Walt Disney is not going to invest hundreds of millions in Florida. The company wanted to build a campus for 2,000 employees who would move to the US state. But a conflict with Governor Ron DeSantis throws a spanner in the works.
“Given the major changes since the announcement of this project, such as new leadership and operating conditions, we have decided to halt construction on the campus,” said Disney Director Josh D’Amaro. The construction plans were presented in 2021.
The amusement park operator would invest nearly a billion dollars in the company campus. Employees, such as designers of attractions, had to move there. Some of the staff didn’t like that at all and complained. But what Disney ran into most of all was Florida’s Republican governor.
DeSantis took the ‘Don’t say gaylaw’, which prohibits teachers from discussing sexual orientation. Initially, Disney did not comment on this controversial law. When the company subsequently received a lot of criticism, CEO Bob Chapek said that Disney is behind the LGBTIQ+ community. Since then, according to Disney, DeSantis has done everything it can to contain the power of the company.
Governor threatens prison near Disney World
For example, DeSantis wanted to abolish the special status of Disney World theme park. This status allows the amusement park to arrange matters relating to the police, fire brigade and development plans itself. DeSantis said “Woke Disney” doesn’t need to get special treatment in Florida.
Furthermore, De Santis threatens to build a prison at Disney World. He also wants to place the technical control of roller coasters at the Disney theme park with the state of Florida. Other amusement parks should still be allowed to go over that themselves.
According to Disney CEO Bob Iger, the company has more than 75,000 employees in Florida. Walt Disney World would attract millions of visitors every year.
2023-05-19 07:06:46
#Disney #pulls #construction #plans #harassment #Florida #governor #Economy
