Once you drive past those Disney World gates, it can feel like you’ve entered a whole other dimension where the stress from the “normal” world just doesn’t exist.

Welcome to Disney World

But on your way into Disney World, or if you drive off property during your trip, you’ll likely encounter some of the stores, restaurants, or other things surrounding Disney World. We’ve kept an eye on developments in the nearby area as they may impact your trip or the things you see as you drive into or from the Most Magical Place on Earth. From new hotels to new restaurants, we’re constantly on the lookout for updates, and today we found an update about a large amount of land near Disney World that might become something different than originally planned.

According to a tweet from the Orlando Sentinel, there is a parcel of land near Disney World that amounts to about 130 acres. Previously this land was approved to be used and transformed into a luxury resort. That seems like something many guests would expect for land near Disney World as many guests look to stay at nice hotels near the resort.

Driving to Disney

Now, however, it seems things have changed. The Orlando Sentinel shares that the owners of that land near Disney World now want to rezone this vacant land and are marketing it as a potential industrial park site. That’s not quite as luxurious as some might have expected or desired to be placed near Disney.

EPCOT

In their tweet, the Orlando Sentinel linked to an article on the subject from Growth Spotter. The tweet from Growth Spotter linking to their article notes that the 130-acre site is “adjacent to Osceola County’s largest new spec industrial park,” but it is also located right in the middle of an established residential area.

According to the Growth Spotter article, the land had previously been “under contract for a mixed-use, luxury vacation home resort called Park Place Resorts.” It was intended to be an eco-friendly resort that would “cater to ‘very high-end clients.'” Original plans called for 130 vacation homes, an event center, a hotel, and even a helipad. These plans were approved in early 2020 and the developer was already scheduled to close in the summer. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, threw a wrench in those plans.

©Growth Spotter

Now, it appears the parcel is being offered for “industrial and distribution — uses that are prohibited under Tourist Commercial zoning.”

It will be interesting to see what exactly becomes of this area and whether it will ultimately be used for more industrial purposes. While these nearby projects might not directly impact your plans to ride Space Mountain, they could impact potential plans you had for outside the Most Magical Place on Earth (particularly if the idea of new luxury resort near Disney World was one that appealed to you).

Disney World

Want more updates about things going on near Disney World? Click the links below:

• See how to get Chicken Guy! near Disney World without leaving your car!
• Get a sneak peek inside Celebrity Chef Richard Blais’ new restaurant near Disney World
• We bet you haven’t seen this hidden Mickey near Disney World!

We’ll continue to look for updates and let you know what we find.

Team cake or team icing? Either way, a bakery near Disney World has you covered — click here to see more!

Do you like to explore areas beyond Disney World when you visit Orlando? Tell us in the comments.