Walt Disney World Resort

Walt Disney World Resort is an entertainment and theme park complex in Lake Buena Vista and Bay Lake, central Florida, spreading across roughly 40 square miles (100 square kilometers). It contains four separate theme parks, two water parks, dozens of hotels, and recreation areas distributed across the property.

The resort opened on October 1, 1971, fulfilling Walt Disney's vision for a larger entertainment destination on the east coast after the success of Disneyland in California. Additional parks followed over the decades, with EPCOT in 1982, the Hollywood Studios in 1989, and Animal Kingdom in 1998.

Families from around the world gather here to experience American theme park culture, where the focus is on shared entertainment rather than individual pursuits. Character meet-and-greets, parades, and fireworks shows are daily rituals that bring strangers together in celebration.

Visitors move between different areas using monorails, buses, boats, and the Skyliner gondola system, which connect the parks and hotels. The property offers numerous restaurants, shops, and lodging options ranging from budget to luxury for multi-day visits.

Beneath Magic Kingdom runs a tunnel system called utilidors, allowing staff to move between service areas without crossing guest paths. The tunnels sit at ground level, while the park above was built on the second floor to keep operations hidden from view.

Location: Lake Buena Vista

Location: Bay Lake

Inception: October 1, 1971

Founders: Walt Disney

Elevation above the sea: 37 m

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Fee: Yes

Operator: Disney Parks and Resorts

Opening Hours: 24/7

Phone: +14079395277

Website: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com

GPS coordinates: 28.37220,-81.54940

Latest update: December 2, 2025 20:55