For decades, Disney’s domestic theme parks have driven tourism, job creation, and tax revenue in Southern California and Central Florida. On Thursday, the company revealed its broader impact on the U.S., reporting a national economic impact of $67 billion annually.
Disney’s National Economic Footprint
“Disney defines the themed entertainment business in America, and our presence is felt across the country,” said Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences. “Our destinations create economies far beyond the gates of our parks, and when we invest in groundbreaking experiences, growth follows.”
Economic Impact Breakdown
The new report, compiled by Tourism Economics, includes data from Disneyland in California, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, and additional nationwide spending spurred by the company. The economic impact was measured through direct spending at Disney parks, local spending on services like restaurants and hotels, and indirect impacts like goods and services purchased to support the parks. Induced impacts, or employee spending, were also considered.
Regional Contributions
Tourism Economics determined that Walt Disney World Resort contributed $40 billion to Florida’s economy in fiscal year 2022, while Disneyland Resort impacted Southern California to the tune of $16 billion in fiscal year 2023. Combined, the parks generated a $10 billion annual economic impact across the rest of the country.
Job Creation
The report also revealed that Disney supports over 400,000 jobs in the U.S. In Orange County, California, one in every 20 jobs is tied to Disney, and in Central Florida, one in every eight jobs is attributed to the company.
Future Expansion Plans
Looking ahead, Disney plans to invest $30 billion in domestic capital expenditures by 2033. This includes the largest-ever expansion of the Magic Kingdom, with new sections based on Disney’s villains and a revamped Frontierland. A new tropical Americas land is coming to Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios will feature a new “Monsters Inc.” land. In California, Avengers Campus at California Adventure is set to double in size, with additional attractions based on “Coco” and “Avatar” at Disneyland.
