10 Hidden Details In Walt Disney World You Probably Didn’t Know

10. Walt Disney World Resort Is NOT In Orlando

Orlando is synonymous for being the unmistakable home of Disney, with Mickey and Minnie living their best lives in the sunshine state. However, Walt Disney World is NOT technically in Orlando at all.

While the Anaheim based California complex was the first Disney park to open, Walt’s second venture over in Florida is by far the biggest and most ambitious. After watching a host of quick-thinking businesses buy up the land and buildings around the Cali-base to capitalise on Disneyland’s success and thus restritcing future planning potential, Walt wanted to make sure this didn’t happen over on the east coast.

The answer? Petition the Floridian Government to sanction control of the whole area to Walt. This is why the site and the surrounding area is called Walt Disney World, and not just the parks themselves. This means Walt Disney World runs as a separate entity to Orlando entirley, and even has its own governmental board - the Reedy Creek Improvement District, Disney’s answer to the Vatican-Rome situation.

The district has minimal permanent residents, all of which are Disney employees and all emergency services and utilities are contracted out of neighbouring Orlando.

All of this so Walt didn’t have local businesses ride the coattails of his success.