Editing Walt Disney World (section)

== History ==
=== Planning and construction ===
==== Conception ====
[[File:Walt Disney with Company at Press Conference.jpg|thumb|Walt Disney (left) with his brother [[Roy O. Disney]] (right) and then Governor of Florida [[W. Haydon Burns]] (center) on November 15, 1965, publicly announcing the creation of Disney World]]
[[File:Epcot-map-1966-modern.svg|thumb|Overlay of Walt Disney's original 1966 plans for Disney World and the proposed EPCOT city (orange) and contemporary situation (blue)]]

In 1959, [[Walt Disney Productions]] began looking for land to house a second resort to supplement [[Disneyland]] in Anaheim, California, which had opened in 1955. Market surveys at the time revealed that only 5% of Disneyland's visitors came from east of the [[Mississippi River]], where 75% of the population of the United States lived. Additionally, Walt Disney disliked the businesses that had sprung up around Disneyland and wanted more control over a larger area of land in the next project.<ref name="married">{{Cite book |last=Fogleson |first=Richard E. |author-link=Richard Foglesong |title=Married to the Mouse |publisher=Yale University Press |year=2003 |isbn=978-0-300-09828-0 |location=New Haven, CT |page=274}}</ref>

Walt Disney took a flight over a potential site in [[Orlando, Florida]]—one of many—in November 1963. After witnessing the well-developed network of roads and taking the planned construction of both [[Interstate 4]] and [[Florida's Turnpike]] into account, with [[McCoy Air Force Base]] (later [[Orlando International Airport]]) to the east, Disney selected a centrally located site near [[Bay Lake (Florida)|Bay Lake]].<ref name="Quest">{{Cite book |last=Mannheim |first=Steve |url=https://archive.org/details/waltdisneyquestf00mann |title=Walt Disney and the Quest for Community |publisher=[[Ashgate Publishing]] Limited |year=2002 |isbn=978-0-7546-1974-1 |location=Aldershot, Hampshire, England |pages=6, 68{{hyphen}}70 |ref=Mann02 |url-access=limited}}</ref> The development was referred to in-house as "The Florida Project".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Patches |first=Matt |date=May 20, 2015 |title=Inside Walt Disney's Ambitious, Failed Plan to Build the City of Tomorrow |url=https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/news/a35104/walt-disney-epcot-history-city-of-tomorrow/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200305233026/https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/news/a35104/walt-disney-epcot-history-city-of-tomorrow/ |archive-date=March 5, 2020 |access-date=October 20, 2020 |work=Esquire}}</ref> To avoid a burst of land speculation, Walt Disney Productions used various [[dummy corporation]]s to acquire {{convert|27443|acre|sqmi km2|0}} of land.<ref name="Quest" /> In May 1965, some of these major land transactions were recorded a few miles southwest of Orlando in [[Osceola County, Florida|Osceola County]]. In addition, two large tracts totaling $1.5 million were sold, and smaller tracts of flatlands and cattle pastures were purchased by exotically named companies, such as the "Ayefour Corporation", "Latin-American Development and Management Corporation", and the "Reedy Creek Ranch Corporation". Some are now memorialized on a window above [[Main Street, U.S.A.]] in the Magic Kingdom. The smaller parcels of land acquired were called "outs". They were {{convert|5|acre|4=0|adj=on|spell=in}} lots [[plat]]ted in 1912 by the Munger Land Company and sold to investors. Most of the owners in the 1960s were happy to get rid of the land, which was mostly [[swamp]] at the time. Another issue was the [[mineral rights]] to the land, which were owned by [[Tufts University]]. Without the transfer of these rights, Tufts could come in at any time and demand the removal of buildings to obtain minerals. Eventually, Disney's team negotiated a deal with Tufts to buy the mineral rights for $15,000.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Koenig |first=David |url=https://archive.org/details/realityland00/page/25 |title=Realityland: True-Life Adventures at Walt Disney World |publisher=Bonaventure Press |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-9640605-2-4 |location=Irvine, CA |pages=25–26 |ref=Koenig07}}</ref>

