Disney World does have a nuclear option

In 1967, the State of Florida passed a law allowing Walt Disney World to build a nuclear power plant on its property.

Take a second and let that sink in. It sounds a bit bizarre, but it is true.

When Walt Disney was purchasing land in Central Florida to build his new theme park, he knew it would take a lot of power. Nuclear power at that time was thought of the power of the future.

Disney also wanted as much autonomy as possible to create his new location. To accommodate Disney, the state of Florida created the Reedy Creek Improvement District, a government, with the power to levy taxes, issue bonds, build roads, oversee emergency services. This gave Disney all the autonomy he could want.

This new government’s powers was so broad, that it has the authority to place things on property like nuclear plant and an airport.

Now, let’s remember this is before the creation of the Nuclear Regulatory Agency (created in 1975 to oversee the safe use of radioactive materials for civilian purposes while protecting people and the environment) and the Department of Energy (created in 1977 and oversees energy creation programs).

To make it clear, Disney has no plans to use nuclear energy, John Classe, administrator of Reedy Creek Improvement District told the Orlando Sentinel.

In fact, Disney just opened its second solar farm this week that will be able to power two of the four theme parks.

But the nuclear option may soon be taken off the table from state legislators, according to the Sentinel.