The long-standing home of Walt Disney Imagineering is in Glendale, California. Plans were underway to relocate Imagineering to the Lake Nona area of Orlando, Florida, but the project has been officially canceled.
Imagineers who made arrangements or have already moved to Lake Nona are being offered the opportunity to stay or relocate back to California at the expense of The Walt Disney Company.
Disney has simply cited “changing business conditions” as the reason for the cancellation.
It was reported by CNBC that Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney’s Parks, Experiences, and Products division released a memo to employees yesterday announcing that the company will not be moving forward with the construction of the campus, nor will it be asking the more than 2,000 California-based employees to relocate to Florida.
In the memo, D’Amaro says, “This was not an easy decision to make, but I believe it is the right one.”
He also added, “It is clear to me that the power of this brand comes from our incredible people, and we are committed to handling this change with care and compassion.”
“I remain optimistic about the direction of our Walt Disney World business,” D’Amaro stated to employees.
According to D’Amaro, Disney still has plans to invest $17 billion in Florida spanning the next 10 years. This will include 13,000 new jobs. Disney currently employs over 75,000 in Florida alone.
D’Amaro noted that employees who have already relocated to Florida may be able to move back to California.
Surprised that Disney canceled plans to relocate Walt Disney Imagineering to Florida?