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Disney Experiences

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Disney Experiences,Template:Efn commonly known as Disney Parks, is one of the three major divisions of the Walt Disney Company.<ref name="2023Rebrand">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=sbz>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It was founded on April 1, 1971, exactly six months before the opening of the Walt Disney World Resort.

File:Disney Parks.svg
Disney Parks brand logo

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,<ref name="TEA/AECOM">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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<ref name="Barnes">Template:Cite news</ref> of the company's 180,000 employees as of 2015.<ref name=10K>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>Template:Needs update 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.<ref name=layoffs>Template:Cite news</ref>

BackgroundEdit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}

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.<ref name=hwrg>Template:Cite book</ref><ref group=CDL>Template:Cite book

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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Disneyland, changed from Disneylandia, was announced in Template:Dts by Walt to be opened in Template:Dts.<ref group=CDL>Walt Disney, by Jim Fanning, 1994. Page 100.</ref><ref group=CDL>Walt Disney – Hollywood's Dark Prince, by Marc Eliot, 1993. Page 223.</ref> On Template:Dts, the Disneyland park opened with five themed "lands" containing eighteen attractions with double the expected guests.<ref group=CDL>Walt Disney, by Jim Fanning, 1994. Page 102.</ref> WED owned Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad opened, too.<ref name=lat>Template:Cite news</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref group=CDL>Template:Cite book</ref>

HistoryEdit

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 Template:Dts, Walt Disney made a trip to Florida for final site selection.<ref name=p48 group=CDW>Walt Disney – An American Original, by Bob Thomas, 1994.</ref>: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.<ref name=d23a>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 1963, Roy made plans to buy from Template:Convert, which was carried out in 1964, amassing Template:Convert by Template:Dts.<ref group=CDW>Building a Company – Roy O. Disney and the Creation of an Entertainment Empire, by Bob Thomas, 1998. Pages 278, 279, 281–282.</ref><ref group=CDW name=aao>Walt Disney – An American Original, by Bob Thomas, 1994. Page 337.</ref> Plans for the Florida project that would eventually become Walt Disney World were announced to the public in November 1965.<ref group=CDW name=aao/> 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.<ref group=CDW>Template:Cite book</ref> Ground breaking followed for the future Reedy Creek park on May 30.<ref group=CDW>Template:Cite book</ref> In Roy O. Disney's last act as CEO in 1968, he officially named the second park Walt Disney World.<ref name=p48 group=CDW/>:357

Disneyland International was incorporated on November 20, 1961.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The next year, The Oriental Land Company contacted Disney about building a theme park.<ref name=lat1>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 1959, the WED-owned Disneyland-Alweg Monorail System began operations at Disneyland.<ref name=lat/><ref name=lat0>Template:Cite news</ref>

The first Audio-Animatronic attraction, Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room, opened at Disneyland in 1963.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Disneyland's first new themed land, New Orleans Square, opened in Template:Dts. Tomorrowland was revamped in 1967 with seven new attractions.<ref name=lat0/> The design and architectural group and the WED Enterprise name was purchased from Walt's corporation, renamed as Retlaw Enterprise.<ref name=lat/>

Disney expanded into attractions at the 1964 New York World's Fair with It's a Small World<ref name=gma/> 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.<ref name=jhm>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name=gma>Template:Cite news</ref>

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 Template:Dts 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

$40 million worth of Walt Disney Productions Convertible Debentures were sold in Template:Dts 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.<ref group=CDW>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Walt Disney World began operation on Template:Dts, 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.<ref group=CDW>Template:Cite book</ref> Additionally, Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort campground and two hotels, Disney's Contemporary Resort and Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, also opened.<ref group=CDW>Template:Cite book</ref>

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.<ref name=lat0/> Space Mountain opens at Disneyland in 1977.<ref name=lat0/>

Two more hotels opened in 1973 at Walt Disney World: the Golf Resort<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and the Gold Resort;<ref group=CDW>Template:Cite book</ref> Disney opened the Buena Vista Club golf club in Lake Buena Vista on Template:Dts.<ref group="CDW0" name="r228" />:71 Lake Buena Vista Village, the shopping area, opened on Template:Dts<ref name=r228 group=CDW0>Template:Cite book</ref> and was renamed Walt Disney World Village in 1977.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>:280 Celebrity Sports Center, Disney World's training center, was sold on March 29, 1979.<ref name=d23a/>

