New rumors arose: Disney is up to something. The Walt Disney Company purchased 965 acres of land southeast of Celebration, property records show. It is unclear what Disney plans to do with the newly purchased land.
According to recently filed documents, the company has purchased the site of the BK Ranch from Florida-based BFT Capital Corp. in Osceola County for $23 million. A deed shows the sale was finalized last Thursday. The land Disney purchased is located just southeast of Disney World, only 10 miles away, near Celebration, a master-planned community.
The newly acquired land sits just north of the small neighborhood which is Intercession City, Old Tampa Highway and Orange Blossom Trail and there is a SunRail station, Poinciana, nearby.
Prior to Disney’s acquisition, the land was going to be turned into a subdivision. A master plan filed in 2016 called for 3,000 homes, a community center, park areas, as well as nearly 400,000 square feet of commercial and office space. Unfortunately, when asked, Disney did not reveal its plans for the land.
While their plans are kept secret, the company is in the middle of a building boom at nearby Disney World, which over the next three years will boast new rides, expanded theme parks, new resort hotels, as well as a new transportation system.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ Toy Story Land debuted this summer and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is coming in 2019. At least four other Disney-owned hotels are set to be built in the next few years, including an immersive “Star Wars”-themed resort, a nature-themed resort, also a major expansion to Disney’s Coronado Resort, and the new Riviera Resort. Marriott is also planning to build a 14-story hotel tower The Cove next to its Swan and Dolphin resorts. Disney is also planning to unveil its Skyliner gondola system next year. Two new roller coasters — a “Guardians of the Galaxy” roller coaster at Epcot, and a “TRON” at Magic Kingdom, are planned to arrive in time for Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary in 2021.
According to WFTV9.