Working strictly in secrecy, real estate agents unaware of their client's identity began making offers to landowners in April 1964, in parts of southwest [[Orange County, Florida|Orange]] and northwest Osceola counties. The agents were careful not to reveal the extent of their intentions. They were able to negotiate numerous land contracts with some landowners, including large tracts of land for as little as $100 an acre.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mark Andrews |date=May 30, 1993 |title=Disney Assembled Cast Of Buyers To Amass Land Stage For Kingdom |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1993/05/30/disney-assembled-cast-of-buyers-to-amass-land-stage-for-kingdom/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903204555/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1993-05-30/news/9305280833_1_walt-disney-osceola-land-transactions |archive-date=September 3, 2014 |website=Orlando Sentinel}}</ref> With the understanding that the recording of the first deeds would trigger intense public scrutiny, Disney delayed the filing of paperwork until a large portion of the land was under contract.<ref name="WDW-Secret">{{Cite web |last=Mark Andrews |date=August 6, 2000 |title=Disney Pulled Strings So Mouse Moved In With Barely A Squeak |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2000/08/06/disney-pulled-strings-so-mouse-moved-in-with-barely-a-squeak/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910033232/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2000-08-06/news/0008050172_1_walt-disney-andersen-central-florida/2 |archive-date=September 10, 2015 |access-date=September 10, 2015 |website=Orlando Sentinel}}</ref>

Early rumors and speculation about the land purchases assumed possible development by [[NASA]] in support of the nearby [[Kennedy Space Center]], as well as references to other famous investors, such as [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]], the [[Rockefeller family|Rockefellers]], and [[Howard Hughes]].<ref name="WDW-Secret" /> An ''[[Orlando Sentinel]]'' news article published weeks later, on May 20, 1965, acknowledged a popular rumor that Disney was building an "East Coast" version of Disneyland. However, the publication denied its accuracy based on an earlier interview with Disney at Kennedy Space Center. In that interview, he claimed a $50 million investment was in the works for Disneyland, and that he had no interest in building a new park.<ref name="WDW-Secret" /> In October 1965, editor [[Emily Bavar]] from the ''Sentinel'' visited Disneyland during the park's 10th-anniversary celebration. In an interview with Disney, she asked him if he was behind recent land purchases in Central Florida. Bavar later described that Disney "looked like I had thrown a bucket of water in his face", before denying the story.<ref name="WDW-Secret" /> His reaction, combined with other research obtained during her Anaheim visit, led Bavar to author a story on October 21, 1965, where she predicted that Disney was building a second theme park in Florida.<ref name="WDW-Secret" /><ref>Bavar, Emily. [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/142030221/ "Is Our 'Mystery' Industry Disneyland?"], ''[[Orlando Sentinel]]'', October 21, 1965, front page and [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/24333949/ page 20-A].</ref> Three days later, after gathering more information from various sources, the ''Sentinel'' published another article headlined, "We Say: 'Mystery' Industry Is Disney".<ref name="WDW-Secret" /><ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31995299/ "We Say: 'Mystery' Industry Is Disney"], ''[[Orlando Sentinel]]'', October 24, 1965, front page and [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109296708/ page 20-A].</ref>

Walt Disney had originally planned to publicly reveal Disney World on November 15, 1965, but in light of the ''Sentinel'' story, Disney asked Florida Governor [[Haydon Burns]] to confirm the story on October 25. His announcement called the new theme park "the greatest attraction in the history of Florida".<ref name="WDW-Secret" /> The official reveal was kept on the previously planned November 15 date, and Disney joined Burns in Orlando for the event.<ref name="WDW-Secret" />

==== Roy Disney's oversight of construction ====
[[File:Roy Disney inspecting property in Florida.jpg|thumb|Roy O. Disney inspecting design plans on-site in Florida]]
Walt Disney died from circulatory collapse caused by smoking-related [[lung cancer]] on December 15, 1966, before his vision was realized.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Santora |first=Phil |date=December 14, 2014 |title=The day Walt Disney, an American icon who gave us Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, died |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/archives-walt-disney-died-lung-cancer-article-1.2042273 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913051051/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/archives-walt-disney-died-lung-cancer-article-1.2042273 |archive-date=September 13, 2017 |access-date=June 22, 2020 |website=New York Daily News}}</ref> According to the [[Walt Disney Archives]], during Walt's lifetime, he personally visited and toured the site only twice: on November 16, 1965, the day after the press conference, and again for a second time, on May 26, 1966.<ref name="AskWDA">{{cite journal |title=Ask the Walt Disney Archives |journal=Disney Twenty-three |date=Spring 2025 |volume=17 |issue=1 |page=60 |issn=2162-5492 |oclc=698366817}}</ref>  His brother and business partner, [[Roy O. Disney]], postponed his retirement to oversee construction of the resort's first phase.

