Building Walt Disney World | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Walt Disney's vision for a unique and innovative theme park in Florida led to the creation of Walt Disney World, one of the world's largest and most visited attractions.

Key Insights

• 💖 Walt Disney World was the result of Walt Disney's vision for a unique and controlled theme park experience.
• 🏝️ The land acquisitions for the resort were done secretly, using proxy companies to avoid speculation and inflated prices.
• 👶 The resort has experienced continuous expansion and development, with new attractions and hotels added over the years.
• 😒 The creation of the special district for the resort allowed Disney to maintain control over its development and bypass certain land use laws.
• 🇺🇸 Walt Disney World has become one of the world's most visited destinations, with millions of visitors annually and a significant impact on the economy and employment in the United States.
• 👶 The resort's growth continues, with new attractions under development, including Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and a Guardians of the Galaxy attraction.
• 💖 Walt Disney's vision for an ambitious Progress City within the resort district evolved into the Epcot theme park.

Transcript

once upon a time there was a man with a vision that man was Walt Disney and his vision was for a theme park like no other a whole new world of unique attractions hotels and even a planned community that was set new benchmarks in innovation and the City Planning though he never saw his vision completed Disney is now immortalized in one of the world'... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Walt Disney choose the location for Walt Disney World?

Walt Disney explored potential sites near Bay Lake in Orlando, Florida, considering its proximity to the airport and a developed road network.

Q: How did Walt Disney acquire the land for the resort?

Land acquisitions were done through proxy companies, keeping the identity of Walt Disney Productions a secret. Some areas of swampland were acquired for as little as a hundred dollars an acre.

Q: How did Walt Disney World maintain control over its development?

To maintain control and avoid interference, legislation was passed to create a special district, containing incorporated cities Bay Lake and Reedy Creek, granting Disney immunity from certain land use laws.

Q: What were some of the significant developments after the opening of Walt Disney World?

After the opening of Walt Disney World, the resort continued to grow with the addition of new attractions, including the Epcot theme park, Disney's Hollywood Studios, water parks, and Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• In 1959, Walt Disney Productions began planning a second resort in the United States, and after exploring various locations, chose Orlando, Florida.

• Land acquisitions for the resort took place in secrecy, with proxy companies used to acquire the mostly swampy land for as little as a hundred dollars an acre.

• Walt Disney World opened in 1971, and has since grown to include multiple theme parks, hotels, and other attractions, with continuous expansion and development.