At Walt Disney World, the Treasure Island nature preserve pens opened on April 8, 1974,<ref name=r501 group=CDW0>Disney A to Z – The Updated Official Encyclopedia, by Dave Smith, 1998.</ref>:569 renamed Discovery Island in 1977.<ref name=r228 group=CDW0/>:126 On Template:Dts, the WEDway PeopleMover opened in the Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland.<ref group=CDW0>Disney Magazine, Summer 1999. Page 85.</ref> The first water park, River Country, opened on Template:Dts at Disney World.<ref name=r210 group=CDW0>Birnbaum's Walt Disney World 1997, by Hearst Business Publishing, 1996.</ref>:22 EPCOT Center's groundbreaking occurred at Walt Disney World in May 1979.<ref group=CDW0>Walt Disney World, by The Walt Disney Company, 1994?.</ref>

In 1979, Oriental Land and Disney agreed to build a Japanese theme park.<ref name=lat1 /> Tokyo Disneyland opened on Template:Dts on Template:Convert in Urayasu, Chiba, Japan.<ref name=lat2>Template:Cite news</ref>

Walt Disney Outdoor Recreation DivisionEdit

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.<ref group=CDW0>The New York Times, June 4, 1980 Template:Webarchive. Page D1.</ref> Disneyland started using Disney Dollars on May 5, 1987,<ref group=CDL4>Canadian Coin News, July 21, 1987, Volume 25, Number 6. Page 2.</ref> while Walt Disney World parks started with Epcot on October 2.<ref group=CDW1>Canadian Coin News, October 27, 1987, Volume 25, Number 13. Page 1.</ref> 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.<ref group=CDW0>Forbes, March 6, 1989 Template:Webarchive, Volume 143. Page 42.</ref>

The steam railroad and monorail at Disneyland were purchased from Retlaw Enterprises, formerly WED Enterprises, in 1982.<ref name=lat0/> Bear Country was renamed Critter Country on November 23, 1988.<ref group=CDL4> Disneyland: Then, Now, and Forever, by Bruce Gordon and Tim O'Day, 2005. Page 99.</ref>

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;<ref group=CDW1>Building a Dream – The Art of Disney Architecture, by Beth Dunlop, 1996. Pages 63,66.</ref> ground breaking took place on January 28, 1988.<ref group=CDW1>The New York Times, January 28, 1988. Page C1.</ref> The first non-Disney owned hotel, Pickett Suite Resort, opened in Disney World Village on March 15, 1987.<ref group=CDW1>Disney A to Z – The Official Encyclopedia, by Dave Smith, 1996. Page 387.</ref>

On June 1, 1982, the Walt Disney World monorail line was extended to EPCOT Center from the Transportation and Ticket Center.<ref name=r228 group=CDW0/>: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.<ref group=CDW0>Walt Disney – Hollywood's Dark Prince, by Marc Eliot, 1993.</ref>: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.<ref group=CDW1>Prince of the Magic Kingdom, by Joe Flower, 1991.</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }} sources:

  • Template:Cite book
  • Template:Cite book</ref> Construction of the Disney-MGM Studios theme park began in 1986.<ref group=CDW1>Walt Disney World – 20 Magical Years, by the Walt Disney Company, 1991/2?.</ref> Disney-MGM Studios opened on May 1, 1989,<ref group=CDW1>Page D5. The New York Times, May 1, 1989, Volume 138, Number 47857.</ref> along with a Pleasure Island entertainment area;<ref group=CDW1>Birnbaum's Walt Disney World 1997, by Hearst Business Publishing, 1996. Page 18.</ref> its second water park, Disney's Typhoon Lagoon, opened on June 1.<ref group=CDW1>Orlando Attractions, Summer 2009. Page 33.</ref> In 1983, Walt Disney World Village's name was changed to the Disney Village Marketplace.<ref group=CDW1>Disney A to Z – The Official Encyclopedia, by Dave Smith, 1996. Page 132.</ref> A new themed area, Mickey's Birthdayland, opened in the Magic Kingdom near Fantasyland on June 18, 1988.<ref group=CDW1>Disney A to Z – The Official Encyclopedia, by Dave Smith, 1996. Page 324.</ref>

