Disney has decided to cancel its plans for a nearly $900 million corporate campus in Florida and is also shutting down its Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel, citing changing economic and business conditions. The decision comes amid a high-profile dispute with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, following Disney’s opposition to the state’s controversial “Don’t Say Gay Bill.” The campus was intended to be a significant development in Lake Nona, Orlando, housing about 2,000 employees relocated from Southern California. The Star Wars hotel, a unique and immersive experience with high operational costs, opened just last year but will close by the end of September. Disney’s move reflects broader cost-cutting measures, including a reduction of 7,000 jobs and $5.5 billion in expenses across the company. The conflict between Disney and Governor DeSantis has escalated, with Disney filing a federal lawsuit claiming retaliation for exercising its First Amendment rights.
Disney cancels a nearly $900 million corporate campus project in Lake Nona, Florida, and the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel.
The decision was influenced by changing economic and business conditions, amidst a dispute with Governor Ron DeSantis.
The conflict began after Disney opposed Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay Bill,” leading to legislative moves by DeSantis against the company.
The Lake Nona campus was planned to be a significant development, housing 2,000 employees with an average salary of $120,000.
The Star Wars hotel, an immersive experience with high operational costs, opened in March 2022 but will close by September’s end.
Disney is undertaking broader cost-cutting measures, including the reduction of 7,000 jobs and $5.5 billion in expenses.
Disney has filed a federal lawsuit against Governor DeSantis and Florida lawmakers, claiming retaliation against the company.
Disney CEO Robert Iger had committed to investing $17 billion in Florida over the next decade, a plan now uncertain.
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The Wall Street Journal is an American business-focused international daily newspaper headquartered in New York City and published by Dow Jones & Company, a division of News Corp. It is one of the most widely circulated newspapers in the United States, renowned for its comprehensive financial journalism, deep market analysis, and corporate reporting. Alongside its objective news gathering, the WSJ is also well-known for its separate editorial board, which generally advocates for free markets and conservative economic policies.
