Long Term Development Likely Plays Into The Company's Plans
Walt Disney Land Parks & Resorts was not being purely philanthropic when it purchased 3,000 acres of wetlands for $11.5 million to preserve them. This deal also left the company with 350 non-contiguous acres that they will be able to develop, as agreed upon by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and South Florida Water Management District.
Although most would assume the property would be put towards expanding its theme parks in Florida, experts say this is likely not The Walt Disney Company's plan- at least not in the short term. Right now, the company does not have plans to invest in theme parks other than Shanghai Disneyland. Furthermore, although 350 acres may sound like a lot, it is smaller than the 500-acre area on which Animal Kingdom's plot sits.
Many experts think that the land may eventually be developed for additional resorts and hotels, as Disney's numbers for 2014 showed increases in occupancy. Others say they may simply bank the land for now, so they will have a stockpile of developable, nearby land to pull from, as extra real estate is needed for the continually growing company.
Ultimately, no one can say for certain what plans Disney has for the land, but we do know that thousands of acres of wetland are now preserved by a financially stable company. Whether or not Disney plans to develop its 350 acres in the near future, Florida residents can know their land is being protected.
Are you thinking of developing your property? Contact Parkwest General Contractors for all of your commercial and hotel construction needs. Our team of experts is here to make sure your remodel or building process runs on time, on budget, and on point. We are here to flawlessly execute your next project, so call us today!
