Disney Experiences

{{Short description|Theme park and travel division of The Walt Disney Company}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2017}}

{{Use American English|date=March 2017}}

{{Infobox company

| name = Disney Experiences

| logo = File:Disney Experiences logo.svg

| logo_size = 125px

| former_name = {{Indented plainlist|

  • Walt Disney Outdoor Recreation (1980–1989)
  • Walt Disney Attractions (1989–2008)
  • Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Worldwide (2008–2018)
  • Walt Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products (2018–2019)
  • Disney Parks, Experiences and Products (2019–2023)

}}

| type = Division

| foundation = {{Start date and age|1971|04|01}}

| location_city = Lake Buena Vista, Florida
Glendale, California

| location_country = U.S.

| locations = 6

| area_served = China, France, Hong Kong, Japan, United States

| key_people = Josh D'Amaro (chairman)

| parent = The Walt Disney Company

| subsid = {{Indented plainlist|

}}

| website = {{URL|https://disneyconnect.com/|Official Website}}

| footnotes = {{cite web |title=Company Overview of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=4159864 |website=Bloomberg |access-date=September 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205072402/https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=4159864 |archive-date=February 5, 2018 |url-status=live }}

}}

Disney Experiences,{{efn|Formerly known as Walt Disney Outdoor Recreation Division, Walt Disney Attractions, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Worldwide, Inc., Walt Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products and Disney Parks, Experiences and Products.}} commonly known as Disney Parks, is one of the three major divisions of the Walt Disney Company.{{Cite web |last=Brzeski |first=Patrick |date=November 16, 2023 |title=Disney's "Turbocharging" of Theme Park Business Gathers Pace With 'Frozen Land' Launch in Hong Kong |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/disney-frozen-land-hong-kong-disneyland-resort-1235648764/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116193929/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/disney-frozen-land-hong-kong-disneyland-resort-1235648764/ |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |access-date=November 17, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}{{cite web|title=Detail by Entity Name: Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Worldwide, Inc.|url=http://search.sunbiz.org/Inquiry/CorporationSearch/SearchResultDetail?inquirytype=EntityName&directionType=ForwardList&searchNameOrder=WALTDISNEYPARKSRESORTSWORLDWID%20F090000012040&aggregateId=forp-f09000001204-dfbb7cc6-7dee-4d8b-bbef-3244c551d808&searchTerm=Walt%20Disney%20Parks%20and%20Resorts%20Worldwide&listNameOrder=WALTDISNEYPARKSRESORTSWORLDWID%20F090000012040|website=SunBiz.org|publisher=Florida Department of State Division of Corporations|access-date=October 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118051941/http://search.sunbiz.org/Inquiry/CorporationSearch/SearchResultDetail?inquirytype=EntityName&directionType=ForwardList&searchNameOrder=WALTDISNEYPARKSRESORTSWORLDWID%20F090000012040&aggregateId=forp-f09000001204-dfbb7cc6-7dee-4d8b-bbef-3244c551d808&searchTerm=Walt%20Disney%20Parks%20and%20Resorts%20Worldwide&listNameOrder=WALTDISNEYPARKSRESORTSWORLDWID%20F090000012040|archive-date=November 18, 2015|url-status=live}} It was founded on April 1, 1971, exactly six months before the opening of the Walt Disney World Resort.

File:Disney Parks.svg

Led by Josh D'Amaro, the company's theme parks hosted over 157.3 million guests, making Disney Parks the world's most visited theme park company worldwide,{{Cite web|title=TEA/AECOM 2018 Theme Index and Museum Index: The Global Attractions Attendance Report|url=http://www.teaconnect.org/images/files/TEA_235_103719_170601.pdf|publisher=TEA/AECOM|date=2019|page=5|access-date=August 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602201150/http://www.teaconnect.org/images/files/TEA_235_103719_170601.pdf|archive-date=June 2, 2017|url-status=live}} with United Kingdom-based Merlin Entertainments coming in second at 67 million guests. It is Disney's largest business segment by employee headcount, with approximately 130,000{{cite news|last1=Barnes|first1=Brooks|title=Thomas Staggs: Disney's Heir, Apparently|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/26/business/media/thomas-staggs-disneys-heir-apparently.html|access-date=April 26, 2015|work=The New York Times|date=April 26, 2015|location=New York|page=BU1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426032748/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/26/business/media/thomas-staggs-disneys-heir-apparently.html|archive-date=April 26, 2015|url-status=live}} of the company's 180,000 employees as of 2015.{{cite web|url=http://thewaltdisneycompany.com/sites/default/files/reports/fy14-form-10k.pdf|title=Form 10-K, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, by the Walt Disney Company for the Fiscal Year Ended September 27, 2014|publisher=The Walt Disney Company|access-date=November 23, 2014|date=November 19, 2014|page=1|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217131710/http://thewaltdisneycompany.com/sites/default/files/reports/fy14-form-10k.pdf|archive-date=December 17, 2014|df=mdy-all}}{{Needs update|date=April 2024}} In March 2018, Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media was merged into Parks and Resorts and renamed Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. In September 2020, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products laid off 28,000 employees in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/29/media/disney-parks-layoffs/index.html|title=Disney is laying off 28,000 employees as pandemic hammers its theme parks|first=Frank|last=Pallotta|publisher=CNN Business|date=September 30, 2020|access-date=September 30, 2020}}

Background

{{main|Disneyland, Inc.}}

Originally, entry into the theme park and travel business was a side project of Walt Disney himself. As the Disneylandia project started to become a reality, Walt Disney Productions at Walt's request set up Disneyland, Inc. (DLI) in 1951 and agreed to a design deal in March 1953 with WED Enterprises (WED), Walt's personal corporation, which then included what would now be called Walt Disney Imagineering.{{cite book|last1=Aberdeen|first1=J. A.|title=Hollywood Renegades|date=2000|publisher=Cobblestone Entertainment|isbn=1-890110-24-8|url=https://archive.org/details/hollywoodrenegad00aber|access-date=May 5, 2015|chapter=Disneyland|chapter-url=http://www.cobbles.com/simpp_archive/simpp_1954disneyland.htm }}{{cite book|last1=Thomas |first1=Bob |title=Building a Company - Roy O. Disney and the Creation of an Entertainment Empire|date=1998|page=254}}

  • {{cite book|last1=Gabler|first1=Neal|title=Walt Disney – The Triumph of the American Imagination|date=2006|page=493}} With the WED concept designs and prospectus for Disneylandia, Roy Disney in September 1953 met with TV networks in a deal for Disney-produced TV show and Disneyland investment. American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres (AB-PT) agreed to the Disneyland, Inc. investment. Joining AB-PT as Disneyland investors were Walt Disney Productions (WDP), Western Publishing and Walt Disney.{{cite book|last1=Thomas|first1=Bob|title=Walt Disney – An American Original|date=1994|page=222}} Walt Disney Productions had the option to repurchase the Walt Disney, WED and Western Publishing shares (31%) by May 1, 1959, for $562,500.{{cite news|title=Disneyland Tabs $2.29 Per Capita; See Small Net First Yr.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yB4EAAAAMBAJ&q=Walt+Disney+Productions+Disneyland%2C+Inc.+option&pg=PA69|access-date=May 6, 2015|magazine=Billboard|date=January 28, 1956|page=69|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603211739/https://books.google.com/books?id=yB4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA69&lpg=PA69&dq=Walt+Disney+Productions+Disneyland,+Inc.+option&source=bl&ots=0NOMFq8DpO&sig=eQQINoEQqlhCBUd2kikDffo7G3U&hl=en&sa=X&ei=qi5JVZ2xF4uYsAWrloCQDw&ved=0CB8Q6AEwATge#v=onepage&q=Walt%20Disney%20Productions%20Disneyland%2C%20Inc.%20option&f=false|archive-date=June 3, 2016|url-status=live}}

With a need for the Disneyland Hotel nearby and no funding available for Disney to build it, Walt Disney approached Jack Wrather to build the hotel who agreed.{{cite news|last1=Kimler|first1=Forest|title=Jack Built More Than a House|url=http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYARMoeQUr4/TH_wXKWs_pI/AAAAAAAABnU/XnEcgWwEtwk/s1600/1978+newspaper+2aa.JPG|access-date=August 28, 2015|work=Orange County Register|date=September 11, 1978|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222114244/http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OYARMoeQUr4/TH_wXKWs_pI/AAAAAAAABnU/XnEcgWwEtwk/s1600/1978+newspaper+2aa.JPG|archive-date=December 22, 2015|url-status=live}}

Disneyland, changed from Disneylandia, was announced in {{dts|1954|4}} by Walt to be opened in {{dts|1955|7}}.Walt Disney, by Jim Fanning, 1994. Page 100.Walt Disney – Hollywood's Dark Prince, by Marc Eliot, 1993. Page 223. On {{dts|1955|7|17}}, the Disneyland park opened with five themed "lands" containing eighteen attractions with double the expected guests.Walt Disney, by Jim Fanning, 1994. Page 102. WED owned Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad opened, too.{{cite news|last=Peltz|first=James F.|title=The Wonderful World of Disney's Other Firm : Entertainment: Walt Disney created a separate company for his family. Retlaw Enterprises Inc. is now worth hundreds of millions.|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-10-02-fi-1834-story.html|access-date=July 19, 2012|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=October 2, 1990|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140503081331/http://articles.latimes.com/1990-10-02/business/fi-1834_1_walt-disney|archive-date=May 3, 2014|url-status=live}}

On June 29, 1957, Disney Production exercised its options to purchase all but AB-PT's common stock outstanding. This allowed WDP to consolidate DLI into its 1957 annual accounting statements adding four months' worth of net profits, $511K.{{cite news|title=Disneyland Draws 4,200,000; Parent Firm Buys More Stock|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ayEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA86|access-date=May 6, 2015|magazine=Billboard|date=January 13, 1958|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151008064253/https://books.google.com/books?id=ayEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA86|archive-date=October 8, 2015|url-status=live}} In June 1960, Walt Disney Productions completed the purchase of AB-PT's share of the company for nearly $7.5 million and its TV contract, and the theme park became a fully owned subsidiary of Walt Disney Productions.{{cite book|last1=Thomas|first1=Bob |title=Walt Disney – An American Original |date=1994|page=286}}

History

Beginning in 1958 with the contracting of Economics Research Associates (ERA) to find a location for another Disney resort, Disney Productions moved beyond a single park. ERA recommended Florida; another study in 1961 named Ocala or Orlando in Florida as possible locations. In {{dts|1963|11}}, Walt Disney made a trip to Florida for final site selection.Walt Disney – An American Original, by Bob Thomas, 1994.:333, 334 In 1962, Disney Productions purchased Celebrity Sports Center (opened on September 17, 1960, in Denver, Colorado) from its owners, including Walt Disney, Art Linkletter, and John Payne, to use as a staff training center for its second resort.{{cite web|title=Celebrity Sports Center|url=https://d23.com/a-to-z/celebrity-sports-center/|website=D23.com|publisher=The Walt Disney Company|access-date=October 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906003148/https://d23.com/a-to-z/celebrity-sports-center/|archive-date=September 6, 2015|url-status=live}} In 1963, Roy made plans to buy from {{convert|5,000|to|10,000|acre}}, which was carried out in 1964, amassing {{convert|27,443|acre}} by {{dts|1965|10}}.Building a Company – Roy O. Disney and the Creation of an Entertainment Empire, by Bob Thomas, 1998. Pages 278, 279, 281–282.Walt Disney – An American Original, by Bob Thomas, 1994. Page 337. Plans for the Florida project that would eventually become Walt Disney World were announced to the public in November 1965. Legislation forming the Reedy Creek Improvement District, the Reedy Creek Improvement Act, was signed into law by Florida Governor Claude R. Kirk, Jr. on May 12, 1967, allowing Disney to build the infrastructure for the second park.{{cite book|last1=Thomas |first1=Bob|title=Walt Disney – An American Original|date=1994|page=357}} Ground breaking followed for the future Reedy Creek park on May 30.{{cite book|last1=Smith|first1=Dave|last2=Clark|first2=Steven|title=Disney – The First 100 Years|date=2002|page=103|edition=updated}} In Roy O. Disney's last act as CEO in 1968, he officially named the second park Walt Disney World.:357

Disneyland International was incorporated on November 20, 1961.{{cite web|title=Business Entity Detail: Disneyland International (C0423655; must search on name)|url=http://kepler.sos.ca.gov/|website=California Department of State|access-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315010639/http://kepler.sos.ca.gov/|archive-date=March 15, 2015|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} The next year, The Oriental Land Company contacted Disney about building a theme park.{{cite news|title=Disneyland in Tokyo Is a 10-Year Hit|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-04-12-fi-45190-story.html|access-date=August 20, 2015|work=Los Angeles Times|agency=Associated Press|date=April 12, 1994|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925123530/http://articles.latimes.com/1994-04-12/business/fi-45190_1_tokyo-disneyland|archive-date=September 25, 2015|url-status=live}}

In 1959, the WED-owned Disneyland-Alweg Monorail System began operations at Disneyland.{{cite news|title=Disneyland: A Chronology|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-05-09-mn-2210-story.html|access-date=September 23, 2015|work=Los Angeles Times|date=May 9, 1991|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925114856/http://articles.latimes.com/1991-05-09/news/mn-2210_1_walt-disney|archive-date=September 25, 2015|url-status=live}}

The first Audio-Animatronic attraction, Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room, opened at Disneyland in 1963.{{cite book |first=Richard W. |last=Kroon |title=A/V A to Z: An Encyclopedic Dictionary of Media, Entertainment and Other Audiovisual Terms |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HjmNAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA64 |year=2014 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0-7864-5740-3 |page=64}} Disneyland's first new themed land, New Orleans Square, opened in {{dts|1966}}. Tomorrowland was revamped in 1967 with seven new attractions. The design and architectural group and the WED Enterprise name was purchased from Walt's corporation, renamed as Retlaw Enterprise.

Disney expanded into attractions at the 1964 New York World's Fair with It's a Small World and costumed character appearances. When the characters proved a hit at the 1964 World's Fair, Walt wanted another outlet for "live" characters; thus, Disneyland put on Disney on Parade, a self-produced live arena show starting in 1969.{{cite news|last1=Korkis|first1=Jim|title=Wednesdays with Wade: 25 years of "Disney on Ice"|url=http://jimhillmedia.com/alumni1/b/wade_sampson/archive/2005/09/14/1278.aspx|access-date=July 30, 2015|work=JimHillMedia|date=September 13, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912110230/http://jimhillmedia.com/alumni1/b/wade_sampson/archive/2005/09/14/1278.aspx|archive-date=September 12, 2015|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Live Disney Characters in Traveling Arena Show|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rDwwAAAAIBAJ&pg=3905%2C4281044|access-date=July 30, 2015|work=The News and the Eastern Townships Advocate|issue=45|publisher=E.R. Smith Co. Ltd.|date=September 17, 1970|volume = 123|location=St. Johns, PQ|pages=2, 3}} Small World and its famous song lasted two years at the fair; it was then moved to Disneyland as an expanded major attraction in 1966 and later duplicated in the other Disney theme parks.{{cite news|last1=Brown|first1=Genevieve Shaw|title=It's a Small World: 9 Little-Known Facts|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Travel/disneys-small-world-facts/story?id=22990670|access-date=August 26, 2015|work=Good Morning America|publisher=ABC News|date=March 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925115240/http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/disneys-small-world-facts/story?id=22990670|archive-date=September 25, 2015|url-status=live}}

In 1965, Walt Disney won a bid with the US Forest Service to develop Mineral King as a ski resort. The Sierra Club sued in {{dts|1969|6}} to stop the development, which was granted by the federal district judge. The Forest Service appealed and won at the appeal and the Supreme Court. This ruling opened the possibility of refiling to the club. In the next round of lawsuits, the same district judge blocked the redevelopment. The injunction and the passage of the National Environmental Policy Act led to Disney backing out.{{cite news |url=http://www.hcn.org/wotr/the-saga-of-mineral-king |title=The saga of Mineral King |date=February 2, 2009 |newspaper=High Country News |access-date=September 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090616172819/http://www.hcn.org/wotr/the-saga-of-mineral-king |archive-date=June 16, 2009 |url-status=live }}

$40 million worth of Walt Disney Productions Convertible Debentures were sold in {{dts|1968|1}} to fund Disney World (WDW). The next year in February, an agreement was made with multiple labor unions, in which the unions exchanged the right to strike for regular pay increases during the first building phase.{{cite news|work=U.S. News & World Report|last1=Cooper|first1=M|last2=Friedman|first2=D|title=Empire of the Sun|date=May 28, 1990|page=47}} By 1971, chairman of the Park Operations Committee and vice president of park operations Dick Nunis was appointed executive vice president of Disneyland and Walt Disney World.{{cite web|title=Disney Legend: Dick Nunis|url=https://d23.com/walt-disney-legend/dick-nunis/|website=d23|publisher=The Walt Disney Company|access-date=October 7, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908003250/https://d23.com/walt-disney-legend/dick-nunis/|archive-date=September 8, 2015|url-status=live}}

Walt Disney World began operation on {{dts|1971|10|1}}, with the Magic Kingdom park at a cost of $400 million. The Magic Kingdom had six themed lands: Main Street, Adventureland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, and Tomorrowland.{{cite book|title=Birnbaum's Walt Disney World 1997|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780786881925|url-access=registration|date=1996|publisher=Hearst Business Publishing|page=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780786881925/page/15 15]|isbn=9780786881925}} Additionally, Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort campground and two hotels, Disney's Contemporary Resort and Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, also opened.{{cite book| last1=Smith|first1=Dave |title=Disney A to Z – The Official Encyclopedia| url=https://archive.org/details/disneytozofficia00smit| url-access=registration|date=1996|page=[https://archive.org/details/disneytozofficia00smit/page/103 103], 191,397|isbn=9780786881499 }}

Disneyland expanded in 1972 with a seventh themed land, Bear Country, replacing the Indian Village of Frontierland, and later renamed Critter Country. In 1979, the Disneyland crafts and maintenance union workers went on strike for 15 days, at first, rejecting and then accepting the park's contract. Space Mountain opens at Disneyland in 1977.

