Disney World is one of the most iconic and beloved theme parks in the world. It is a place of dreams and fantasies, a place of joy and wonder, and a place where people can escape the stress and struggles of everyday life and just be happy. But how much did it cost to build Disney World?
The answer to that question is not an easy one. It took over a decade of planning, development, and construction to build Disney World, and the total cost was in the billions of dollars. The cost of the project was so high that it was one of the most expensive construction projects ever undertaken in the United States. In this article, we will explore the cost of building Disney World, from the initial conception of the project to its grand opening in 1971.
The Initial Planning and Development Process
The first step in creating Disney World was the initial planning and development process. This process began in the late 1950s, when Walt Disney first began to develop the idea of an “Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow” (EPCOT). This project was to be a community that would use the latest technology to create a utopian city. Walt Disney originally planned for EPCOT to be located near his home in California, but this plan was eventually scrapped.
Instead, Walt Disney decided to build his project on the much larger land mass of Florida. This decision was heavily influenced by the fact that Florida was a rapidly growing state at the time, and it had a much larger potential for growth than California. Once Walt Disney had determined the location for his project, he began to assemble a team of experts and planners to help him develop the concept.
The Early Construction Process
Once the team of experts and planners had been assembled, the next step was to begin the early construction process. This process began with the purchase of land in Orange County and Osceola County, Florida. This land was purchased from various private owners, and it totaled about 27,000 acres. In addition to buying the land, the company also began to build the infrastructure needed for the project, such as roads, electricity lines, and water lines.
The total cost of the land purchase and infrastructure building was estimated to be around $180 million. This cost was split between the Walt Disney Company and the state of Florida, with each paying half of the total cost.
Building the Park
Once the land and infrastructure had been purchased and built, the next step was to begin building the park itself. This process began in 1967 and continued until 1971. During this time, the company built attractions, rides, and other structures within the park. This process was overseen by the company’s vice president of engineering, Roger Broggie, who ensured that the park was built to the highest standards.
The total cost of building the park was estimated to be around $400 million. This cost included the cost of labor, materials, and other expenses related to building the park. In addition to the cost of building the park, there were also additional costs associated with marketing and advertising the park, which added to the total cost of the project.
Grand Opening
Finally, in 1971, the park was ready for its grand opening. The grand opening was a massive event, with thousands of people in attendance. The opening of the park was a huge success, and it quickly became one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. The total cost of the project was estimated to be around $1.4 billion.