[24]

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 configured. 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.[25]

On October 18, 2017, it was announced that resort visitors could bring pet dogs to Disney's Yacht Club Resort, Disney's Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, Disney's Art of Animation Resort, and Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.[26]

The 2018 version of The Walt Disney World logo.

In 2019, Josh D'Amaro replaced George Kalogridis as president of the resort. He had previously held the position of vice president of Animal Kingdom.[27] D'Amaro was subsequently promoted to chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products in May 2020, succeeding Bob Chapek, who was promoted to CEO of The Walt Disney Company in February 2020. Jeff Vahle, who served as president of Disney Signature Experiences subsequently took over as president of the resort.[28]

March 2020–present

On March 12, 2020, a Disney spokesperson announced that Disney World and Disneyland Paris would temporarily shut due to the COVID-19 pandemic, beginning March 15, 2020.[29]

In 2020, Disney World laid off 6,500 employees and only operated at 25% capacity after reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic.[30][31]

In June 2020, Walt Disney World was chosen to host the NBA Bubble for play of the 2019–20 season of the National Basketball Association (NBA) to resume at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.[32] It was also the site for the MLS is Back Tournament, also held at the Sports Complex.

On July 11, 2020, Disney World officially reopened, beginning operations at 25% capacity at the Magic Kingdom and Disney's Animal Kingdom, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in Florida.[33] Four days later, Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios for operation at 25% capacity to the public.[34] Masks were required at all times (including outdoors, on attractions, and while taking photos), all guests were required to have their temperature taken upon entry, plexiglass was installed on various attractions and transportation offerings, and shows that drew large crowds, such as parades and nighttime shows including Fantasmic! and Happily Ever After were not offered.[35]

In November 2020, the resort increased the guest capacity to 35% at all four theme parks, and on May 13, 2021, CEO Bob Chapek announced a further increase of capacity, effective immediately; however, he did not say to what capacity level it would be raised.[36] By mid-June 2021, temperature checks and mask mandates (except while on Disney transportation) had been lifted.[37] In late July 2021, mask mandates were reinstated for all attractions and indoor areas in light of new guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control as the delta variant drove a significant increase in local cases. These reinstated mandates were lifted in February 2022.[38] In April 2022, following a court decision ending the federal mask mandate for public transportation, the mask mandates on Disney transportation were lifted.[39]

Starting on October 1, 2021, the resort honored its 50th anniversary with "The World's Most Magical Celebration",[40] which lasted for 18 consecutive months ending on March 31, 2023.[41]

Disney's Magical Express, a complimentary transportation and luggage service offered to Walt Disney Resort guests that began in 2005, ended in January 2022.[42] In August 2021, the Walt Disney Company announced that FastPass+, which had been free since its introduction in 1999, would be retired and replaced with Genie+, a system starting at $18 to $35 per day with the option of adding "Lightning Lane", which will be used for top-tier attractions, for an additional charge. The pricing range depends on the crowd and day of purchase.[43]

On April 22, 2022, the self-governing status which the Walt Disney Company had in the area around Disney World for more than 50 years came to an end after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law legislation requiring the area to come under the legal jurisdiction of the state of Florida.[44] The new law also officially abolished The Reedy Creek Improvement District which the Walt Disney Company has used to run the area since May 1967, when then Florida Governor Claude Kirk signed into law legislation which granted the company special status.[44] The law went into effect in June 2023.[45][46] Along with this, as of May 2023, Governor Ron DeSantis has also been planning to target Disney's monorail system and let Florida's Department of Transportation inspect the privately owned system.[47]