Two more hotels opened in 1973 at Walt Disney World: the Golf Resort{{cite web|title=Disney Inn, The|url=https://d23.com/a-to-z/disney-inn-the/|website=D23: Disney A to Z|publisher=The Walt Disney Company|access-date=September 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923090003/https://d23.com/a-to-z/disney-inn-the/|archive-date=September 23, 2015|url-status=live}} and the Gold Resort;{{cite book|last1=Smith|first1=Dave|title=Disney A to Z – The Official Encyclopedia|url=https://archive.org/details/disneytozofficia00smit|url-access=registration|date=1996|page=[https://archive.org/details/disneytozofficia00smit/page/209 209]|isbn=9780786881499}} Disney opened the Buena Vista Club golf club in Lake Buena Vista on {{dts|1974|11|22}}.:71 Lake Buena Vista Village, the shopping area, opened on {{dts|1975|3|22}}{{cite book|last1=Smith|first1=Dave|title=Disney A to Z – The Official Encyclopedia|url=https://archive.org/details/disneytozofficia00smit|url-access=registration|date=1996|isbn=9780786881499}} and was renamed Walt Disney World Village in 1977.{{cite web|last1=Smith|first1=Dave|title=Downtown Disney Marketplace|url=https://d23.com/a-to-z/downtown-disney-marketplace/|website=D23: Disney A to Z|publisher=Walt Disney Company|access-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925100004/https://d23.com/a-to-z/downtown-disney-marketplace/|archive-date=September 25, 2015|url-status=live}}:280 Celebrity Sports Center, Disney World's training center, was sold on March 29, 1979.

At Walt Disney World, the Treasure Island nature preserve pens opened on April 8, 1974,Disney A to Z – The Updated Official Encyclopedia, by Dave Smith, 1998.:569 renamed Discovery Island in 1977.:126 On {{dts|1975|7|1}}, the WEDway PeopleMover opened in the Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland.Disney Magazine, Summer 1999. Page 85. The first water park, River Country, opened on {{dts|1976|6|20}} at Disney World.Birnbaum's Walt Disney World 1997, by Hearst Business Publishing, 1996.:22 EPCOT Center's groundbreaking occurred at Walt Disney World in May 1979.Walt Disney World, by The Walt Disney Company, 1994?.

In 1979, Oriental Land and Disney agreed to build a Japanese theme park. Tokyo Disneyland opened on {{dts|1983|4|15}} on {{convert|200|acre|sigfig=1}} in Urayasu, Chiba, Japan.{{cite news|last1=Miller|first1=Greg|title=Disney Plans Aquatic Park in Tokyo|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-11-08-fi-711-story.html|access-date=August 20, 2015|work=Los Angeles Times|date=November 8, 1995|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925123539/http://articles.latimes.com/1995-11-08/business/fi-711_1_tokyo-disneysea|archive-date=September 25, 2015|url-status=live}}

= Walt Disney Outdoor Recreation Division =

With the retirement of Donn Tatum as Walt Disney Productions' Chairman and CEO on June 3, 1980, three divisions were formed, including the Walt Disney Outdoor Recreation Division, of which Disney Legend, Dick Nunis was named division president.The New York Times, [http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn1980.htm June 4, 1980] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929181119/http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn1980.htm |date=September 29, 2015 }}. Page D1. Disneyland started using Disney Dollars on May 5, 1987,Canadian Coin News, July 21, 1987, Volume 25, Number 6. Page 2. while Walt Disney World parks started with Epcot on October 2.Canadian Coin News, October 27, 1987, Volume 25, Number 13. Page 1. A renegotiated Disneyland Japan royalty agreement in April 1988 by Chief Financial Officer Gary L. Wilson netted Disney US$723 million in cash in exchange for lower royalty payments.Forbes, [http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn1988.htm March 6, 1989] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929194808/http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn1988.htm |date=September 29, 2015 }}, Volume 143. Page 42.

The steam railroad and monorail at Disneyland were purchased from Retlaw Enterprises, formerly WED Enterprises, in 1982. Bear Country was renamed Critter Country on November 23, 1988. Disneyland: Then, Now, and Forever, by Bruce Gordon and Tim O'Day, 2005. Page 99.

Tishman Company's plans for two Walt Disney World hotels were rejected by the new CEO Michael Eisner on September 30, 1984, marking a change in Disney architecture. New plans for the Dolphin and Swan hotels were submitted by Michael Graves in July 1986;Building a Dream – The Art of Disney Architecture, by Beth Dunlop, 1996. Pages 63,66. ground breaking took place on January 28, 1988.The New York Times, January 28, 1988. Page C1. The first non-Disney owned hotel, Pickett Suite Resort, opened in Disney World Village on March 15, 1987.Disney A to Z – The Official Encyclopedia, by Dave Smith, 1996. Page 387.

On June 1, 1982, the Walt Disney World monorail line was extended to EPCOT Center from the Transportation and Ticket Center.:338 The EPCOT Center theme park opened on October 1, 1982, at a building cost of US$1.2 billion, with two areas, Future World and World Showcase.Walt Disney – Hollywood's Dark Prince, by Marc Eliot, 1993.:272

Plans for a Hollywood-style theme park were announced in April 1985 for the Walt Disney World resort at a project cost of US$300 million.Prince of the Magic Kingdom, by Joe Flower, 1991. In April 1985, Disney signed a licensing agreement with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), giving Disney the right to use the MGM name, logo and movie library for this third park.{{cite web |last1=Weiss |first1=Werner |title=Disney-MGM Studios: The End of the MGM Name |url=http://www.yesterland.com/mgm-end.html |website=Yesterland.com |access-date=October 7, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005094650/http://www.yesterland.com/mgm-end.html |archive-date=October 5, 2015 |url-status=live}} sources:

  • {{cite book |last1=Eisner |first1=Michael |title=Work in Progress |url=https://archive.org/details/workinprogress00eisn_0|url-access=registration |date=1998 |publisher=Hyperion |isbn=9780786885077}}
  • {{cite book |last1=Grover |first1=Ron |title=The Disney Touch |url=https://archive.org/details/disneytouchhowda0000grov |url-access=registration |date=1991 |publisher=Business One Irwin |isbn=9781556233852}} Construction of the Disney-MGM Studios theme park began in 1986.Walt Disney World – 20 Magical Years, by the Walt Disney Company, 1991/2?. Disney-MGM Studios opened on May 1, 1989,Page D5. The New York Times, May 1, 1989, Volume 138, Number 47857. along with a Pleasure Island entertainment area;Birnbaum's Walt Disney World 1997, by Hearst Business Publishing, 1996. Page 18. its second water park, Disney's Typhoon Lagoon, opened on June 1.Orlando Attractions, Summer 2009. Page 33. In 1983, Walt Disney World Village's name was changed to the Disney Village Marketplace.Disney A to Z – The Official Encyclopedia, by Dave Smith, 1996. Page 132. A new themed area, Mickey's Birthdayland, opened in the Magic Kingdom near Fantasyland on June 18, 1988.Disney A to Z – The Official Encyclopedia, by Dave Smith, 1996. Page 324.

In 1987, Disney and Ron Brierley's Industrial Equity (Pacific) Ltd., already a 28% owner of the Wrather Corporation, agreed to purchase the remaining Wrather Corporation stock with a 50% share each.{{cite news |last1=Berg |first1=Eric N. |title=Company News; Wrather Accepts $21-a-Share Offer |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/09/29/business/company-news-wrather-accepts-21-a-share-offer.html |access-date=August 27, 2015 |work=The New York Times |date=September 29, 1987 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926044235/http://www.nytimes.com/1987/09/29/business/company-news-wrather-accepts-21-a-share-offer.html |archive-date=September 26, 2015 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=COMPANY NEWS; Disney Buys Stake |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/03/30/business/company-news-disney-buys-stake.html |access-date=August 27, 2015 |work=The New York Times |date=March 30, 1988 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926044102/http://www.nytimes.com/1988/03/30/business/company-news-disney-buys-stake.html |archive-date=September 26, 2015 |url-status=live}} Wrather Corporation owned the Disneyland Hotel and operated the Queen Mary and Spruce Goose tourist attractions. In March 1988, Disney purchased Industrial Equity's half of Wrather Corporation.

In 1985, Premier Cruise Line became the licensed partner cruise line with Disney. This allowed Disney characters on their ships and combined cruise, hotel, and theme park packages.{{cite news |last1=Fritscher |first1=Lisa |title=How Disney Cruises Started |url=http://traveltips.usatoday.com/disney-cruises-started-17319.html |access-date=October 8, 2015 |work=USA Today |agency=Demand Media |publisher=Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc.

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316130947/https://traveltips.usatoday.com/disney-cruises-started-17319.html |archive-date=March 16, 2018}} (use archival url as original info was replaced.)

= Walt Disney Attractions =

The Walt Disney Outdoor Recreation Division was incorporated as Walt Disney Attractions, Inc. on August 10, 1989.{{cite web |title=Detail by Entity Name: Walt Disney Attractions, Incorporated |url=http://search.sunbiz.org/Inquiry/CorporationSearch/SearchResultDetail?inquirytype=EntityName&directionType=PreviousList&searchNameOrder=WALTDISNEYATTRACTIONS%20P255770&aggregateId=forp-p25577-93b956e8-76e8-42c2-b789-99a8528d7053&searchTerm=Walt%20Disney%20Parks%20and%20Resorts%20Worldwide&listNameOrder=WALTDIESINGASSOCIATES%20K475700 |website=SunBiz.org |publisher=Florida Department of State Division of Corporations |access-date=October 12, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119184639/http://search.sunbiz.org/Inquiry/CorporationSearch/SearchResultDetail?inquirytype=EntityName&directionType=PreviousList&searchNameOrder=WALTDISNEYATTRACTIONS%20P255770&aggregateId=forp-p25577-93b956e8-76e8-42c2-b789-99a8528d7053&searchTerm=Walt%20Disney%20Parks%20and%20Resorts%20Worldwide&listNameOrder=WALTDIESINGASSOCIATES%20K475700 |archive-date=November 19, 2015 |url-status=live }} In January 1990, Disney CEO Eisner announced plans to expand both Disneyland (by 20% in 10 years)The New York Times, [http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn1990.htm January 13, 1990] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929191323/http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn1990.htm |date=September 29, 2015 }}. Page 37. and Walt Disney World (WDW). The plan would have WDW add another theme park and 16 new attractions in Disney-MGM Studios.The New York Times, January 16, 1990. Page D8. Disney and The Coca-Cola Company agreed to a 15-year marketing contract on January 25: Coca-Cola products would be exclusive in Disney theme parks, and Coca-Cola would use some Disney characters in their ads.The New York Times, January 26, 1990. Page D4. On March 16, 1990, Attractions president Nunis announced a 25-year plan for a {{convert|4400|acre|adj=on}} development in Osceola, Florida, with homes, shopping malls and industrial buildings.The New York Times, [http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn1990.htm March 17, 1990] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929191323/http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn1990.htm |date=September 29, 2015 }}. Page 37.

In 1990, the possibility of a West Coast version of Epcot Center was placed in development.Business Week, [http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn1990.htm January 29, 2001] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929191323/http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn1990.htm |date=September 29, 2015 }}. Page 58. This was announced as WestCOT in 1991, to be placed at the Disneyland Resort. On July 31, 1990, a new {{convert|350|acre|adj=on}} ocean-themed park and resort, Port Disney, was announced for Long Beach. Port was to have a cruise-ship terminal, five hotels, restaurants, and shopping areas, costing $2 billion to build.The New York Times, [http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn1990jul.htm August 1, 1990] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117071423/http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn1990jul.htm |date=November 17, 2015 }}. Page D4. On December 12, 1991, Disney selected only one California project to go forward with, Disneyland Resort, which was to include the WestCOT Center, hotels, a shopping mall, and a lake.The New York Times, December 13, 1991. Page D1. Port Disney was abandoned in March 1992, and Disney canceled its leases on the Queen Mary and Spruce Goose attractions picked up from the Wrather Corporation.The New York Times, [http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn1992.htm March 7, 1992] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929164122/http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn1992.htm |date=September 29, 2015 }}. Page 49. Mickey's Toontown, a new themed land at Disneyland, opened on January 24, 1993.Walt Disney – Hollywood's Dark Prince, by Marc Eliot, 1993. Page 279. Disney canceled its plans for WestCOT in mid-1995 due to financial issues at Disneyland Paris and the park's projected high cost. That park was then replaced by plans for the California Adventure park, hotels, and a retail district.{{cite news|last1=Marr|first1=Merissa|title=Disney's $1 Billion Adventure|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB119257768823361264|access-date=November 16, 2015|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=October 17, 2007|page=B1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118110622/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB119257768823361264|archive-date=November 18, 2015|url-status=live}}

At Walt Disney World, Mickey's Birthdayland closed on April 22, 1991, then reopened on May 26 as Mickey's Starland.Disney A to Z – The Official Encyclopedia, by Dave Smith, 1996.324, 329, 333 In order to expand Disney World on wetland, on April 23, 1993, the company agreed to form an {{convert|8500|acre|adj=on}} wilderness preserve in Florida, known as the Disney Wilderness Preserve.Disney Magazine, Summer 2001. Page 39. The Disney Inn hotel was leased starting February 1, 1994, by the US Army, then purchased on January 12, 1996, and later renamed Shades of Green.130 Planet Hollywood opened a location in Pleasure Island on December 17, 1994.The Disney Magazine, Fall 1995, Volume 30, Number 4. Page 43. The third water park at Walt Disney World, Disney's Blizzard Beach, opened on April 1, 1995.Birnbaum's Walt Disney World 1997, by Hearst Business Publishing, 1996. Page 192. The Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland was completely refurbished and reopened in June 1995.Building a Dream – The Art of Disney Architecture, by Beth Dunlop, 1996. Page 192. Taking up a corner of the Magic Kingdom parking lot, the Walt Disney World Speedway opened on November 28, 1995.[https://d23.com/a-to-z/walt-disney-world-speedway/ Walt Disney World Speedway] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117025141/https://d23.com/a-to-z/walt-disney-world-speedway/ |date=November 17, 2015 }}. Disney A to Z – The Updated Official Encyclopedia, by Dave Smith, 1998. Page 597. In 1996, the Disney Institute opened on February 9,Birnbaum's Walt Disney World 1997, by Hearst Business Publishing, 1996. Page 181. and Disney's BoardWalk opened on July 1.[https://d23.com/a-to-z/boardwalk/ Boardwalk] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117024353/https://d23.com/a-to-z/boardwalk/ |date=November 17, 2015 }}. Page 62. (1996). Disney A to Z – The Official Encyclopedia, by Dave Smith. The first of the World of Disney stores opened in the Disney Village Marketplace on October 3.Smith, Dave. [https://d23.com/a-to-z/world-of-disney/ World of Disney] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117014754/https://d23.com/a-to-z/world-of-disney/ |date=November 17, 2015 }}. Page 62. (1999). Disney A to Z – The Updated Official Encyclopedia. The Downtown Disney district opened in November 1997, combining Disney Village Marketplace and Pleasure Island.Disney Magazine, Spring 1998. Page 31. A fourth theme park, Disney's Animal Kingdom, opened at Disney World the week of April 20, 1998.{{cite news|last1=Lancaster|first1=Cory|title=Animal Kingdom Throws Star-studded Bash|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1998/04/20/animal-kingdom-throws-star-studded-bash/|access-date=November 12, 2015|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=April 20, 1998|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117024119/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1998-04-20/news/9804190408_1_walt-disney-animal-kingdom-disney-theme|archive-date=November 17, 2015|url-status=live}}

The first Disney Vacation Club Resorts, Vacation Club Resort, opened on October 1, 1991, and was renamed Disney's Old Key West Resort in January 1996. These vacation club hotels were operated by Disney Vacation Developments, Inc. as vacation timeshares.The Disney Magazine, Spring 1996, Volume 31, Number 2. Page 18.

