Disney's Secret Land Grab

A strategic approach Disney used to acquire land for Disney World in Florida, showcasing creative business tactics to maintain cost control.

Land Acquisition Strategy

• Created 5 stealth shell companies to buy land secretly
• Initial land prices were around $180 per acre
• Price jumped to $18,000 per acre after news leaked
• Had to stop buying once the secret was revealed

Disney World Development Vision

• Wanted to create a second location after Disneyland's success
• Created EPCOT (Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow)
  • Designed as a showcase of future technology
  • Meant to be continuously evolving
  • "Never finished" philosophy

Business Performance

• Parks and Resorts division generated approximately $30 billion annually
• Theme parks were major value creators pre-COVID/Disney+
• Operated as a cash cow, not a loss leader
• Continuously reinvested profits into park upgrades
• Regular investment in new rides and themes

Walt's Philosophy

• "Happiest place on earth" vision
• Wanted to create an escape from real-world problems
• Believed in continuous evolution and improvement
• "Disneyland will never be completed as long as there is imagination left in the world"