On February 2, 1967, Roy O. Disney held a press conference at the Park Theatres in Winter Park, Florida. The role of EPCOT was emphasized in the film that was played. After the film, it was explained that for Disney World, including EPCOT, to succeed, a special district would have to be formed: the [[Reedy Creek Improvement District]] with two cities inside it, [[Bay Lake, Florida|Bay Lake]] and Reedy Creek, now [[Lake Buena Vista, Florida|Lake Buena Vista]]. In addition to the standard powers of an incorporated city, which include issuance of tax-free bonds, the district would have immunity from any current or future county or state land-use laws. The only areas where the district had to submit to the county and state would be [[property tax]]es and [[elevator]] inspections.<ref name="married" /> The legislation forming the district and the two cities, one of which was the [[Reedy Creek Improvement Act]], was signed into law by Florida Governor [[Claude R. Kirk, Jr.]] on May 12, 1967.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Thomas |first=Bob |url=http://kpolsson.com/wdworld/ |title=Walt Disney – An American Original |date=1994 |page=357 |access-date=September 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024034807/http://kpolsson.com/wdworld/ |archive-date=October 24, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Supreme Court of Florida]] then ruled in 1968 that the district was allowed to issue tax-exempt bonds for public projects within the district, despite the sole beneficiary being Walt Disney Productions.

[[File:Walt Disney World 1971.svg|thumb|The original logo of Walt Disney World from 1971 to the mid-1990s. This logo is still used on retro merchandise.]]
The district soon began construction of drainage canals, and Disney built the first roads and the Magic Kingdom. The [[Disney's Contemporary Resort|Contemporary Resort Hotel]] was completed in time for the park's opening on October 1, 1971, and the [[Disney's Polynesian Village Resort|Polynesian Village Resort]] opened shortly after.<ref name="dwfonfr">{{Cite news |date=September 27, 1971 |title=Disney World Florida opens next Friday |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0-4eAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wCQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6996%2C2342976 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508180805/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0-4eAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wCQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6996%2C2342976 |archive-date=May 8, 2022 |access-date=June 12, 2016 |work=Times-News |location=Hendersonville, North Carolina |page=11 |agency=UPI}}</ref><ref name="opfgteslns">{{Cite news |date=October 2, 1971 |title=Walt Disney World opens Florida gates |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SsEzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=izIHAAAAIBAJ&pg=7198%2C139625 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015014530/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SsEzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=izIHAAAAIBAJ&pg=7198%2C139625 |archive-date=October 15, 2021 |access-date=June 12, 2016 |work=Lodi News-Sentinel |location=California |page=10 |agency=UPI}}</ref> The Palm and Magnolia golf courses near the Magic Kingdom had opened a few weeks before, while [[Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground|Fort Wilderness]] opened one month later. Twenty-four days after the park opened, Roy O. Disney dedicated the property and declared that it would be known as "Walt Disney World", in his brother's honor. In his own words: "Everyone has heard of [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] cars. But have they all heard of [[Henry Ford]], who started it all? Walt Disney World is in memory of the man who started it all, so people will know his name as long as Walt Disney World is here." After the dedication, Roy Disney asked Walt's widow, [[Lillian Disney|Lillian]], what she thought of Walt Disney World. According to biographer Bob Thomas, she responded, "I think Walt would have approved." Roy Disney died at age 78 on December 20, 1971, less than three months after the property opened.<ref name="bbroydsn">{{Cite news |date=December 21, 1971 |title=Backstage brain Roy Disney dies |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IkVQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yFcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5417%2C1489507 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015014528/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IkVQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yFcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5417%2C1489507 |archive-date=October 15, 2021 |access-date=June 12, 2016 |work=St. Petersburg Independent |location=Florida |page=10–A |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>

Admission prices in 1971 were $3.50 for adults, $2.50 for juniors under age 18, and $1 for children under twelve.<ref name="dwfonfr" />

=== 1980s–2020 ===
[[File:MagicKingdomPostcard1982.jpg|thumb|An aerial shot of Walt Disney World in 1982]]
Much of Walt Disney's plans for his [[EPCOT (concept)|Progress City]] concept were abandoned after his death and after the company board decided that it did not want to be in the business of running a city. The concept evolved into the resort's second theme park, [[Epcot|EPCOT Center]], which opened in 1982 (renamed EPCOT in 1996). While still emulating Walt Disney's original idea of showcasing new technology, the park is closer to a [[world's fair]] than a "community of tomorrow". One of EPCOT's main attractions is the World Showcase, which highlights 11 countries across the globe. Some of the urban planning concepts from the original idea of EPCOT would instead be integrated into the community of [[Celebration, Florida]], much later. The resort's third theme park, Disney-MGM Studios (renamed [[Disney's Hollywood Studios]] in 2008), opened in 1989 and is inspired by show business.

