In the past few years, The Walt Disney Company has had some significant changes.
©Disney | Walt Disney Company Headquarters
Theme parks are getting updated, Disney+ was launched back in 2019, and leadership has switched back and forth a few times. But one of the biggest changes coming for the company is that they’re moving 2000 jobs from California to Central Florida.
A while back, Disney announced plans for a new campus in Lake Nona, a suburb of Orlando, FL. But on Thursday, March 9th the project will go before the development review committee in order to approve the master plan.
Lake Nona Town Center ©Lake Nona
Lake Nona master developer Tavistock Development Co. is acting as applicant on behalf of the landowner, according to Orlando Business Journal. Tavistock Development Co. sold the land to Disney in September 2021 for $46 million. If Disney’s request is approved by the committee, the next steps include “submitting an official site plan, along with elevations, signage, and landscaping plans for the city’s appearance review board.”
©Orlando Business Journal
The final step before groundbreaking on the project would be building permits. The project itself could cost more than $1.3 million to build, according to Disney. Currently, city staff have recommended the request for approval, (subject to conditions outlined in the report) which means the committee will likely follow through and approve the plan.
Map of the Potential Community in Lake Nona ©Orlando Business Journal
Orlando Business Journal has previously reported that “the eight buildings to be constructed on the north side of Lake Nona Boulevard, immediately southwest of Lake Nona Town Center, will be subdivided into six office buildings that will total 1.46 million square feet in space and two flex buildings totaling 346,000 square feet.” More about the project’s timeline will be known as it continues to “ramp up.”
We’ll keep you updated with any more important details about this project, so stay tuned to DFB!
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I’m scratching my head on this one. DeSantis is actively interfering in their business at Walt Disney World and they are still going ahead with moving 2,000 people into what has become a hostile state for anyone who isn’t a white fundamentalist Christian.
The only thing I can think is that they have some backroom agreement with DeSantis. Why they would trust him is beyond me, but business makes strange bedfellows sometimes.
This is clearly an expense saving play for Disney and Disney already knows how much less it costs them per person to have an employee in Florida, vs. California. I hope the majority of the people offered will make the move. They will find Florida less costly for themselves and family too, that the people are friendly and welcoming, and the state and local governments are far less intrusive into their daily lives. Traffic on I-4 may remind them of LA, but not all of Central Florida is like that. As a recently returned Floridian, I say, Welcome!
Maybe Iger’s intention to stay in his lane and out of state politics has something to do with it?
I’m not crazy about more traffic in that area where the VA Hospital is, as I have to go there on occasion. But Disney is spending money in Florida and the area surrounding the Disney compound there.
Apparently there must be some comfort behind closed doors, but based on the RCID situation I would have pulled the plug on moving even one person to Florida. DeSantis needs to suffer. Fortunately Disney will long out live a dangerously crazy governor.
Question, and goes along with the thought above–can DeSantis block this in any way because of his vendetta?
I should think Disney would want to move these jobs to somewhere less hostile to the business community.
Gov DeSantis does not have the authority to block this employee relocation. And further, it looks like the conflict over the Parental Rights in Education Act has simmered down. I think Iger wants Disney to stay out of front-page politics and DeSantis feels like he scored some points. As a reminder to everyone, this thing started over the belief or not that 5, 6, 7 and 8 year olds should receive sexual identity and gender education in school. Florida said not at that age, Chapek said yes. I think most of the citizens of Central Florida, the Disney World Community, think that age is too young for this topic, and further, the topic belongs in the home between parent and child. Governor DeSantis and Chapek went at this when Chapek said he would use Disney muscle and resources to get the law reversed. Florida remains a pro-business state. Disney knows that, hence the go-ahead with the relocation.
I would think they wouldn’t move all their employees there since the state of Florida doesn’t let you speak your mind
I wonder if Disney California workers will actually want to relocate to Desantistan. It is quite interesting Disney is moving ahead with this. Of course Disney knows how to work w backwards governments they have parks all over the world so I guess we will see.
Unfriendly Floridian here! Completely do not want more people moving here! We are already overrun with thousands moving here since covid began. And if people think our business community is ‘hostile’ then by all means, stay away, move to another state, do not visit Disney! I miss the days with no traffic coming in from the south on 4. The days of being able to get on as many rides as we wanted and not have to fight for tables in restaurants! I loved Florida before everyone started moving here:). Stop slamming Florida and our governor and stay out!
I THINK YOU MEANT THAT THIS PROJECT WILL COST $1.3 BILLION TO COMPLETE NOT MILLION.