In late 1998, it unveiled a new entertainment district, CityWalk, and in 1999, it opened Islands of Adventure, a second theme park including attractions dedicated to Dr. Universal Orlando, whose Universal Studios Florida park opened in 1990, continued to expand and keep the stakes high. In 1998, Disney opened yet another theme park, this one dedicated to zoological entertainment and aptly called Animal Kingdom. All the while, Walt Disney World continued to grow and expand, adding Epcot in 1982 and Disney-MGM Studios (now Disney's Hollywood Studios) in 1989, along with water parks more than a dozen "official" resorts a shopping, dining, and entertainment district campgrounds a vast array of recreational facilities and several other adjuncts. SeaWorld, a major theme park, came to town in 1973. The sleepy citrus-growing town of Orlando had become the "Action Center of Florida," and the fastest-growing city in the state.Īdditional attractions multiplied faster than fruit flies, and hundreds of firms relocated their businesses to the area. In Walt Disney World's first 2 years, the attraction drew 20 million visitors and employed 13,000 people. Mickey Mouse escorted the first visitor into the Magic Kingdom, and numerous celebrities, from Bob Hope to Julie Andrews, took part in the opening ceremonies. The total cost of the project by its October 1971 opening was $400 million. Land speculation reached unprecedented heights, as hotel chains and restaurateurs grabbed up property near the proposed park. In a 2-year construction effort, Disney employed 9,000 people. Speculation was rife almost to the very day, Novem("D" Day for Orlando), when Uncle Walt arrived in town and announced his plans to build the world's most spectacular theme park ("bigger and better than Disneyland"). Some thought it was Howard Hughes others, the space program. As vast areas of land were purchased in lots of 5,000 acres here, 20,000 there - at remarkably high prices - rumors flew as to who needed so much land and had the money to acquire it.
In 1964, Walt Disney began secretly buying millions of dollars worth of Central Florida farmland.
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