I’ve already written a brief history, about the humble beginnings of the company, and about Disneyland, so how about Walt Disney World? For starters, the Walt Disney World Resort is not actually in Orlando, as most people think. Walt Disney World is located in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, just outside the limits of Orlando.
In 1959, Walt Disney began looking for land for a second resort, to supplement Disneyland. Surveys revealed that only 2% of the visitors to Disneyland came from the east coast, where nearly 75% of the population lived. So, with that information, and the fact that Walt was not fond of businesses that had sprung up near Disneyland so he wanted a much larger area to control, he began looking on the east coast. Company legend has it that Walt wanted a large amount of land so as to isolate the guests, so that all of their surroundings are full of magic and fantasy! It’s a place to get away from the “real” world.
Walt first visited the site in Orlando in November of 1963. He saw the well developed roads, and he fell in love with the site. When asked, he said that the roads bisected here, which is why he chose it. He focused most of his attention on the project, called the Florida Project before and after his New York World’s Fair participation. In order to avoid a sudden spike in land prices, Walt created several dummy companies to buy 27,400 acres. The names of these dummy companies can now be seen listed on windows on Main Street USA at the Magic Kingdom. The first company listed is “M. T. Lot” (say it out loud, without pausing between the letters!). Another dummy company was Avefour Corp (a twist in Interstate 4). The first five acre lot was purchased in October of 1964. In May of 1965, two large pieces of land were sold, totaling $1.5 million. These were purchased by very exotic sounding companies, such as the “Reedy Creek Ranch Corporation.” Interestingly enough, the fire department located within Walt Disney World is the Reedy Creek Fire Department. This land was mostly swampland back then. However, Tufts University owned mineral rights to the land.
Once the land had almost all been purchased, the news was leaked about who actually owned the property, and a press conference was organized to present plans for the site. Walt explained these plans, including the plans for EPCOT, which stood for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. EPCOT was to be a futuristic city, also known as Progress City. These plans changed drastically following Walt’s death, becoming EPCOT Center, a second theme park. Many of the original concepts for EPCOT were incorporated into the community of Celebration later.
Sadly, Walt Disney passed away on December 15, 1966, before his vision was realized. Walt’s brother Roy put off his own retirement to oversee the rest of the construction.
At the dedication of the property, Roy gave a moving speech, explaining that this property would officially be known as WALT Disney World, to honor his brother. In Roy’s dedication, he said “Everyone has heard of Ford cars. But have they all heard about Henry Ford, who started it all? Walt Disney World is in memory of the man who started it all, so people will know his name as long as Walt Disney World is here.” After his dedication, Roy asked Lillian, Walt’s widow, what she thought of Walt Disney World. Lillian replied “I think Walt would have approved.”
So even though he never got to see it, Walt’s dream was realized, thanks in no small part to his brother, Roy. Roy Disney passed away just two short months after Walt Disney World opened, in December of 1971. He didn’t get to see the park for long, but he made sure that his brother’s dream was realized, just as he’d always done.