Blog Post

World's Most Visited Vacation Resort: world record set by The Walt Disney World Resort

November 13, 2022

Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista, Florida, United States--The Walt Disney World Resort, also called Walt Disney World and Disney World, an entertainment complex in Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista, Florida, in the United States, near the cities Orlando and Kissimmee, is owned and operated by Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, a division of The Walt Disney Company; with average annual attendance of over 58 million, Walt Disney World sets the world record for being the World's Most Visited Vacation Resort, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY: https://bit.ly/3AaNlCe

"There is not one amusement park in the world that comes near to Disney World’s greatness and quality," the 100 Places to Travel reports.

"Besides, the complex offers outdoors spaces to relax where you and your family can swim, sail, ride bicycles, walk, etc. And if you are a sport fan, there is a place where great sport events are held. We know this is amazing, but Disney is not amazing: it is magical; therefore, there is even more.

"There is a huge variety of shops where you can buy and get all the typical Disney World’s souvenirs. For your stay, you can choose between hotels in and outside the complex. Finally, you can find a quiet place to be alone or to be with your partner after a long day with the kids in one of the night clubs."

Photos; Courtesy of Disney World and Dumitriu Family & Friends/New York City

The property, which covers nearly 25,000 acres (39 sq mi; 101 km2), of which only half has been used, comprises four theme parks (consisting of Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom), two water parks, 27 themed resort hotels, nine non-Disney hotels, several golf courses, a camping resort, and other entertainment venues, including the outdoor shopping center Disney Springs.

Walt Disney World is the most visited vacation resort in the world, with average annual attendance of more than 52 million. The resort is the flagship destination of Disney's worldwide corporate enterprise and has become a popular staple in American culture.

"The Walt Disney World Resort, also called Walt Disney World or Disney World, is an entertainment resort complex in Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista, Florida, United States, near the cities of Orlando and Kissimmee.

"The resort is operated by Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, a division of The Walt Disney Company. The property covers nearly 25,000 acres (39 sq mi; 101 km2), of which half has been used. The resort comprises four theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom), two water parks (Disney's Blizzard Beach and Disney's Typhoon Lagoon), 31 themed resort hotels, nine non-Disney hotels, several golf courses, a camping resort, and other entertainment venues, including the outdoor shopping center Disney Springs.

"Designed to supplement Disneyland in Anaheim, California, which had opened in 1955, the complex was developed by Walt Disney in the 1960s. "The Florida Project", as it was known, was intended to present a distinct vision with its own diverse set of attractions.

"In 2018, Walt Disney World was the most visited vacation resort in the world, with an average annual attendance of more than 58 million. The resort is the flagship destination of Disney's worldwide corporate enterprise and has become a popular staple in American culture." (wikipedia)

Walt Disney World / Theme parks

Water parks

Other attractions

Hotels

Walt Disney World Resorts

Transport

"With an average annual attendance of over 58 million visitors, Walt Disney World is the most visited vacation resort in the world. The amount of manpower, creativity, machinery, and technology involved in keeping Disney World humming and innovating is simply astounding. Hidden beneath the attractions, resorts, restaurants, and shops are some eye-opening statistics that only an operation as grand as Walt Disney World could lay claim to," the Magic Guide reports.

Must-See Attractions at Walt Disney World® Resort

(Source: Visit Orlando)

Top 5 Attractions at Magic Kingdom® Park

"it’s a small world"®
Haunted Mansion®
Pirates of the Caribbean®
Space Mountain®
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Top 5 Attractions at EPCOT®

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
Spaceship Earth
Soarin’ Around the World
Test Track® Presented by Chevrolet®
Frozen Ever After

Top 5 Attractions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Slinky Dog Dash
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Top 5 Attractions at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park

Avatar Flight of Passage
Expedition Everest — Legend of the Forbidden Mountain®
DINOSAUR
Kilimanjaro Safaris®
Kali River Rapids®

Statistics

The resort boasts over 600,000 square feet of function space throughout WDW for conventions and meetings
WDW offers three 18-hole championship golf courses and a 9-hole walking course for family play
The cost of an adult admission ticket was only $3.50 when Disney World first opened (it’s $116+ today)
Disney spent $1 Billion to implement the MagicBands system.
For FY2021, Disney had $67.418 billion in worldwide revenue.
There are 150 shops and restaurants at Disney Springs. World of Disney is the largest retailer of Disney merchandise in the world.
During the festive Christmas holiday season, more than 1,500-holiday trees, 8.5 million lights, 15 miles of garland, and 300,000 yards of ribbon are installed around Walt Disney World.
Holding 750,000 gallons of water, Stormalong Bay – at Disney’s Beach Club Resort – is the largest sand-bottom pool in the world.
Typhoon Lagoon is the second most visited water park in the world, while Blizzard Beach is the 3rd.
Who was the 1st cartoon character to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame? Mickey Mouse, of course! This award was given on November 13, 1978.
Disney World has fully closed 9 times in its history: Hurricane Floyd (Sept. 1999); 9-11 Terrorist Attacks (Sept. 2001); Hurricane Charley (Aug. 2004); Hurricane Frances (Sept. 2004); Hurricane Jeanne (Sept. 2004), Hurricane Matthew (Oct. 2016); Hurricane Irma (Sept. 2017); Coronavirus COVID-19 (March-July 2020); and Hurricane Ian (Sept. 2022). There have been a few additional partial-day closures (early closings or late openings) due to hurricanes, most recently in 2022 for the storm Nicole; a full list is on our Disney Vacations During Hurricane Season page.
43,000 Disney World Cast Members were furloughed in 2020 during the pandemic (out of 77,000)
Disney lost an estimated $20 – $30 million per day during the coronavirus shutdown

(Source: Magic Guides)

Testimonials from Trip Advisor

"Memory maker though is excellent and is so easy to use. Whatever you are budgeting to spend, add 40% on top to cover the high prices."

"The fire works were spectacular but they are not on every night so be sure to check the days they are on."

"The photographers are excellent. We have brilliant photos which is handy as I don’t think we’ll ever be back."

"I've come home poor and tired, but with some good memories of some fabulous rides, but the overall experience could be so much better. You do feel like you're being rinsed constantly."