  • Disney A to Z – The Updated Official Encyclopedia, by Dave Smith, 1998. Page 584. The first off-resort vacation club hotel was Vacation Club Resort, which opened on October 1, 1995, in Vero Beach, Florida.[https://d23.com/a-to-z/vacation-club-resort-vero-beach-florida/ "Vacation Club Resort, Vero Beach, Florida"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124133123/https://d23.com/a-to-z/vacation-club-resort-vero-beach-florida/ |date=November 24, 2015 }}. Page 584. Disney A to Z – The Updated Official Encyclopedia, by Dave Smith, 1998. Via [http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn1994jul.htm Chronology of Walt Disney Company (End of 1994)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213014208/http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn1994jul.htm |date=December 13, 2013 }}.

In 1993, Premier Cruises discontinued its partnership with Disney for one with Warner Bros. After failing to reach agreements with Carnival or Royal Caribbean, Disney announced in 1994 the formation of its cruise line. The Disney Cruise Line launched with the Disney Magic ship in 1998 along with its exclusive resort island port of Castaway Cay.

Disney reportedly had plans to build a park named Disney's America. The park was to have been located in Haymarket, Virginia; {{convert|2300|acre}} of property were purchased from Exxon in 1993.[http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn1993.htm Work in Progress] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929140628/http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn1993.htm |date=September 29, 2015 }}, by Michael Eisner, 1998. Page 321. The history-themed park was announced on November 11, 1993. The plans for the {{convert|3000|acre}} called for a {{convert|150|acre|adj=on}} amusement park, a campground, a golf course, {{convert|2|e6sqft|m2}} of office/commercial space, and 2500 homes.The New York Times, [http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn1993jul.htm November 12, 1993] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119124017/http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn1993jul.htm |date=November 19, 2015 }}. Page A14. With projections indicating that the park would operate at a loss and with opposition in the press, Disney canceled the project on September 15, 1994.Disney War, by James Stewart, 2005. Page 190.

Walt Disney Imagineering created Disney Fair, a U.S. traveling attraction, which premiered in September 1996. The fair was poorly attended and was pulled after a few stops. Disney Entertainment Projects (Asia Pacific) Inc., a new Disney Asian Pacific subsidiary, selected a renamed fair called DisneyFest as its first project, taking it to Singapore to open there on October 30, 1997.{{cite news|last1=Matzer|first1=Marla|title=It Didn't Play in Puyallup, so Disney Tries Singapore|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-aug-28-fi-26586-story.html|access-date=September 23, 2015|work=Los Angeles Times|date=August 28, 1997|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923090252/http://articles.latimes.com/1997/aug/28/business/fi-26586|archive-date=September 23, 2015|url-status=live}}

In November 1995, Disney announced the building of Tokyo DisneySea, to be owned by Oriental along with Tokyo Disneyland. Oriental and Disney signed the DisneySea licensing agreement in November 1997; the theme park was scheduled to open in 2001 at a cost of $2.6 billion.{{cite news|title=Disney, Partner to Build New Tokyo Theme Park|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-nov-27-fi-58134-story.html|access-date=August 20, 2015|work=Los Angeles Times|agency=Associated Press|date=November 27, 1997|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927065256/http://articles.latimes.com/1997/nov/27/business/fi-58134|archive-date=September 27, 2015|url-status=live}}

In December 1998, Walt Disney Attractions added Disneyland Paris, Disney Regional Entertainment and Walt Disney Imagineering to its portfolio, which already held Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, and Tokyo Disneyland. Chairman Dick Nunis retired at the same time.{{cite news|last1=Lancaster|first1=Cory|title=Disney's Nunis To Retire|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1998/12/12/disneys-nunis-to-retire/|access-date=August 20, 2015|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=December 12, 1998|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912111550/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1998-12-12/business/9812111396_1_walt-disney-disney-world-disney-imagineering|archive-date=September 12, 2015|url-status=live}} On October 31, 1999, Walt Disney Attractions, Inc. was merged into Walt Disney Attractions, LLC.{{cite web|title=Merger Sheet|url=http://search.sunbiz.org/Inquiry/CorporationSearch/ConvertTiffToPDF?storagePath=COR\1999\1105\00031850.TIF&documentNumber=P25577|website=SunBiz.org|publisher=State of Florida|access-date=November 17, 2015|format=tif|date=October 28, 1999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124023313/http://search.sunbiz.org/Inquiry/CorporationSearch/ConvertTiffToPDF?storagePath=COR%5C1999%5C1105%5C00031850.TIF&documentNumber=P25577|archive-date=November 24, 2015|url-status=live}}

On June 19, 1998, Disney Regional Entertainment opened its first DisneyQuest, a location-based entertainment venue, at Downtown Disney West Side in Walt Disney World.{{cite news|last1=Pecho|first1=Bruce|title=Virtual Reality Rules At Disney's Newest Theme Park|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1998/05/31/virtual-reality-rules-at-disneys-newest-theme-park/|access-date=April 18, 2016|work=Chicago Tribune|date=May 31, 1998|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427202108/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1998-05-31/travel/9805310289_1_virtual-jungle-cruise-disneyquest-virtual-reality|archive-date=April 27, 2016|url-status=live}} The first DisneyQuest outside of a resort was opened in Chicago on June 16, 1999, with plans for more locations worldwide.{{cite news|last1=Bigness|first1=Jon|title=Disney's Daring Concept|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1999/06/16/disneys-daring-concept/|access-date=April 18, 2016|work=Chicago Tribune|date=June 16, 1999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409024817/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1999-06-16/business/9906160311_1_virtual-jungle-cruise-disney-regional-entertainment-disney-theme-park-experience|archive-date=April 9, 2016|url-status=live}}

In 1999, plans were announced for a new resort in Hong Kong, Hong Kong Disneyland, as a joint venture, Hong Kong International Theme Parks Ltd., between the Hong Kong Government and Disney Resorts.{{cite news|last1=Chung|first1=Yulanda|title=Making A Magic Kingdom|url=http://www.cnn.com/ASIANOW/asiaweek/magazine/99/1112/cover1.html|access-date=April 18, 2016|work=Asiaweek|issue=45|publisher=CNN|date=November 12, 1999|volume=25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170103010042/http://www.cnn.com/ASIANOW/asiaweek/magazine/99/1112/cover1.html|archive-date=January 3, 2017|url-status=live}} The Disney Wonder cruise ship began operation on August 15.{{cite news|last1=Nefer|first1=Barb|title=Disney Cruise Line History|url=http://traveltips.usatoday.com/disney-cruise-line-history-20748.html|access-date=April 18, 2016|work=USA Today|agency=Demand Media|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505104917/http://traveltips.usatoday.com/disney-cruise-line-history-20748.html|archive-date=May 5, 2016|url-status=live}} Disney World's Discovery Island was closed on April 8, 1999.{{cite news|last1=Hill|first1=Jim|title=Will pirates soon be returning to Treasure ... er ... Discovery Island?|url=http://jimhillmedia.com/editor_in_chief1/b/jim_hill/archive/2008/06/06/will-pirates-soon-be-returning-to-treasure-er-discovery-island.aspx|access-date=April 13, 2016|work=Jim Hill Media|date=June 5, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416064633/http://jimhillmedia.com/editor_in_chief1/b/jim_hill/archive/2008/06/06/will-pirates-soon-be-returning-to-treasure-er-discovery-island.aspx|archive-date=April 16, 2016|url-status=live}}

= Disney Destinations =

Walt Disney Attractions, LLC changed its name to Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, LLC on April 14, 2000, then to Disney Destinations, LLC on April 25, 2006.{{cite web|title=Events: Name History|url=http://search.sunbiz.org/Inquiry/CorporationSearch/NameHistory?aggregateId=flal-l99000007022-1294f8b4-a7e2-4162-b4d2-08fe03fbfb5c&entityId=L99000007022&CurrentPage=0&SearchTerm=Walt%20Disney%20Parks%20and%20Resorts%20Worldwide&InquiryType=EntityName&inquiryDirectionType=CurrentList&SearchNameOrder=WALTDISNEYATTRACTIONS%20L990000070220&ListNameOrder=WALTDIESINGASSOCIATES%20K475700|website=SunBiz.org|publisher=State of Florida|access-date=November 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118213632/http://search.sunbiz.org/Inquiry/CorporationSearch/NameHistory?aggregateId=flal-l99000007022-1294f8b4-a7e2-4162-b4d2-08fe03fbfb5c&entityId=L99000007022&CurrentPage=0&SearchTerm=Walt%20Disney%20Parks%20and%20Resorts%20Worldwide&InquiryType=EntityName&inquiryDirectionType=CurrentList&SearchNameOrder=WALTDISNEYATTRACTIONS%20L990000070220&ListNameOrder=WALTDIESINGASSOCIATES%20K475700|archive-date=November 18, 2015|url-status=live}} Tokyo DisneySea at Tokyo Disney Resort opened on September 4, 2001.{{cite news|title=Disney's New Tokyo Sea-Themed Park Opens|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-sep-05-fi-42280-story.html|access-date=August 20, 2015|work=Los Angeles Times|date=September 5, 2001|first=Richard|last=Verrier|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927030155/http://articles.latimes.com/2001/sep/05/business/fi-42280|archive-date=September 27, 2015|url-status=live}} The Walt Disney Company in selling its Japanese and US chains decided to keep the Disney Stores in Europe, along with the store in Manhattan, which was converted into a World of Disney store run by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts in 2004.{{cite news|last1=McGeehan|first1=Patrick|title=For Disney, the Magic on Fifth Avenue Ends|url=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/23/for-disney-the-magic-on-fifth-avenue-ends/comment-page-1/?_r=0|access-date=November 12, 2015|work=The New York Times|date=September 23, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402163516/https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/23/for-disney-the-magic-on-fifth-avenue-ends/comment-page-1/?_r=0|archive-date=April 2, 2018|url-status=live}}

Downtown Disney opened at the Disneyland Resort on January 12, 2001, between Disneyland and the future California Adventure.Pages 23,28. [http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn2001.htm Disney Magazine] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305183706/http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn2001.htm |date=March 5, 2016 }}. Fall 2000. Accessed on April 18, 2016.

  • Page 16. Disney Magazine, Winter 2000–2001. Disney California Adventure opened at the Disneyland Resort on February 8, 2001, with three major areas: Paradise Pier, Hollywood Pictures Backlot, and the Golden State. In California Adventure on October 6, 2002, A Bug's Land area opened.http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn2002.htm {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305130239/http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn2002.htm |date=March 5, 2016 }} Disney Magazine, Spring 2003, Volume 8, Number 2. Page 29. Parks and Resorts chairman Jay Rasulo announced at Disney's D23 Expo in Anaheim, California on September 12, 2009, that Walt Disney World's Fantasyland would be overhauled and increased in size by 2013.[http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn2009.htm Orlando Attractions] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305191659/http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn2009.htm |date=March 5, 2016 }}, Winter 2010. Page 33. Accessed on April 18, 2016. A $1 billion expansion/renovation of Disney California Adventure was announced in 2007 to be completed by 2012.{{cite news|last1=MacDonald|first1=Brady|title=Disney California Adventure: How we got here and what's next|url=https://www.latimes.com/travel/la-xpm-2012-jun-18-la-trb-disney-california-adventure-retrospective-06201217-story.html|access-date=April 19, 2016|work=Los Angeles Times|date=June 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160222004305/http://articles.latimes.com/2012/jun/18/news/la-trb-disney-california-adventure-retrospective-06201217|archive-date=February 22, 2016|url-status=live}}

River Country water park closed on November 2, 2001.Disney Twenty-three, Fall 2011, Volume 3, Issue 3.Orlando Attractions, October 2008, Volume 1, Number 6. Disney-MGM Studios is renamed Disney's Hollywood Studios in January 2008.{{cite news|last1=Mervine|first1=Bob|title=Disney-MGM Studios to be renamed|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/stories/2007/08/06/daily34.html|access-date=April 19, 2016|work=Orlando Business Journal|publisher=American City Business Journals|date=August 9, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080225040152/http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/stories/2007/08/06/daily34.html|archive-date=February 25, 2008|url-status=live}} Pleasure Island's core remaining six nightclubs were closed down in late 2008 to change the area to match the family friendly make-up of the other two sections of Downtown Disney at Disney World.{{cite news|last1=Powers|first1=Scott|title=The party's over at Pleasure Island: Disney to shut down 6 nightclubs|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2008/06/28/the-partys-over-at-pleasure-island/|access-date=April 19, 2016|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=June 28, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507111934/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2008-06-28/news/disney28_1_pleasure-island-downtown-disney-downtown-orlando|archive-date=May 7, 2016|url-status=live}}

Walt Disney Studios Park opened March 16, 2002, as the second theme park at the renamed Disneyland Resort Paris. The first park was renamed Disneyland Park (DLP).[http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn2002.htm Disney Magazine] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305130239/http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn2002.htm |date=March 5, 2016 }}. Winter 2001–2002. Page 22.

  • Disney Magazine, Spring 2002. Page 28.
  • Disney Magazine, Winter 2002, Volume 8, Number 1. Page 54.
  • Stewart, James (2005). Disney War. Page 387.
  • Jody Revenson (editor), 2006. Disney Insider Yearbook 2005 Year in Review. Page 81. Accessed on April 19, 2016. DLP Paris opened in August 2000 Toy Story Playland with three attractions.[http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn2009.htm Orlando Attractions] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305191659/http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn2009.htm |date=March 5, 2016 }}, Fall 2010, Volume 3, Number 4. Page 22. Accessed on April 19, 2016.

Construction on Hong Kong Disneyland began on January 12, 2003,Jody Revenson (editor), 2006. [http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn2003.htm Disney Insider Yearbook 2005 Year in Review] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019093523/http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn2003.htm |date=October 19, 2013 }}. Page 69. Accessed on April 19, 2016. then opened September 12, 2005.[http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn2005.htm Disney Magazine] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019093443/http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn2005.htm |date=October 19, 2013 }}, Summer 2005, Volume 10, Number 3. Page 33. Accessed on April 19, 2016.

  • Jody Revenson (editor), 2006. Disney Insider Yearbook 2005 Year in Review. Page 5. Groundbreaking occurred at Hong Kong Disneyland in December 2009 for a three land expansion: Mystic Point, Grizzly Gulch, and Toy Story Land.[http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn2009.htm Orlando Attractions] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305191659/http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn2009.htm |date=March 5, 2016 }}. Spring 2010, Volume 3, Number 2. Page 61. Accessed on April 19, 2016.

In June 2005, Disney Magic made the first cruise outside of the Caribbean, by moving its port for the summer to Los Angeles with a Mexican Riviera schedule. Disney Cruise Line ordered a new 2 ships class from Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany by February 22, 2007.[http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn2007.htm Oars & Ears] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305164047/http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn2007.htm |date=March 5, 2016 }}. December 2006, Volume 7, Number 9. Page 7. Accessed on April 19, 2016. The Magic in May 2007 transferred its homeport to Barcelona, Spain, for the lines' first summer Mediterranean itinerary then returned to its permanent port in September.

The Chicago DisneyQuest location was closed in September 2001.{{cite news |last1=Elder |first1=Robert K. |title=What went wrong at DisneyQuest? |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2001/07/16/what-went-wrong-at-disneyquest/ |access-date=April 18, 2016 |work=Chicago Tribune |date=July 16, 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427185933/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2001-07-16/features/0107160127_1_disneyquest-family-entertainment-entertainment-companies |archive-date=April 27, 2016 |url-status=live }} Disney Parks started the Adventures by Disney tour vacation business in 2005.{{cite news |last1=Ward |first1=Terry |title=Adventures by Disney: Long weekends, Disney-style |url=http://experience.usatoday.com/weekend/story/my-weekend-experience/2015/02/24/adventures-by-disney-weekend-trips/23950735/ |access-date=April 19, 2016 |work=USA Today |date=February 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413191306/http://experience.usatoday.com/weekend/story/my-weekend-experience/2015/02/24/adventures-by-disney-weekend-trips/23950735/ |archive-date=April 13, 2016 |url-status=live }} Disney entered a float, "The Most Magical Celebration on Earth", into the 2006 Pasadena Tournament of Roses parade.Jody Revenson (editor), 2006. [http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn2006.htm Disney Insider Yearbook 2005 Year in Review] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305185630/http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn2006.htm |date=March 5, 2016 }}. Page 5. Accessed on April 19, 2016.

