BREAKING: Disney Cancels Lake Nona Relocation Plans, Cites ‘Changing Business Conditions’

Amid rising tensions with Governor Ron DeSantis, Disney has made a huge announcement regarding the future of the Lake Nona relocation project.

In a memo released to Cast Members and staff not long ago, Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro shared that the plans to relocate Disney Imagineering to Lake Nona, Florida have been effectively cancelled. Disney will also will also no longer be requiring California-based employees to relocate.

The Lake Nona plans were estimated to cost over $1 billion dollars, bringing new career opportunities to Central Florida.

Below is the memo released to Cast today, with D’Amaro citing that this decision “was not an easy one”:

Team,

I wanted to let you know that we’ve just begun communication regarding our updated plans for the Lake Nona campus.

As many of you know, the company has decided to build a new Disney campus in Lake Nona and many cast members, Imagineers, and employees were asked to commit to making a move to Florida. While some were excited about the new campus, I know that this decision and the circumstances surrounding it have been difficult for others. 

Given the considerable changes that have occurred since the announcement of this project, including new leadership and changing business conditions, we have decided not to move forward with the construction of the campus. This was not an easy decision to make, but I believe it is the right one. As a result, we will no longer be asking our employees to relocate. For those who have already moved, we will talk to you individually about your situation, including the possibility of you moving back.

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. We have plans to invest $17 billion and create 13,000 jobs over the next ten years. I hope we’re able to do so.

We are committed to our teams who call Central Florida home and to all our Cast Members around the world, and I want to thank you for your continued dedication to Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products for delivering world-class entertainment for our guests.

Josh

What do you think? Should Disney scrap their plans at Lake Nona? Should they continue on despite rising tension with Governor DeSantis? Let us know!

Stay in the know! Follow Streaming the Magic on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for the latest Disney, Universal, and theme park news.