Disney World History
Disney World is one of the most famous places in the world – and it has spawned a whole host of other Disney parks and places around the world. However, the original Disney World is the largest recreational resort in the entire world. It has four theme parks, two water parks, and has twenty-three hotels, all with themes. There are rides to go on, places to eat, and more entertainment than you could ever witness in a lifetime.
The Magic Kingdom was the first part of Disney World, and is the first part of Disney World history. It was opened on October 1, 1971. The next to open was Epcot, which opened on October 1, 1982. Disney's Hollywood Studios opened on May 1, 1989, and the Disney's Animal Kingdom opened on April 22nd, 1998.
Disney World began as a supplement to Disneyland. Disneyland was opened in California in 1955, and was widely popular. It was found that most of the people who were going to Disneyland were from west of the Mississippi River – and East of the river was where 75 percent of the population actually lived. Therefore, the Walt Disney Company wanted to find a location where they could have a second resort.
Orlando was the choice for Walt Disney. He began to work on his Florida Project in the early 1960s, but died in 1966, before it could be completed. The Disney corporation continued his work. They bought land under various names, and dummy corporations, so that they could avoid a burst of land speculation. The secret was kept until 1965, when word of what was really going on there was leaked. Walt Disney himself gave a press conference and explained what was going on.
After Walt Disney's death, his brother and business partner, Roy O Disney, continued the work, planning Disney World and Epcot center. When Roy dedicated the property, he declared that it would be known as Walt Disney World, for his brother. Roy himself died on December 20th, 1971. This was only three months after Disney World had opened.
Since Disney World opened, it has become one of the greatest tourist destinations the world. It quickly spawned Disney theme parks all over the world, and it has outlasted several generations of tourists. Currently, the Disney theme parks are still expanding. There have also been Disney theme parks that have opened in Paris, and in other sections of the world.