Disney History: Bay Lake Tower opens on August 4

Today in Disney history, Bay Lake Tower, the extension of Disney’s Contemporary Resort at the Magic Kingdom, opened.

On Aug. 4, 2009, the resort, which has some stunning views and is within walking distance of Magic Kingdom, rests on a foundation of more than 800 concrete piles that are 16 inches in diameter and extend 70 feet into the ground.  Stacked on top of one another, these would reach more than 10 miles into the sky.

Here are six more facts about the building:

1. On the top floor of Bay Lake Tower is the 77-seat Top of the World lounge and observation deck, offering sweeping views Disney World. The lounge is available only to DVC members staying on property at Disney World. 

2. Bay Lake Tower was the ninth DVC resort and the first at one of the Magic Kingdom resorts. Now, all four of the resorts around Bay Lake have a DVC component. 

3. There are 295 two-bedroom equivalent villas at Bay Lake Tower.

4. A covered outdoor sky bridge connects Bay Lake Tower to the existing resort so guests can access the monorail.

5. There are 167 miles of post-tensioning cable running through the concrete slabs.  These cables could stretch from Bay Lake Tower to Disney’s Vero Beach Resort and back.

6. There are 1,398 tons of reinforcing steel, known as rebar, within the structure.  This is equal to the weight of 254 full-grown elephants.