Why is Disney World in Florida?

Each year, millions of people head to Florida to visit Disney World.

Understandably, very few take the time to ask how or why Walt chose its location. It’s simply not a priority between the Mickey-shaped treats and exciting rides.

Today, we’re diving into the swamp to see why the man behind the mouse chose Florida for Disney World.

Let’s go!

Philadelphia, PA, USA – November 27, 2014: Disney’s Mickey and Mini Mouse participate in the Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia.

What is Disney World in Florida?

Walt Disney World Resort is a massive entertainment complex in Central Florida. When we say that it’s big, we mean it. It’s over 27,000 acres or approximately 40 square miles. Seriously, it’s enormous!

The gigantic property contains four theme parks, two water parks, two mini-golf courses, and four golf courses. If you need a place to stay, there are 21 resorts on the property and numerous others in the area.

The resort opened in October 1971 and has been helping families make magical memories ever since. In a typical year, approximately 58 million visitors come through the turnstiles. It takes nearly 77,000 employees, which they call cast members, to make the guests’ dreams come true.

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What Did Walt Disney Regret About Creating Disneyland?

When Walt and Roy Disney began constructing Disneyland in Anaheim, California, in July 1954, the city was far from developed. The surrounding land quickly began disappearing once the park was finished and started gaining popularity.

While this was good for the city, it led to one of Walt’s biggest regrets when creating Disneyland.

With land gobbled up like hotcakes, the famous park had no room for further expansion. They’d have to make the most out of whatever land they had. Walt decided that this was a significant mistake he wouldn’t repeat. If he ever got a second chance, this wouldn’t be a mistake he made again.

If you’ve ever visited Disneyland, you’ve likely experienced traffic congestion. Once you enter the gates, it’s far from feeling like you’ve escaped reality and entered a land of fantasy and make-believe. However, you’re miles from reality once you drive through the gates of The Most Magical Place On Earth in Orlando.

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Why Did Walt Disney World Choose Florida for Walt Disney World?

So, why would Walt pick 27,000 acres of Florida swampland for Disney World? Well, we now know it wasn’t just by chance. The man had a plan, and he worked it nearly to perfection. He acquired a tremendous amount of land under a bundle of fictitious company names. Prices skyrocketed when word got out that Disney was the one buying land.

Cheap Land

One of the reasons Florida was a popular choice for Disney World was because the land was incredibly cheap. The company acquired the 27,400 in 1965 for approximately $182 per acre. That’s a steal of a deal!

The land was cheap because it was full of unusable orange groves and swamplands. Turning it into what you see today was a challenging task.

Luckily, with the savings, they hired the crews and equipment to get the place into shape. What we see today likely wouldn’t have been as grand had they paid a premium price.

Access to Highways

One of Disney’s most significant deciding factors was the easy access to major highways. He was flying over the Sunshine State when he noticed that I-4, I-95, and the Sunshine State Parkway pass directly through Orlando. Walt knew it would make it easy for potential visitors to access what he and his team were about to create.

One of the biggest frustrations with the California project was the congestion guests had to deal with on the roads. The last thing Walt wanted was for guests to have a negative first impression because of having to fight traffic.

Luckily, with easy access to major highways, this was one less thing that Disney needed to worry about.

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Willing State Government

One of the biggest reasons Walt chose Florida for Disney World was the state’s willingness to work with him. The goal was to have as little red tape to cut through as possible for this massive project. Luckily for Walt, Florida officials were more than willing to entertain him and his project.

Disney relied on special districts controlled by the massive company to allow them to bypass permits and other projects. It resulted in the creation of emergency services, waste management facilities, and many other critical infrastructures. This worked well for them for over 60 years, but some significant changes have occurred recently.

Warm Weather

Another reason Florida was a desirable place for Disney World was due to the year-round warm weather. Like Southern California, Central Florida has decent weather that keeps the park open.

As you might guess, parks don’t make money when closed. The more days they can open the gates, the more chances they have to capture tourist dollars.

A palm tree against a blue sky - weather is one of the reasons Walt Disney chose Florida

While summers can be intense in Florida, it doesn’t stop people from visiting the theme parks. Summer is one of the busiest times of the year there. Not only will you toe the line of heat stroke, but you’ll pay a premium price to visit.

The number of locations around the United States that would allow year-round operation were few and far between. Luckily for Florida, it had little in the line of competition from many other states.

What is the Disney World Controversy in Florida?

The original plan that Disney and the state government agreed to has changed substantially over the years. The community Walt had envisioned was no longer the plan. However, the Disney company was still benefiting as if it were.

It became an issue when Disney CEO Bob Chapek aggressively spoke out against the state government during a 2022 shareholder meeting.

He was encouraging shareholders to protest recent legislation passed by Governor Ron DeSantis regarding classroom instruction teaching sexual orientation.

However, DeSantis took aim at Disney and made it his mission to dismantle all of the special privileges that the company enjoyed. It was his way of getting even for the CEO’s desire to disrupt his political positions. This resulted in a tug-of-war between the two powerhouses arguing back and forth.

Could Disney World Leave Florida?

The entire situation between Disney and the State of Florida is messy. Should the special treatment be dissolved entirely, DeSantis would have to generate the missing funds from the company elsewhere. This would likely result in a massive tax increase for Orange and Osceola County residents.

As you might assume, no governor wants that on their political record.

As a result, Disney changed the name of their special district from Reedy Creek Improvement District to Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.

However, Mickey and his friends aren’t likely to pack their bags and move elsewhere. When push comes to shove, neither side wants the financial losses resulting from that kind of dramatic response.

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Orlando Really Is the Best Place for Disney World

Disney World is in Florida because it’s the perfect place for it. The weather is ideal, and it’s incredibly easy to access. In addition, over 60 years ago, the land was remarkably cheap, and the government wanted to attract tourists. It was one of those perfect timing scenarios that worked for all the parties involved in the massive project.