Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro has announced to employees that the Company will not proceed forward with plans to create a headquarters in Lake Nona, Florida. The move would’ve brought roughly 2,000 employees to Florida, but as Governor Ron DeSantis continues to create a hostile environment for the company, and Disney reorganizes divisions, Disney has pulled the plug. Here’s the announcement:
Team,
I wanted to let you know that we’ve just begun communication regarding our updated plans for the Lake Nona campus.
As many of you know, the company had decided to build a new Disney campus in Lake Nona and many cast members, Imagineers, and employees were asked to commit to making a move to Florida. While some were excited about the new campus, I know that this decision and the circumstances surrounding it have been difficult for others.
Given the considerable changes that have occurred since the announcement of this project, including new leadership and changing business conditions, we have decided not to move forward with construction of the campus. This was not an easy decision to make, but I believe it is the right one. As a result, we will no longer be asking our employees to relocate. For those who have already moved, we will talk to you individually about your situation, including the possibility of moving you back.
It is clear to me that the power of this brand comes from our incredible people, and we are committed to handling this change with care and compassion. I remain optimistic about the direction of our Walt Disney World business. We have plans to invest $17 billion and create 13,000 jobs over the next ten years. I hope we’re able to do so.
We are committed to our teams who call Central Florida home and to all of our Cast Members around the world, and I want to thank you for your continued dedication to Disney Parks, Experiences and Products and for delivering world-class entertainment for our guests.
Josh
The site plan, which can be seen below, called for 6 office buildings, two flex space buildings, and a central plant totaling over 1.8 million square feet of space.
The campus would’ve been utilized by the Disney Parks division of The Walt Disney Company. The relocation of 2,000 Cast Members from California to Orlando was originally announced in July 2021. The move was previously delayed from a 2023 move-in date all the way to 2026.
D’Amaro said that he still hopes that Disney can invest a planned $17 billion into Walt Disney World over the next decade.
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This is strike one for that idiot DeSantis. Keep it up ya freakin’ baby-man and Disney will pull more out of Florida.
Seems like a prudent decision, but how about the hostile employees that don’t want to move? Disney is in no position to lecture Florida about how to treat employers or employees.