Walt Disney World's addition of 4,000 employees this year andits 2005 plans to open two large child care centers in Kissimmeeand near its 30,000-acre enclave in Lake Buena Vista are expectedto generate renters for the projected 2,250 new units surfacingthis year, mostly in five south Orlando submarkets near Disney.

"The Orlando economy and its apartment market have begun torebound after drab performances a few years ago," says Steven M.Ekovich, Marcus & Millichap's Florida regional manager. Theimpact of Disney's staff growth is "being felt far beyond payrollgains," the broker says. "Employment expansion at local hotels,restaurants and other tourist activities will add another 6,000jobs by year end."

Robert W. Miller, senior vice president of CB Richard EllisInc.'s Central Florida Multi-Housing Group, notes the apartmentmarket "continues to roar ahead in the third quarter, registeringthe largest percentage rent growth increase in five years."