Study says Disney has annual $40 billion impact on Florida economy
Posted
From Disney's release:
Walt Disney World Resort—one of the world’s most popular vacation destinations—generated $40 billion in economic impact across the state of Florida and more than a quarter of a million total jobs in fiscal year 2022. That’s according to a new study from Oxford Economics, which was announced on Tuesday.
The study noted that Disney—which has boosted Florida’s economy, tourism, and small businesses for the last 50 years—has generated 263,000 direct and indirect jobs in the state. That’s 1 out of every 32 jobs in Florida, including Disney’s workforce of 82,000 across the state.
In fact, the study showed that without Disney’s impact, Florida’s unemployment rate would jump from 3% to 5.4%. The company also generates $6.6 billion in tax revenue.
Read a summary from Axios, and the full release from The Walt Disney Company.
“Economic impact” is an interesting and sexy metric for marketing and PR folks to use when it comes to parks and when used in the right context, can make a compelling argument toward the economic benefits of an attraction.
About a decade ago, I was working for a large park that was located in a relatively small community (big fish in a small pond) and I remember us hiring a consultant company and spent some decent money coming up with our economic impact to our local community and region.
I remember that a lot of the data being interpretative and subjective, but in many of our subsequent PR initiatives, we touted our economic impact data as a talking point toward the positive nature of our existence.
Did it move the needle at all toward our reputation? I have no idea. But the data and talking points were compelling to say the least.
I'm not sure you even need the study to make the point. There are no other spots inland in Florida that grew like the Orlando metro. We were at a community orchestra concert yesterday at our one-of-the-top concert halls in the world (for real, in Orlando), and as they were playing Disney music, the conductor made the point that everyone in the room is, was or knows a cast member. The only other similar situation I can recall was Seattle and Microsoft. Now add everything from the airport to hundreds of hotels, restaurants and things to support millions of annual visitors. None of that would exist were it not for Disney.
Jeff - Editor - CoasterBuzz.com - My Blog
True. But without Disney my orange juice would be a lot cheaper - what else is Florida going to do to make money???
And Desantis has no concerns about putting that at risk because Disney hurt his ego with a softly worded letter.
Desantis has no concerns about putting that at risk because Disney hurt his ego with a softly worded letter.
Considering his implosion on CNN last night, and in the polls, and with donors and supporters in his own state... I am pretty sure Iger and Co won't quit now. Especially with Orange giving Universal their own district, I am sure the House of Mouse will win in the end.
I mean look at this dropped on YouTube the same day.
It blows my mind how many vendors, contractors, and local business there are just to support Disney. Some even have their own shops setup on Disney property and only service Disney, both corporate and local companies. They get so much work from Disney that they stopped taking contracts elsewhere around Central Florida. Adena Construction from Ohio (builder of Cedar Point rides) now has a shop down here in Florida for the parks. This applies to bakeries, florists, sign shops, landscapers, artists, car detailers, etc. So many small and large business to keep the parks operating.
A friend of mine started a scenic paint shop with her friend a couple years ago. It is just the two of them, small operation, but they won the bid to paint all of the 50th statue pedestals in all 4 parks. So when you see one of those statues, know that the base was painted by two girls working out of the back of their Jeep. There are so many stories just like theirs.
-Chris
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