It was forty years ago to the day when a Chicago man’s vision for a children’s magical kingdom came to life, like puppet in a Disney fairy tale. But unlike Pinocchio’s transformation into a real boy, this fable exists in the confines of reality just off Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

The fact is though, as bigger as the dreams were for Walt Disney, there was no way that he could have expected his vision to become the travel destination it is today. Even for a visionary such as Disney, he would have not had the imagination to see an armada of cruise ships and a staggering 23 on site themed resort hotels the resort boasts in the 21st century.

When the resort opened in October 1971, there was only the Magic Kingdom. Since then, Disney World resort has added Epcot in 1982, MGM Studios in 1989 and the Animal Kingdom followed in 1998.

Even now though, Disney World continues it plans for growth and on this, its 40 year milestone, plans to move the vicinity forward are already in motion. A new resort in Aulani, Hawaii and plans for a new Avatar land in the Animal Kingdom are to name the more exciting plans, but there are also intentions to open another Disneyland in Shanghai as well as adding further cruise ships to its fleet. Even in spite of Disney’s tag as the number one holiday destination in the world and clearing an estimated $900 billion a year, to quote James Bond, it seems the world is not enough.

Before the Disney World empire, Florida was just a swampland, where those how holidayed there would go to the beach and enjoy the warm climate. However, Disney World put Florida on the map, changing not only the state that surrounded it, but the holiday behaviours of millions and millions of tourists. Now Florida vacations are amongst the most sort after in the world and that trend looks set to continue.

What Disney World did was offer something that was bigger than what anyone could imagine, leaping past the competition in elephant strides rather than those of the mouse that has become the symbol of the organisation.

Tom Staggs, the chairman of Disney’s Parks and Resorts, is said to be the man who is bringing forward the visions that Walt once had to accommodate the more temporal Disney goer. And the truth is that his accomplishments have seen not only Disney World change, but his job description too. He now looks after the companies cruise liners and timeshare operations, all of which are rapidly expansive Disney developments.

So for Disney it’s reign as travel destination’s top dog, or should I say mouse, looks set to continue. Heavy investment in its attractions and resorts equates to a better all-round experience. And when you take into consideration that this destination’s vacation experience is already valued amongst holiday goers as a whole, it becomes a pretty impressive target to surpass.

Either way, Disney will remain as the epicentre of tourist activity worldwide for the foreseeable future.