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
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
1974 Discovery Island opens
1975
1976 Disney's River Country opens
1977
1980
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
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
1991
1992
1993 Mission to Mars closes in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom on October 4.
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000 The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge opens
2001
2002
2003
2004
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
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013 The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa opens
2014
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.[48]
2017
2018
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
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.[50]
  • 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 until holds its final performance on December 4.
  • TRON Lightcycle / Run opens in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom on April 4.
  • Disney's Animal Kingdom celebrates its 25th Anniversary on April 22.
  • Soarin' Around the World closes in The Land Pavilion at Epcot on September 21.
  • Soarin' (retitled Soarin' Over California) returns in The Land Pavilion at Epcot on September 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.
  • Luminous: The Symphony of Us debuts in World Showcase Lagoon at EPCOT on December 5.
  • World Celebration Gardens opens in World Celebration at EPCOT, and divided into Dreamers Point as a newly designed central spine, Inspiration Gardens, Creations Gardens, Connections Gardens and CommuniCore Gardens.
    *Walt the Dreamers as a statue of Walt Disney, debuts in World Celebration at EPCOT.

Future expansion

The resort has a number of expansion projects planned or ongoing, including:

  • Enhancements at EPCOT continue, including a new 1-level festival pavilion as CommuniCore Hall and Plaza and new meet-and-greet locations as Mickey and Friends in World Celebration.

Location

Map of the resort as of May 2015
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 Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (formerly 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), Exit 6 on SR 417 South, the Central Florida GreeneWay and Exit 8 on SR 429, the Western Beltway. At its founding, the resort occupied approximately 27,443 acres (43 sq mi; 111 km2).[12] Portions of the property have since been sold or de-annexed, including land now occupied by the Disney-built community of Celebration. By 2014, the resort occupied nearly 25,000 acres (39 sq mi; 101 km2).[6] The company acquired nearly 3,000 additional acres, in separate transactions, between December 2018 and April 2020.[51][52][53]

Attractions

Theme parks

Water parks

Mini Golf Courses

[54] The two courses 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.[55]

The two courses at Winter Summerland are Summer and Winter, both themed around Santa. Summer is the more challenging of the two 18-hole courses.[55]

Other attractions and areas

View of Disney Springs
  • Disney Springs, opened March 22, 1975, an on-site shopping, dining, and entertainment complex.[56]
  • Disney's Boardwalk, located outside of the Boardwalk Inn, functions as an entertainment, dining, and shopping district.[57] The area includes Atlantic Dance Hall and Jellyrolls Nightclub.[58]
  • Flamingo Crossings, a new shopping and dining complex on property, similar to Disney Springs, currently opening in phases
  • ESPN Wide World of Sports, opened March 28, 1997
  • Drawn to Life by Cirque du Soleil – opened November 18, 2021, located in Disney Springs
  • Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Review, located at Pioneer Hall at Fort Wilderness. A live singing and dancing dinner show performed nightly.[59]
  • Tri-Circle D Ranch, located at Fort Wilderness. A working ranch and stable. The ranch offers horse and pony rides for guests.[60]
  • Splitsville Bowling Lanes, the only place for bowling at Walt Disney World, located at Disney Springs.[61]
  • Electrical Water Pageant - a daily night-time show on Seven Seas Lagoon, performed since 1971.

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. Oak Trail also has a Footgolf course. Palm, Magnolia, and Oak Trail are connected and share one entrance near Magic Kingdom, while the Lake Buena Vista course is located near Disney Springs.

The Magnolia and Palm courses played home to the PGA Tour's Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic. Walt Disney World golf courses are staffed by third-party Arnold Palmer Golf Management.[62] A former course on property known as Eagle Pines & Osprey Ridge Golf Club was transformed into Tranquilo Golf Course after Four Seasons Resort was built on the course and opened in 2014. The course is open only to guests staying at Four Seasons.[63][64] Waldorf Astoria Golf Club is open to all guests and is located in the Bonnet Creek Resort Area.[65]

Disney's Magnolia[66]
Tee Rating/Slope 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Out 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 In Total
Classic 76.0 / 141 428417170542492231422614500381652639916938459220345048549237007516
Blue 74.0 / 137 4243511615354462024106054263560 52238216337458820039843045635137073
White 71.6 / 130 4093351404994181683805343933276 51335515632053217937339945532826558
Gold 69.0 / 121 3843171254793551153395193272960 49630914830851614334938141730676027
Red 69.6 / 126 2852251103703471073064023162468 43030014029641712829230135526595127
Par 44354345436 5434534443672
SI Men's 3151711113795 81416184101226
SI Ladies' 7131711315195 18210121614846