[[File:Walt Disney World Resort logo.svg|thumb|The 1996 version of The Walt Disney World logo]]
In the early 1990s, the resort was seeking permits for expansion. There was considerable environmentalist push-back, and the resort was convinced to engage in [[mitigation banking]]. In an agreement with [[The Nature Conservancy]] and the state of Florida, Disney purchased {{convert|8500|acre|abbr=on}} of land, adjacent to the park for the purpose of rehabilitating wetland ecosystems. The [[Disney Wilderness Preserve]] was established in April 1993, and the land was subsequently transferred to The Nature Conservancy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Disney Wilderness Preserve |url=http://disney.go.com/disneyhand/environmentality/environment/preserve.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030819004243/http://disney.go.com/disneyhand/environmentality/environment/preserve.html |archive-date=August 19, 2003 |website=The Walt Disney Company}}</ref> The Walt Disney Company provided additional funds for landscape restoration and wildlife monitoring.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Palmer |first=Tom |date=February 16, 2013 |title=Disney Wilderness Preserve Site Is Internationally Recognized Model for Success |url=https://www.theledger.com/article/LK/20130216/news/608072862/LL |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719205130/https://www.theledger.com/article/LK/20130216/news/608072862/LL |archive-date=July 19, 2020 |access-date=19 July 2020 |work=The Ledger |language=en}}</ref>

The resort's fourth theme park, [[Disney's Animal Kingdom]], opened in 1998.

In October 2009, Disney World announced a competition to find a town to become twinned with. In December 2009, after Rebecca Warren won the competition with a poem, they announced the resort will be twinned with the English town of [[Swindon]].<ref name="swindon">{{Cite web |last=Peter Woodman |date=December 7, 2009 |title=Swindon twinned with Disney World |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/swindon-twinned-with-disney-world-1835889.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091211114121/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/swindon-twinned-with-disney-world-1835889.html |archive-date=11 December 2009 |access-date=30 September 2021 |website=The Independent}}</ref>

[[George Kalogridis]] was named president of the resort in December 2012, replacing [[Meg Crofton]], who had overseen the site since 2006.

As of October 27, 2014, Walt Disney World is covered by a permanent [[Federal Aviation Administration|FAA]] [[prohibited airspace]] zone that restricts all airspace activities without approval from the [[federal government of the United States]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=4/3634 NOTAM Details |url=https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_3634.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210404233609/https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_3634.html |archive-date=April 4, 2021 |access-date=2021-03-30 |publisher=Federal Aviation Administration}}</ref> including usage of [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|drones]].

On January 21, 2016, the resort's management structure was changed, with general managers within a theme park being in charge of an area or land, instead of on a functional basis, as previously configured. Theme parks have already had a vice-president overseeing them. [[Disney Springs]] and [[Disney Parks, Experiences and Products#Disney Sports Enterprises|Disney Sports]] were also affected. Now hotel general managers manage a single hotel instead of some managing multiple hotels.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pedicini |first=Sandra |date=January 22, 2016 |title=Walt Disney World announces management reorganization |url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-disney-overhauls-management-20160122-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827045305/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-disney-overhauls-management-20160122-story.html |archive-date=August 27, 2016 |access-date=August 17, 2016}}</ref>