In October 2007, Disney announced plans to build a resort at Ko Olina Resort & Marina in Kapolei, Hawaii, featuring both a hotel and Disney Vacation Club timeshare units. The 800-unit property, named Aulani, opened in 2011 and joined the other resorts not associated with a theme park, such as Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort in South Carolina.{{cite news | title=Aloha, Disney | url=http://starbulletin.com/2007/10/04/news/story01.html | work=Honolulu Star-Bulletin | first=Allison | last=Schaefers | date=October 4, 2007 | access-date=October 6, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011213358/http://starbulletin.com/2007/10/04/news/story01.html | archive-date=October 11, 2007 | url-status=live }}

With the Walt Disney World Millennium Celebration starting on October 1, 2000, sanctioned Disney pin trading was started.[http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn1999jul.htm Orlando Attractions] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505103055/http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn1999jul.htm |date=May 5, 2016 }}. Volume 2, Number 1. Page 32. December 2008. Accessed on April 18, 2016.Eyes & Ears. Volume 29, Number 38. Page 5. September 23, 1999. Accessed on April 18, 2016. In 2001, the Themed Entertainment Association gave Disney Parks and Resorts the Thea Award for Breakthrough Innovation for the park's FastPass system.Strodder, Chris. (2008). [http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn2001.htm The Disneyland Encyclopedia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305183706/http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn2001.htm |date=March 5, 2016 }}. Page 166. Accessed on April 19, 2016.

= Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Worldwide =

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. was incorporated on September 29, 2008, and took over the parks and resorts business segment. Disney Parks and Resorts reorganized in early 2009 which included layoffs in all units due to recession-induced falling attendance. 600 U.S. managers in January were buyout packages. Worldwide Operations was formed under President Al Weiss in 2009. Worldwide Operations would take over various back-office functions previously performed by both Disney World and Disneyland including training, procurement, menu planning, and merchandise development. While its Walt Disney Imagineering subsidiary combined its three development units.{{cite news |last1=Chmielewski |first1=Dawn C. |title=Disney combines theme park functions in prelude to job cuts |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-feb-19-fi-disney19-story.html |access-date=September 22, 2015 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=February 19, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923060533/http://articles.latimes.com/2009/feb/19/business/fi-disney19 |archive-date=September 23, 2015 |url-status=live }}

In November 2009, Disney received approval from the Chinese government to build a Disneyland resort in Shanghai's Pudong district.{{cite web|title=Shanghai Disneyland Project Gets Approval|url=http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsworld.php?id=452465|access-date=June 21, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616090735/http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsworld.php?id=452465|archive-date=June 16, 2012|url-status=live}} The resort opened on June 16, 2016.{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Thomas|title=Opening Date Set for Shanghai Disney Resort, Disney's Newest World-Class Destination|url=http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2016/01/opening-date-set-for-shanghai-disney-resort-disneys-newest-world-classdestination/|publisher=DisneyParks Blog|access-date=January 14, 2016|date=January 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160618170548/http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2016/01/opening-date-set-for-shanghai-disney-resort-disneys-newest-world-classdestination/|archive-date=June 18, 2016|url-status=dead}}

California Adventure completed its overhaul in 2012 adding two new lands: Cars Land and Buena Vista Street. The overhaul also included a re-themed of several attractions plus a pair of classic dark rides. In July 2017, it was announced that Paradise Pier land would be replaced by Pixar Pier,{{cite news |last1=Pimentel |first1=Joseph |title=D23 Expo: Pixar Pier to replace Paradise Pier at Disney California Adventure |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2017/07/15/d23-expo-pixar-pier-to-replace-paradise-pier-at-disney-california-adventure/ |access-date=March 20, 2020 |work=Orange County Register |date=July 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320202835/https://www.ocregister.com/2017/07/15/d23-expo-pixar-pier-to-replace-paradise-pier-at-disney-california-adventure/ |archive-date=March 20, 2020 |url-status=live }} with four neighborhoods, and the remainder not in Pixar Pier would be replaced by Paradise Park. Pixar Pier opened on June 23, 2018.{{cite news |last1=Wisel |first1=Carlye |title=Pixar Pier Is Finally Open at Disney California Adventure — Here's What You Can Expect |url=https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/disney-vacations/pixar-pier-opening-info-prices |access-date=March 20, 2020 |work=Travel + Leisure |date=June 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320202836/https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/disney-vacations/pixar-pier-opening-info-prices |archive-date=March 20, 2020 |url-status=live }}

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, a {{convert|14|acre|ha|adj=on}} themed land for both Disneyland and Disney's Hollywood Studios announced at the D23 Expo on August 15, 2015.{{cite news|last1=Pedicini|first1=Sandra|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/the-daily-disney/os-star-wars-disney-hollywood-studios-20150815-story.html|title=Star Wars land coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios|date=August 15, 2015|work=Orlando Sentinel|access-date=April 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150816122556/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/the-daily-disney/os-star-wars-disney-hollywood-studios-20150815-story.html|archive-date=August 16, 2015|url-status=live}} Construction began at both locations on April 14, 2016.{{cite news|last1=Parker|first1=Ryan|title=Disney Breaks Ground on 'Star Wars' Land in California and Florida|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/disneys-star-wars-land-photos-883997|access-date=April 14, 2016|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=April 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417155401/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/disneys-star-wars-land-photos-883997|archive-date=April 17, 2016|url-status=live}} The lands at both parks opened in 2019.{{cite web|url=https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2018/05/opening-season-just-announced-for-star-wars-galaxys-edge/|title=Opening Season Just Announced for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge|work=Disney Parks Blog|publisher=The Walt Disney Company|access-date=June 15, 2018|date=May 22, 2018|first=Scott|last=Trowbridge|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614212655/https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2018/05/opening-season-just-announced-for-star-wars-galaxys-edge/|archive-date=June 14, 2018}}

The New Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom opened on December 6, 2012. It is the biggest upgrade to the theme park since its opening in 1971.{{cite news|last1=Sekula|first1=Sarah|title=Disney brings more oomph with New Fantasyland|url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/05/travel/disney-new-fantasyland/|access-date=April 20, 2016|work=CNN.com|publisher=Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.|date=December 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508013706/http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/05/travel/disney-new-fantasyland/|archive-date=May 8, 2016|url-status=live}} Announced along with its new Star Wars Land expansion at the D23 Expo on August 15, 2015, Hollywood Studios was slated to have a version of Toy Story Land.{{cite news|last1=Kubersky|first1=Seth|title=Updated Toy Story Land concept art unveiled at Disney's Hollywood Studios|url=http://attractionsmagazine.com/updated-toy-story-land-concept-art-unveiled-disneys-hollywood-studios/|access-date=April 20, 2016|work=Attractions Magazine|publisher=Dream Together Media, LLC|date=April 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428155817/http://attractionsmagazine.com/updated-toy-story-land-concept-art-unveiled-disneys-hollywood-studios/|archive-date=April 28, 2016|url-status=live}}

Holz became president of New Vacation Operations of Parks & Resorts{{cite news|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2009/02/14/familiar-face-takes-disney-cruise-line-helm/|title=Familiar face takes Disney Cruise Line helm: Karl Holz|last1=Garcia|first1=Jason|date=February 14, 2009|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|access-date=April 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108183949/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2009-02-14/news/dizcruise14_1_disney-cruise-line-disney-declined-mcalpin|archive-date=January 8, 2016|url-status=live}} reporting to Al Weiss, president of worldwide operations for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.{{cite news|last1=Garcia|first1=Jason|title=Disney executive changes: Head of Disney's theme parks makes executive changes|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2011/07/05/disney-world-president-meg-crofton-promoted/|access-date=April 13, 2017|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=July 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170414162328/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-07-05/the-daily-disney/os-disney-executive-changes-20110705_1_al-weiss-crofton-resorts-chairman-tom-staggs|archive-date=April 14, 2017|url-status=live}} by April 2008.{{cite press release | author = | title = Philippe Gas to Assume Top Duties at Euro Disney | url = http://corporate.disneylandparis.com/CORP/EN/Neutral/Images/uk-2008-04-10-nomination-philippe-gas.pdf | location = Marne-la-Vallée | publisher = Euro Disney S.C.A. | date = April 11, 2008 | access-date = April 14, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303181622/http://corporate.disneylandparis.com/CORP/EN/Neutral/Images/uk-2008-04-10-nomination-philippe-gas.pdf | archive-date = March 3, 2016 | url-status = dead }} In February 2009, Holz returned to the presidency of Disney Cruise Line in addition to his continuing as head of New Vacation Operations, which was primarily Adventures by Disney. As an extension of the "One Disney" initiative and the resignation of Weiss, Disney Vacation Club was added to New Vacation Operations. While Holz and Meg Crofton joined Disney Parks and Resorts executive committee in July 2011. At that time, Crofton was transferred from Disney World president to president of operations in the U.S. and France, a new positions.

The Disney Dream ship began service in January 2011 and Disney Cruise Line (DCL) announced the maiden voyage of the Disney Fantasy to be March 31, 2012. The Dream deployment allowed Disney Wonder to be stationed at Port of Los Angeles for Mexican Riviera cruises,{{cite news|last1=Garcia|first1=Jason|title=Disney sets maiden voyage for new cruise ship|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2010/10/18/disney-sets-maiden-voyage-for-new-cruise-ship/|access-date=April 20, 2016|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=October 18, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508024141/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2010-10-18/the-daily-disney/os-new-disney-cruise-ship-20101018_1_disney-magic-disney-cruise-line-disney-dream|archive-date=May 8, 2016|url-status=live}} but initial served in the short Alaska cruise season. Magic moved to New York for Canadian or Bahama cruises starting May 25, 2012.[http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn2009.htm Cruise Travel] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305191659/http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/disn2009.htm |date=March 5, 2016 }}. July 2011, Volume 33, Number 1. Page 36. DCL's Magic was refitted in late 2013.{{cite news|title=Major Refit Planned for Disney Magic|url=https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/9130-major-refit-planned-for-disney-magic.html|access-date=April 20, 2016|work=Cruise Industry News|date=April 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921150846/https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/9130-major-refit-planned-for-disney-magic.html|archive-date=September 21, 2016|url-status=live}}

The first of three expansion theme lands at Hong Kong Disneyland, Toy Story Land, opened on November 18, 2011.{{cite news|last1=Li|first1=Zoe|title=Toy Story Land hopes to save Hong Kong Disney|url=http://travel.cnn.com/hong-kong/visit/how-toy-story-land-hopes-save-hong-kong-disney-081206/|access-date=April 20, 2016|work=CNN.com|publisher=Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.|date=November 21, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407090619/http://travel.cnn.com/hong-kong/visit/how-toy-story-land-hopes-save-hong-kong-disney-081206/|archive-date=April 7, 2016|url-status=live}} Grizzly Gulch opened at Hong Kong Disneyland on July 13, 2012.{{cite news|last1=Guinigundo|first1=Andy|title=Out of the Loop: Hong Kong Disneyland debuts Grizzly Gulchf|url=http://attractionsmagazine.com/out-of-the-loop-hong-kong-disneyland-debuts-grizzly-gulch/|access-date=April 20, 2016|work=Attractions Magazine|publisher=Dream Together Media, LLC.|date=July 31, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428150627/http://attractionsmagazine.com/out-of-the-loop-hong-kong-disneyland-debuts-grizzly-gulch/|archive-date=April 28, 2016|url-status=live}} The final land of this expansion, Mystic Point, opened at Hong Kong Disneyland on May 17, 2013.{{cite news|title=Hong Kong Disneyland's Mystic Point opens May 17|url=http://www.ttgasia.com/article.php?article_id=20853|access-date=April 20, 2016|work=TTG Asia|date=April 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509033627/http://www.ttgasia.com/article.php?article_id=20853|archive-date=May 9, 2016|url-status=dead}}

On February 5, 2015, it was announced that Tom Staggs had been promoted to Disney Company Chief operating officer but would continue as chairman of Parks and Resorts until his successor was named.{{cite web|last1=Littleton|first1=Cynthia|title=Disney Promotes Tom Staggs to No. 2 Post, Positioning Him as Iger's Successor|url=https://variety.com/2015/biz/news/disney-promotes-tom-staggs-to-no-2-post-positioning-him-as-igers-successor-1201423601/|website=Variety|date=February 5, 2015|publisher=Variety Magazine|access-date=February 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205195255/http://variety.com/2015/biz/news/disney-promotes-tom-staggs-to-no-2-post-positioning-him-as-igers-successor-1201423601/|archive-date=February 5, 2015|url-status=live}} On February 23, 2015, Robert Chapek was named chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts effective that day.{{cite news|last1=Barnes|first1=Brooks|title=Disney Names Robert Chapek Chairman for Theme Parks|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/24/business/media/disney-names-robert-chapek-chairman-for-theme-parks.html?_r=0|access-date=February 26, 2015|work=The New York Times|date=February 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226042124/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/24/business/media/disney-names-robert-chapek-chairman-for-theme-parks.html?_r=0|archive-date=February 26, 2015|url-status=live}}

On April 29, 2015, the Walt Disney Company, through the subsidiary, Carousel Holdings Eat LLC, has purchased Carousel Inn & Suites hotel in Anaheim, from Good Hope International for $32 million. The purchase was considered a strategic purchase; the hotel would not be considered a part of the Disneyland hotel portfolio and would operate independently.{{cite web|last1=Pimentel|first1=Joseph|title=Disney purchases Carousel Inn for $32 million|url=http://www.ocregister.com/articles/disney-659941-hotel-inn.html|website=OCRegister.com|publisher=The Orange County Register|date=April 29, 2015|access-date=November 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151025142123/http://www.ocregister.com/articles/disney-659941-hotel-inn.html|archive-date=October 25, 2015|url-status=live}} Disney indicated in August 2016, that the company would be closing the Carousel Inn in October 2016 in preparation for razing it as part of plans to construct a new parking structure, transit plaza and pedestrian bridge over Harbor Boulevard.{{cite web|last1=Pimentel|first1=Joseph|title=Q&A Disneyland's massive parking project|url=http://www.ocregister.com/articles/disney-725945-harbor-bridge.html|website=OCRegister.com|publisher=The Orange County Register|date=August 16, 2016|access-date=August 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826104307/http://www.ocregister.com/articles/disney-725945-harbor-bridge.html|archive-date=August 26, 2016|url-status=live}}

On February 10, 2017, Disney revealed a deal to purchase Kingdom Holding Co.'s shares of Euro Disney S.C.A. as the first step in purchasing the remaining shares held by others. Disney has offered about $2.12 a share, a 67% premium over the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange value as of February 9. The company expects the buyout and delisting to be finished by June. Plans are for the company to invest another $1.4 billion into Disneyland Paris after the buyout to counteract the recent Paris terrorist attack, which hurt a previous 2014 park hotel investment. If this buyout is successful, it would make the resort the only resort 100% owned and operated by Disney outside of the United States of America.{{cite news|last1=Littleton|first1=Cynthia|title=Disney Seeks Full Ownership of Disneyland Paris|url=https://variety.com/2017/biz/news/disneyland-paris-disney-buyout-terrorist-attack-1201984089/|access-date=February 16, 2017|work=Variety|date=February 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217062805/http://variety.com/2017/biz/news/disneyland-paris-disney-buyout-terrorist-attack-1201984089/|archive-date=February 17, 2017|url-status=live}} On June 13, 2017, the Walt Disney Company reached the 95% threshold required for a mandatory takeover according to French law, owning 97.08% of Euro Disney S.C.A., paving the way for the Walt Disney Company to become the sole owner and operator of Disneyland Paris.{{Cite news|url=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/final-results-of-the-simplified-public-tender-offer-on-euro-disney-sca-the-walt-disney-company-to-implement-a-mandatory-buy-out-and-delisting-2017-06-13-102035936|title=Final results of the simplified public tender offer on Euro Disney S.C.A. The Walt Disney Company to implement a mandatory buy-out and delisting|work=MarketWatch|access-date=2017-06-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402163242/https://www.marketwatch.com/story/final-results-of-the-simplified-public-tender-offer-on-euro-disney-sca-the-walt-disney-company-to-implement-a-mandatory-buy-out-and-delisting-2017-06-13-102035936|archive-date=April 2, 2018|url-status=live}}

= Disney Parks, Experiences and Products =

{{See also|Disney Consumer Products#Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media}}

File:Disney parks, experiences & products logo.svg

As part of the Walt Disney Company's March 2018 strategic reorganization, Disney Consumer Products, and Interactive Media was merged into the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts segment and renamed Walt Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products. Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek was named chairman of this new segment, who also previously served as head of Disney Consumer Products.{{cite news|last1=Wang|first1=Christine|title=Disney announces strategic reorganization, effective immediately|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/14/disney-announces-strategic-reorganization-effective-immediately.html|access-date=March 14, 2018|work=CNBC|date=March 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315003632/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/14/disney-announces-strategic-reorganization-effective-immediately.html|archive-date=March 15, 2018|url-status=live}} At the time, the Consumer Products chairman position was vacant, as its former holder, James Pitaro, had been recently appointed as the new head of ESPN and co-chair of Disney Media Networks.{{cite news|last1=Barnes|first1=Brooks|title=Disney Reorganization Anticipates 21st Century Fox Assets|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/14/business/media/walt-disney-21st-century-fox.html|access-date=March 14, 2018|work=The New York Times|date=March 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314231057/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/14/business/media/walt-disney-21st-century-fox.html|archive-date=March 14, 2018|url-status=live}}