Former attractions and areas

  • Discovery Island – an island and former ticketed attraction in Bay Lake that was home to many species of animals and birds. Guests would access the island via boat from Fort Wilderness. 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. It was demolished after years of sitting abandoned to build the now canceled Reflections resort.[67]
  • Walt Disney World Speedway – a racetrack at Walt Disney World that included the Richard Petty Driving Experience. It opened November 28, 1995, and closed on August 9, 2015. The area was demolished and a retention pond put in its place.
  • Pleasure Island (1989–2008), a former gated section of Downtown Disney, centered on late-night entertainment. Most of the area was demolished upon the transformation of Downtown Disney into Disney Springs.
  • Walt Disney World Airport, a small landing strip built for private aircraft. The airway stopped being used in the 1980s. It is located off Vista Blvd and World Drive and used as a storage area.
  • DisneyQuest – an indoor interactive theme park that featured many arcade games and virtual attractions. It opened June 19, 1998 as part of an unsuccessful attempt to launch a chain of similar theme parks. It closed on July 2, 2017, and was demolished to build the NBA Experience & CityWorks Restaurant.[68]
  • NBA Experience, located at Disney Springs. (2019–2020) [69]
  • Crossroads Shopping Center, originally developed by Disney in the 1980s and located near Disney Springs, the shopping and dining center was popular for guests and cast-members, built at a time when there was few dining options in the area. Disney later sold the land, and in 2021 the entire center was demolished using eminent domain for the Interstate 4 Beyond the Ultimate reconstruction project.[70][71]
  • Spirit of Aloha at Luau Cove, a dinner show that included fire performance at the Polynesian resort, located between the Polynesian and Grand Floridian. The outdoor theatre space and facilities were demolished in 2022 to build a new Disney Vacation Club addition to the Polynesian. The show was last performed in March 2020 and never reopened following the COVID-19 pandemic closure.[72][73]
  • Fort Wilderness Railroad (1974–1980), a railroad attraction built inside Fort Wilderness, closed permanently in 1980.

Resorts

There are currently 20 on-site Disney-owned and separately staffed resorts on Walt Disney World Property. These include the Grand Floridian, Contemporary, Polynesian, Fort Wilderness, Wilderness Lodge, Yacht & Beach Club, Port Orleans-Riverside, Port Orleans-French Quarter, All Star Music, All Star Movies, All Star Sports, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Coronado Springs, the Boardwalk, Saratoga Springs, Old Key West, the Riviera, Caribbean Beach, Art of Animation, and Pop Century. Several of these properties have subdivisions relegated solely for Disney Vacation Club (DVC) members. All Disney-operated resorts are considered private property, with 24-hour gated security controlled access. Informally known as the "Disney Bubble", staying on property is considered an immersive experience.[74][75]

There are many other resorts located on or near property that are owned and operated by other companies.

Resorts 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.[76]

Best Friends Pet Care operates an on-site pet hotel for guests traveling with animals.[77]

Club Level
Nine resorts at Walt Disney World include club-level rooms. For an added-charge, these rooms include special access to a club lounge that offers personalized concierge-services and serves fresh hors d'oeuvres and appetizers.[78][79]

  • Polynesian Village Resort - King Kamehameha Club
  • Coronado Springs Resort - Chronos Club
  • Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kilimanjaro Club
  • Wilderness Lodge - Old Faithful Club
  • Beach Club - Stone Harbor Club
  • Yacht Club - Regatta Club
  • Contemporary Resort - Atrium Club
  • Boardwalk Inn - Innkeepers Club
  • Grand Floridian - Royal Palm Club

Massage and Health Spas - located inside Walt Disney World

  • The Spa at the Grand Floridian
  • Mandara Spa - Dolphin Hotel
  • Magnolia Spa - Shades of Green
  • The Spa at Four Seasons
  • Waldorf Astoria Spa
  • Blue Harmony Spa at Wyndham Bonnet Creek [80]
  • Spa by J.W. at J.W Marriott Bonnet Creek

