Will the 2024 U.S. Election affect Walt Disney World?
Magic Kingdom
This coming November, the United States will hold the 60th presidential election in the country’s history between incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. While it should go without saying that the election will have far-reaching ramifications across American society, to pull things “closer to home” as it were, there’s also a chance it may affect Walt Disney World going forward.
For much of the last three years, Disney was in the midst of a political tug-of-war with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. The issues began when Disney spoke out against the DeSantis-backed Parental Rights in Education Act legislation. Because the law had become a nationwide flashpoint issue, the Disney and DeSantis battle became part of the larger “culture war” that currently dominates U.S. politics.
ABC News
DeSantis, who was running for the Republican presidential nomination at the time, amped up his feud with Disney by challenging the company’s long-established “special district” standing in Florida. Over several years of back and forth, DeSantis essentially gutted the Reedy Creek Improvement District, replacing it with the governor-appointed Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.
©Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board Livestream
The Disney/DeSantis feud has cooled over the course of 2024, culminating in a massive new deal between Disney and the state of Florida that was approved this spring. However, with the presidential election exacerbating tensions in the country to new heights — including a Disney boycott being floated by conservative commentator Sean Hannity — and DeSantis coming to the end of his second term (and bumping up against term limits) in 2026, it doesn’t seem out of the realm of possibility that tensions could flare up again in 2025 into 2026. This would be especially true if the candidate on either side of the political divide calculates that invoking Disney’s name may help their chance at victory.
Disney vs. DeSantis
Speaking of Florida’s 2026 gubernatorial election, it seems likely that the race will only further exacerbate the already volatile political climate in the state. That in turn may affect whether domestic U.S. travelers — and perhaps even international travelers — travel to the state.
Orlando International Airport
All that being said, there is one much less serious but more direct way that the upcoming election will affect Walt Disney World. As has been the case for every presidential election that’s occurred since Walt Disney World opened in 1971, the Magic Kingdom’s Hall of Presidents will be updated to reflect the results. However, no matter which candidate prevails, this refurbishment will be the first of its kind. If Harris wins, she will become the first woman added to the attraction. If Trump wins, he will be the first president during the attraction’s lifespan (and only second in United States history) to serve two non-consecutive terms as president.
Hall of Presidents
While there are obviously much bigger issues at play going into the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election on November 5th, the event may have some long-term effects on Walt Disney World going into 2025 and 2026. Stay tuned to DFB for further coverage of the election’s effects on Walt Disney World.
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Will the election change your plans for an upcoming Disney World vacation? Let us know in the comments below.
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I’ve been going to Disney World for at least 30 years. I’ve taken our family at least once a year. I have a trip scheduled for October and February. It is absolutely disgusting to me that you are making Mickey become political!!!!!!! I can’t tell you how many thousands of dollars I have spent at Disney World. It is a magical escape from the stresses of life and something I look forward to every year. You are stealing this away from me and my family. I thought Disney was above this. I can’t tell you how disappointed and upset this makes me. Please stop I can continue going to Disney!!!!
I would only be affected if disney makes a Kamala Harris with a blond wig and give her President Trump voice. The President Trump in Hall of Presidents looks like menopause hillary!
We are going to Disney World in a couple of months and I so hope the republicans boycott. Less crowded, nicer people, and for us it will truly be the happiest place on earth.
Your future Disney trip absolutely will be affected by who becomes elected president in 2024. If the one gets elected there will be no extra money for the middle class to take trips to Disney because inflation will only continue to rise. It’s why some investors won’t make money moves in an election year until we know who a president will be. And don’t blame Republicans for fighting for the rights of children, if the core of that bill DeSantis passed offends you, then you should do some soul searching. Disney World needs to do better and not remove Rivers of America. That project will take 5 years (see Epcot) or more. I thought Disney was all about being environmental aware, why are they draining rivers and paving over trees and wildlife?
The election MAY make a difference to us. We are already scheduled for a long trip in January 2025, but if things become too crazy after the election, I will NOT be spending my $21,000 in Orlando!
Not sure why one would say DFB is “making things political” for simply reporting the facts. Florida politics has already changed or eliminated some things Disney planned. Further, various groups over the years have called for boycotts of Disney parks when the Company did not follow their personal religious or political beliefs. Any company that expects to exist in the future must pay attention to who is in charge of our states and county, as well as who is representing us in legislative bodies. That’s just real life. It is up to us as individuals if we want to be upset that the real world can have an effect on our fantasy place, or if we take the opportunity to let it go for a few hours or days and enjoy what Disney has to offer. (Also, no need to make insulting remarks about any other public figure, please. That’s not why we are here.)
First Desantis made Disney political! Not Disney they we’re defending a political attack! Inclusion of Everyone was Walt’s legacy! It is your choice to call or see it as political! Think Epcot! Walt looked at us as one!
I moved to Fl to make it easier to go and I will continue to go as long as I am able! I refuse to let prejudice and one pompous Governor ruin that for me!
Disney Dawn I am right there with you.