Walt Disney World Resort is the largest entertainment complex in the world, located near Orlando, Florida, and opened on October 1, 1971. Conceived by Walt Disney as “The Florida Project,” it was designed to expand on Disneyland in California, which had limited space for growth. The resort spans nearly 25,000 acres—about twice the size of Manhattan—and includes four theme parks, two water parks, dozens of hotels, golf courses, and shopping districts.

The first park, Magic Kingdom, debuted in 1971 with iconic attractions like Cinderella Castle, Main Street U.S.A., and Adventureland. Over the following decades, Disney added EPCOT (1982), envisioned as an “Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow,” Disney’s Hollywood Studios (1989), and Disney’s Animal Kingdom (1998). Each park reflects a different facet of Disney’s vision: fantasy storytelling, innovation, cinematic magic, and nature conservation. Together, they attract tens of millions of visitors annually, making Walt Disney World the most visited vacation resort on Earth.

Beyond rides and shows, Walt Disney World has become a cultural and economic powerhouse. It employs more than 77,000 people, supports Orlando’s tourism industry, and has shaped the city’s growth since the 1970s. The resort also hosts conferences, weddings, sports events, and immersive experiences like Disney Springs and the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. More than just a theme park, Disney World is a living city of leisure, innovation, and imagination, embodying Walt Disney’s dream of blending entertainment with community.