On-site Disney resorts

Name Image Opening date Theme Number of rooms Resort area
Deluxe resorts
Disney's Animal Kingdom LodgeApril 16, 2001African Wildlife preserve1,307Animal Kingdom
Disney's Beach Club ResortNovember 19, 1990Newport Beach cottage576Epcot
Disney's Yacht Club ResortNovember 5, 1990Martha's Vineyard Resort621
Disney's BoardWalk InnJuly 1, 1996Early-20th-century Atlantic and Ocean City378
Disney's Contemporary ResortOctober 1, 1971Modern655Magic Kingdom
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & SpaJune 28, 1988Early-20th-century Florida867
Disney's Polynesian Village ResortOctober 1, 1971South Pacific492
Disney's Wilderness LodgeMay 28, 1994Pacific Northwest, National Park Service rustic729
Moderate resorts
Disney's Caribbean Beach ResortOctober 1, 1988Caribbean Islands1,536Epcot
Disney's Coronado Springs ResortAugust 1, 1997Mexico, American Southwest1,915Animal Kingdom
Disney's Port Orleans Resort – French QuarterMay 17, 1991New Orleans French Quarter1,008Disney Springs
Disney's Port Orleans Resort – RiversideFebruary 2, 1992Deep South2,048
Value resorts
Disney's All-Star Movies ResortJanuary 15, 1999Disney films1,920Animal Kingdom
Disney's All-Star Music ResortNovember 22, 1994Music1,604
Disney's All-Star Sports ResortApril 24, 1994Sports1,920
Disney's Art of Animation ResortMay 31, 2012Disney and Pixar animated films1,984Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney's Pop Century ResortDecember 14, 200320th Century American pop culture2,880
Disney Vacation Club
Disney's Animal Kingdom VillasAugust 15, 2007African safari lodge708Animal Kingdom
Disney's Beach Club VillasJuly 1, 2002Newport resort282Epcot
Disney's Boardwalk VillasJuly 1, 1996Early-20th-century Atlantic City530
Disney's Riviera ResortDecember 16, 2019European Riviera300
Disney's Old Key West ResortDecember 20, 1991Early-20th-century Key West761Disney Springs
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & SpaMay 17, 20041880s Upstate New York resort1,320
Bay Lake TowerAugust 4, 2009Modern428Magic Kingdom
Disney's Polynesian Villas & BungalowsApril 1, 2015South Seas380
The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & SpaOctober 23, 2013Early-20th-century Florida147
Boulder Ridge VillasNovember 15, 2000Pacific Northwest181
Copper Creek Villas & CabinsJuly 17, 2017Pacific Northwest184
Cabins and campgrounds
Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & CampgroundNovember 19, 1971Rustic Woods Camping800 campsites
409 cabins		Magic Kingdom
Residential areas
Golden Oak at Walt Disney World ResortFall 2011Varies450 homesMagic Kingdom

On-site non-Disney resorts

Hotel name Image Opening date Theme Number of rooms Owner Area
Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando Lake Buena VistaNovember 21, 1972None325Drury HotelsDisney Springs
DoubleTree Suites
by Hilton Orlando – Disney Springs Area		March 15, 1987229Hilton Hotels Corporation
Wyndham Lake Buena VistaOctober 15, 1972626Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Hilton Orlando Lake Buena VistaNovember 23, 1983787Hilton Hotels Corporation
Holiday Inn Orlando - Disney Springs AreaFebruary 8, 1973323InterContinental Hotels Group
B Resort & SpaOctober 1, 1972394B Hotels & Resorts
Hilton Orlando Buena Vista PalaceMarch 10, 19831,014Hilton Hotels Corporation
Four Seasons Resort
Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort		August 3, 2014450Four SeasonsMagic Kingdom
Bonnet Creek Resorts
Waldorf-Astoria
Signia by Hilton
J.W Marriott
Wyndham Bonnett Creek
Wyndham Vacation Club		VariousVarious, 3,000 totalHilton Worldwide, Wyndham WorldwideEpcot
Flamingo Crossings Resorts
Home2Suites
Springhill Suites
Towneplace Suites
Residence Inn
Homewood Suites
Fairfield Inn		VariousVariousHilton Worldwide, MarriottAnimal Kingdom area
Shades of GreenDecember 1973Upscale Country Club586United States Department of DefenseMagic Kingdom
Walt Disney World DolphinJune 1, 1990Seaside Floridian Resort & Under the Sea1509Marriott InternationalEpcot
Walt Disney World SwanJanuary 13, 1990Seaside Floridian Resort & Under the Sea758Marriott InternationalEpcot
Walt Disney World Swan ReserveNovember 4, 2021Upscale Boutique Hotel349Marriott InternationalEpcot

