<P> Walt Disney World , officially known as the Walt Disney World Resort , also known as just Disney World , is an entertainment complex in Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista , Florida , near Orlando and Kissimmee , Florida . Opened on October 1 , 1971 , the resort is owned and operated by Walt Disney Parks , Experiences and Consumer Products , a division of The Walt Disney Company . It was initially operated by Walt Disney World Company . The property covers 27,258 acres ( 43 sq mi ; 110 km ) , featuring four theme parks , two water parks , twenty - seven themed resort hotels , nine non-Disney hotels , several golf courses , a camping resort , and other entertainment venues , including the outdoor shopping center Disney Springs . </P>
what city is walt disney world florida in
Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista , Florida , near Orlando and Kissimmee , Florida