In March 2018, a Disney Parks West regional division was formed with Disneyland Resort in California, Walt Disney World in Florida, and Disneyland Paris under Catherine Powell, outgoing Disneyland Paris president. This mirrors the Disney Parks East regional division consisting of Shanghai Disney Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland and Walt Disney Attractions Japan and headed by Michael Colglazier. Imagineering was expected to take on the development of merchandise, games, publishing, and apps. Paul Gainer moved up from Disney Retail head to head up the new Global Product Management and Distribution unit, which includes Disney Retail, Global Licensing, and digital guest experience.{{cite news |title=Imagineering Sees Big Growth as "Parks, Experiences, and Consumer Products" Announces Structure |url=https://www.laughingplace.com/w/news/2018/03/21/imagineering-sees-big-growth-parks-experiences-consumer-products-announces-structure/ |access-date=June 18, 2018 |work=LaughingPlace.com |date=March 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619035751/https://www.laughingplace.com/w/news/2018/03/21/imagineering-sees-big-growth-parks-experiences-consumer-products-announces-structure/ |archive-date=June 19, 2018 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Catherine Powell steps into new Disney role |url=http://www.parkworld-online.com/catherine-powell-steps-into-new-disney-role/ |access-date=June 18, 2018 |work=Park World |date=March 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619042803/http://www.parkworld-online.com/catherine-powell-steps-into-new-disney-role/ |archive-date=June 19, 2018 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Disney Unveils Solo: A Star Wars Story Merch |url=https://www.licenseglobal.com/movies/disney-unveils-solo-star-wars-story-merch |access-date=December 13, 2018 |work=License Global |publisher=UBM Americas |date=April 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216031249/https://www.licenseglobal.com/movies/disney-unveils-solo-star-wars-story-merch |archive-date=December 16, 2018 |url-status=live }}

New Vacation Operations and Disney Cruise Line division was renamed Disney Signature Experiences along with a new president, Jeff Vahle, for the division in April 2018.{{cite news|last1=Tribou|first1=Richard|title=New president named for Disney Cruise Line, Vacation Club and more|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/the-daily-disney/os-disney-cruise-line-president-jeff-vahle-20180420-story.html|access-date=April 30, 2018|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=April 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501005113/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/the-daily-disney/os-disney-cruise-line-president-jeff-vahle-20180420-story.html|archive-date=May 1, 2018|url-status=live}} On January 1, 2019, Walt Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products changed its name to Disney Parks, Experiences and Products.{{cite web |series=Detail by Entity Name |url=http://search.sunbiz.org/Inquiry/CorporationSearch/ConvertTiffToPDF?storagePath=COR%5C2019%5C0211%5C24080356.Tif&documentNumber=F09000001204 |title=Certificate of Amendment of the Articles of Incorporation of Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products |website=Sunbiz.org |publisher=State of Florida |access-date=October 10, 2018 }} Disney Cruise Line purchased in early March 2019 another Bahamas destination, the Lighthouse Point property on the island of Eleuthera. In July 2019, Disney denied reports of plans to launch its own airline with the purchase of small regional airlines in the United States.{{cite news |title=Disney denies any plans to launch airline in the US |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/114417532/disney-to-launch-airline-in-the-us-reports |access-date=July 31, 2019 |work=Stuff |date=July 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731211605/https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/114417532/disney-to-launch-airline-in-the-us-reports |archive-date=July 31, 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Elliott |first1=Annabel Fenwick |title=Disney denies rumours of US airline launch |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/news/disney-to-launch-us-airline-cabin-crew-in-costume/ |access-date=July 31, 2019 |work=The Telegraph |date=July 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731211530/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/news/disney-to-launch-us-airline-cabin-crew-in-costume/ |archive-date=July 31, 2019 |url-status=live }}

With the acquisition of 21st Century Fox by August 2019, National Geographic Partners' non-TV operations were transferred into its Disney counterpart with NG Media and National Geographic Expeditions moving to the segment's units, Disney Publishing Worldwide and Disney Signature Experiences, respectively.{{cite news |last1=Steinberg |first1=Brian |title=Disney Layoffs Affect National Geographic |url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/disney-layoffs-national-geographic-1203318735/ |access-date=November 13, 2019 |work=Variety |date=August 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111094149/https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/disney-layoffs-national-geographic-1203318735/ |archive-date=November 11, 2019 |url-status=live }}

Powell supervised the two Star Wars-themed land, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, openings in May at Disneyland and August 2019 in Disney's Hollywood Studios. However, initial numbers showed an attendance dropped instead of the boost such an opening should have generated. In late September, Powell left the company with the Parks West regional division being dissolved, thus having those resorts' executives directly report to chairman Chapek.{{cite news |last1=Palmeri |first1=Christopher |title=Disney's U.S. Parks Chief Leaves After 15 Years With Company |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-09-23/disney-s-u-s-parks-chief-leaves-after-15-years-with-company |access-date=September 25, 2019 |work=Bloomberg.com |date=September 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925042120/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-09-23/disney-s-u-s-parks-chief-leaves-after-15-years-with-company |archive-date=September 25, 2019 |url-status=live }} He denied that Powell was let go because of the low attendance issue from Galaxy's Edge, but instead, Powell's position was a temporary one to allow Chapek to focus on the acquisition of 21st Century Fox.{{cite news|last1=Whitten|first1=Sarah|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/25/disney-names-new-leadership-for-disneyland-and-walt-disney-world.html|title=Disney names new leadership for Disneyland and Walt Disney World|date=September 25, 2019|work=CNBC|access-date=September 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930221114/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/25/disney-names-new-leadership-for-disneyland-and-walt-disney-world.html|archive-date=September 30, 2019|url-status=live}}

Powell's departure from Disney was soon followed by a domino of executive appointments, as announced on September 26, 2019. George Kalogridis, then-president of the Walt Disney World Resort, was promoted as the president of segment development and enrichment. Kalogridis is replaced by Josh D'Amaro, then-president of the Disneyland Resort, as president of the Walt Disney World Resort. In turn, D'Amaro was replaced by Rebecca Campbell as president of the Disneyland Resort. Campbell transferred from the Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer & International segment where she served as the president of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Both D'Amaro and Campbell assumed these roles in November 2019. In addition, Michael Colglazier is also promoted as the president and managing director of Disney Parks International and will oversee Disneyland Paris as well as those under the Parks East regional division.{{cite news|url=https://www.apnews.com/e70a439b2f2046a78aebdd2c72e87d67|title=Shake-up in the leadership of Disney theme park resorts|date=September 25, 2019|work=AP News|access-date=September 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930221115/https://www.apnews.com/e70a439b2f2046a78aebdd2c72e87d67|archive-date=September 30, 2019|url-status=live}} In February 2020, Chapek was promoted from chairman of this segment to chief executive officer of the Walt Disney Company under executive chairman Bob Iger.{{cite news |last1=Littleton |first1=Cynthia |title=Bob Chapek to Succeed Bob Iger as Disney CEO |url=https://variety.com/2020/biz/news/bob-chapek-bob-iger-disney-ceo-succeed-1203515498/ |access-date=February 26, 2020 |work=Variety |date=February 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225214414/https://variety.com/2020/biz/news/bob-chapek-bob-iger-disney-ceo-succeed-1203515498/ |archive-date=February 25, 2020 |url-status=live }}

With the closure of all Disney parks in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic, Disney donated 150,000 rain ponchos usually sold at the parks to MedShare, to be distributed in hospitals.{{Cite web|first1=Michelle|last1=Tauber|publisher=Dotdash Meredith|year=2020|url=https://www.parents.com/syndication/disney-parks-donates-150000-rain-ponchos-to-hospitals-and-medical-professionals/|title=Disney Parks Donates 150,000 Rain Ponchos to Hospitals and Medical Professionals|website=Parents |access-date=2020-04-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404132243/https://www.parents.com/syndication/disney-parks-donates-150000-rain-ponchos-to-hospitals-and-medical-professionals/|archive-date=April 4, 2020|url-status=live}}

In May 2020, CEO Chapek named new appointees under the Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products segment. Succeeding Chapek as chairman of this segment is Josh D'Amaro, then-president of the Walt Disney World Resort. Jeff Vahle, then-president of Disney Signature Experiences, replaced D'Amaro as president of the Walt Disney World Resort. Thomas Mazloum, senior vice president for transportation and resort operations at the Walt Disney World Resort, succeeded Vahle as president of Disney Signature Experiences. In addition, Kareem Daniel, former president of operations/product creation/publishing/games at Walt Disney Imagineering, was named president of consumer products, games and publishing.{{Cite web|title=Josh D'Amaro Named Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/josh-damaro-named-chairman-disney-parks-experiences-products-1295048|last=Parker|first=Ryan|date=2020-05-18|website=The Hollywood Reporter |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200528091421/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/josh-damaro-named-chairman-disney-parks-experiences-products-1295048|archive-date=May 28, 2020|access-date=2020-05-19}} Ken Potrock replaced Rebecca Campbell as president of the Disneyland Resort; Campbell returned to the Director-to-Consumer & International segment as its chairman, replacing Kevin Mayer.{{cite news |last1=Whitten |first1=Sarah |title=Disney taps two company veterans to head-up parks and streaming businesses |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/05/18/disney-names-new-leadership-for-its-parks-and-streaming-service.html |access-date=May 19, 2020 |work=CNBC |date=May 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524170515/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/05/18/disney-names-new-leadership-for-its-parks-and-streaming-service.html |archive-date=May 24, 2020 |url-status=live }}

On July 15, 2020, it was announced that Jill Estorino, then-executive vice president, global marketing and sales, replaced Michael Colglazier as president and managing director of Disney Parks International, supervising Tokyo Disney Resort, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Shanghai Disney Resort.{{Cite web|last=Goldsmith|first=Jill|date=2020-07-15|title=Walt Disney Sets Global Marketing Chief Jill Estorino To Run International Parks; Previous Chief Heads To Outer Space|url=https://deadline.com/2020/07/walt-disney-global-marketing-jil-estorino-international-parks-1202986791/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716021737/https://deadline.com/2020/07/walt-disney-global-marketing-jil-estorino-international-parks-1202986791/|archive-date=July 16, 2020|access-date=2020-07-16|website=Deadline }}

On September 28, 2020, D'Amaro announced the difficult decision to lay off over 28,000 employees in the parks division, many of them being part-time workers. D'Amaro cited the uncertainty of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as well as California's continued reluctance to reopen Disneyland as factors.{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/29/media/disney-parks-layoffs/index.html|title=Disney is laying off 28,000 employees as pandemic hammers its theme parks|first=Frank|last=Pallotta|work=CNN|date=September 29, 2020|access-date=September 30, 2020}} Nearly 6,700 Central Florida employees, including almost 6,500 Disney World workers, were also among those laid off.{{cite news|url=https://www.wesh.com/article/disney-layoffs-florida/34222642#|title=6,700 non-union Disney employees in Central Florida among those being laid off|publisher=WESH|date=September 30, 2020|access-date=September 30, 2020}} On October 13, 2020, Disney CEO and former Disney Park, Experiences and Products head Bob Chapek agreed to keep Disney World at only 25% capacity until the Center For Disease Control (CDC) issued new guidance and also stated that with regards to reopening Disneyland, "It's not much of a negotiation. It's pretty much a mandate that we stay closed."{{cite news|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/|title=Disney World attendance to stay capped; Disneyland reopening 'not much of a negotiation,' CEO says|first=Jayme|last=Deerwester|publisher=USA Today|date=October 13, 2020|access-date=October 14, 2020}} Disneyland Resort was finally allowed to reopen on April 30, 2021, after a 412-day closure.{{cite news |last1=Barkas |first1=Sherry |title='We have waited so long for this': Disneyland reopens after 412 days |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/experience/america/theme-parks/2021/04/30/disneyland-reopening-2021-disney-california-parks-open-after-covid-closure/4881772001/ |work=USA Today |date=April 30, 2021}}

Historically, Imagineering and certain other Disney units merged into DPEP were physically headquartered in the Los Angeles metropolitan area (near the Walt Disney Company's film and television divisions)—even as the rapid growth of Walt Disney World meant that by the start of the 21st century, most Disney U.S. domestic theme park jobs were based in Florida, not California. In July 2021, it was reported that approximately 2,000 DPEP positions would be transferred over the next couple of years to a new 60-acre corporate campus in the Lake Nona area of Orlando, Florida, and it was later reported that fall that as many as 90% of the transferred positions would be Imagineering positions.{{cite news |last1=MacDonald |first1=Brady |title=Disney Imagineering relocation shifts creative balance of power from California to Florida |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2021/10/29/disney-imagineering-relocation-shifts-creative-balance-of-power-from-california-to-florida/ |access-date=3 January 2022 |work=Orange County Register |date=October 29, 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Rice |first1=Katie |title=Disney's Lake Nona campus means big gains for company but likely staff losses, too |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/os-bz-disney-lake-nona-relocation-update-20211102-kslfkec4ivhkfcgel6nsvcigci-story.html |access-date=3 January 2022 |work=Orlando Sentinel |date=November 7, 2021}} The relocation was reportedly motivated in part by $570 million in tax breaks from the state of Florida, as well as Florida's business-friendly climate, lower cost of living, and lack of a state income tax. The planned relocation was cancelled in May 2023 amidst a feud with Florida governor Ron DeSantis.{{cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/05/18/disney-scraps-lake-nona-florida-campus.html |title=Disney scraps plans for new Florida campus, mass employee relocation amid DeSantis feud |date=May 18, 2023 |work=CNBC |first=Sarah |last=Whitten}}

= Disney Experiences =

On November 16, 2023, the division was renamed Disney Experiences.

On August 10, 2024, D'Amaro hosted a Disney Experiences Showcase at the Honda Center as part of D23: The Ultimate Fan Event (formerly D23 Expo), in which he revealed how Disney Experiences planned to invest $60 billion over the next decade in adding new and improved attractions to its parks.{{cite news |last1=Beckett |first1=Lois |title='How Disney adults recharge their magic': inside Disney's epic – and expensive – superfan event |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/article/2024/aug/12/disney-superfans-d23-conference-prices |access-date=August 19, 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=August 12, 2024}} He brought out All-4-One to sing "I Swear" to celebrate Disney's promise to build four more cruise ships on top of four already under construction, bringing its fleet to a total of 13 by 2031.{{cite news |last1=Whitten |first1=Sarah |title=From villains to Indiana Jones: Everything we learned at Disney's parks panel at the 2024 D23 Expo |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/08/10/everything-we-learned-at-disneys-parks-panel-at-the-2024-d23-expo.html |access-date=August 24, 2024 |work=CNBC |date=August 11, 2024}}

However, Disney executives were notably reluctant at D23 to address superfans' increasing frustration with the skyrocketing ticket prices at Disney parks over the preceding decade.{{cite news |last1=Chen |first1=Natasha |title=Disney has a price problem. It has ambitious plans to fix that |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/16/business/disney-world-park-prices/index.html |access-date=August 24, 2024 |work=CNN |date=August 16, 2024}} The pricing changes had rendered Disney theme parks largely inaccessible to most middle class consumers because the cost of one day and one night at a Disney theme park was now higher than what many people spend on vacation in an entire year. On August 16, D'Amaro responded to such criticism by stressing the broad range of Disney's ticket pricing and options and explaining that the company would "provide as much access and flexibility as we possibly can, so as many of our fans can experience these things as possible".

Leadership

  • Josh D'Amaro, Chairman
  • Lisa Becket, Executive Vice President, Global Marketing
  • Jill Estorino, President and Managing Director, Disney Parks International
  • Andrew Bolstein, President and General Manager, Shanghai Disney Resort
  • George Gross, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Walt Disney Attractions Japan
  • Michael Moriarty, President and Managing Director, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort
  • Natacha Rafalski, Présidente, Disneyland Paris
  • Tasia Filippatos, President, Disney Consumer Products
  • Tami Garcia, Executive Vice President, Human Resources
  • Alannah Hall-Smith, Executive Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs
  • Kevin Lansberry, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
  • Douglas Leckie, Executive Vice President and Chief Digital and Technology Officer
  • Thomas Mazloum, President, Disneyland Resort
  • Matt Penarczyk, General Counsel
  • Ken Potrock, President, Major Events Integration
  • Joe Schott, President, Disney Signature Experiences
  • Sharon Siskie, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Disney Cruise Line
  • Stephanie Young, President, Disney Vacation Club, Adventures & Expeditions, and Enrichment Programs
  • Bill Diercksen, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Disney Vacation Club
  • Nancy Schumacher, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Adventures & Expeditions
  • Jeff Vahle, President, Walt Disney World Resort
  • Bruce Vaughn, President and Chief Creative Officer, Walt Disney Imagineering

Disney resorts

{{See also| List of Disney theme park attractions}}

{{location map+|Earth

|float=center

|width=775

|caption=Locations of Disney resorts: 8px Disney-owned, 8px Disney joint ventures, 8px Owned and licensed by The Oriental Land Company

|places=

{{Location map~|Earth|position=top|lat=31.144|long=121.657|label=Shanghai Disney Resort |mark=Blue pog.svg

}}

{{Location map~|Earth|position=bottom|lat=22.313333|long=114.043333|label=Hong Kong Disneyland Resort |mark=Blue pog.svg

}}

{{Location map~|Earth|position=right|lat=48.868719|long=2.7818|label=Disneyland Paris |mark=Red pog.svg

}}

{{Location map~|Earth|position=right|lat=35.629722|long=139.882778|label=Tokyo Disney Resort |mark=Green pog.svg

}}

{{Location map~|Earth|position=right|lat=28.418611|long=-81.581111|label=Walt Disney World Resort |mark=Red pog.svg

}}

{{Location map~|Earth|position=left|lat=33.8091|long=-117.919|label=Disneyland Resort |mark=Red pog.svg

}}

}}

= Disneyland Resort =

{{Main|Disneyland Resort}}

The Disneyland Resort was founded as a single park, Disneyland, and opened on July 17, 1955, in Anaheim, California. Disneyland Hotel opened to the public on October 5, 1955. In 2001, the site expanded significantly and was renamed the Disneyland Resort with the opening of a second theme park, Disney California Adventure, three hotels, and the Downtown Disney retail, dining, and entertainment complex. Disneyland was re-branded Disneyland Park to distinguish it from the larger {{convert|500|acre|km2|adj=on}} resort complex.