Former resorts

Annual events

  • Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (1995–Present) - held at Magic Kingdom throughout the fall season.
  • Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (1983–Present) - held at Magic Kingdom throughout the holiday season.
  • Epcot International Food & Wine Festival (1995–Present) - held at Epcot throughout the fall season. Includes the Eat To The Beat! concert series.
  • Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival (1994–Present) - held at Epcot during the spring and summer. Includes the Garden Rocks! concert series.
  • Epcot International Festival of the Arts (2018–Present) held at Epcot each February and March. Includes the Disney on Broadway concert series.
  • Epcot International Festival of the Holidays - held throughout the holiday season Epcot.
  • Disney's Candlelight Processional (1971–Present) - held at Epcot throughout the holiday season.
  • runDisney marathon races are conducted each year, including the Wine N Dine Half-Marathon and Disney Princess-Half Marathon.
  • H20 Glow Nights - held on select days each summer at Typhoon Lagoon. A night-time glow party.[82]
  • Disney After Hours - a special ticket event held at select parks on select nights.[83]
  • Moonlight Magic - exclusive Disney Vacation Club-only nights at select parks on select days throughout the year.[84]
  • Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade (1983–Present) - filmed each year at Disney World and broadcast nationally Christmas Day.
Wedding Pavilion at the Seven Seas Lagoon

Business segments

Walt Disney World has several departments that handle various activities and events that are offered throughout the year. These departments include:

  • Disney Imagination Campus - operates Magic Music Days, Disney Performing Arts, Festival Disney, The Dreamers Academy, and other youth programs providing opportunities for youth to learn and perform inside Walt Disney World.[85][86]
  • Disney Meetings and Events - schedules large meetings, events, and conferences at Walt Disney World.[87]
  • The Disney Institute - offers professional development, team-building and networking opportunities using Disney models and principles.[88]
  • Disney Weddings - schedules and plans weddings at various locations inside Walt Disney World, including locations inside the parks or at the wedding pavilion.[89]
  • Disney Internships and Programs - operates various internships geared toward college-age students, including the Disney College Program (DCP), Disney International Programs (ICP), Disney Hospitality Leadership Program (DHLP), Cultural Representative Program (CRP), Brazilian Summer Super Greeters, Disney Culinary Program, and Professional Internships (PI).[90]

Campus

The campus of Walt Disney World includes numerous buildings and spaces used solely for corporate management, castmember only services, and castmember recreation. The Walt Disney Company also owns and operates a corporate office complex in Celebration, Florida, home to Disney Cruise Line and Adventures by Disney offices.

