How Much Disney Matters to Florida
The Walt Disney Company finds itself in the weirdest possible position.
Ordinarily, politicians revere the largest corporate taxpayer in a state. That’s not the case in Florida, though.
Photo: Disney
Instead, Disney has entered into a protracted battle with Florida’s legislature and governor for reasons passing understanding.
This befuddling feud has caused multiple reporters to debate Disney’s value to the Sunshine State.
Photo: The Walt Disney Company
Here’s how much Disney matters to Florida.
The National Media Discusses Disney vs. DeSantis
Credit: WESH2
I’ll combine the reporting done by NBC News and The Financial Times (FT) and add some of my own.
Both reporters sound understandably mystified by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ very public feud with Disney.
Photo: Fox35Orlando.com
NBC News states: “It’s hard to overstate Disney’s impact on the Florida economy — which is a centerpiece of Ron DeSantis’ political story.”
Meanwhile, FT described Disney as having “dealt an embarrassing blow to DeSantis.”
Photo: AP
That article also questions the legality of what Florida’s government has done. It sources a Central Florida lawyer who states:
“Disney has a contractual right and the state can’t just take away that right by legislative decision whenever it wants.”
Photo:leg.state.fl.us
As previously mentioned, Florida intends to nullify Disney’s final Reedy Creek agreement. And the question on the minds of many people is…why?
As NBC News entails, Disney’s contributions to Florida are extraordinary and have been for many years!
Disney Is the Proverbial Golden Goose
According to the Themed Entertainment Association (T.E.A.), 36.2 million tourists visited Walt Disney World in calendar 2021.
That’s a staggering number in and of itself. Still, you should add an asterisk to the total because the pandemic negatively impacted the numbers.
In calendar 2019, 58.8 million travelers vacationed at Walt Disney World.
That’s nearly five million people visiting Florida each month because of Disney.
Image: OrlandoAirports.net
You don’t need to have earned an A in Civics to understand the myriad ways this relationship benefits the Sunshine State.
Disney has created approximately 100,000 jobs in Florida, and some argue the number is even higher.
Photo: Disney
The company itself employs 75,000 cast members in and around Walt Disney World.
Meanwhile, Disney-related subcontractors and their employees comprise another 16,000.
Photo: travellemming.com
Then, we can add the tens of thousands of people who work at nearby resorts, condos, restaurants, and merchandise stores.
None of those places would exist without Disney. This data explains a comment in the FT article:
Photo:florida Supreme Court
“(There) is a sense that some Republican members of the legislature would like him to cool the rhetoric on Disney, the state’s largest employer.”
I believe they’re realizing the old maxims about looking gift horses in the mouth or killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.
Credit: Disney
In this specific instance, the goose is a mouse named Mickey, and he has the Midas Touch with tourists.
Speaking of which, Disney pays more than $1.1 billion in tax revenue annually.
Photo: Moneycrashers.com
So, when Florida’s governor asks Disney to pay its taxes, I can’t help but wonder, “What do you think they’ve been doing?”
Based on current data, Disney alone represents roughly three percent of all tax revenue in Florida…and I’m not including cottage industries, just Disney.
Photo: Wikimedia
You can understand why other states would love Disney to build a park there.
Disney By the Numbers
Photo: Getty
Let’s evaluate Disney’s impact in other ways. Remember that 58.8 million number?
The Census Bureau currently estimates Florida’s population at 22.2 million.
In other words, more than twice as many people visit Disney as live in Florida.
Photo: Travel and Leisure
You may wonder how this compares to Disneyland. This statistic isn’t apples to apples due to the different behaviors of the two parks.
Disneyland caters more to locals, while Walt Disney World attracts a larger percentage of out-of-state guests.
Photo: Disney Parks
The attendance numbers at Disneyland from 2019, the last full year before the pandemic, indicated roughly 29 million guests at the two parks.
While I believe the number is high, we’ll use it for the same calculation.
Photo: Scott Brinegar
The Census Bureau estimates California’s population at 39 million. So, the park entices roughly three tourists for every four state residents.
At Florida, there are approximately ten tourists for every three state residents!
Yes, Walt Disney World matters more than three times as much to Florida as Disneyland does to California, at least in terms of tourists.
From a tax revenue and employment perspective, the gap is much more dramatic.
While the NBC News article doesn’t belabor the point, Florida spent $492 million on the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Then, the state budgeted $593 million for the Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
Photo: Getty
Disney’s taxes alone effectively paid the $1.1 billion for these departments!
Well, that would be true if Florida were using its Disney tax money effectively.
Instead, we have this tidbit from FT: “All of the tax money that funds the new district now controlled by the governor’s appointees is tax money from Disney…Disney is actually paying the attorneys that are fighting them in court.”
That’s a real thing that is happening as Florida punishes its rainmaker.
Other Disney Benefits
Photo: Washington Post
I’m really just scratching the surface here, as Disney’s taxable revenue will increase in future years.
Since October 2021, I’ve posted a private joke here many times. My wife found it absolutely outrageous that the price of Disney Genie+ includes tax.
Anytime she mentions the price, she bitterly adds, “PLUS TAX!” So, I’ve started doing it as well.
Strangely, this aggravation for tourists represents a boon for the state of Florida. THEY GET THAT TAX MONEY!!!
Photo: Disney
So, when Disney Genie+ costs $35 plus tax, as it did during Easter Week 2023, the state of Florida earns $2.28 thanks solely to Disney.
Every time Disney introduces a new amenity that increases its tourist per capita spending, Florida benefits.
Also, as NBC News mentions, there’s this extra bonus:
“After all, not all those millions of Disney visitors actually stay at the park.
Some stay at nearby hotels and eat at area restaurants. Some go on side day trips. Those bills all generate tax receipts too.”
We’re ready!
Yes, Walt Disney World has proven itself as a revenue windfall for Florida for more than 50 years. And that’s why I’d gently suggest it’s time for politicians to pick a different battle.
You’re senselessly kicking your golden goose. I’d politely remind you that geese are capable of flying elsewhere and building new habitats.
Photo: MickeyBlog
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Feature Photo: Disney
