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When Walt Disney opened Disneyland in Anaheim, California, in 1955, he introduced a magical place where parents and children could have fun together. His vision revolutionized the American vacation. But despite Disneyland’s success, Disney quickly realized that his 160-acre flagship theme park wasn’t big enough to contain all of his dreams. What Disney truly wanted was to create a fully immersive, theatrical experience. Because he didn’t own the land surrounding the park, however, tacky hotels and fast-food restaurants began popping up outside the park gates, tarnishing Walt’s glittering fantasyland.
In 1964, the Walt Disney Company began scouting locations for “Disneyland East.” Under the guise of shell companies with tongue-in-cheek names like M.T. Lott Real Estate Investments, Disney secretly scooped up huge tracts of Florida swampland for about $180 an acre. The location guaranteed that Disney’s new vacation destination would be protected from commercial sprawl. “In Florida, we have something special we never enjoyed at Disneyland — the blessing of size,” Disney said in a 1965 television program announcing the company’s Florida project. “There is enough land here to hold all the ideas and plans we could possibly imagine.”
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Sadly, Walt Disney never realized those ideas and plans — the pioneering animator died just six weeks later. But the Florida project lived on through Walt’s older brother Roy, who postponed retirement to take the helm. In October 1971, Roy Disney stood beside Mickey Mouse and officially named the park Walt Disney World as a tribute to his brother.
Last October marked the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World, which encompasses 43 square miles and includes four theme parks, two water parks, 25 hotels, more than 200 restaurants and a 120-acre shopping and dining complex. Whether this will be your first trip or your 50th, prepare to be wowed — the resort has already rolled out plenty of golden anniversary magic, including brand-new attractions, dazzling park decor and unparalleled nighttime spectaculars. And because the festivities are due to continue through March 2023, there’s even more in store in the coming months.
Here’s our guide to getting the most out of your trip to the “Most Magical Place on Earth.”
Getting There
Most visitors to Disney World will fly into Orlando International Airport, which is about 20 miles from the resort’s entrance. As of January 2022, Disney eliminated the Magical Express, its complimentary airport transfer service. Travelers on a budget will want to reserve a shuttle like Sunshine Flyer or Mears Connect, which costs about $32 round trip. Ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft are another good option. Prices start around $45 one-way and depend upon demand and vehicle size.
On-site transportation throughout Walt Disney World, which consists of everything from buses and boats to monorails and the new Disney Skyliner, is free and efficient, making renting a car unnecessary if you opt to stay at one of the on-site Disney hotels. Finally, be prepared to do a lot of walking. The average Disney guest walks 7 to 10 miles per day during his or her vacation. Folks with mobility issues can rent wheelchairs and electric conveyance vehicles (ECVs) at each of the four Disney theme parks, as well as at the water parks and Disney Springs. Additionally, several off-site companies offer multiday wheelchair and ECV rentals at lower prices than you’ll find on Disney property.