On October 18, 2017, it was announced that resort visitors could bring [[pet dogs]] to [[Disney's Yacht Club Resort]], [[Disney's Port Orleans Resort]] – Riverside, [[Disney's Art of Animation Resort]], and [[Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Trejos |first=Nancy |title=Dogs now welcome at Disney World resorts |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/roadwarriorvoices/2017/10/18/pets-now-welcome-disney-world-resorts/774803001/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021160238/https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/roadwarriorvoices/2017/10/18/pets-now-welcome-disney-world-resorts/774803001/ |archive-date=October 21, 2017 |access-date=October 21, 2017 |work=USA Today |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:Walt Disney World Logo 2018.svg|thumb|The 2018 version of The Walt Disney World logo.]]
In 2019, [[Josh D'Amaro]] replaced [[George Kalogridis]] as president of the resort. He had previously held the position of vice president of Animal Kingdom.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Walt Disney Company News |url=https://www.wdwmagic.com/other/walt-disney-company/news/25sep2019-josh-damaro-to-become-new-vice-president-walt-disney-world.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926023735/https://www.wdwmagic.com/other/walt-disney-company/news/25sep2019-josh-damaro-to-become-new-vice-president-walt-disney-world.htm |archive-date=September 26, 2019 |access-date=September 26, 2019 |publisher=WDWMagic}}</ref> D'Amaro was subsequently promoted to chairman of [[Disney Parks, Experiences and Products]] in May 2020, succeeding [[Bob Chapek]], who was promoted to CEO of the Walt Disney Company in February 2020. Jeff Vahle, who served as president of Disney Signature Experiences subsequently took over as president of the resort.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bevil |first=Dewayne |date=May 18, 2020 |title=Disney World: Josh D'Amaro promoted; Jeff Vahle takes over as president |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/the-daily-disney/os-bz-disney-president-promoted-damaro-vahle-20200518-wnkwciyehzfphoa4to73jfvabe-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801233953/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/the-daily-disney/os-bz-disney-president-promoted-damaro-vahle-20200518-wnkwciyehzfphoa4to73jfvabe-story.html |archive-date=August 1, 2020 |access-date=July 14, 2020 |website=orlandosentinel.com}}</ref>

=== March 2020–present ===
On March 12, 2020, a Disney spokesperson announced that Disney World and [[Disneyland Paris]] would temporarily close due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], beginning March 15, 2020.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Walt Disney World closes, paralyzing the company's tourism empire |url=https://www.cnn.com/cnn/2020/03/12/disney-world-closed-coronavirus/index.html |work=[[CNN Business]]}}</ref>

In 2020, Disney World laid off 6,500 employees and only operated at 25% capacity after reopening during the [[Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on The Walt Disney Company|COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref name="layoffs">{{Cite news |date=September 30, 2020 |title=6,700 non-union Disney employees in Central Florida among those being laid off |url=https://www.wesh.com/article/disney-layoffs-florida/34222642 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930180245/https://www.wesh.com/article/disney-layoffs-florida/34222642 |archive-date=September 30, 2020 |access-date=September 30, 2020 |publisher=WESH}}</ref><ref name="capped">{{Cite news |last=Deerwester |first=Jayme |date=October 13, 2020 |title=Disney World attendance to stay capped; Disneyland reopening 'not much of a negotiation,' CEO says |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/experience/america/theme-parks/2020/10/13/disney-world-attendance-remain-capped-new-cdc-covid-19-guidance/5977875002/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008034621/https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/experience/america/theme-parks/2020/10/13/disney-world-attendance-remain-capped-new-cdc-covid-19-guidance/5977875002/ |archive-date=October 8, 2021 |access-date=October 14, 2020 |publisher=USA Today}}</ref>

{{As of|2020||alt=In June 2020}}, Walt Disney World was chosen to host the [[2020 NBA Bubble|NBA Bubble]] for play of the [[2019–20 NBA season|2019–20 season]] of the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA) to resume at the [[ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex]].<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Sergent |first1=Jim |last2=Medina |first2=Mark |date=July 9, 2020 |title=How the NBA bubble has taken shape in Disney World |url=https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/sports/2020/07/09/nba-bubble-takes-shape-disney-world/5387760002/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613183749/https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/sports/2020/07/09/nba-bubble-takes-shape-disney-world/5387760002/ |archive-date=June 13, 2021 |access-date=July 25, 2021 |website=USA TODAY}}</ref>  The ESPN Complex, hosts a variety of activities throughout the year, including [[runDisney]] marathon races and dance and cheer competitions in partnership with Varsity Cheer. It was also the site for the [[MLS is Back tournament]].