= Walt Disney World Resort =

{{Main|Walt Disney World}}

The Walt Disney World resort opened October 1, 1971, in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, with the Magic Kingdom theme park and three resort hotels. It expanded with the opening of the theme parks Epcot in 1982, Disney's Hollywood Studios in 1989 and Disney's Animal Kingdom in 1998, in addition to the water parks Disney's Typhoon Lagoon in 1989 and Disney's Blizzard Beach in 1995. In addition the resort includes the Disney Springs retail, dining, and entertainment complex. The resort occupies {{Convert|27,258|acre}} overall, the largest (by area) and most-visited vacation resort in the world, with four theme parks, two water parks, 21 resort hotels, eight golf courses, the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and additional recreational activities.

= Tokyo Disney Resort =

{{Main|Tokyo Disney Resort}}

Tokyo Disney Resort, in Urayasu, Chiba, Japan, opened April 15, 1983, as Tokyo Disneyland. On September 4, 2001, the resort expanded with second theme park Tokyo DisneySea. The resort includes six Disney hotels and several non-Disney hotels along with the Ikspiari retail, dining, and entertainment complex. Designed by Walt Disney Imagineering, the resort is fully owned and operated by The Oriental Land Company under license with the Walt Disney Company. Disney oversees all aspects of the resort and assigns Imagineers to it.

= Disneyland Paris =

{{Main|Disneyland Paris}}

Disneyland Paris opened on April 12, 1992 as Euro Disney Resort. Located in Marne-la-Vallée in the suburbs of Paris, France, it features two theme parks, Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park (soon to be renamed Disney Adventure World), a golf course, the Disney Village entertainment complex, and seven Disney resort hotels, over {{convert|4940|acre|km2}}. It is the only resort outside the United States fully owned and operated by the Walt Disney Company.

= Hong Kong Disneyland Resort =

{{Main|Hong Kong Disneyland Resort}}

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort opened September 12, 2005. The resort is located in Penny's Bay. The resort consists of Hong Kong Disneyland theme park, Inspiration Lake Recreation Centre, and three hotels, with land reserved for future expansion. It is owned and operated by Hong Kong International Theme Parks, a joint venture of the Walt Disney Company (48% ownership) and the Government of Hong Kong (52% ownership). The first phase of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort occupies {{convert|320|acre|km2}}.

= Shanghai Disney Resort =

{{Main|Shanghai Disney Resort}}

Shanghai Disney Resort opened on June 16, 2016. The resort is located in the city's Pudong district and has one theme park, two resort hotels, Shanghai Disneyland, and the Disneytown entertainment complex. It is owned and operated by Shanghai International Theme Park Company, a joint venture of the Walt Disney Company (43% ownership) and the Shanghai Shendi Group (57% ownership).

Training

Each new employee ("cast member") at a Disney theme park is trained at a Disney University, founded by Walt Disney in 1955. Before training specific to the work they will perform, each employee attends the "Disney Traditions" course where they learn about the philosophies and history of Disney's guest services.{{cite book|last1=Yearout|first1=Steve|last2=Weil|first2=Gerry Miles, with Richard Koonce ; foreword by Audrey|title=Growing leaders : a leader-builder handbook for HRD and training professionals, business executives and managers, executive coaches|date=2001|publisher=ASTD|location=Alexandria, VA|isbn=1562862898|page=[https://archive.org/details/growingleadersle0000year/page/193 193]|url=https://archive.org/details/growingleadersle0000year/page/193}}{{cite book|last1=Lipp|first1=Doug|title=Disney U : how Disney University develops the world's most engaged, loyal, and customer-centric employees|date=2013|publisher=McGraw-Hill|location=New York|isbn=978-0071808071}}

Abandoned and misreported concepts

{{Main| List of Disney attractions that were never built}}

Disney had plans to build Walt Disney's Riverfront Square in St. Louis, but canceled the project in July 1965.

In the 1960s, Disney initiated a plan for a ski resort at Mineral King in California. Opposition from environmental groups led by the Sierra Club led to a temporary court injunction in 1969 and legal battles through the 1970s. The project's planning and scale changed multiple times, and in 1978, Mineral King was annexed into Sequoia National Park, ending any possibility of developing a resort there.{{cite book|title=Challenge of the Big Trees|last=Dilsaver|first=L.M.|author2=Tweed, W.C. |chapter=New Directions and a Second Century (1972–1990)|year=1990|publisher=Sequoia Natural History Association |chapter-url= http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/dilsaver-tweed/chap9c.htm}}

Disney had plans to build a park named Disney's America in Haymarket, Virginia, but abandoned the idea in 1994. On September 28, 1994, Michael Eisner announced Disney was canceling its plans after a bruising national media fight with Protect Historic America, and aggressive local opposition in Virginia from Protect Prince William and other citizen groups.

Disney had plans to build a smaller Disneyland-style theme park in Sydney, Australia, between 2007 and 2008, with the proposed name "Disney Wharf at Sydney Harbour", but the concept was abandoned due to mixed responses in the New South Wales Government.{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/nsw/walt-disney-company-proposed-a-disney-resort-in-sydney-20140111-30nfk.html|title=Walt Disney Company proposed a Disney Resort in Sydney|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=January 11, 2014|access-date=October 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013151322/http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/walt-disney-company-proposed-a-disney-resort-in-sydney-20140111-30nfk.html|archive-date=October 13, 2014|url-status=live}}

In early January 2011, conflicting reports emerged regarding Disney's involvement in a proposed entertainment complex in Haifa, Israel, whose plans include a small (30,000 square meter) amusement park scheduled to open in 2013. The project was set to be partially funded by Shamrock Holdings, a Disney-affiliated investment firm. In the wake of reports from Israeli business newspaper, Globes and industry newswire Amusement Management that Disney itself would be involved in the project's development, a spokesperson for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts clarified to Fast Company that Disney did not have any plans to be involved in the building of the park.Ungerleider, Neal. [http://www.fastcompany.com/1714452/disney-to-open-theme-park-in-israel "Disney to Open Theme Park in Israel?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110110073134/http://www.fastcompany.com/1714452//disney-to-open-theme-park-in-israel |date=January 10, 2011 }} Fast Company. January 5, 2011.

Disney intellectual properties outside Disney parks

Due to its acquisitions of Marvel Entertainment in 2009, Lucasfilm in 2012 and 21st Century Fox in 2019, some Disney-owned franchises are represented in its competitors' parks.

= Marvel Entertainment =

Marvel Super Hero Island, a themed land featuring characters and settings from Marvel Comics, has operated at Universal Orlando Resort's Universal Islands of Adventure park since 1999, as well as the Islands of Adventure, cloned ride The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man at Universal Studios Japan from 2004 to 2024. Under Marvel's 1994 agreement with Universal Destinations & Experiences in regional terms, none of the Marvel characters and other persons related to such characters (e.g., side characters, team members, and the villains associated with the Avengers, Fantastic Four, X-Men, Spider-Man, etc.) connected with Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Japan can be used at Walt Disney World and Tokyo Disney Resort.{{cite web|last1=Munarriz|first1=Rick|title=Disney is Taking Too Long to Add Marvel to Disneyland and Disney World|url=http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/10/18/disney-is-taking-too-long-to-add-marvel-to-disney.aspx|website=The Motley Fool|date=October 18, 2015|access-date=January 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121092822/http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/10/18/disney-is-taking-too-long-to-add-marvel-to-disney.aspx|archive-date=January 21, 2016|url-status=live}} The Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, and Tokyo Disney Resort also cannot use the Marvel brand name as part of an attraction or marketing and the Marvel-themed simulator ride.{{cite web|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1262449/000119312510008732/dex1057.htm|title=Marvel Agreement between MCA Inc. and Marvel Entertainment Group|publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission|website=sec.gov|access-date=September 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160323223921/http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1262449/000119312510008732/dex1057.htm|archive-date=March 23, 2016|url-status=live}} This clause has allowed Walt Disney World to have meet-and-greets with Marvel characters not associated with the ones present at Islands of Adventure, such as Star-Lord and Gamora from Guardians of the Galaxy,{{cite web|url=http://www.insidethemagic.net/2014/08/guardians-of-the-galaxy-theme-park-characters-appear-for-first-time-as-walt-disney-world-welcomes-marvel/|title=Guardians of the Galaxy theme park characters appear for the first time as Walt Disney World welcomes Marvel|work=Inside the Magic|date=August 24, 2014|access-date=February 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129013758/http://www.insidethemagic.net/2014/08/guardians-of-the-galaxy-theme-park-characters-appear-for-first-time-as-walt-disney-world-welcomes-marvel/|archive-date=January 29, 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2014/07/exclusive-guardians-of-the-galaxy-sneak-peek-debuts-july-4-at-disney-parks/|first=Shawn|last=Slater|title=Exclusive 'Guardians of the Galaxy' Sneak Peek Debuts July 4 at Disney Parks|work=Disney Parks Blog|date=July 3, 2014 |access-date=February 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129013538/http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2014/07/exclusive-guardians-of-the-galaxy-sneak-peek-debuts-july-4-at-disney-parks/|archive-date=January 29, 2016|url-status=dead}} and Doctor Strange.{{Cite web|url=https://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201611/5319/|title=Walt Disney World news update: Doctor Strange, new castle show debut|last=Niles|first=Robert|date=November 5, 2016|website=Theme Park Insider|access-date=August 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190822060228/https://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201611/5319/|archive-date=August 22, 2019|url-status=live}} Hong Kong Disneyland, Shanghai Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris either have or planned to incorporate meet and greets as well as attractions relating to the Marvel characters, as well as using the Marvel name and the Marvel simulator ride.

IMG Worlds of Adventure in Dubai has a Marvel-themed section.{{Cite web |url=https://www.imgworlds.com/language/en/ |website=imgworlds.com |title=IMG Worlds of Adventure |access-date=February 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204230156/https://www.imgworlds.com/language/en/ |archive-date=February 4, 2019 |url-status=live }}

= ''Star Wars'' =

A Star Wars-themed section of Legoland California's Miniland USA opened in 2011, with a similar version opening at Legoland Florida{{cite web|url=http://florida.legoland.com/map-explore/land-views/miniland/attractions/lego-star-wars/|title=LEGO STAR WARS™ |website=LEGOLAND Florida |access-date=March 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160214131430/http://florida.legoland.com/map-explore/land-views/miniland/attractions/lego-star-wars/|archive-date=February 14, 2016|url-status=dead }} in November 2012, just weeks before Disney's acquisition of Lucasfilm and the Star Wars franchise. However, the Star Wars-themed sections at Miniland USA, Legoland Florida, and other Legoland areas closed at the start of 2020 before the 2020 theme park season due to the expiration of their contract with Lucasfilm.{{cite news|url=https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2019/12/15/as-disney-opens-its-new-star-wars-land-in-orlando-another-local-theme-park-says-goodbye |first1=Ken |last1=Storey |date=Dec 15, 2019 |title=As Disney opens its new Star Wars land in Orlando, another local theme park says goodbye|newspaper=Orlando Weekly|access-date=December 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215164305/https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2019/12/15/as-disney-opens-its-new-star-wars-land-in-orlando-another-local-theme-park-says-goodbye|archive-date=December 15, 2019|url-status=dead }}

= 20th Century Studios =

Following Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox, which included properties from 20th Century Studios and 20th Television, in March 2019, The Simpsons became the intellectual property of Disney. Like Marvel before it, The Simpsons is represented in Universal parks, with The Simpsons Ride having operated at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Florida since 2008, with accompanying themed areas based on the show's setting of Springfield.

The Fox acquisition also made Disney responsible for the future of Malaysia's under-construction 20th Century Fox World theme park. The park's owner, Genting Group, filed a $1.75 billion lawsuit against the Walt Disney Company and 21st Century Fox in November 2018, accusing Fox of trying to back out of the deal for licensing the theme park. In the suit, Genting Malaysia alleges that Fox has taken steps to cancel the contract. The suit also names Disney as a defendant, contending that Disney executives, following the company's then-pending acquisition of Fox, were "calling the shots" on the project and that they were opposed to the park because they would have "no control" over its operations and that it would be adjacent to a casino, which would go against Disney's "family-friendly" image.{{cite news |title=Disney, Fox sued in U.S. for $1 billion over Malaysia theme park |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-fox-disney-genting-malaysia/disney-fox-sued-in-us-for-1-billion-over-malaysia-theme-park-idUSKCN1NV2NP |website=Reuters |date=November 26, 2018 |first1=Jonathan |last1=Stempel |access-date=November 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127151956/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-fox-disney-genting-malaysia/disney-fox-sued-in-us-for-1-billion-over-malaysia-theme-park-idUSKCN1NV2NP |archive-date=27 November 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} Fox, in turn, referred to the suit as "without merit", stating that their reasons for withdrawing from the deal were due to Genting consistently not meeting "agreed-upon deadlines for several years" and that Genting's attempts to blame Disney for Fox's default were "made up".{{cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2018/11/disney-fox-lawsuit-kuala-lumpur-theme-park-deal-off-1202509020/ |first1=Dominic |last1=Patten |title=Disney & Fox Accused In $1.75B Suit Of Taking Theme Park Developer For A Ride|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=November 26, 2018|access-date=November 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128012047/https://deadline.com/2018/11/disney-fox-lawsuit-kuala-lumpur-theme-park-deal-off-1202509020/|archive-date=28 November 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} In July 2019, it was announced that Fox and Genting had settled their respective lawsuits. As part of the deal, Genting would be given "a license to use certain Fox intellectual properties" and that non-Fox intellectual property would make up the rest of the attractions in the park. The outdoor park would also no longer be referred to as 20th Century Fox World, but instead would be named Genting SkyWorlds.{{cite web |title=Legal Fight Over Fox Theme Park In Malaysia Ends In Settlement |url=https://deadline.com/2019/07/fox-world-malaysia-theme-park-settlement-legal-1202654605/ |website=Deadline |date=July 26, 2019 |first1=Patrick |last1=Hipes |access-date=July 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726160733/https://deadline.com/2019/07/fox-world-malaysia-theme-park-settlement-legal-1202654605/ |archive-date=July 26, 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|title=Genting Malaysia to rightsize workforce, management offered pay cut |date=May 22, 2020|url=https://www.nst.com.my/business/2020/05/594765/genting-malaysia-rightsize-workforce-management-offered-pay-cut|publisher=New Straits Times|access-date=May 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525014342/https://www.nst.com.my/business/2020/05/594765/genting-malaysia-rightsize-workforce-management-offered-pay-cut|archive-date=May 25, 2020|url-status=live}}

Adaptations

{{Main article|List of film adaptations of Disney attractions}}

While Disney Parks generally adapt movies into rides, some Disney theme park attractions have been adapted into or have served inspiration for films,{{cite news|last1=Verrier|first1=Richard|title=Movies Imitate Disney's Parks|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-may-15-fi-disney15-story.html|access-date=April 1, 2017|work=Los Angeles Times|date=May 15, 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401144451/http://articles.latimes.com/2002/may/15/business/fi-disney15|archive-date=April 1, 2017|url-status=live}} books, comic books, television series, television specials and television pilots. Disney entered the television field with a network TV show named after Disneyland (which was then its only park, and was being built at the time), in order to fund the park. In this series, some episodes featured the park or a park attraction.{{cite book|last1=Griffin|first1=Sean|title=Encyclopedia of Television|publisher=The Museum of Broadcast Communications|url=http://www.museum.tv/eotv/waltdisneyp.htm|access-date=April 1, 2017|chapter=Walt Disney Programs|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817202754/http://www.museum.tv/eotv/waltdisneyp.htm|archive-date=August 17, 2017|url-status=dead}} The Walt Disney Company pioneered and is the only film company and theme park company to have converted theme park attractions to film productions. However, lackluster results were achieved for most of these films except for the Pirates of the Caribbean series.{{cite magazine|last1=Bacle|first1=Ariana|title=Theme park ride-based movies: Will 'Small World' follow the trend?|url=https://ew.com/article/2014/04/23/disney-theme-park-movies-small-world/|access-date=March 28, 2017|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=April 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170329052528/http://ew.com/article/2014/04/23/disney-theme-park-movies-small-world/|archive-date=March 29, 2017|url-status=live}} Walt Disney Pictures produced two Pirates of the Caribbean sequels in 2006 and 2011 that made approximately a billion dollars each at the box office.{{cite news |url=https://deadline.com/2017/03/beauty-and-the-beast-sean-bailey-disney-emma-watson-1202047710/ |title=Sean Bailey On How Disney's Live-Action Division Found Its 'Beauty And The Beast' Mojo |date=March 21, 2017 |work=Deadline |publisher=Penske Business Media, LLC |last1=Fleming |first1=Mike Jr. |access-date=March 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170910100558/http://deadline.com/2017/03/beauty-and-the-beast-sean-bailey-disney-emma-watson-1202047710/ |archive-date=September 10, 2017 |url-status=live }}

