The Walt Disney Company is making moves once again in Central Florida, this time expanding its presence in Celebration, the master-planned community originally developed by Disney in the 1990s. According to the Orlando Business Journal, Disney recently acquired a sizeable office building in Celebration for $19.4 million, further solidifying its ties to the area.
A Strategic Real Estate Move
Osceola County records indicate that the transaction was finalized on March 5, with the property located at 1390 Celebration Boulevard in Celebration’s south village area. The purchase was made by an entity registered to Walt Disney World Resort, continuing Disney’s trend of investing in strategic real estate assets near its flagship theme park resort.
The building, constructed in 2009, spans an impressive 106,196 square feet and has been under Disney’s lease for some time. Previously owned by Celebration Advance LLC—an entity tied to Rafael Weiss and the Jeffrey J. Weiss Living Trust—the building was acquired by Disney through an off-market deal. Gary Eisenberg, executive manager at Suchman Retail Group in Miami, described the purchase as “a perfect agreement between a tenant and owner,” highlighting the property’s well-maintained condition and prime location.
Disney’s History in Celebration
While this purchase marks another step in Disney’s property expansion, it’s not the company’s first real estate investment in Celebration. Back in 2014, Disney secured a 39% stake in a nine-story office building in the area, reinforcing its continued interest in utilizing the community for corporate operations.
Celebration, Florida, holds a unique place in Disney history. The town was conceptualized and developed by Disney in the 1990s as a master-planned community designed to reflect the charm and nostalgia of small-town America. Initially, Disney played an active role in the town’s development, implementing strict architectural guidelines and fostering a close-knit community feel. However, in 2004, Disney divested much of its ownership in Celebration, selling the management and residential assets to private companies. Despite this shift, the town remains closely associated with the Disney brand and is home to many Disney employees and fans alike.
A Growing Workforce
Walt Disney World Resort is currently one of the largest employers in Osceola County, ranking fourth behind the School District of Osceola County, Walmart, and AdventHealth. With Disney’s continued real estate investments, it’s evident that the company is maintaining a strong operational presence in the region, despite recent corporate restructuring efforts.
Disney has not publicly commented on the exact purpose of the newly acquired building, but its previous use for real estate and Disney Vacation Club operations suggests that it could continue to serve those functions—or potentially take on a new role as the company evolves its business strategies.
As Disney continues to invest in Celebration, the company’s footprint in Central Florida remains as strong as ever, proving that even outside the theme parks, Disney’s influence is far-reaching.