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.<ref name=nyt>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=nyt0>Template:Cite news</ref> Wrather Corporation owned the Disneyland Hotel and operated the Queen Mary and Spruce Goose tourist attractions.<ref name=nyt/> In March 1988, Disney purchased Industrial Equity's half of Wrather Corporation.<ref name=nyt0/>

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.<ref name=usat2>Template:Cite news (use archival url as original info was replaced.)</ref>

Walt Disney AttractionsEdit

The Walt Disney Outdoor Recreation Division was incorporated as Walt Disney Attractions, Inc. on August 10, 1989.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In January 1990, Disney CEO Eisner announced plans to expand both Disneyland (by 20% in 10 years)<ref group=CDC>The New York Times, January 13, 1990 Template:Webarchive. Page 37.</ref> and Walt Disney World (WDW). The plan would have WDW add another theme park and 16 new attractions in Disney-MGM Studios.<ref group=CDW2>The New York Times, January 16, 1990. Page D8.</ref> 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.<ref group=CDC>The New York Times, January 26, 1990. Page D4.</ref> On March 16, 1990, Attractions president Nunis announced a 25-year plan for a Template:Convert development in Osceola, Florida, with homes, shopping malls and industrial buildings.<ref group=CDC>The New York Times, March 17, 1990 Template:Webarchive. Page 37.</ref>

In 1990, the possibility of a West Coast version of Epcot Center was placed in development.<ref group=CDC>Business Week, January 29, 2001 Template:Webarchive. Page 58.</ref> This was announced as WestCOT in 1991, to be placed at the Disneyland Resort.<ref name=lat0/> On July 31, 1990, a new Template:Convert 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.<ref group=CDC>The New York Times, August 1, 1990 Template:Webarchive. Page D4.</ref> 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.<ref group=CDL5>The New York Times, December 13, 1991. Page D1.</ref> 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.<ref group=CDC>The New York Times, March 7, 1992 Template:Webarchive. Page 49.</ref> Mickey's Toontown, a new themed land at Disneyland, opened on January 24, 1993.<ref group=CDL5>Walt Disney – Hollywood's Dark Prince, by Marc Eliot, 1993. Page 279.</ref> 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.<ref name=wsj>Template:Cite news</ref>

At Walt Disney World, Mickey's Birthdayland closed on April 22, 1991, then reopened on May 26 as Mickey's Starland.<ref name=r228 group=CDW2>Disney A to Z – The Official Encyclopedia, by Dave Smith, 1996.</ref>324, 329, 333 In order to expand Disney World on wetland, on April 23, 1993, the company agreed to form an Template:Convert wilderness preserve in Florida, known as the Disney Wilderness Preserve.<ref group=CDW2>Disney Magazine, Summer 2001. Page 39.</ref> 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.<ref name=r228 group=CDW2/>130 Planet Hollywood opened a location in Pleasure Island on December 17, 1994.<ref group=CDW1>The Disney Magazine, Fall 1995, Volume 30, Number 4. Page 43.</ref> The third water park at Walt Disney World, Disney's Blizzard Beach, opened on April 1, 1995.<ref group=CDW3>Birnbaum's Walt Disney World 1997, by Hearst Business Publishing, 1996. Page 192.</ref> The Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland was completely refurbished and reopened in June 1995.<ref group=CDW3>Building a Dream – The Art of Disney Architecture, by Beth Dunlop, 1996. Page 192.</ref> Taking up a corner of the Magic Kingdom parking lot, the Walt Disney World Speedway opened on November 28, 1995.<ref group=CDW3>Walt Disney World Speedway Template:Webarchive. Disney A to Z – The Updated Official Encyclopedia, by Dave Smith, 1998. Page 597.</ref> In 1996, the Disney Institute opened on February 9,<ref group=CDW3>Birnbaum's Walt Disney World 1997, by Hearst Business Publishing, 1996. Page 181.</ref> and Disney's BoardWalk opened on July 1.<ref group=CDW3>Boardwalk Template:Webarchive. Page 62. (1996). Disney A to Z – The Official Encyclopedia, by Dave Smith.</ref> The first of the World of Disney stores opened in the Disney Village Marketplace on October 3.<ref group=CDW3>Smith, Dave. World of Disney Template:Webarchive. Page 62. (1999). Disney A to Z – The Updated Official Encyclopedia.</ref> The Downtown Disney district opened in November 1997, combining Disney Village Marketplace and Pleasure Island.<ref group=CDW3>Disney Magazine, Spring 1998. Page 31.</ref> A fourth theme park, Disney's Animal Kingdom, opened at Disney World the week of April 20, 1998.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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.<ref group=CDW2>The Disney Magazine, Spring 1996, Volume 31, Number 2. Page 18.

