Disney caused an earthquake in Florida by announcing, Thursday, May 18, that it was giving up setting up a new campus there of more than 16 hectares, which would have accommodated 2,000 employees from California paid an average of 120,000 dollars per year (110 000 euros). This headquarters, whose final cost was now estimated at nearly $1.3 billion, was to be located about thirty kilometers from the gigantic Disney World amusement park, just on the other side of the international airport of Disney. ‘Orlando. This announcement comes in conjunction with the closure of Galactic Starcruiser, one of Disney World’s most expensive attractions where guests are completely immersed in a “Star Wars” adventure for days.
This is admittedly a management decision, as Disney has seen its profits plummet from $11 billion before the pandemic to just $3.5 billion in 2022. Disney is downsizing 7,000 people and cut $5.5 billion in creative and administrative budgets. But it is above all a political retaliation against Ron DeSantis, the Republican governor of Florida who is waging an “anti-woke” war against the leisure company born in California. Disney’s decision is being made public as Mr DeSantis is due to announce his candidacy for the Republican primary for the 2024 presidential election next week. “Disney unplugs a billion dollar development in Florida”title the New York Times.
“Given the significant changes that have occurred since this project was announced, including new management and changing business conditions, we have decided not to proceed with the construction of the campus”, Disney Parks Manager Josh D’Amaro said in an email to staff. This seat was one of the initiatives of the former CEO of Disney, Bob Chapek, who had negotiated tax rebates with Florida of up to 570 million dollars over twenty years.
” The door is open “
Among the employees invited to move, hundreds of creators, but also members of the marketing, financial or communication departments. Hundreds of them had already settled in Florida and will have the opportunity to return to California, says the wall street journal. “Disney, the door is open to bring those jobs back to California – the state that truly represents the values of your employees,” California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom jubilant on Thursday evening.
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