  • Team Disney - the central location of corporate offices at Walt Disney World.
  • Disney University - the central location of training for castmembers.
  • Walt Disney World Casting Center - the central location for human resources and employee recruitment and retention.
  • Partners Federal Credit Union - an internal bank system only for Disney employees, with several locations throughout Walt Disney World.
  • Disney Event Group - office complex for various business segments.
  • Maingate Office Complex - houses offices for various business segments.
  • Amateur Athletic Union - corporate office building located inside the historic preview center building on Hotel Plaza Blvd.
  • Central Florida Tourism Oversight District headquarters building, located near Disney Springs on Hotel Plaza Blvd.
  • Mickey's Retreat - a Disney-employee only recreational complex located on Little Lake Bryan.[91]
  • AdventHealth - operates two emergency rooms, located on the east and west of property near Disney Springs and in Flamingo Crossings. Guests with serious conditions and injuries are transported to the larger AdventHealth Celebration.
  • YMCA of Central Florida - operates two locations on property that provide daycare and educational programs for children of Walt Disney World employees.[92]
  • The Center for Living Well - provides health services for Disney employees, operated by Premise Health.[93]
  • Flamingo Crossings Village - home of Disney Programs and Internship students.
  • Disney Aspire - offers free college tuition to eligible employees of Walt Disney World. Launched in 2018, the program offers select academic tracks in partnership with certain schools and degree programs.[94]
  • Voluntears - Disney's in-house volunteer program. Disney castmembers volunteer their time for local non-profit and environmental causes.[95]

Disney Unions and employment

Almost all hourly guest-facing cast members work under union contracts. The most recent contract was negotiated and put in effect in 2023 and is valid through 2027, setting the starting hourly rate for part-time and full-time cast at 17.00 dollars per hour, with additional premiums available for select roles. Union membership is offered to all cast eligible at the start of employment. Each staff location on property has an official designated as Shop Steward, who bargains with Disney leadership when needed to defend the rights designated within the contract.[96]

List of Walt Disney World Unions

[102]

When the Magic Kingdom opened in 1971, the site employed about 5,500 "cast members".[103] In 2020, Walt Disney World employed more than 77,000 cast members.[104] Walt Disney World has more than 3,000 job classifications with a total 2019 payroll of over $3 billion.[5]

Attendance

In the first year of opening, the park attracted 10,712,991 visitors.[105] In 2018, the resort's four theme parks all ranked in the top 9 on the list of the 25 most visited theme parks in the world: (1st) Magic Kingdom—20,859,000 visitors; (6th) Disney's Animal Kingdom—13,750,000 visitors; (7th) Epcot—12,444,000 visitors; and (9th) Disney's Hollywood Studios—11,258,000 visitors.[9] By October 2020, maximum Disney World attendance was still allowed to only remain at 25% capacity due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[31] A recent study found that reducing Magic Kingdom park capacity to 25% would result in a 54.1% reduction in annual attendance. This capacity limit causes less annual revenue, and may lower the number of visitors to the Orlando region.[106]

YearMagic KingdomEpcotDisney's Hollywood StudiosDisney's Animal KingdomOverallRef.
200817,063,00010,935,0009,608,0009,540,00047,146,000[107]
200917,233,00010,990,0009,700,0009,590,00047,513,000[108]
201016,972,00010,825,0009,603,0009,686,00047,086,000[109]
201117,142,00010,826,0009,699,0009,783,00047,450,000[110]
201217,536,00011,063,0009,912,0009,998,00048,509,000[111]
201318,588,00011,229,00010,110,00010,198,00050,125,000[112]
201419,332,00011,454,00010,312,00010,402,00051,500,000[113]
201520,492,00011,798,00010,828,00010,922,00054,040,000[114]
201620,395,00011,712,00010,776,00010,844,00053,727,000[115]
201720,450,00012,200,00010,722,00012,500,00055,872,000[116]
201820,859,00012,444,00011,258,00013,750,00058,311,000[9]
201920,963,00012,444,00011,483,00013,888,00058,778,000[117]
20206,941,0004,044,0003,675,0004,166,00018,826,000[118]
202112,691,0007,752,0008,589,0007,194,00036,226,000[119]
202217,133,00010,000,00010,900,0009,027,00047,060,000[119]

Operations

Transportation

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 fare-free system utilizes buses, monorails, gondola lifts, watercraft, and parking lot trams.

The Walt Disney World Monorail System provides free transportation at Walt Disney World; guests can board the monorail and travel between the Magic Kingdom and Epcot, including select on-property resorts such as The Grand Floridian and The Polynesian Village. The system operates on three routes that interconnect at the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC), adjacent to the Magic Kingdom's parking lot. Disney Transport owns a fleet of Disney-operated buses on the property, that is also complimentary for guests.[120]

A gondola lift system, dubbed Disney Skyliner, opened in 2019. The system's three lines connect Disney's Hollywood Studios and Epcot with four resort hotels.[121]

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.

