Team Disney Orlando
28°21′55″N 81°31′17″W / 28.365389°N 81.521331°W / 28.365389; -81.521331
Team Disney Orlando is an office building located in Lake Buena Vista, Florida on the grounds of Walt Disney World Resort across from Disney Springs. The building is the administrative headquarters of Walt Disney World Resort, and home of the Finance, Accounting, Business Insight & Improvement, and Legal departments. It also houses several resources for cast members, including a gym, canteen, and credit union.
History
Background
Disney CEO Michael Eisner had a long history with postmodern architecture, having previously worked with architect Michael Graves. Eisner selected Japanese architect Arata Isozaki to lead the project. In an interview, Isozaki said that "the 'creative freedom' offered by Eisner along with his childhood interest in Disney were what convinced him to accept the role."[1][2] The building was the second "Team Disney" building to be built, after Team Disney Burbank was built, and was followed by "Team Disney" buildings in Anaheim and Hong Kong.
Design and Construction
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/01/Team_Disney_Orlando_2024.png/220px-Team_Disney_Orlando_2024.png)
Isozaki came up with multiple possible designs, and decided on a low-rise after it was decided that a high-rise would not fit in with the surroundings. Isozaki was upset when the planned location was moved from its original planned location at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort to the final location near Interstate-4. As a compromise, Disney built a lake to the west of the new location. The Florida Solar Energy Center was consulted in the design of the sundial. Orlando-based architecture firm Hunton Brady Pryor Maso was hired to oversee the construction, and is listed as the Architect of record.[3]
Opening and use
The building was opened officially on June 3, 1991 to consolidate several other offices located around Orlando. The reflecting pools were removed in 2010.[4] The interior was remodeled in 2016, 25 years after the original opening.[5] The building is primarily occupied by cast members working in administrative roles, such as finance or human resources. Over 1,000 cast members work in the building. The building contains a gym and a branch of Partners Federal Credit Union.[6]
Design
The building was designed by Japanese architect Arata Isozaki in the postmodern style. The building is built around a central 120 feet (37 m) "stack". Two four-story wings extend out from the stack, which is hollow, and a stylus atop it creates a "solar clock" visible from inside. At the time the sundial was the largest in the world.[1] The interior of the stack is decorated with quotes from both real people and fictional characters, chosen personally by Michael Eisner.[3][7]
Reception
Eisner reportedly loved the building, being especially impressed by the courtyard.[2] The building received an honor award from the American Institute of Architects in 1992.[8] Time Magazine listed the building amongst the best design of 1991, describing it as "both utilitarian and whimsical" and likening it to a "cathedral on Venus".[6][9]
References
- ^ a b Serratore, Angela (2019-06-17). "The magical (postmodern) world of Disney". Curbed. Vox Media. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
- ^ a b Webb, Michael (July 1992). "The Pleasing Places of Arata Isozaki". Smithsonian. Vol. 23, no. 4. pp. 58–67. ISSN 0037-7333.
- ^ a b Korkis, Jim (2016-08-02). "WDW Chronicles: The Story of the Team Disney Building". All Ears. Vol. 880. AllEarsNet, LLC. ISSN 1533-0753. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
- ^ Leibacher, Herb (2017-05-22). "Ten Interesting Facts About The Team Disney Building". World of Walt. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
- ^ Snow, Michelle (2016-06-14). "Team Disney Celebrates 25 years at Walt Disney World". The Disney Blog. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
- ^ a b Kober, Jeff (2011-10-27). "The Yin and Yang of Team Disney in Orlando". Mouse Planet. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
- ^ Stock, Gregory. "Team Disney Building". The Orlando Foundation for Architecture. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
- ^ Haile, John, ed. (1992-01-22). "'Team Disney' Building Honored". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Publishing. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
- ^ McManus, Jason, ed. (1992-01-06). "Best of 1991: Design". Time. Vol. 139, no. 1. p. 83. ISSN 0040-781X.
- v
- t
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Water parks |
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residential areas
Magic Kingdom |
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Epcot | |
Disney Springs |
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Animal Kingdom |
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Wide World of Sports |
festivities
Resort | |
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Magic Kingdom | |
Epcot |
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former attractions,
and closed facilities
- ABC Super Soap Weekend
- Discovery Island
- DisneyQuest
- Epcot Center Ultralight Flightpark
- Fort Wilderness Railroad
- Give a Day, Get a Disney Day
- Happiest Celebration on Earth
- Mickey's Pirate and Princess Party
- Millennium Celebration
- The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights
- Pleasure Island
- River Country
- Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser
- Star Wars Weekends
- Summer Nightastic!
- Walt Disney World Airport
- Walt Disney World Speedway
Past leaders | |
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Current leaders |
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Other people |
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- Casting Center
- Club 33
- Creative Entertainment
- Disney Genie
- Dining Plan
- Disney Programs
- Disney Speedstorm
- EPCOT Concept
- Escape from Tomorrow
- Imagineering
- The Muppets at Walt Disney World
- MyMagic+
- PhotoPass
- Central Florida Tourism Oversight District
- Team Disney Orlando
- University
- Utilidor system
- Walt Disney World Company
- The Walt Disney World Explorer
- List of incidents at Walt Disney World
- Walt Disney World Quest: Magical Racing Tour
- Wild About Safety
‡ indicates a hotel on Disney property that is not operated by Disney