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.<ref name=usat2/>

Disney reportedly had plans to build a park named Disney's America. The park was to have been located in Haymarket, Virginia; Template:Convert of property were purchased from Exxon in 1993.<ref group=CDC>Work in Progress Template:Webarchive, by Michael Eisner, 1998. Page 321.</ref> The history-themed park was announced on November 11, 1993. The plans for the Template:Convert called for a Template:Convert amusement park, a campground, a golf course, Template:Convert of office/commercial space, and 2500 homes.<ref group=CDC>The New York Times, November 12, 1993 Template:Webarchive. Page A14.</ref> 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.<ref group=CDC>Disney War, by James Stewart, 2005. Page 190.</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In November 1995, Disney announced the building of Tokyo DisneySea, to be owned by Oriental along with Tokyo Disneyland.<ref name=lat2/> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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.<ref name="os3">Template:Cite news</ref> On October 31, 1999, Walt Disney Attractions, Inc. was merged into Walt Disney Attractions, LLC.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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.<ref name=ct>Template:Cite news</ref> The first DisneyQuest outside of a resort was opened in Chicago on June 16, 1999, with plans for more locations worldwide.<ref name="ct0">Template:Cite news</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Disney Wonder cruise ship began operation on August 15.<ref name="usatoday">Template:Cite news</ref> Disney World's Discovery Island was closed on April 8, 1999.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Disney DestinationsEdit

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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Tokyo DisneySea at Tokyo Disney Resort opened on September 4, 2001.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Downtown Disney opened at the Disneyland Resort on January 12, 2001, between Disneyland and the future California Adventure.<ref group=CDC>Pages 23,28. Disney Magazine Template:Webarchive. Fall 2000. Accessed on April 18, 2016.

River Country water park closed on November 2, 2001.<ref group=CDC>Disney Twenty-three, Fall 2011, Volume 3, Issue 3.</ref><ref>Orlando Attractions, October 2008, Volume 1, Number 6.</ref> Disney-MGM Studios is renamed Disney's Hollywood Studios in January 2008.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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).<ref group=CDC>Disney Magazine Template:Webarchive. 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.</ref> DLP Paris opened in August 2000 Toy Story Playland with three attractions.<ref name=CDC>Orlando Attractions Template:Webarchive, Fall 2010, Volume 3, Number 4. Page 22. Accessed on April 19, 2016.</ref>

Construction on Hong Kong Disneyland began on January 12, 2003,<ref>Jody Revenson (editor), 2006. Disney Insider Yearbook 2005 Year in Review Template:Webarchive. Page 69. Accessed on April 19, 2016.</ref> then opened September 12, 2005.<ref group=CDC>Disney Magazine Template:Webarchive, Summer 2005, Volume 10, Number 3. Page 33. 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.<ref name="usatoday"/> Disney Cruise Line ordered a new 2 ships class from Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany by February 22, 2007.<ref name="usatoday"/><ref group=CDC>Oars & Ears Template:Webarchive. December 2006, Volume 7, Number 9. Page 7. Accessed on April 19, 2016.</ref> 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.<ref name="usatoday"/>

The Chicago DisneyQuest location was closed in September 2001.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Disney Parks started the Adventures by Disney tour vacation business in 2005.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Disney entered a float, "The Most Magical Celebration on Earth", into the 2006 Pasadena Tournament of Roses parade.<ref group=CDC>Jody Revenson (editor), 2006. Disney Insider Yearbook 2005 Year in Review Template:Webarchive. Page 5. Accessed on April 19, 2016.</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

With the Walt Disney World Millennium Celebration starting on October 1, 2000, sanctioned Disney pin trading was started.<ref group=CDC>Orlando Attractions Template:Webarchive. Volume 2, Number 1. Page 32. December 2008. Accessed on April 18, 2016.</ref><ref group=CDC>Eyes & Ears. Volume 29, Number 38. Page 5. September 23, 1999. Accessed on April 18, 2016.</ref> In 2001, the Themed Entertainment Association gave Disney Parks and Resorts the Thea Award for Breakthrough Innovation for the park's FastPass system.<ref group=CDC>Strodder, Chris. (2008). The Disneyland Encyclopedia Template:Webarchive. Page 166. Accessed on April 19, 2016.</ref>