On July 11, 2020, Disney World officially reopened, beginning operations at 25% capacity at the [[Magic Kingdom]] and [[Disney's Animal Kingdom]], as a result of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Florida]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 July 2020 |title=Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom reopen for first time since March |url=https://www.wfla.com/news/florida/magic-kingdom-animal-kingdom-reopen-today-for-first-time-since-march/amp/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015095736/https://www.wfla.com/news/florida/magic-kingdom-animal-kingdom-reopen-today-for-first-time-since-march/amp/ |archive-date=October 15, 2021 |access-date=March 8, 2021 |publisher=[[WFLA-TV]]}}</ref> Four days later, [[Epcot|EPCOT]] and [[Disney's Hollywood Studios]] for operation at 25% capacity to the public.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tremaine |first=Julie |date=15 July 2020 |title=Disney World Reopens Epcot and Hollywood Studios |url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/amp/disney-world-epcot-reopens/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208180303/https://www.cnn.com/travel/amp/disney-world-epcot-reopens/index.html |archive-date=February 8, 2021 |access-date=March 8, 2021 |publisher=[[CNN]]}}</ref> Masks were required at all times (including outdoors, on attractions, and while taking photos), all guests were required to have their temperature taken upon entry, [[plexiglass]] was installed on various attractions and transportation offerings, and shows that drew large crowds, such as parades and nighttime shows including ''[[Fantasmic!]]'' and ''[[Happily Ever After (Magic Kingdom)|Happily Ever After]]'' were not offered.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Richwine |first=Lisa |date=July 12, 2020 |title=Mandatory masks, Mickey at a distance as Walt Disney World reopens |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-disney-idUSKCN24C0Q4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726170941/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-disney-idUSKCN24C0Q4 |archive-date=July 26, 2021 |access-date=July 26, 2021 |work=REUTERS}}</ref>

In November 2020, the resort increased the guest capacity to 35% at all four theme parks, and on May 13, 2021, CEO Bob Chapek announced a further increase of capacity, effective immediately; however, he did not say to what capacity level it would be raised.<ref name="tw">{{Cite news |last=Biesiada |first=Jamie |date=14 May 2021 |title=Capacity levels are going up at Walt Disney World |url=https://www.travelweekly.com/North-America-Travel/Increase-in-capacity-at-Disney-World |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604211558/https://www.travelweekly.com/North-America-Travel/Increase-in-capacity-at-Disney-World |archive-date=June 4, 2021 |access-date=June 4, 2021 |work=Travel Weekly}}</ref> By mid-June 2021, temperature checks and mask mandates (except while on Disney transportation) had been lifted.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tyko |first=Kelly |title=Disney World no longer requires masks outdoors, but you'll still need to wear a mask to enter parks and inside |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/experience/america/theme-parks/2021/05/13/disney-mask-requirement-cdc-fully-vaccinated-no-masks-indoors-outdoors/5080931001/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725200043/https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/experience/america/theme-parks/2021/05/13/disney-mask-requirement-cdc-fully-vaccinated-no-masks-indoors-outdoors/5080931001/ |archive-date=July 25, 2021 |access-date=July 25, 2021 |website=USA TODAY}}</ref> In late July 2021, mask mandates were reinstated for all attractions and indoor areas in light of new guidance issued by the [[Centers for Disease Control]] as the [[delta variant]] drove a significant increase in local cases. These reinstated mandates were lifted in February 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Durkee |first=Alison |title=Disney World And Disneyland Reimpose Mask Mandates Amid Covid-19 Delta Variant Spread |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2021/07/29/disney-world-and-disneyland-reimpose-mask-mandates-amid-covid-19-delta-variant-spread/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906185927/https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2021/07/29/disney-world-and-disneyland-reimpose-mask-mandates-amid-covid-19-delta-variant-spread/ |archive-date=September 6, 2021 |access-date=September 6, 2021 |website=Forbes}}</ref> In April 2022, following a court decision ending the federal mask mandate for public transportation, the mask mandates on Disney transportation were lifted.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 20, 2022 |title=Walt Disney World makes masks optional for all areas of resort |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/walt-disney-world-makes-face-masks-optional-areas-resort-rcna25146 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220429191444/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/walt-disney-world-makes-face-masks-optional-areas-resort-rcna25146 |archive-date=April 29, 2022 |access-date=April 29, 2022 |website=NBC News}}</ref>

