Disney World Affordable Housing Project Faces New Delays—Move-In Date Uncertain

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The affordable housing project at Walt Disney World, initially planned for April 2022, has faced additional setbacks as Disney works through the permitting process with Orange County, Florida. Originally slated to start construction by the end of 2024, the schedule has now been adjusted; Disney anticipates beginning construction in 2025 instead.

The postponement casts doubt on when potential tenants might start moving in. Previously, Disney had indicated that the first residents would settle in by 2026, but this timeline no longer appears in public documents. If the new schedule stays, occupancy could be moved to 2027. The entire project is anticipated to take five years for completion once construction commences.

This year, Disney has made multiple revisions to their construction plans and even filed a freshly revised one recently. The most recent blueprint is still being examined by the county, but there’s a possibility that Disney might get final approval to start building as soon as this week.

As I delve into the details of this upcoming housing development, I’m thrilled to share that it’s set to span a grand total of five phases, ultimately resulting in an impressive 1,369 residential units. This project will be a delightful blend of dwellings, with a variety ranging from cozy one-bedroom apartments (numbering 607) to larger options catering to families, including 762 two, three, and four-bedroom units.

The buildings are designed to soar as high as 62.5 feet, which is equivalent to five stories. The spacious four-bedroom apartments with three bathrooms will span around 1,900 square feet, while the compact junior one-bedroom units will be roughly 576 square feet in size.

Over eighty percent of the housing available will be one- or two-bedroom units. This project offers various living arrangements, such as apartments, flats, and townhouse-like designs.

Disney has promised to make over a thousand units priced affordably. These affordable units are expected to cater primarily to households earning approximately 80% of the local median income, which is around $49,150 to $90,000 per year, depending on family size.

Only about 11% of the units will be priced for the lowest AMI bracket.

Excitingly, these apartments are open for anyone who fits the income criteria—not merely Disney Cast Members, although they can certainly apply too!

Disney clarified that they won’t earn financially through this project’s development. Instead, their role involves providing the land and collaborating on a community-centric design for the project.

As a strong advocate for our community’s growth, I enthusiastically support the incorporation of various parks, ranging from compact neighborhood ones to spacious mid-sized ones. Notably, a significant central green space stretching from north to south is planned, serving as an ideal venue for food trucks, festivals, and artistic events. This open area aims to provide engaging recreational experiences for our residents, enriching our shared community life.

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2025-05-22 16:57