Magic Kingdom was the first theme park to open in the complex in 1971, followed by Epcot (1982), Disney's Hollywood Studios (known then as Disney-MGM Studios) (1989), and Disney's Animal Kingdom (1998). Construction started in 1967, with the company instead building a resort similar to Disneyland, abandoning the experimental concepts for a planned community. Disney, came out of retirement to make sure Walt's biggest dream was realized. 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. Walt Disney died on December 15, 1966, during the initial planning of the complex. 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. 'The Florida Project', as it was known, was intended to present a distinct vision with its own diverse set of attractions. Walt wanted to build a new park because Disneyland in California was limited from expanding by the establishments that sprung up around it. The resort comprises four theme parks ( Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom), two water parks ( Disney's Blizzard Beach and Disney's Typhoon Lagoon), 31 themed resort hotels, nine non-Disney hotels, several golf courses, a camping resort, and other entertainment venues, including the outdoor shopping center Disney Springs.ĭesigned to supplement Disneyland in Anaheim, California, which had opened in 1955, the complex was developed by Walt Disney in the 1960s. The property covers nearly 25,000 acres (39 sq mi 101 km 2), of which half has been used. Opened on October 1, 1971, the resort is operated by Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, a division of The Walt Disney Company. 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, near the cities of Orlando and Kissimmee.

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