LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Famous for its breathtaking and picturesque landscapes and gardens, Walt Disney World® Resort will now have the help of The Toro Company to care for its beautiful landscapes. The two companies have announced that Toro is now the official turf and irrigation company of Walt Disney World Resort.
For Toro the agreement is an extension and an expansion of a previous pact with Disney. In 1996, Toro provided turf and irrigation services for the Disney's Wide World of Sports™ complex. The 200-acre facility offers sports fields and other playing surfaces that serve as the spring training home of the Atlanta Braves, as well as the headquarters for the Amateur Athletic Union and more than 170 annual events.
Since the opening of Disney's Wide World of Sports complex in March 1997, fans and athletes have enjoyed the quality and safety of the playing fields. Toro has used Disney's Wide World of Sports complex for special events such as the first ever Professional Turf Symposium and Toro University.
The new agreement applies to most Walt Disney World properties, the Disney's Wide World of Sports complex and the Epcot® Flower & Garden Festival. The agreement also includes the five championship golf courses at Walt Disney World Resort.
“For the past four years, Toro products and services have been instrumental in the care and maintenance of our perfectly-manicured fields and other surfaces at the sports complex,” said Phil Lengyel, vice president of Business Development for Walt Disney World. “It is a natural fit that Toro's fine products now be used to maintain the thousands of acres of turf across all of Walt Disney World® Resort.”
“Disney succeeds in creating a wonderful experience for millions of guests and we are proud to have Toro play a key role in delighting their guests,” added Kendrick Melrose, chairman and CEO of Toro. “Our original alliance with Disney has allowed Toro to expose hundreds of the best landscape managers to world class athletic facilities. This extension and expansion of our relationship allows us to now expose thousands more, both professional and residential landscapers, to what many consider the most beautiful gardens and turf areas in the world.”
Landscapes within the Walt Disney World Resort are equivalent to almost 3,000 football fields and are cared for by a staff of more than 650 horticulture and landscape professionals. At three mowings per week, Toro equipment will cover up to 450,000 “mowing miles” per year or 18 trips around the Earth at the equator, according to a Toro press release.
Disney will use a wide range of Toro equipment to groom landscapes, including the Toro Z-master and other mowers, Toro utility vehicles, Toro irrigation systems and Toro trimming products.
“For Toro, this pact with Disney is evidence that our product quality and customer service are at the top of our industry - because Disney would accept nothing less,” explained Melrose. “And for Disney, they are getting the best and most durable turf care products in the market. Just like the attractions at Walt Disney World, our equipment is made to never take a day off.”
In addition to covering turf and irrigation equipment, Toro signage will adorn every field at Disney Wide World of Sports complex. Toro will also maintain its naming rights to the Town Green, an all-purpose recreational park within the sports complex.