In addition to its free transportation methods, in conjunction with Lyft, Walt Disney World also offers a vehicle for hire service for a fee. The Minnie Van Service are Chevy Traverses dressed in a Minnie Mouse red-and-white polka dot design that can accommodate up to six people and have two carseats available to anyone that is within the Walt Disney World Resort limits. Cast members can install the car seats.[122][123] Some of the unique advantages that the Minnie Van Service offers over a normal ride share is the ability to be dropped off in the Magic Kingdom bus loop (instead of at the TTC like the other ride shares) and being able to ride to any point in Fort Wilderness.

Energy use

Walt Disney World requires an estimated 1 billion kilowatt-hours (3.6 billion megajoules) of electricity annually, costing the company nearly $100 million in annual energy consumption.[124] In addition to relying primarily on fossil fuels and nuclear energy from the state's power grid, Walt Disney World has two solar energy facilities on property; a 22-acre (0.034 sq mi; 0.089 km2) Mickey Mouse-shaped solar panel farm near Epcot, and a 270-acre (0.42 sq mi; 1.1 km2) facility near Disney's Animal Kingdom.[125] The larger facility produces enough solar energy to provide electricity to two of the resort's theme parks. The sites are operated by Duke Energy and the Reedy Creek Improvement District, respectively.[125]

The entire Disney Transport bus fleet uses R50 renewable diesel fuel, obtained from used cooking oil and non-consumable food waste from the resort.[125]

Self-Government and security

Disney security vehicle, picture taken July 2, 2009 in front of Epcot

Disney's security personnel are generally dressed in typical security guard uniforms, though some of the personnel are dressed as tourists in plain clothes. Since September 11, 2001, uniformed security has been stationed outside each Disney park in Florida to search guests' bags as they enter the parks. Starting April 3, 2017, bag checkpoints have been placed at Magic Kingdom's resort monorail entryways and the Transportation and Ticket Center's ferry entry points prior to embarkation as well as the walkway from Disney's Contemporary Resort. Guests arriving at the Transportation and Ticket Center by tram or tour bus will be screened at the former tram boarding areas. Guests arriving by Disney Resort hotel bus or Minnie Van have their own bag check just outside the bus stops. Guests arriving via Magic Kingdom Resort boat launch are bag checked on the arrival dock outside Magic Kingdom.[126]

The land where Walt Disney World resides is part of the Reedy Creek Improvement District (RCID), a governing jurisdiction created in May 1967 by the State of Florida at the request of Disney.[127][44] RCID provides 911 services, fire, environmental protection, building code enforcement, utilities and road maintenance, but does not provide law enforcement services. The approximately 800 security staff are instead considered employees of the Walt Disney Company. Arrests and citations are issued by the Florida Highway Patrol along with the Orange County and Osceola County sheriffs deputies who patrol the roads. Disney security does maintain a fleet of security vans equipped with flares, traffic cones, and chalk commonly used by police officers. These security personnel are charged with traffic control by the RCID and may only issue personnel violation notices to Disney and RCID employees, not the general public.[128][129]

Despite the appearance of the uniformed security personnel, they are not considered a legal law enforcement agency. Disney and the Reedy Creek Improvement District were sued for access to Disney Security records by Bob and Kathy Sipkema following the death of their son at the resort in 1994. The court characterized Disney security as a "night watchman" service, not a law enforcement agency, meaning it is not subject to Florida's open records laws. An appeals court later upheld the lower court's ruling.[130]

In late 2015, Disney confirmed the addition of randomized secondary screenings and dogs trained to detect body-worn explosives within parks, in addition to metal detectors at entrances. It has also increased the number of uniformed security personnel at Walt Disney World and Disneyland properties.[131]

Disney Security personnel in Florida have investigated traffic accidents and issued accident reports. The forms used by Disney Security may be confused with official, government forms by some.

