OFFICIAL UPDATE: Disney World Expansion Project Stopped in Its Tracks

Walt Disney World Resort has halted a major expansion project. Here’s what we know.

Disney World Project Expansion Stopped

In a state where rent prices have surged over 30% since the pandemic and locals struggle to stay housed near the jobs that fuel Central Florida’s billion-dollar tourism industry, hope arrived in 2022 like a fairy godmother waving her wand: Walt Disney World announced a massive affordable housing initiative. But now, nearly three years later, many are wondering—what happened to the magic?

Initially hailed as a bold and compassionate solution to Florida’s affordable housing crisis, Disney’s 1,369-unit development project near its Orlando theme park was supposed to break ground in late 2024. So why are shovels still sitting idle as we enter mid-2025?

A Shift in the Timeline

In a quiet update, Disney recently adjusted its official documents to reflect a revised groundbreaking date in 2025. Gone is any mention of a 2026 move-in date, with whispers now suggesting that residents may not see keys in hand until at least 2027—a full five years after the announcement.

While delays in construction are not unusual, Disney’s silence on this issue is striking. Multiple media requests for updates have gone unanswered. And although updated plans were submitted to Orange County just this week—possibly moving the project closer to final approval—the once-glowing PR spotlight now feels dimmer.

So, what’s really going on here?

Behind the Delay: Bureaucracy or Strategy?

Let’s be clear: Disney isn’t profiting from this housing development. The company donated the land, designed the project, and will not financially benefit from the rentals. So, with no financial stake in the outcome, the delay could stem from something far more complex than paperwork.

Updated county filings show the project will roll out in five phases, featuring a mix of unit sizes—primarily 1- and 2-bedroom apartments. Buildings will reach up to five stories, and the overall vision includes green spaces, parkland, and areas for community events like food truck nights and art festivals. Sounds idyllic, right?

But even idyllic dreams must navigate the harsh realities of zoning challenges, community opposition, and a strained permitting process in one of Florida’s fastest-growing regions.

A Look at the Numbers

Here’s the current breakdown of the proposed housing units:

• 607 one-bedroom units

• 762 units ranging from two to four bedrooms

• Buildings up to 62.5 feet tall

• A mix of junior apartments (576 sqft) to spacious 4-bed/3-bath units (up to 1,900 sqft)

Disney’s commitment? Over 1,000 units will be priced for affordability. However, only 11% will be targeted to the lowest income brackets—those earning well below the Area Median Income (AMI). Most units will serve families earning 80% of AMI, translating to household incomes between $49,000 and $90,000.

This breakdown reveals a deeper truth: while the project is labeled as “affordable housing,” its target demographic may not be the most housing-insecure populations. In fact, many low-income families may still be priced out.

Why It Matters

This isn’t just a story about delayed construction—it’s about the future of housing in Central Florida, and whether corporate-led solutions can truly address the affordability crisis.

With a full buildout timeline of five years, the earliest full completion may not be until 2030. That means today’s housing crisis will continue for years before Disney’s ambitious project bears fruit. And with the area’s population booming and rental prices continuing to climb, delays like this have a very real human cost.

Still, the development offers something many affordable housing projects don’t: quality of life. Parks, festivals, community gathering spaces—these additions aren’t just amenities; they’re intentional steps toward building an actual community.

The Big Picture: Disney World Resort’s Legacy in Central Florida; Expansion Project on Hold Indefinitely

For over 50 years, Walt Disney World has reshaped the landscape—economically, culturally, and physically—of Central Florida. This project, while delayed, could become a defining piece of Disney’s legacy outside the theme parks.

It’s easy to forget that Cast Members and other working-class Floridians are the real magic behind the parks. By helping to house the very people who bring the Disney experience to life, this initiative—if fully realized—may ultimately signal a shift toward deeper corporate responsibility.

So yes, the timeline has slipped, but the vision remains intact.

Will Disney deliver the dream it once promised? That answer may come sooner than you think—as final approvals could be issued within days.

Until then, the clock is ticking, and Central Florida waits.