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts WorldwideEdit

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. was incorporated on September 29, 2008,<ref name=sbz/> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In November 2009, Disney received approval from the Chinese government to build a Disneyland resort in Shanghai's Pudong district.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The resort opened on June 16, 2016.<ref name=open>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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.<ref name=lat3/> In July 2017, it was announced that Paradise Pier land would be replaced by Pixar Pier,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> with four neighborhoods, and the remainder not in Pixar Pier would be replaced by Paradise Park. Pixar Pier opened on June 23, 2018.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, a Template:Convert themed land for both Disneyland and Disney's Hollywood Studios announced at the D23 Expo on August 15, 2015.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Construction began at both locations on April 14, 2016.<ref name=conbegin>Template:Cite news</ref> The lands at both parks opened in 2019.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Holz became president of New Vacation Operations of Parks & Resorts<ref name=os4>Template:Cite news</ref> reporting to Al Weiss, president of worldwide operations for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.<ref name=os5>Template:Cite news</ref> by April 2008.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref> In February 2009, Holz returned to the presidency of Disney Cruise Line in addition to his continuing as head of New Vacation Operations,<ref name=os4/> 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.<ref name=os5/>

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,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> but initial served in the short Alaska cruise season.<ref name="usat2" /> Magic moved to New York for Canadian or Bahama cruises starting May 25, 2012.<ref group=CDC>Cruise Travel Template:Webarchive. July 2011, Volume 33, Number 1. Page 36.</ref> DCL's Magic was refitted in late 2013.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The first of three expansion theme lands at Hong Kong Disneyland, Toy Story Land, opened on November 18, 2011.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Grizzly Gulch opened at Hong Kong Disneyland on July 13, 2012.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The final land of this expansion, Mystic Point, opened at Hong Kong Disneyland on May 17, 2013.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On February 23, 2015, Robert Chapek was named chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts effective that day.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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.<ref name="vty">Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Disney Parks, Experiences and ProductsEdit

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File:Disney parks, experiences & products logo.svg
The logo of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products

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.<ref name=cnbc>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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.<ref name="os6">Template:Cite news</ref> On January 1, 2019, Walt Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products changed its name to Disney Parks, Experiences and Products.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Disney Cruise Line purchased in early March 2019 another Bahamas destination, the Lighthouse Point property on the island of Eleuthera.<ref name="os3b"/> In July 2019, Disney denied reports of plans to launch its own airline with the purchase of small regional airlines in the United States.<ref name="Stuff">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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.<ref name="vty0">Template:Cite news</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name="cnbcLeadership">Template:Cite news</ref>

Powell's departure from Disney was soon followed by a domino of executive appointments, as announced on September 26, 2019.<ref name="cnbcLeadership"/> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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.<ref name="thr">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Ken Potrock replaced Rebecca Campbell as president of the Disneyland Resort;<ref name="thr"/> Campbell returned to the Director-to-Consumer & International segment as its chairman, replacing Kevin Mayer.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Nearly 6,700 Central Florida employees, including almost 6,500 Disney World workers, were also among those laid off.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Disneyland Resort was finally allowed to reopen on April 30, 2021, after a 412-day closure.<ref name="Barkas">Template:Cite news</ref>

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.<ref name="MacDonald">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Rice">Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name="MacDonald" /><ref name="Rice" /> The planned relocation was cancelled in May 2023 amidst a feud with Florida governor Ron DeSantis.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Disney ExperiencesEdit

On November 16, 2023, the division was renamed Disney Experiences.<ref name="2023Rebrand" />

On August 10, 2024, D'Amaro hosted a Disney Experiences Showcase at 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.<ref name="Beckett">Template:Cite news</ref> He brought out All-4-One to sing "I Swear" to celebrate Disney's announcement that they will build four more cruise ships on top of four already under construction, bringing its fleet to a total of 13 by 2031.<ref name="Whitten">Template:Cite news</ref>

Disney executives did not address the increasing ticket prices at Disney parks over the preceding decade during the event.<ref name="Beckett" /><ref name="Chen">Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name="Beckett" /> 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".<ref name="Chen" />

LeadershipEdit

  • Josh D'Amaro, Chairman
    • Lisa Becket, Executive Vice President, Global Marketing
    • Jill Estorino, President and Managing Director, Disney Parks International
    • 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 resortsEdit

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Disneyland ResortEdit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} 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 Template:Convert resort complex.