The Orange County Sheriff maintains an office on Disney property, but this is primarily to process guests accused of shoplifting by Disney security personnel.[132]

Although the scattering of ashes on Disney property is illegal, The Wall Street Journal reported in October 2018 that Walt Disney World parks were becoming a popular spot for families to scatter the ashes of loved ones, with the Haunted Mansion at Magic Kingdom being the favorite location. The practice is unlawful and prohibited on Disney property, and anyone spreading cremated remains is escorted from the park.[133]

On April 22, 2022, the Walt Disney Company's self-governing authority of all the area surrounding Walt Disney World came to an end after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law legislation requiring Walt Disney World's Reedy Creek Improvement District to come under the legal jurisdiction of the state of Florida on June 1, 2023.[44][45][134]

Closures

Walt Disney World has had twelve unscheduled closures, ten of which have been due to hurricanes:[135]

Like its sister resort, parks at the resort may close early to accommodate various special events, such as special press events, tour groups, VIP groups, and private parties. It is common for a corporation to rent entire parks for the evening. In such cases, special passes are issued which are valid for admission to all rides and attractions. At the ticket booths and on published schedules, the guests are notified of the early closures. Then, cast members announce that the parks are closing, sometime before the private event starts, and clear the parks of guests who do not have the special passes.

In October 2020, it was revealed that full capacity attendance was still not permitted, following the COVID-19 closure which occurred earlier in the year.[31] In July 2021, Disney World announced that all its staff workers in the US would have to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to return to work. It also announced that those who are unvaccinated would have a period of time to get their shots and aimed to return to full capacity for people who are immunized.[140]

Climate

Walt Disney World Airport
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
41
 
 
19
10
 
 
52
 
 
22
12
 
 
70
 
 
25
15
 
 
91
 
 
28
17
 
 
140
 
 
30
20
 
 
314
 
 
29
21
 
 
226
 
 
30
22
 
 
219
 
 
29
21
 
 
254
 
 
27
22
 
 
58
 
 
27
19
 
 
66
 
 
24
14
 
 
41
 
 
20
11
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm
Source: [141]
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
1.6
 
 
66
50
 
 
2
 
 
72
54
 
 
2.8
 
 
77
59
 
 
3.6
 
 
82
63
 
 
5.5
 
 
86
68
 
 
12
 
 
84
70
 
 
8.9
 
 
86
72
 
 
8.6
 
 
84
70
 
 
10
 
 
81
72
 
 
2.3
 
 
81
66
 
 
2.6
 
 
75
57
 
 
1.6
 
 
68
52
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches

See also

References

  1. ↑ Walt Disney World Resort in Geonames.org (cc-by)
  2. Walt Disney World Resort in Geonames.org (cc-by)
  3. ↑ Reed, Molly (July 20, 2021). "More Disney World resorts, restaurants reopen after a year of updates". WKMG.
  4. ↑ "New Leadership Team Announced At Disney Parks, Experiences And Products" (Press release). The Walt Disney Company. May 18, 2020. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  5. 1 2 3 "Fact Sheet" (PDF). Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. February 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 20, 2020. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
  6. 1 2 "Walt Disney World Fun Facts" (PDF). Walt Disney World News. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 3, 2020. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  7. ↑ Varsity.Com
  8. ↑ "4/3634 NOTAM Details". Federal Aviation Administration. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  9. 1 2 3 Au, Tsz Yin (Gigi); Chang, Bet; Chen, Bryan; Cheu, Linda; Fischer, Lucia; Hoffman, Marina; Kondaurova, Olga; LaClair, Kathleen; Li, Shaojin; Linford, Sarah; Marling, George; Miller, Erik; Nevin, Jennie; Papamichael, Margreet; Robinett, John; Rubin, Judith; Sands, Brian; Selby, William; Timmins, Matt; Ventura, Feliz; Yoshii, Chris (May 28, 2019). "TEA/AECOM 2018 Theme Index & Museum Index: Global Attractions Attendance Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 11, 2019. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
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