Starting on October 1, 2021, the resort honored its 50th anniversary with "The World's Most Magical Celebration",<ref>{{Cite news |last=Brown |first=Forrest |date=25 February 2021 |title=Find out what Disney World has in store for its 50th anniversary celebration in October |url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/disney-world-50th-anniversary-celebration-october/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210409101733/https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/disney-world-50th-anniversary-celebration-october/index.html |archive-date=April 9, 2021 |access-date=4 June 2021 |publisher=CNN Travel}}</ref> which lasted for 18 consecutive months ending on March 31, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Disney World sets end date for 50th anniversary celebration |url=https://www.mynews13.com/fl/orlando/attractions/2022/08/31/disney-world-sets-end-date-for-50th-anniversary-celebration |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101170519/https://www.mynews13.com/fl/orlando/attractions/2022/08/31/disney-world-sets-end-date-for-50th-anniversary-celebration |archive-date=November 1, 2022 |access-date=2022-11-01 |website=www.mynews13.com |language=en}}</ref>

[[Disney's Magical Express]], a complimentary transportation and luggage service offered to Walt Disney Resort guests that began in 2005, ended in January 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bevil |first=Dewayne |title=Disney ending Magical Express bus service and Extra Magic Hours for hotel guests |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/the-daily-disney/os-et-disney-ends-extra-magic-hours-magical-express-bus-20210111-n74artglrffcvkvnrh6nptx4e4-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405141255/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/the-daily-disney/os-et-disney-ends-extra-magic-hours-magical-express-bus-20210111-n74artglrffcvkvnrh6nptx4e4-story.html |archive-date=April 5, 2023 |access-date=October 13, 2021 |work=orlandosentinel.com}}</ref> In August 2021, the Walt Disney Company announced that [[FastPass]]+, which had been free since its introduction in 1999, would be retired and replaced with Genie+, starting at $18 to $35 per day. This new system includes the option of adding "Lightning Lane", which will be used for top-tier attractions, for an additional charge. The pricing range depends on the crowd and day of purchase.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Barnes |first=Brooks |date=August 18, 2021 |title=To Skip the Line at Disney, Get Ready to Pay a Genie |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/18/business/disney-fastpass-genie-plus.html |url-access=limited |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/18/business/disney-fastpass-genie-plus.html |archive-date=2021-12-28 |work=The New York Times |via=NYTimes.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

On April 22, 2022, the self-governing status which the Walt Disney Company had in the area around Disney World for more than 50 years came to an end after Florida Governor [[Ron DeSantis]] signed into law legislation requiring the area to come under the legal jurisdiction of the state of Florida.<ref name="reedycreekgone">{{Cite news |last=Morris |first=Kyle |date=April 22, 2022 |title=DeSantis signs bill ending Disney's self-governing status in Florida |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/desantis-signs-bill-stripping-disney-self-governing-status |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422195037/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/desantis-signs-bill-stripping-disney-self-governing-status |archive-date=April 22, 2022 |access-date=April 22, 2022 |publisher=Fox News}}</ref> The new law also officially abolished The [[Reedy Creek Improvement District]] which the Walt Disney Company has used to run the area since May 1967, when then Florida Governor [[Claude R. Kirk Jr.|Claude Kirk]] signed into law legislation which granted the company special status.<ref name="reedycreekgone" /> The law went into effect in June 2023.<ref name="selfgovernancegone">{{cite news |last1=Izaguirre |first1=Anthony |title=Disney government dissolution bill signed by DeSantis |url=https://apnews.com/article/business-travel-florida-orlando-ron-desantis-5bbb7bd13c5357877f999aab96b33651 |work=AP News |date=22 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-22 |title=DeSantis signs bill eliminating Walt Disney World's Reedy Creek district; Fitch warns of bond downgrade |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/politics/os-ne-disney-reedy-creek-bill-signed-20220422-3ijuuhs5wra6vcbmy4qhpqp6gy-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422210441/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/politics/os-ne-disney-reedy-creek-bill-signed-20220422-3ijuuhs5wra6vcbmy4qhpqp6gy-story.html |archive-date=April 22, 2022 |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=Orlando Sentinel |language=en}}</ref> Along with this, as of May 2023, Governor [[Ron DeSantis]] has also been planning to target Disney's monorail system and let Florida's Department of Transportation inspect the privately owned system.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Florida lawmakers OK Disney bills, including one targeting monorail |url=https://www.tampabay.com/life-culture/2023/05/04/disney-desantis-agreements-special-district-monorail/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521232800/https://www.tampabay.com/life-culture/2023/05/04/disney-desantis-agreements-special-district-monorail/ |archive-date=May 21, 2023 |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=en}}</ref>{{Sticky header}}