The Walt Disney World Resort health and safety program, like most health and safety programs, started out years ago as a regulatory compliance vehicle. Our initial role was in the capacity of an internal police agency to maintain regulatory compliance. However, our role evolved into internal health and safety consultants. Regulatory compliance is still important; however, it is secondary to protecting the health of our cast and guests.
First, let me give you a brief overview of the Walt Disney World company and the Walt Disney World Resort here in Florida. We are a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company based in Burbank, California which is broken down into three primary business segments:
Theme Parks and Resorts which includes the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando; the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim; the Disneyland Paris Resort; Tokyo Disneyland; Disney Cruise Line; the Anaheim Angels and Mighty Ducks sports franchises; Walt Disney Imagineering (where "Imagineers" dream up ideas and turn them into attractions); and, Disney Regional Entertainment (ESPN Zone, Disney Quest, etc.).
Creative Content which includes Filmed Entertainment (Touchstone Pictures, Buena Vista Motion Pictures, Miramax, etc); Buena Vista Home Entertainment (Videos and DVDs); Buena Vista Music Group (Hollywood Records, Walt Disney Records, Mammoth Records, etc.); Walt Disney Feature Animation; Walt Disney Theatrical Productions; Disney Consumer Products (The Disney Stores, ESPN - The Store, Hyperion Publishing, Discover, etc.); and, the Buena Vista Internet Group (GO.com, etc).
Broadcasting which includes the ABC television network; ESPN; The Disney Channel; E! TV; The History Channel; A&E Network; Buena Vista Television; ABC-owned Television and Radio Stations; and, Fairchild Publications.
The Walt Disney World Resort is part of the Theme Parks and Resorts business segment which is divided into three profit centers: Parks, Resorts and Administration/Support. The Health and Safety function is part of the Risk Management Services Division of Administration/Support. This division also includes Worker's Compensation, General Liability, Environmental Health, and Corporate Insurance.
Most people think of the Walt Disney World Resort as an amusement park and they invariably ask the question: How many health and safety issues could you possibly face in the Magic Kingdom?
The Walt Disney World Resort is somewhat like a small city, one that serves the needs of more than 165,000 "residents" every day. On an average summer day more than 55,000 cast members, 10,000 contractors and 100,000 guests move through the Walt Disney World Resort.
This 47 square mile area encompasses over 30,000 acres. To put this in perspective; it is about twice the size of the island of Manhattan. At the present time we have developed a little more than 6,000 acres, or roughly 20% of our available property. An additional 8,500 acres has also been set aside for conservation.
