ORLANDO, Fla. — Editor’s note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal.
Recent comments made by top execs of The Walt Disney Co. about its future investment plans and the ongoing feud with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis could have big business implication for Central Florida — $17 billion worth. But how may that come to fruition, many experts wonder?
During the Burbank, California-based company’s (NYSE: DIS) 2023 shareholder meeting in early April, Disney CEO Bob Iger said the company plans to invest $17 billion at Walt Disney World over the next 10 years. In addition, he said those investments will create 13,000 Disney jobs and thousands more indirect jobs. Then again, that proposed investment was included in the company’s lawsuit filed on April 26 against DeSantis and other officials.
On the surface, $17 billion is a lot for most businesses to fathom, but in the theme park world it can be visualized pretty quickly. For example, Disney’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge lands — at Walt Disney World and Disneyland in California — were estimated to cost $1 billion, and in comparison, Universal Orlando Resort’s Epic Universe theme park slated to open in 2024 also has at least a $1 billion price tag.
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