Hello From
Lake Buena Vista!
“At the Heart of the Magic”
Lake Buena Vista
A City in Orange County, Florida
Lake Buena Vista is a uniquely small city that plays an outsized role in Central Florida’s global tourism identity. Best known for being home to major portions of the Walt Disney World Resort, the city is almost entirely commercial and entertainment-focused, with very few permanent residents. While most visitors experience Lake Buena Vista through theme parks, hotels, and shopping districts, the city itself functions primarily as a municipal structure supporting resort operations and infrastructure. Its carefully managed environment, transportation systems, and hospitality services help sustain one of the world’s most visited vacation destinations, making Lake Buena Vista unlike any other city in Florida.
Disney Springs in Lake Buena Vista, Florida
Photo by Philip Arambula
Location & Size
Lake Buena Vista is located in southwestern Orange County in Central Florida, and covers approximately 3 square miles.
The city sits about 18 miles southwest of downtown Orlando and directly neighbors Bay Lake, which also contains significant Disney property.
Nearby communities include Kissimmee (about 8 miles south), Celebration (about 6 miles southeast), and Winter Garden (about 20 miles northwest).
The city is fully embedded within the greater Walt Disney World resort area.
Founded
Lake Buena Vista was incorporated in 1967 as part of the development strategy surrounding Walt Disney World. The city was established to help manage infrastructure, utilities, and municipal services related to the massive resort complex being constructed at the time. Its formation coincided with the creation of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which allowed Disney to maintain a high degree of operational control over land development and services. Since its incorporation, Lake Buena Vista has remained primarily a resort-focused municipality with minimal residential development.
Population
Lake Buena Vista has a very small permanent population, estimated at fewer than 50 residents.
Known For
• Being home to much of Walt Disney World Resort
• Disney Springs shopping, dining, and entertainment district
• Resort hotels and convention facilities
• Highly managed infrastructure and transportation systems
• Tourism-driven economy
Cost of living
Median Income: N/A
Median Home Price: $100,000 (2023)
Median Rent: $1,839
Lake Buena Vista does not function like a typical residential city, so cost-of-living comparisons are not meaningful .
Things to do
• Explore Disney Springs
• Visit nearby Walt Disney World theme parks
• Attend live entertainment and seasonal events
• Dine at internationally recognized restaurants
• Enjoy resort shopping and nightlife
Fun Facts
• Lake Buena Vista has one of the smallest permanent populations of any incorporated city in Florida.
• The city exists primarily to support resort operations rather than residential living.
• Millions of visitors pass through the city each year, even though very few people live there.
Nearby Cities
Hello From Florida Blog
No Results Found
The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.