Walt Disney World ResortEdit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} 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 Template:Convert 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 ResortEdit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} 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 ParisEdit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} 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 Template:Convert. It is the only resort outside the United States fully owned and operated by the Walt Disney Company.<ref name="vty" />

Hong Kong Disneyland ResortEdit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} 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 Template:Convert.

Shanghai Disney ResortEdit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Shanghai Disney Resort opened on June 16, 2016.<ref name="open" /> 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).

Disneyland Abu DhabiEdit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} In May 2025, Disney announced that they will develop a theme park and resort with Miral Group on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Similarly to Tokyo Disney Resort, the resort will be designed by Walt Disney Imagineering and owned and operated by Miral, under license with The Walt Disney Company.

TrainingEdit

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.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Abandoned and misreported conceptsEdit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} 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.<ref name="ski">Template:Cite book</ref>

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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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.<ref>Ungerleider, Neal. "Disney to Open Theme Park in Israel?" Template:Webarchive Fast Company. January 5, 2011.</ref>

Disney intellectual properties outside Disney parksEdit

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 EntertainmentEdit

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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref name="Marvel Contract">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Doctor Strange.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Star WarsEdit

A Star Wars-themed section of Legoland California's Miniland USA opened in 2011, with a similar version opening at Legoland Florida<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

20th Century StudiosEdit

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.<ref name="Disney, Fox sued in U.S. for $1 billion over Malaysia theme park">Template:Cite news</ref> 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".<ref name="Deadline">Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name="Legal Fight Over Fox Theme Park In Malaysia Ends In Settlement">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

AdaptationsEdit

Template:Main article While Disney Parks generally adapt movies into rides, some Disney theme park attractions have been adapted into or have served inspiration for films,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> books,<ref name=kr/> comic books,<ref name=spi/> 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.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> 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.<ref name="ew">Template:Cite magazine</ref> 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.<ref name=dl0>Template:Cite news</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2000, Touchstone Pictures made Mission to Mars based on the closed ride of the same name.<ref name="ew"/><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

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.<ref name="ew"/> After four Pirates sequels, the franchise took in more than $5.4 billion worldwide.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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.<ref name=kr>Template:Cite magazine</ref> A five-book series was laid out by Pearson, but was extended to seven with the first book's success.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On March 31, 2015, the first novel in The Kingdom Keepers sequel trilogy series was released.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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,<ref name="dl0"/> the company had been looking for additional projects in this category for a decade.<ref name=ew0>Template:Cite news</ref> Disney Pictures took another push at additional adaptations in the 2010s.<ref name=ew0/> 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<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> after a script by Ronald D. Moore was turned down.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Another Haunted Mansion film was in the works with Guillermo del Toro as of August 2012.<ref name=ew0/> Mr. Toad's Wild Ride ride film was in the works at Disney by January 2013.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Tomorrowland, first to be loosely based on a theme park area,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> was announced in January 2013 for a December 2014 release.<ref name=ew0/> Also in 2013, American Broadcasting Company had ordered a pilot based on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.<ref name=dl1>Template:Cite news</ref> It's A Small World was added to the list of known two projects in November 26, 2013<ref name="cartoonbrew">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="disneyinsider">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="mommyfactor">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and April 22, 2014.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> 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.<ref name=dl1/>

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.<ref name=spi>Template:Cite news</ref> 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<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> first publication was the Space Mountain graphic novel released on May 7, 2014 and based on the same name park attraction.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> However, another special, Holiday Magic, was aired on December 11, 2017 with the now six episode regular series starting on June 11, 2018.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Disney Signature ExperiencesEdit

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.<ref name="thr" />

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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The cruise line ordered three ships of a new class of ship, Triton, in 2016 and 2017.<ref name="os0b">Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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.<ref name="os6"/> Ken Potrock was promoted from Senior Vice President and General Manager of Disney Vacation Club to President of Consumer Products in May 2018.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Disney Cruise Line purchased in early March 2019 another Bahamas destination, Lighthouse Point property on the island of Eleuthera from the Bahamas Government.<ref name="os3b">Template:Cite news</ref>

Disney Cruise LineEdit

Template:Main article 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).<ref name="usatoday"/> 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 ClubEdit

