Disney recently shared an Oxford Economics study suggesting its California and Florida parks have quite an impact – about $66.9 billion a year for the US economy. That figure, of course, includes direct spending, plus all the knock-on effects, and it supports more than 403,000 jobs across the nation. This covers not just park employees, but also people working for related companies and those benefiting from tourism.
The analysis takes into account things like how much Disney spends on running the parks, building stuff, salaries, and what visitors spend on things like hotels, transportation, and shopping.
Economic Ripple Effects
The report, which came out as Disneyland Park celebrated its 70th anniversary in Anaheim, really highlights how much a dollar can stretch: every $1 million put into the Disney parks, or spent there, seems to generate another $1.2 million in other parts of the US economy, think logistics or manufacturing. This impact really does spread across all 50 states, driven primarily by Disneyland Resort in California along with Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
California’s Contribution
Disneyland Resort gave Southern California a $16.1 billion boost back in 2023, helping to sustain more than 102,000 jobs. In Orange County, about one in every 20 jobs is somehow tied to Disney, helped along by contracts with various suppliers and tour companies. President Thomas Mazloum has pointed out that the resort's effect is long-lasting, constantly bringing in visitors from all over the world.
Florida’s Economic Boost
Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando had a $40.3 billion impact on the economy, supporting over 263,000 jobs. In central Florida, roughly one in eight jobs is linked to Disney, and statewide, about one in 32—fueled by both local and international tourism, investment in infrastructure, and visitor spending outside the parks themselves.
A Huge $30 Billion Investment Plan
Now, Disney has committed to investing $30 billion in improvements to their U.S. parks between 2025 and 2033. This includes expanding Magic Kingdom in Florida, adding a Tropical Americas area at Animal Kingdom, and introducing new attractions inspired by films like Encanto, Indiana Jones, Cars, Avatar, Coco, and Monsters, Inc. Over in California, the plans involve expanding Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure and making some upgrades to Fantasyland and Tomorrowland.
70th Celebrations
The 70th anniversary event in Anaheim included new shows, parades, fireworks, and exhibits showcasing the park’s history. Creative director Susana Tubert mentioned how familiar sights and sounds evoke powerful emotions. Attendees could enjoy priority access, and there were art performances along Main Street U.S.A. Disney reaffirms that Magic Kingdom and Disneyland remain the most visited parks worldwide, according to data from the Themed Entertainment Association.
