Why Disney World?

What comes to mind when you hear the word "Disney"?

Maybe it's a mouse, a favorite childhood movie, a theme park, or an innovative dreamer named Walt. The word "Disney" has become so much more than just a word; from movies to theme parks and everything in between, it's safe to say that most everyone has heard of Disney. And rightly so! The Walt Disney Company stands as the largest media conglomerate today, with an annual revenue of about $42,278,000. No matter what your feelings on Disney are, you've got to admit that's pretty impressive, considering it's humble roots.

Over nine decades ago, Walt Disney changed the face of entertainment forever. Starting with short cartoons in the 1920s, he eventually progressed into making full-length animated feature films. Almost every single film Disney produced was a success. Around 1953, Walt decided he wanted to build an amusement park. Back then, amusement parks were almost non-existent. Walt wanted to build a place where he could go with his daughters and spend time together as a family, and thus, Disneyland was born.

Opening in 1955, Disneyland was a huge success. Based on Walt's movies and stories, the park amazed the world. After all this success, Walt decided he wanted to create another park in Florida for those on the East Coast who couldn't make it to Disneyland. But when Walt passed away in 1966, his Imagineers weren't sure what to do. They eventually took most (but not all) of his ideas and built Walt Disney World, which opened in 1971. Even without Walt's guidance, the park was just as successful as Disneyland.

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What made Walt Disney World different was the fact that it wasn't just a theme park, it was a resort. In 1971, the Resort had The Magic Kingdom, two hotels, and a shopping district.Today, Disney World has four theme parks, twenty four hotels, a shopping district, and two water parks. If you've ever been there, you know that Disney World is huge! It's 43 square miles of pure magic.

So why will this blog be about Disney World?


I grew up on Disney. I have so many memories of movies and stories and vacations that make me so incredibly happy to think about. I'm blessed with the
fact that I've been to Disney World five times, and each trip was better than the one before. When people use the phrase "Think of your happy place!" I picture myself in the middle of the Magic Kingdom, sitting on a bench in front of Cinderella Castle. So really, why not focus this blog on the happiest place on Earth?