At first, Disney had merely dabbled with this type of film. Disney Telefilms made the first movie-based-on-ride, Tower of Terror, for the Wonderful World of Disney anthology television series in 1997.{{cite news|title=Disney Sets ABC Pix|url=https://variety.com/1997/scene/vpage/disney-sets-abc-pix-1117342089/|access-date=December 30, 2015|work=Variety|date=May 1, 1997|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305060242/http://variety.com/1997/scene/vpage/disney-sets-abc-pix-1117342089/|archive-date=March 5, 2016|url-status=live}} In 2000, Touchstone Pictures made Mission to Mars based on the closed ride of the same name.{{cite magazine|last1=Schwarzbaum|first1=Lisa|author-link=Lisa Schwarzbaum|title=Mission to Mars|url=https://ew.com/article/2000/03/17/mission-mars-4/|access-date=March 28, 2017|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=March 17, 2000|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170329052509/http://ew.com/article/2000/03/17/mission-mars-4/|archive-date=March 29, 2017|url-status=live}}

Walt Disney Pictures took the Country Bear Jamboree attraction and made it into The Country Bears in 2002. In 2003, Walt Disney Pictures issued two ride-based films in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl and The Haunted Mansion. Pirates of the Caribbean launched a film series and a franchise. After four Pirates sequels, the franchise took in more than $5.4 billion worldwide.{{cite news |last1=McNary |first1=Dave |author1-link=Dave McNary |last2=Graser |first2=Marc |url=https://variety.com/2013/biz/news/end-of-an-era-disney-and-jerry-bruckheimer-part-ways-1200652789/ |title=End of an Era: Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer Part Ways |date=September 19, 2013 |work=Variety |access-date=March 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170329142111/http://variety.com/2013/biz/news/end-of-an-era-disney-and-jerry-bruckheimer-part-ways-1200652789/ |archive-date=March 29, 2017 |url-status=live }}

Disney Publishing Worldwide started mining Disney Parks with its The Kingdom Keepers series. The first novel of the series, Disney After Dark, was released in 2005.{{cite magazine |title=The Kingdom Keepers (review) |url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/ridley-pearson/the-kingdom-keepers/ |magazine=Kirkus Reviews|date=August 15, 2005|access-date=April 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413143822/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/ridley-pearson/the-kingdom-keepers/|archive-date=April 13, 2014|url-status=live}} A five-book series was laid out by Pearson, but was extended to seven with the first book's success.{{cite news|last1=Hill|first1=Jim|title=Keeping up with Disney's "Kingdom Keepers" : Ridley Pearson talks about all the research that goes into this popular book series|url=http://jimhillmedia.com/editor_in_chief1/b/jim_hill/archive/2011/04/03/keeping-up-with-disney-s-quot-kingdom-keepers-quot-ridley-pearson-talks-about-all-the-research-he-does-for-this-popular-book-series.aspx|access-date=May 1, 2017|work=jimhillmedia.com|date=April 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170523064329/http://jimhillmedia.com/editor_in_chief1/b/jim_hill/archive/2011/04/03/keeping-up-with-disney-s-quot-kingdom-keepers-quot-ridley-pearson-talks-about-all-the-research-he-does-for-this-popular-book-series.aspx|archive-date=May 23, 2017|url-status=live}} On March 31, 2015, the first novel in The Kingdom Keepers sequel trilogy series was released.{{cite news|last1=Bevil|first1=Dewayne|title=Disney book writer Ridley Pearson heads back in time|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/the-daily-disney/os-disney-ridley-pearson-returns-20150408-story.html|access-date=May 1, 2017|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=April 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916052716/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/the-daily-disney/os-disney-ridley-pearson-returns-20150408-story.html|archive-date=September 16, 2017|url-status=live}}

Other Disney Publishing projects based on the Disney Parks include the Tales from Adventureland trilogy by Jason Lethcoe in 2017-2018, based around Adventureland attractions such as the Enchanted Tiki Room and Jungle Cruise, the Tales from the Haunted Mansion anthology series by John Esposito writing under the pen name of the Mansion's ghostly librarian Amicus Arcane, and the Shinji Takahashi books by Julie Kagawa, which explores the Society of Explorers and Adventurers organization seen in various parks within the modern day.

With the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise as Disney Pictures' top franchise, the company had been looking for additional projects in this category for a decade.{{cite news|last=Breznican|first=Anthony|author-link=Anthony Breznican|title=Disney's mysterious '1952' movie has a new name ... 'Tomorrowland'|url=http://insidemovies.ew.com/2013/01/28/disneys-1952-is-tomorrowland/|access-date=January 29, 2013|newspaper=Entertainment Weekly|date=January 28, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130130034026/http://insidemovies.ew.com/2013/01/28/disneys-1952-is-tomorrowland/|archive-date=January 30, 2013|url-status=live}} Disney Pictures took another push at additional adaptations in the 2010s. By November 2010, Jon Favreau had been tapped to develop the Magic Kingdom park into a "Night at the Museum" like film, with Strike Entertainment signed on to produce it{{cite news |last1=Graser |first1=Marc. |title=Jon Favreau enters Disney's 'Magic Kingdom |url=https://variety.com/2010/film/news/jon-favreau-enters-disney-s-magic-kingdom-1118027299/ |access-date=September 11, 2018 |work=Variety |date=November 10, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101114012501/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118027299 |url-status=live |archive-date=November 14, 2010}} after a script by Ronald D. Moore was turned down.{{cite news|last1=Schaefer|first1=Sandy|title=Jon Favreau Says Magic Kingdom Movie Still in Development|url=https://screenrant.com/jon-favreau-magic-kingdom-movie-disney/|access-date=April 26, 2017|work=Screen Rant|date=April 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427101038/http://screenrant.com/jon-favreau-magic-kingdom-movie-disney/|archive-date=April 27, 2017|url-status=live}} Another Haunted Mansion film was in the works with Guillermo del Toro as of August 2012. Mr. Toad's Wild Ride ride film was in the works at Disney by January 2013.{{cite news|last=Tully|first=Sarah|title=Is 'Tomorrowland' movie tied to Disneyland area?|url=http://www.ocregister.com/news/movie-409540-disney-tomorrowland.html|access-date=January 29, 2013|newspaper=Orange County Register|date=January 28, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201023957/http://www.ocregister.com/news/movie-409540-disney-tomorrowland.html|archive-date=February 1, 2013|url-status=live}} Tomorrowland, first to be loosely based on a theme park area,{{cite news |first=Eliana |last=Kirshenblat |url=https://screenrant.com/disney-tower-terror-movie-writer/ |title=Disney's New Tower of Terror Movie Seeking a Writer |publisher=ScreenRant |date=October 23, 2015 |access-date=March 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170408101938/http://screenrant.com/disney-tower-terror-movie-writer/ |archive-date=April 8, 2017 |url-status=live }} was announced in January 2013 for a December 2014 release. Also in 2013, American Broadcasting Company had ordered a pilot based on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.{{cite news |url=https://deadline.com/2015/10/tower-of-terror-movie-disney-theme-park-ride-john-august-1201592331/ |first1=Mike Jr |last1=Fleming |title='Tower Of Terror' Getting Movie Treatment; Venerable Disney Theme Park Fright Ride |date=October 23, 2015 |work=Deadline |publisher=Penske Business Media, LLC |access-date=March 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024123842/http://deadline.com/2015/10/tower-of-terror-movie-disney-theme-park-ride-john-august-1201592331/ |archive-date=October 24, 2015 |url-status=live }} It's A Small World was added to the list of known two projects in November 26, 2013{{cite web |url=https://www.cartoonbrew.com/internet-television/disney-creates-its-a-small-world-animated-web-series-95943.html |first1=Amid |last1=Amidi |title=Disney Creates "It's A Small World" Animated Web Series |website=Cartoon Brew |date=February 10, 2014 |access-date=August 20, 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://ohmy.disney.com/insider/2014/02/04/design-behind-the-scenes-the-making-of-its-a-small-world-the-animated-series/ |title=Design Behind the Scenes, The making of It's a Small World: The Animated Series |website=Disney Insider |date=February 4, 2014 |access-date=August 20, 2019 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725154243/https://ohmy.disney.com/insider/2014/02/04/design-behind-the-scenes-the-making-of-its-a-small-world-the-animated-series/ |archive-date= Jul 25, 2021 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.mommyfactor.net/2013/12/disney-its-small-world-animated-series.html |last1=Onica |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214074745/http://www.mommyfactor.net/2013/12/disney-its-small-world-animated-series.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 14, 2013 |title=Disney It's a Small World: the Animated Series & Trailer |website=Mommy Factor |date=December 2013 |accessdate=August 20, 2019}}{{Cite web |title=Just One Moon! Small World goes to China |website= Dina Sherman, Official Site |url=https://www.dinasherman.com/just-one-moon-small-world-goes-to-china/ |access-date=2022-12-25 |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2013-12-04 |title=Disney Interactive Brings Families Around the World with Original Online Series, 'it's a small world: the animated series' |url=https://disneyconnect.com/dpep/disney-interactive-brings-families-around-the-world/ |access-date=2022-12-25 |website=Disney Parks, Experiences and Products |language=en-US |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230207082121/https://disneyconnect.com/dpep/disney-interactive-brings-families-around-the-world/ |archive-date= Feb 7, 2023 }} and April 22, 2014.{{cite magazine |last=Fleming |first=Mike |url=https://deadline.com/2014/04/disney-taps-jon-turteltaub-to-direct-its-a-small-world-feature-film-718387/ |title=Disney To Make 'It's A Small World' Movie: Jon Turteltaub To Direct |magazine=Deadline |date=April 22, 2014 |access-date=May 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519194812/http://www.deadline.com/2014/04/disney-taps-jon-turteltaub-to-direct-its-a-small-world-feature-film/ |archive-date=May 19, 2014 |url-status=live }} Tower of Terror was given a theatrical treatment by John August under producer Jim Whitaker in October 2015, while the long-in-production Jungle Cruise gained an actor.

Marvel Worldwide with Disney announced in October 2013 that in January 2014 it would release its first comic book title under their joint Disney Kingdoms imprint.{{cite news |title=Marvel, Disney unveil 1st comic under new imprint |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Marvel-Disney-unveil-1st-comic-under-new-imprint-4878283.php |access-date=October 17, 2013 |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |date=October 8, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131018022343/http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Marvel-Disney-unveil-1st-comic-under-new-imprint-4878283.php |archive-date=October 18, 2013}} Running for six miniseries, Disney Kingdoms would feature adaptations of the unbuilt Museum of the Weird, two serials about Figment and Dreamfinder from Epcot's Journey into Imagination, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, the Haunted Mansion, and Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room. Disney Publishing Worldwide's revived Disney Comics imprint{{cite news |last1=MacDonald |first1=Heidi |title=Disney Expands Its Comics Program |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/59991-disney-expands-their-comics-program.html |access-date=January 10, 2020 |work=Publishers Weekly |date=November 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200110210522/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/59991-disney-expands-their-comics-program.html |archive-date=January 10, 2020 |url-status=live }} first publication was the Space Mountain graphic novel released on May 7, 2014 and based on the same name park attraction.{{cite news |title=Disney Comics Previews SPACE MOUNTAIN Graphic Novel |url=https://www.newsarama.com/21004-disney-comics-previews-space-mountain-graphic-novel.html |access-date=January 10, 2020 |work=Newsarama |date=April 30, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710153015/https://www.newsarama.com/21004-disney-comics-previews-space-mountain-graphic-novel.html |archive-date=July 10, 2019 |url-status=dead }}

In May 2017, Freeform cable channel aired a special documentary, Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings, based on the services provided by Disney Parks and Resorts unit, Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons. With success of the May special, the show was picked up as a series with seven episodes in October 2017.{{cite news|last=Goldberg|first=Lesley|title=Freeform Orders 'Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings' Series (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/freeform-orders-disneys-fairy-tale-weddings-series-1049359|access-date=January 29, 2018|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 17, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130091342/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/freeform-orders-disneys-fairy-tale-weddings-series-1049359|archive-date=January 30, 2018|url-status=live}} However, another special, Holiday Magic, was aired on December 11, 2017 with the now six episode regular series starting on June 11, 2018.{{cite magazine|last=Sollosi|first=Mary|title='Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings' is here to make your magical wedding dreams come true|url=https://ew.com/tv/2018/06/07/disneys-fairy-tale-weddings/|access-date=August 1, 2018|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=June 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801190613/http://ew.com/tv/2018/06/07/disneys-fairy-tale-weddings/|archive-date=August 1, 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Shows A-Z – disney's fairy tale weddings on freeform|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/showatch/disneys-fairy-tale-weddings/listings/|website=TheFutonCritic.com|access-date=August 1, 2018}}

Disney Signature Experiences

The Disney Signature Experiences division, which was formerly known as the Disney Cruise Line & New Vacation Operations, holds newer non-theme park travel units under president Thomas Mazloum.

In February 2009, Tom McAlpin left the Disney Cruise Line presidency and was replaced by Karl Holz as president of both Disney Cruise Line and New Vacation Operations. New Vacation Operations included the Adventures by Disney.{{cite news|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2009/02/14/familiar-face-takes-disney-cruise-line-helm/|title=Familiar Face Takes Disney Cruise Line Helm: Karl Holz|publisher=Orlando Sentinel|first=Jason|last=Garcia|date=February 14, 2009|access-date=January 25, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108183949/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2009-02-14/news/dizcruise14_1_disney-cruise-line-disney-declined-mcalpin|archive-date=January 8, 2016|df=mdy-all}} The cruise line ordered three ships of a new class of ship, Triton, in 2016 and 2017.{{cite news |last1=Tribou |first1=Richard |title=Port Canaveral documents label new cruise ship Disney Triton |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/florida-cruise-guide/os-ae-port-canaveral-disney-triton-20190122-story.html |access-date=March 12, 2019 |work=Orlando Sentinel |date=January 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203043207/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/florida-cruise-guide/os-ae-port-canaveral-disney-triton-20190122-story.html |archive-date=February 3, 2019 |url-status=live }} In April 2017, it was announced that Karl Holz would retire as president of Disney Cruise Line on February 15, 2018 and Anthony Connelly would assumed the role of president on October 1, 2017.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/16689-anthony-connelly-to-take-top-spot-at-disney-cruise-line.html|title=Anthony Connelly to Take Top Spot at Disney Cruise Line|work=Cruise Industry News|date=2017-04-07|access-date=2017-10-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913112521/https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/16689-anthony-connelly-to-take-top-spot-at-disney-cruise-line.html|archive-date=September 13, 2018|url-status=live}}

Soon after a March 2018 conglomerate wide reorganization that formed Disney Parks, Experiences and Products segment division, Disney Cruise Line and New Vacation Operations was renamed Disney Signature Experiences along with a new president, Jeff Vahle. Ken Potrock was promoted from Senior Vice President and General Manager of Disney Vacation Club to President of Consumer Products in May 2018.{{cite web |title=Ken Potrock profile |url=https://dpecp.disney.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/leadership_ken_potrock_121118.pdf |website=dpecp.disney.com |publisher=The Walt Disney Company |access-date=13 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216031419/https://dpecp.disney.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/leadership_ken_potrock_121118.pdf |archive-date=December 16, 2018 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |title=The Walt Disney Company appoints new Head of Consumer Products Commercialization |url=https://www.retailnews.asia/the-walt-disney-company-appoints-new-head-of-consumer-products-commercialization/ |access-date=December 13, 2018 |work=Retail News Asia |publisher=Mojju |date=November 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214214009/https://www.retailnews.asia/the-walt-disney-company-appoints-new-head-of-consumer-products-commercialization/ |archive-date=December 14, 2018 |url-status=live }} Disney Cruise Line purchased in early March 2019 another Bahamas destination, Lighthouse Point property on the island of Eleuthera from the Bahamas Government.{{cite news |last1=Tribou |first1=Richard |title=Disney Cruise Line completes land purchase, enters agreement for second Bahamas destination |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/the-daily-disney/os-ae-disney-cruise-line-lighthouse-point-bahamas-update-20190311-story.html |access-date=March 12, 2019 |work=Orlando Sentinel |date=March 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190312055121/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/the-daily-disney/os-ae-disney-cruise-line-lighthouse-point-bahamas-update-20190311-story.html |archive-date=March 12, 2019 |url-status=live }}

= Disney Cruise Line =

{{main article|Disney Cruise Line}}

Formed in 1995, its fleet currently comprises six ships: Disney Magic (launched 1998), Disney Wonder (1999), Disney Dream (2011), Disney Fantasy (2012), Disney Wish (2022), and Disney Treasure (2024). Two more ships, the Disney Destiny and Disney Adventure, will be launching in late 2025. Five additional ships are planned through 2031, which will bring the total fleet count to 13.

