Disney and Google Team Up on Virtual Disney World

Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida has received a 3D makeover in what the company is calling "the largest corporate initiative on Google Earth," according to Disney. Orlando parks featured in Google Earth include the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom.

Users of Google's popular 3D globetrotting software can now search for "Disney World" and view three dimensional buildings, rides, and other items of interest from Disney's four theme parks and 22 hotels in the Orlando area. Google's LatLong blog says Disney has modeled the nearly 5000 structures and items that include rides, the Disney castle, and also real-world objects such as a monorail, picnic tables, benches, streetlights, signs, and trees.

Here are some screenshots of the 3D-rendered buildings. You can view more yourself by downloading Google Earth and the Disney KML layer that showcases each park. To find explore Disney search for "Disney World" once the Google Earth program is up and running and then click on the Mouse Ears icon in the middle of the park. Click on the images I've provided here for a larger view.