NEW 2016 * Monsters Inc. Go Seek Ride * Tokyo Disneyland Resort Onride POV Tour

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• published: 07 Jul 2016
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Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Worldwide, Inc.,[1] also known informally as Walt Disney Parks and Resorts or Disney Parks, is one of The Walt Disney Company's four major business segments and a subsidiary. Originally known as Walt Disney Outdoor Recreation Division then Walt Disney Attractions, it is responsible for the conception, building, and managing of the company's theme parks and vacation resorts, as well as a variety of additional family-oriented leisure enterprises. It was founded in 1971, after the opening of Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Florida, joining the original Disneyland in California, which opened in 1955. In 2014, the company's theme parks hosted approximately 134 million guests, making Disney Parks the world's most visited theme park company,[4] ahead of the second-most visited rival Merlin Entertainments. It is by far the largest Disney business segment by employee headcount, with about 130,000[3] of Disney's total number of 180,000[5] employees as of 2015. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. was incorporated on September 29, 2008[1] and took over the parks and resorts business segment. Disney Parks and Resorts reorganized in early 2009 which included lay offs in all units due to recession induced falling attendance. 600 U.S. managers in January were offered buy out packages. Worldwide Operations was formed under President Al Weiss in 2009. Worldwide Operations would take over various back office functions previously performed by both Disney World and Disneyland including training, procurement, menu planning and merchandise development. While, its Walt Disney Imagineering subsidiary combined its three development units.[51] California Adventure completed its overhaul in 2012 adding two new lands: Cars Land and Buena Vista Street. The overhaul also included a re-themed of several attractions plus a pair of classic dark rides.[42] In November 2009, Disney received approval from the Chinese government to build a Disneyland resort in Shanghai's Pudong district.[52] The resort was expected to open on June 16, 2016.[53] Star Wars Land 14 acres (5.7 ha) themed land for both Disneyland park and Disney's Hollywood Studios announced at the D23 Expo on August 15, 2015.[54] Construction began at both locations on April 14, 2016.[55] The New Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom opens on December 6, 2012. It is the biggest upgrade to the theme park since its opening in 1971.[56] Announced along with its new Star Wars Land expansion at the D23 Expo on August 15, 2015, Hollywood Studios was slated to have a version of Toy Story Land.[57] The Disney Dream began service in January 2011 and Disney Cruise Line (DCL) announced the maiden voyage of the Disney Fantasy to be March 31, 2012. The Dream deployment allowed Disney Wonder to be permanently stationed at Port of Los Angeles for Mexican Riviera cruises,[58] but initial served in the short Alaska cruise season.[26] Magic moved to New York for Canadian or Bahama cruises starting May 25, 2012.[CDC 22] DCL's Magic was refitted in late 2013.[59] The first of three expansion theme lands at Hong Kong Disneyland, Toy Story Land, opens on November 18, 2011.[60] Grizzly Gulch opens at Hong Kong Disneyland on July 13, 2012.[61] The final land of this expansion, Mystic Point, opened at Hong Kong Disneyland on May 17, 2013.[62] On February 5, 2015, it was announced that Tom Staggs had been promoted to Disney Company Chief operating officer but would continue as chairman of Parks and Resorts until his successor was named.[63] On February 23, 2015, Robert Chapek was named chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts effective that day.[64] On April 29, 2015, The Walt Disney Company, through subsidiary, Carousel Holdings EAT LLC, has purchased Carousel Inn & Suites hotel in Anaheim, from Good Hope International for $32 million. The purchase was considered a strategic purchase, the hotel would not be consider apart of Disneyland hotel portfolio and operate independently