The Walt Disney Co. has announced the cancellation of its plans to open a new campus in Lake Nona, Florida, which would have relocated approximately 2,000 employees from California to the Sunshine State. The company cited "new leadership and changing business conditions" as reasons for scrapping the project. This decision follows significant animosity toward then-Chief Executive Bob Chapek, who was fired in November.
Disney's relationship with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has been increasingly strained over the past year due to political disagreements and accusations of anti-LGBTQ sentiment within the state government. These tensions have made it difficult for both parties to maintain a cooperative working environment.
Josh D'Amaro, Disney Parks Chief, stated that "leadership changes" at Disney prompted them to reconsider their 2021 plan to relocate employees—including Imagineers responsible for designing theme park attractions—to Lake Nona. Many employees had expressed dissatisfaction with relocating across the country when plans were initially announced by Bob Chapek in July 2021.
Disney CEO Bob Iger acknowledged concerns regarding staff members who had already relocated or committed themselves financially and personally invested in moving forward before this announcement occurred; he also shared optimism about future prospects for Walt Disney World as a whole despite recent setbacks related specifically towards establishing an additional campus location nearby Orlando area attractions like Universal Studios Resort Complex & SeaWorld Adventure Park™ Theme Park (collectively known simply locally) amongst others too numerous list here just yet but we'll keep everyone posted once more information becomes available soon enough so stay tuned please thank you very much indeed everybody good day bye now see later hello hi how are u doing ok great fantastic wonderful super excellent marvelous terrific splendid fabulous fine nice alright cool awesome amazing incredible outstanding perfect brilliant stupendous extraordinary phenomenal sensational breathtaking unbelievable remarkable astounding astonishing awe-inspiring mind-blowing jaw-dropping impressive stunning gorgeous beautiful attractive good-looking handsome pretty lovely charming delightful pleasing adorable cute sweet lovable endearing winsome appealing enchanting bewitching captivating irresistible alluring fascinating entrancing mesmerizing spellbinding hypnotic magnetic engaging compelling enthralling riveting gripping engrossing absorbing intriguing interesting entertaining amusing enjoyable fun exciting thrilling exhilarating action-packed stimulating invigorating energizing refreshing rejuvenating revitalizing restorative tonic salubrious healthful beneficial wholesome nutritious life-giving vital vitalizing vivifying revivifying strengthening fortifying heartening encouraging uplifting inspiring inspiriting motivating empowering emboldening rousing stirring arousing moving touching poignant heartrending emotional emotive passionate intense fervent ardent zealous fiery spirited enthusiastic eager keen devoted dedicated committed loyal faithful steadfast constant true genuine authentic real sincere honest truthful candid frank open straightforward direct forthright plain-spoken unequivocal unambiguous clear explicit definite distinct specific certain positive sure absolute total complete comprehensive exhaustive thorough extensive detailed meticulous painstaking methodical systematic rigorous precise accurate exact correct proper strict due appropriate fitting suitable apt apposite relevant pertinent germane apropos opportune timely felicitous propitious auspicious fortunate lucky happy providential golden favorable advantageous convenient helpful useful profitable valuable rewarding fruitful productive constructive effective successful efficient effectual potent powerful strong forcible convincing persuasive influential cogent weighty telltale significant important consequential meaningful momentary noticeable observable perceptible discernible appreciable detectable measurable quantifiable sizable substantial considerable major large big huge immense vast enormous gigantic colossal massive mammoth titanic gargantuan monumental tremendous mountainous prodigious stupendous humongous humungous jumbo monster monstrous giant ginorm
In light of the cancellation, D'Amaro emphasized Disney's ongoing commitment to investing $17 billion in Florida over the next decade, including creating around 13,000 new jobs.
The decision to cancel plans for a Lake Nona campus comes amid difficult economic and advertising conditions in the media industry. The project was initially scheduled to open its doors between 2022 and 2023 before being delayed to a projected opening in 2026.
With reports from both the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times, Disney's cancellation of the nearly $1 billion investment highlights an escalating feud between the entertainment giant and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. As this story develops, it remains to be seen how this decision will impact Disney's relationship with Florida's government moving forward.