DXF Map Walt Disney World Florida US

Walt Disney World Resort, located in Central Florida, is one of the most iconic and expansive entertainment complexes globally. Its history of urban development is closely tied to the vision of Walt Disney and the Walt Disney Company. Here’s an overview of the history of Walt Disney World’s urban development:

Conceptualization and Planning:

1. Walt Disney’s Vision:
   • Walt Disney’s dream of creating an East Coast counterpart to Disneyland in California led to the conceptualization of Walt Disney World. He envisioned a larger and more immersive entertainment destination.
2. Land Acquisition:
   • In the 1960s, Disney discreetly acquired large tracts of land in Central Florida, covering over 27,000 acres. This allowed for not just theme parks but also extensive resort areas and future expansion.

Opening and Early Years:

3. Magic Kingdom Opening (1971):
   • The Magic Kingdom, the first of Walt Disney World’s four theme parks, opened its doors on October 1, 1971. It replicated the successful formula of Disneyland with iconic attractions like Cinderella Castle.
4. Contemporary Resort and Polynesian Village Resort:
   • Alongside the Magic Kingdom’s opening, the Contemporary Resort and Polynesian Village Resort were inaugurated, marking the beginning of the resort’s accommodation offerings.
5. EPCOT (1982):
   • EPCOT (Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow) opened in 1982. While it didn’t become the futuristic city that Walt initially envisioned, it became a unique theme park focused on technology and international culture.
6. Resort Expansion:
   • Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Walt Disney World expanded its resort offerings, adding hotels, golf courses, and additional theme parks like Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Transformation and Modernization:

7. Disney-MGM Studios (Now Disney’s Hollywood Studios):
   • The Disney-MGM Studios opened in 1989, later evolving into Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It featured a mix of attractions and shows centered around the entertainment industry.
8. Resort Hotels and Infrastructure:
   • The resort continued to invest in new hotels, transportation infrastructure (including the monorail and bus systems), and recreational facilities, making it a self-contained destination.
9. Downtown Disney (Now Disney Springs):
   • The shopping, dining, and entertainment district known as Downtown Disney underwent significant expansion and redevelopment. It was later rebranded as Disney Springs.

21st Century Expansion:

10. Animal Kingdom Expansion:
    • Disney’s Animal Kingdom underwent a major expansion with the opening of Pandora – The World of Avatar in 2017, featuring immersive attractions based on James Cameron’s film.
11. New Resort Areas:
    • The resort continued to expand with the addition of new resort areas such as Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and Disney’s Riviera Resort.
12. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge (2019):
    • Disney’s Hollywood Studios welcomed Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, an immersive land based on the Star Wars franchise, in 2019.

Ongoing Developments:

13. EPCOT Transformation:
    • EPCOT is undergoing a significant transformation, with updates to Future World, new attractions, and a renewed focus on storytelling and cultural experiences.
14. Disney’s Hollywood Studios Enhancements:
    • Ongoing enhancements at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, including the addition of Toy Story Land and the highly anticipated Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel.

Impact on the Local Area:

15. Economic Impact:
    • Walt Disney World has had a substantial economic impact on Central Florida, driving tourism, creating jobs, and contributing to the region’s overall development.
16. Residential and Commercial Development:
    • The success of Walt Disney World has spurred residential and commercial development in the surrounding areas, with a growing population and infrastructure to support the tourism industry.

Walt Disney World’s history of urban development is a story of continuous expansion, innovation, and transformation. It has not only become a premier global tourist destination but has also shaped the development of the broader Central Florida region.