Disney4me Posted May 31, 2023 Report Posted May 31, 2023 Disney World is a Florida icon. Cinderella Castle When Disney started buying land in Florida in 1964, the population of the nearest city — Orlando — was about 240,000 people. Today, Orlando’s population is more than 2 million, and with the hundreds of hotels, theme parks, shopping destinations, restaurants, and other tourist destinations that have sprung up in the 5+ decades since Disney World opened, it’s not hard to see that “one man’s dream” was responsible for much of that growth. But the past year has been one of unprecedented conflict between Disney and the State of Florida. In the Spring of 2022, Disney spoke out against a law that limits discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Legislature then made moves to eliminate a special district that allowed Disney some self-governing powers over its Florida property. Since then, the feud has escalated to include lawsuits on each side. Disney vs. DeSantis And that has led many people to wonder if Disney would ever just pack up and leave Florida altogether. There have been Internet rumors about places Disney is reportedly looking to move (all not true, as far as we know), even former president — and current Florida resident — Donald Trump has suggested that Disney should consider a relocation. So, would Disney ever leave Florida? The Disney World Monorail While we never say never, the answer to this question is almost unequivocally no. According to engineering consulting firm AECOM, Disney World drew about 60 million visitors in 2019. Disney is also one of Florida’s largest taxpayers — to the tune of $780 million in state and local taxes in 2021. “Does the state want us to invest more, employ more people and pay more taxes or not?” Disney CEO Bob Iger said in a May 2023 company earnings call. All aboard! Disney World — with its 40+ square miles, four theme parks, 31 hotels, water parks, golf courses, a shopping and dining complex, and sports fields — not to mention the roads, lakes, Monorail and Skyliner routes, and other infrastructure built by the company — is not something that can be loaded up onto semis and moved. Even if Disney COULD move many portions of the resort, it would require additional investment of billions and billions of dollars. And Disney employs 75,000 people in Florida. They have recruited and built up a population that fits their employment needs over the past several decades. Anywhere Disney might move would need to have a workforce that meets its needs, as well. Disney World includes a huge sports complex. What do the experts say about the chances of moving out of Florida? “The investment made by Disney into the land, buildings and attractions in Florida would be hard to repeat in another location in the U.S. with comfortable weather year-round,” theme park architect Kevin Barbee told the Washington Post recently. “And, if landowners found out it was Disney buying, the prices would skyrocket.” A relocation would also mean moving dozens of animals who live at Animal Kingdom. Indeed. In the 1960s, Disney went to great length to conceal its identity as the buyer of the thousands of acres of undeveloped land where Disney World now sits. “There isn’t enough tea in China or gold in the ground to get Disney to leave Florida,” Dennis Speigel, president of International Theme Park Services, told the Washington Post. Do you think there is any chance Disney World would ever move its massive resort out of Florida? Tell us in the comments. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW The post Would Disney World Ever Leave Florida? first appeared on the disney food blog.View the full article Quote
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