Year Founded
1967
The unique city of Lake Buena Vista was officially incorporated in 1967 as a controlled municipal entity designed specifically to facilitate the massive infrastructure and development needs of the Walt Disney World Resort. Named after the historic street in Burbank, California, where Disney’s corporate headquarters are located, the city maintains a tiny permanent resident population while acting as the legal governance boundary for the world’s most visited vacation kingdom. Today, the absolute top attraction is the expansive Disney Springs district, a world-class, open-air retail, dining, and entertainment promenade featuring beautifully landscaped pedestrian walkways and unique waterfront venues. The municipality is highly celebrated for its emphasis on pristine resort lifestyles, maintaining championship golf facilities and meticulously manicured roadway grids. Popular local activities involve shopping at high-end open-air retail centers, watching world-renowned live entertainment, taking amphibious car rides on the lake, and enjoying world-class theme park attractions. Geographically, Lake Buena Vista is located 18 miles southwest of Orlando International Airport (MCO). It is situated approximately 42 miles southwest of Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB). The drive to the primary shopping and dining venue of Disney Springs is a short 0-mile trip as the venue sits directly inside the city boundaries. Beachgoers can access the coast at Cocoa Beach, located approximately 63 miles away via State Road 528.
Top Attractions
Disney Springs Retail & Entertainment Promenade
Golf Courses
Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course
Public Parks
Lakeside Park (Resort Public Access), Lake Buena Vista Nature Trails, Epcot Park Preserves
Attraction Details
Disney Springs serves as a premier walkable retail centerpiece featuring over 150 unique shopping, dining, and entertainment venues. Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course features a classic, country-club style 18-hole public course layout winding through pastel vacation villas. The municipal nature preserves offer beautifully manicured fitness paths and scenic views across protected cypress wetlands.