Template:Main article 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 DisneyEdit

Template:Main article 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.<ref name="os6"/>

National Geographic ExpeditionsEdit

Template:Main article 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.<ref name="vty0"/>

Golden Oak at Walt Disney World ResortEdit

Template:Main article 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 DisneyEdit

Template:Main article 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Disney Sports EnterprisesEdit

{{#invoke:Infobox|infobox}}Template:Template otherTemplate:Main other{{#invoke:Check for clobbered parameters|check|nested=1|template=Infobox company|cat=Template:Main other|name; company_name|logo; company_logo|logo_alt; alt|trade_name; trading_name|former_names; former_name|type; company_type|predecessors; predecessor|successors; successor|foundation; founded|founders; founder|defunct; dissolved|hq_location; location|hq_location_city; location_city|hq_location_country; location_country|num_locations; locations|areas_served; area_served|net_income; profit|net_income_year; profit_year|owners; owner |homepage; website }}{{#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:Infobox company with unknown parameter "_VALUE_" | ignoreblank=y | alt | area_served | areas_served | assets | assets_year | aum | brands | company_logo | company_name | company_type | defunct | dissolved | divisions | embed | equity | equity_year | fate | footnotes | former_name | former_names | foundation | founded | founder | founders | genre | homepage | hq_location | hq_location_city | hq_location_country | incorporated | image | image_alt | image_caption | image_size | image_upright | income_year | industry | ISIN | key_people | location | location_city | location_country | locations | logo | logo_alt | logo_caption | logo_class | logo_size | logo_upright | members | members_year | module | name | native_name | native_name_lang | net_income | net_income_year | num_employees | num_employees_year | num_locations | num_locations_year | operating_income | owner | owners | parent | predecessor | predecessors | production | production_year | products | profit | profit_year | rating | ratio | revenue | revenue_year | romanized_name | services | subsid | successor | successors | traded_as | trade_name | trading_name | type | website| qid | fetchwikidata | suppressfields | noicon | nocat | demo | categories }}

Disney Sports Enterprises, formerly called Disney Sports Attractions,<ref name=sbd/> 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.<ref name=sbd0>Template:Cite news</ref>

DSE backgroundEdit

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.<ref name=os>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 1994, Disney held the Walt Disney World Marathon, its first road race added additional races later.<ref name=fbs>Template:Cite news</ref> Disneyland Marathon and 5K were run in 1995 three weeks after the LA Marathon on March 26, 1995.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 1995, Disney World had IMS Events, Inc. build the Walt Disney World Speedway.<ref name="aw">Template:Cite news</ref> Disney's Wide World of Sports opened in 1997 under executive Reggie Williams.<ref name=os0>Template:Cite news</ref>

DSE historyEdit

By 1998, Williams was named vice president of Disney Sports Attractions, overseeing a newly created sports & recreation division.<ref name=os1>Template:Cite news</ref> The first 10K Disney Classic race on October 3, 1999, kicked off Disney World's 15-month Millennium Celebration.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On March 30, 2003, Sports Attractions held the first Disney Inline Marathon.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

On November 21, 2007, Reggie Williams retired as vice president of Disney Sports Attractions.<ref name=os0/> His replacement was named on January 3, 2008, when Ken Potrock was promoted to Senior Vice President, Disney Sports Enterprises.<ref name=sbd>Template:Cite news</ref> On February 25, 2010, Disney's Wide World of Sports was renamed ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex with some upgrades and new facilities.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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.<ref name=os/>

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.<ref name=sbd0/> In late June 2015, the Walt Disney World Speedway was shut down.<ref name="aw"/>

Sports marketing director Faron Kelley was promoted to vice president of sports in January 2016 and has responsibility for the water parks too.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

runDisneyEdit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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.

runDisney races<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

location Race weekend month Inaugurated
Walt Disney World Walt Disney World Marathon January 1994<ref name=fbs/>
Disney Princess Half-Marathon February 2009<ref name=os2>Template:Cite news</ref>
runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend April
Disney Wine & Dine Half-Marathon November
Disneyland Disneyland Half-Marathon January/February
Disneyland Halloween Half-Marathon September

See alsoEdit

NotesEdit

Template:Notelist

ReferencesEdit

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External linksEdit

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{{#invoke:Navbox|navbox}} Template:Disney Template:Walt Disney World Template:DisneyConsumer Template:Authority control

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