Mom at EPCOT

Where is Disney World Located?

If you’ve never been to Disney World, you might be wondering where is it located and what makes the area so special! Bestie, I’ve got you covered! Alright, let’s take a deep dive into what I found!

Walt Disney World Resort, also known as Disney World, is located in Orlando, Florida. The resort is situated on a massive 27,000-acre site that includes four theme parks, two water parks, more than 25 themed hotels, and numerous other entertainment venues and attractions.

Front of Disney World Magic Kingdom

To be more specific, Disney World is located in southwest Orlando, approximately 21 miles southwest of downtown Orlando and about 15 miles west of Orlando International Airport. The resort is easily accessible from the airport and other major transportation hubs, with multiple highways and roads leading directly to its entrance.

The address for Walt Disney World is 1375 E. Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830. However, it’s worth noting that this address is for the entrance to the Magic Kingdom park, one of the four theme parks at the resort. The other parks, water parks, hotels, and entertainment venues are spread out across the sprawling property.

If you’re planning a visit to Walt Disney World, it’s important to note that the resort is located in a subtropical climate zone, which means hot and humid weather is common throughout the year. The best times to visit are generally during the cooler and drier months of November through February, although crowds are typically higher during the holiday season.

Overall, Walt Disney World is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, attracting millions of visitors each year from all over the globe. Whether you’re a fan of Disney movies, thrilling rides, or just fun and entertainment, the resort offers something for everyone.

Disney World Magic Kingdom Rapunzel Bathrooms

What is the history of Walt Disney World?

In the early 1960s, Walt Disney began looking for a location to build a new theme park to complement Disneyland in California. He wanted a larger site that would allow for more room to expand and the ability to control the land around the park.

After scouting various locations on the East Coast of the United States, Disney settled on central Florida, which was relatively undeveloped at the time. He began buying up land in secret, using various dummy corporations to avoid driving up prices due to speculation.

In 1965, Disney announced plans to build a new theme park and resort in Florida. He revealed that he had already secretly purchased over 27,000 acres of land, which was enough space for not only the theme park but also a “city of the future” that he called the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow (EPCOT).

People walking down Disney World's main street while raining
Pre Hurricane Stormy Weather

The purchase of the land was controversial at the time, as many local residents and politicians were not happy with Disney’s secretive methods and feared that the development would bring unwanted traffic, congestion, and environmental destruction.

However, Disney’s plans ultimately won approval from the state of Florida, and construction on Walt Disney World began in 1967. The resort officially opened to the public on October 1, 1971, with the Magic Kingdom theme park as its centerpiece. Wow! Talk about drama!

Over the years, Walt Disney World has expanded to include three more theme parks (Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom), two water parks, dozens of hotels and resorts, and a vast array of entertainment venues, restaurants, and shops.

Today, Walt Disney World is one of the most visited vacation destinations in the world, attracting tens of millions of visitors each year. Its success has also had a major impact on the economy of central Florida, creating thousands of jobs and generating billions of dollars in revenue for the region.