Disney Cruise Line also operates two private destinations in the Bahamas: Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.

= Disney Vacation Club =

{{main article|Disney Vacation Club}}

A timeshare program that includes 12 themed resorts within Walt Disney World Resort, 3 within Disneyland Resort, and 3 stand-alone locations: Disney's Aulani Resort, Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort, and Disney's Vero Beach Resort.

There are an estimated 220,000 club members.

= Adventures by Disney =

{{main article|Adventures by Disney}}

Launched in 2005, Adventures by Disney is a program of all-inclusive, guided vacation tour packages offered at predominantly non-Disney sites around the world.

= National Geographic Expeditions =

{{main article|National Geographic Partners}}

National Geographic Expeditions leads travelers to people and places on every continent, with access to scientists, storytellers, explorers, museums and more. National Geographic Experts and local guides share their knowledge so travelers are inspired by immersive expeditions that deepen their understanding of the world.

With the acquisition of 21st Century Fox by August 2019, National Geographic Partners' National Geographic Expeditions moved into Disney Signature Experiences.

= Golden Oak at Walt Disney World Resort =

{{main article|Golden Oak at Walt Disney World Resort}}

A residential neighborhood located within the Walt Disney World Resort, consisting of 299 homes, the private Golden Oak Club, and the Four Seasons Resort Orlando resort hotel.

= Storyliving by Disney =

{{main article|Storyliving by Disney}}

Master-planned communities that utilize Disney Imagineering and are staffed by Disney cast members. Cotino, in Rancho Mirage, California, is the first community under development, while Asteria, in Pittsboro, North Carolina, is the second community under development, with other locations being explored.{{Cite web |title=Storyliving by Disney |url=https://dse.news/multimedia-kits/storyliving-by-disney/ |access-date=2023-04-20 |website=Disney Signature Experiences News |language=en-US}}

Disney Sports Enterprises

{{Infobox company

| name = Disney Sports Enterprises

| logo =

| logo_size =

| logo_alt =

| logo_caption =

| logo_padding =

| image =

| image_size =

| image_alt =

| image_caption =

| native_name =

| native_name_lang =

| former_name = Disney Sports Attractions

| type =

| industry = Sports

| founded =

| founder = Reggie Williams.

| hq_location =

| hq_location_city =

| hq_location_country =

| area_served =

| key_people = Rosalyn Durant (SVP, operations for Disney Springs, ESPN Wide World of Sports and Waterparks)
Faron Kelley (vice president, sports)

| products =

| brands =

| parent = Disney Experiences

| divisions = ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
runDisney

| services = road race
sports events

| owner =

| website = {{URL|disneysportsnews.com}}

}}

Disney Sports Enterprises, formerly called Disney Sports Attractions, is the unit of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products for Disney's sports functions and is made up of the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and the runDisney program.{{cite news|title=Executive Transactions|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2013/01/10/People-and-Pop-Culture/Execs.aspx|access-date=April 22, 2016|work=Sports Business Daily|publisher=American City Business Journals|date=January 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624123733/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2013/01/10/People-and-Pop-Culture/Execs.aspx|archive-date=June 24, 2016|url-status=live}}

= DSE background =

Disney Golf facilities date back to the opening of Disney World with two golf courses, the Palm and Magnolia courses. At the time, those courses started hosting the Walt Disney World Open Invitational, an annual PGA Tour event.{{cite news |last1=Garcia |first1=Jason |title=Disney World to turn golf courses over to Arnold Palmer group |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2011/08/24/disney-world-to-turn-golf-courses-over-to-arnold-palmer-group/ |access-date=April 25, 2016 |work=Orlando Sentinel |date=August 24, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111201184739/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-08-24/the-daily-disney/os-disney-golf-arnold-palmer-20110824_1_walt-disney-world-golf-courses-golf-datatech |archive-date=December 1, 2011 |url-status=live }}

In 1994, Disney held the Walt Disney World Marathon, its first road race added additional races later.{{cite news|last1=Sylt|first1=Christian|title=Disney's Runaway Success|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/csylt/2016/01/07/disneys-runaway-success/|access-date=April 25, 2016|work=Forbes|date=January 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601062351/http://www.forbes.com/sites/csylt/2016/01/07/disneys-runaway-success/|archive-date=June 1, 2016|url-status=live}} Disneyland Marathon and 5K were run in 1995 three weeks after the LA Marathon on March 26, 1995.{{cite news|last1=VanderKnyff|first1=Rick|title=Disneyland's Magical Marathon|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-03-23-ol-45988-story.html|access-date=April 25, 2016|work=Los Angeles Times|date=March 23, 1995|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530185927/http://articles.latimes.com/1995-03-23/news/ol-45988_1_disneyland-marathon|archive-date=May 30, 2016|url-status=live}}

In 1995, Disney World had IMS Events, Inc. build the Walt Disney World Speedway.{{cite news|last1=Larson|first1=Mike|title=Walt Disney World Speedway shutting down for good|url=http://autoweek.com/article/indycar/walt-disney-world-speedway-shutting-down-good|access-date=April 25, 2016|work=Autoweek|publisher=Crain Communications|date=February 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180305203723/http://autoweek.com/article/indycar/walt-disney-world-speedway-shutting-down-good|archive-date=March 5, 2018|url-status=live}} Disney's Wide World of Sports opened in 1997 under executive Reggie Williams.{{cite news|last1=Robbins|first1=Josh|title=Reggie Williams to step down as Disney vice president of sports attractions|url=http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2007-11-14/sports/williams14_1_legs-reggie-williams-atlanta-braves|access-date=April 25, 2016|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=November 14, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215123651/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2007-11-14/sports/williams14_1_legs-reggie-williams-atlanta-braves|archive-date=December 15, 2018|url-status=dead}}

= DSE history =

By 1998, Williams was named vice president of Disney Sports Attractions, overseeing a newly created sports & recreation division.{{cite news|last1=Solano|first1=Javier|title=Directing Sports Of Disney|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1998/03/27/directing-sports-of-disney/|access-date=April 25, 2016|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=March 27, 1998|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513231458/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1998-03-27/sports/9803270617_1_disney-wide-disney-sports-complex-world-of-sports|archive-date=May 13, 2016|url-status=live}} The first 10K Disney Classic race on October 3, 1999, kicked off Disney World's 15-month Millennium Celebration.{{cite news|last1=Carroll|first1=Frank|title=Disney Classic 10k Is Oct. 3|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1999/09/24/disney-classic-10k-is-oct-3/|access-date=April 27, 2016|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=September 24, 1999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530182852/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1999-09-24/news/9909240052_1_10k-classic-three-aces-male-and-female|archive-date=May 30, 2016|url-status=live}} On March 30, 2003, Sports Attractions held the first Disney Inline Marathon.{{cite news|title=Putting together skate event was a marathon itself|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2002/10/20021014/Marketingsponsorship/Putting-Together-Skate-Event-Was-A-Marathon-Itself.aspx|access-date=April 26, 2016|work=SportsBusiness Journal|issue=October 14–20, 2002|publisher=American City Business Journals|date=October 14, 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630114001/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2002/10/20021014/Marketingsponsorship/Putting-Together-Skate-Event-Was-A-Marathon-Itself.aspx|archive-date=June 30, 2016|url-status=live}}

On November 21, 2007, Reggie Williams retired as vice president of Disney Sports Attractions. His replacement was named on January 3, 2008, when Ken Potrock was promoted to Senior Vice President, Disney Sports Enterprises.{{cite news|title=Disney Moves Marketing Exec Potrock To Sports Enterprises|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2008/01/Issue-72/Sports-Industrialists/Disney-Moves-Marketing-Exec-Potrock-To-Sports-Enterprises.aspx|access-date=April 25, 2016|work=Sports Business Daily|publisher=American City Business Journals|date=January 3, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629215504/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2008/01/Issue-72/Sports-Industrialists/Disney-Moves-Marketing-Exec-Potrock-To-Sports-Enterprises.aspx|archive-date=June 29, 2016|url-status=live}} On February 25, 2010, Disney's Wide World of Sports was renamed ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex with some upgrades and new facilities.{{cite news|title=Disney's Wide World Of Sports Complex To Receive ESPN Rebranding|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2009/11/Issue-40/Facilities-Venues/Disneys-Wide-World-Of-Sports-Complex-To-Receive-ESPN-Rebranding.aspx?hl=Disney%20Sports%20Enterprises&sc=1|access-date=April 26, 2016|work=Sports Business Daily|issue=40|publisher=American City Business Journals|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630095419/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2009/11/Issue-40/Facilities-Venues/Disneys-Wide-World-Of-Sports-Complex-To-Receive-ESPN-Rebranding.aspx?hl=Disney%20Sports%20Enterprises&sc=1|archive-date=June 30, 2016|url-status=dead}}

On September 25, 2011, Disney started the lease of its five Disney World golf courses (Palm, Magnolia, Lake Buena Vista, Osprey Ridge, and Oak Trail) to Arnold Palmer Golf Management to operate for 20 years while splitting the revenue. As part of the deal, Arnold Palmer would redesign the Palm course. The Orlando market for golf had a glut of course from the building boom then bust making profitability a challenge for any golf course. Disney hoped that Palmer's involvement and "Palmer Advantage" membership club would draw more attention to Disney's course. With the Osprey Ridge course sold to Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts to build a hotel, which was delayed until 2014, the golf management company would run the course until hotel construction begins. While another golf course, the Eagle Pines, was closed several years ago to make way for a residential housing subdivision development called Golden Oak being built in 2011.

In January 2013, Ken Petrock was promoted to Disney Vacation Club and Adventures by Disney senior vice president & general manager while Tom Wolber, Disney Cruise Line senior vice president of operations, was promoted to replace Petrock at Disney Sports. In late June 2015, the Walt Disney World Speedway was shut down.

Sports marketing director Faron Kelley was promoted to vice president of sports in January 2016 and has responsibility for the water parks too.{{cite news |last=Troute |first=Rex |title=Kelley's ride at Disney has been magical |url=https://www.thehawkeye.com/ceda71e9-335d-5fa3-9907-881dd8bb490c.html |access-date=May 21, 2020 |work=The Hawk Eye Newspaper |publisher=Grannett |date=February 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618173407/http://www.thehawkeye.com/ceda71e9-335d-5fa3-9907-881dd8bb490c.html |archive-date=June 18, 2018 |url-status=live }} Senior vice president of Disney Springs and the ESPN Wide World of Sports Maribeth Bisienere was promoted to Senior Vice President of Parks in early March 2018.{{cite news |last1=Storey |first1=Ken |title=A heavily rumored Mary Poppins attraction is starting to look more real at Epcot |url=https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2018/03/12/a-heavily-rumored-mary-poppins-attraction-is-starting-to-look-more-real-at-epcot |access-date=July 11, 2018 |work=Orlando Weekly |date=March 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712052449/https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2018/03/12/a-heavily-rumored-mary-poppins-attraction-is-starting-to-look-more-real-at-epcot |archive-date=July 12, 2018 |url-status=live }} Rosalyn Durant moved over from ESPN to be appointed in February 2020 as senior vice president of operations for Disney Springs, ESPN Wide World of Sports and Waterparks.{{cite news |last1=Ourand |first1=John |title=Rosalyn Durant Leaving ESPN To Join Walt Disney World Resort |url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/SB-Blogs/Breaking-News/2020/02/Durant-ESPN.aspx |access-date=May 21, 2020 |work=Sports Business Daily |publisher=American City Business Journals, Inc |date=February 6, 2020}}

= runDisney =

{{main|runDisney}}

runDisney is the road race division of Disney Sports Enterprises. The division is designed to get runners to plan a "runcation", a vacation planned to coincide with the race they signed up for.{{cite news|last1=Jesdanun|first1=Anick|title="Runcation" at Disney World: Come to run, stay for the Disney magic|url=http://www.denverpost.com/travel/ci_29767931/runcation-at-disney-world-come-run-stay-disney?source=rss|access-date=April 27, 2016|work=Denver Post|agency=AP|publisher=Digital First Media|date=April 15, 2016}}

Race weekends are currently held at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. Additional Virtual race events take place throughout the year. Runners who complete a 10-mile or longer race at both resorts in a calendar year can complete the unDisney Coast to Coast Race Challenge.

class="wikitable";
colspan=4| runDisney races{{cite news|title=Event Preview – RunDisney|url=http://www.endurancemag.com/2011/11/event-preview-rundisney/|access-date=April 26, 2016|work=Endurance Magazine|date=November 21, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827205337/http://www.endurancemag.com/2011/11/event-preview-rundisney/|archive-date=August 27, 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=runDisney|url=http://www.rundisney.com|website=rundisney.com|publisher=Disney Sports Enterprises|access-date=April 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426145201/http://www.rundisney.com/|archive-date=April 26, 2016|url-status=live}}
locationRace weekendmonthInaugurated
rowspan=4| Walt Disney World

| Walt Disney World Marathon

January1994
Disney Princess Half-MarathonFebruary2009{{cite news|last1=Ruiz|first1=Stephen|title=Runners from Wisconsin, New York conquer Star Wars Half Marathon at Disney|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/os-star-wars-half-marathon-disney-world-20160417-story.html|access-date=April 27, 2016|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=April 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420135402/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/os-star-wars-half-marathon-disney-world-20160417-story.html|archive-date=April 20, 2016|url-status=live}}
runDisney Springtime Surprise WeekendApril
Disney Wine & Dine Half-MarathonNovember
rowspan=2| Disneyland

| Disneyland Half-Marathon

January/February
Disneyland Halloween Half-MarathonSeptember

See also

Notes

{{notelist}}

References

{{reflist|30em}}

From {{citation|last1=Polsson|first1=Ken|title=Chronology of the Walt Disney Company |url=http://kpolsson.com/disnehis/|website=kpolsson.com |access-date=May 5, 2015}}:

{{reflist|group=CDC|30em}}

From {{citation|last1=Polsson|first1=Ken|title=Chronology of Disneyland Theme Park|url=http://kpolsson.com/disland/|website=Chronology of the Walt Disney Company|access-date=May 5, 2015}}:

{{reflist|group=CDL|30em}}

From {{citation|last1=Polsson|first1=Ken|title=Chronology of Disneyland Theme Park (1985–1989)|url=http://kpolsson.com/disland/dl1985.htm|website=Chronology of the Walt Disney Company|access-date=May 5, 2015}}:

{{reflist|group=CDL4|30em}}

From {{citation|last1=Polsson|first1=Ken|title=Chronology of Disneyland Theme Park (1990–1999)|url=http://kpolsson.com/disland/dl1990.htm|website=Chronology of the Walt Disney Company|access-date=May 5, 2015}}:

{{reflist|group=CDL5|30em}}

From {{citation|last1=Polsson|first1=Ken |title=Chronology of Walt Disney World (1958–1971) |url=http://kpolsson.com/wdworld/ |website=Chronology of the Walt Disney Company|access-date=September 24, 2015}}:

{{reflist|group=CDW|30em}}

From {{citation|last1=Polsson|first1=Ken|title=Chronology of Walt Disney World (1972–1982) |url=http://kpolsson.com/wdworld/wdw1972.htm|website=Chronology of the Walt Disney Company|access-date=September 24, 2015}}:

{{reflist|group=CDW0|30em}}

From {{citation|last1=Polsson|first1=Ken|title=Chronology of Walt Disney World (1983–1989)|url=http://kpolsson.com/wdworld/wdw1983.htm|website=Chronology of the Walt Disney Company|access-date=September 24, 2015}}:

{{reflist|group=CDW1|30em}}

From {{citation|last1=Polsson|first1=Ken|title=Chronology of Walt Disney World (1990–1994)|url=http://kpolsson.com/wdworld/wdw1990.htm|website=Chronology of the Walt Disney Company|access-date=September 24, 2015}}:

{{reflist|group=CDW2|30em}}

From {{citation|last1=Polsson|first1=Ken|title=Chronology of Walt Disney World (1995-end)|url=http://kpolsson.com/wdworld/wdw1995.htm |website=Chronology of the Walt Disney Company|access-date=September 24, 2015}}:

{{reflist|group=CDW3|30em}}