The land was a mix of swampland, scrub, and citrus groves. The developers faced significant challenges transforming this area into the massive theme park resort we know today. They had to:
* Drain and fill the wetlands: This involved extensive engineering work to create solid ground for the park's infrastructure.
* Manage water flow: The area is prone to flooding, so they constructed a complex system of canals and levees to control water levels.
* Create artificial lakes and lagoons: These features were designed to enhance the park's aesthetics and provide recreational opportunities.
While much of the original wetland has been altered, Disney has made efforts to incorporate elements of the natural environment into the park's design. For example, the "Living with the Land" ride at Epcot showcases sustainable agriculture and the importance of wetlands.
Therefore, while Disney World was not built entirely on wetlands, it was built on land that was significantly impacted by them. The park's construction and operation are testaments to the ingenuity and challenges involved in developing land that was once largely wetland.