The Walt Disney Company isn’t letting the COVID-19 pandemic prevent it from making strategic land purchases for Walt Disney World. According to the Orlando Business Journal, Disney has purchased 26.3 acres of land to the west of the Magic Kingdom for just over $1 million.
The land sits near the shore of Reedy Lake, which is not to be confused with the Reedy Lake that’s significantly further south in Florida. The star on the map represents the approximate location of Disney’s new land.
This purchase comes after three other land deals over the last two years that saw Disney add 235 acres, 1,000 acres and over 1,500 acres to its Walt Disney World portfolio.
What will Disney do with all of their land acquisitions? Their strategy may be two-fold.
Disney may be trying to increase the buffer around Walt Disney World in order to keep competitors from building directly on the borders of their parks and resorts. Large multi-story hotels could encroach on the Disney bubble and add new competition for Disney’s own resorts. The other angle is the one that would excite Disney fans – expansion.
Buying more land gives Disney additional options when it comes to building new resorts or expansions for its theme parks. The most recent land purchases could eventually be used for a boutique hotel that’s “tucked away” from the hustle and bustle of the rest of Walt Disney World. These additions could also be used for conservation, freeing up land that was set aside for conservation to be developed closer to the current resorts and theme parks.
