Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World Resort is a resort and theme-park tourist destination located near Orlando, Florida. Built after California's Disneyland proved successful, the Walt Disney World resort covers approximately 27,500 acres devoted to Walt Disney's vision of a destination that would provide a complete vacation opportunity for visiting families. As of 2022, Disney World has a politically aggressive LGBTQ+ community among its workforce.
Developed under the Reedy Creek Improvement District, Walt Disney World theme parks have grown from the original Magic Kingdom (opened October 1, 1971) to include Epcot (opened October 1, 1982), Disney's Hollywood Studios (May 1, 1989), and Disney's Animal Kingdom (opened April 22, 1998). The park arose when Walt Disney sought to create a new, more expansive resort after opening Disneyland in 1955. His company purchased large amounts of what was then a combination of swamps and cow pastures under fake company names in the 1960s, and commenced construction on the complex soon after. Over a decade after its original opening, a second theme part opened called Epcot, meant to be a permanent world's fair. This was followed by Hollywood-themed and wildlife-themed parks in the 1980s and 90s.
Resorts
From a handful of hotels and a campground when it opened in 1971, Walt Disney World has grown to 25 resorts and a campground featuring architecture designed to reflect differing themes. Resorts are grouped according to their relative expense, sometimes also reflecting the amount of space provided by the accommodations.
The Value Disney World Hotels
- All-Star Movies Resort
- All-Star Music Resort
- All-Star Sports Resort
- Pop Century Resort
The Moderate Disney World Resorts
- Caribbean Beach Resort
- Coronado Springs Resort
- Port Orleans Resort Riverside
- Port Orleans Resort French Quarter
Home Away From Home
- Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
Deluxe Disney Hotels
- Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Beach Club Resort
- BoardWalk Inn
- Contemporary Resort (one of the two original hotels at Magic Kingdom)
- Grand Floridian Resort
- Polynesian Resort (one of the two original hotels at Magic Kingdom)
- Walt Disney World Swan (not Disney owned)
- Walt Disney World Dolphin (not Disney owned)
- Wilderness Lodge
- Yacht Club Resort
Disney Deluxe Villas
- Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas
- Beach Club Villas
- Boardwalk Villas
- Old Key West Resort
- Wilderness Lodge Villas
- Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Other Disney Resort Hotels
- Shades of Green
Golf Courses
- Disney's Palm Golf Course
- Disney's Magnolia Golf Course
- Bonnet Creek Golf Courses
- Lake Buena Vista Course
- Disney's Oak Trail Golf Course
Miniature Golf Courses
- Fantasia Gardens Two 18-hole miniature golf courses which were themed based on Disney's animated theme Fantasia. One course is a traditional miniature golf course while the other is a miniature version of a standard 18-hole course.
- Winter Summerland Two 18-hole miniature golf courses which are designed to contrast one another. One course sports a "snow"-clad Florida look while the other features a more tropical, holiday theme complete with Christmas ornaments hung from palm trees.
Downtown Disney
A shopping and entertainment district, Downtown Disney is separated into three distinct sections: Market Place, Pleasure Island and the West Side. Each area features unique restaurants and shops, not all of which focus on Walt Disney merchandise and memorabilia.
Water Parks
- Disney's River Country (opened June 20, 1976 and permanently closed on November 1, 2001)
- Disney's Typhoon Lagoon
- Disney Blizzard Beach
Other Recreation Destinations
- Wide World of Sports
- Richard Petty Driving Experience
