Disney to develop a brand-new regional campus in Central Florida for Disney Parks, Experiences and Products segment including Walt Disney Imagineering

Jul 15, 2021 in "The Walt Disney Company"

Posted: Thursday July 15, 2021 5:16pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney Parks Chairman Josh D'Amaro has today announced that The Walt Disney Company is developing a new regional campus in Orlando that will serve as a Central Florida regional hub for the Disney Parks, Experiences and Products segment.

Located in Lake Nona, the new campus will complement Disney's operations in Southern California and its regional hub in the New York City area. Initially, the new campus will be home to more than 2000 Cast, Imagineers and employees. The relocation to Florida will take place over the next 18 months, and has been in the planning stages since 2019.

In a memo to staff, D'Amaro said, "While we are still determining exactly which of our team members will be based there, we expect that most Southern California-based DPEP professional roles that are not fully dedicated to the Disneyland Resort or, in some cases, the international parks business, will be asked to relocate to this new Florida campus."

He continued, "Expanding our already significant DPEP footprint in Florida makes sense. In addition to Florida's business-friendly climate, this new regional campus gives us the opportunity to consolidate our teams and be more collaborative and impactful both from a creative and operational standpoint."

This announcement is a hugely significant development for Disney World, which will undoubtedly benefit from having Walt Disney Imagineering and others from the DPEP segment based in Central Florida. It is also a massive boost to the Central Florida economy with Disney strengthening its already heavy presence in the state.

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    Bullseye1967Mar 18, 2025

    In theory you want 12% to 15%. to be a good market so it is not far off. Commercial properties are not one size fits all. Do I want an office with a reception, 2 offices and 1 suite, or do I want a reception, 4 offices, and 2 suites. Not every customer is looking for the same thing.

    Disstevefan1Mar 17, 2025

    Oh yes, I got mixed up, yes, it was the Lake Nona folks who did not want them there, but I have no receipts to prove that.

    mktMar 17, 2025

    Clermont and Minneola are somewhat transient still. I don’t know the specific numbers, plenty of people are leaving there as well. The complaints I’ve heard are about the infrastructure not being designed to support a population boom, mediocre public schools compared to neighboring counties, and just being far from everything.

    mktMar 17, 2025

    What does Dr. Phillips have to do with that? Disney was going to open in lake Nona, the other side of town.

    Disstevefan1Mar 17, 2025

    I know some Imagineers had already planned to move from California to FL, but how many really would have done it? I heard most did not want to anyway, and I head folks in Dr. Philips did not want them there anyway?

    LilofanMar 17, 2025

    To get FL insurance on a home is a slippery slope. Some insurers won't even insure homes built before 1999 and or one needs to pass the dreaded 4 point insurance inspection prior to getting insurance. Good luck in passing which includes $$ thousands in repairs to pass the 4 point.

    GoofyernmostMar 17, 2025

    I have to think that Disney took advantage of the opportunity to cut bait on that whole project when The governor decided to make a name for himself and go after Disney. The only thing that was hurt in that whole fiasco was the state of Florida via the Governor who was also negatively affected. They were already getting push back from those that would have been required to leave Cali and move to Florida to keep their jobs. Classic example of both Government and Big Business not thinking things beyond the moment.

    Disstevefan1Mar 17, 2025

    If Orlando's 17% commercial vacancy rate highlights the continued struggles, What is a "Good" commercial vacancy rate? If too low or zero then it would be called "The lack of commercial space highlights the struggles.."

    StripesMar 17, 2025

    Imagineering now has nearly as many people in Florida as Universal Creative does. Bear in mind, Universal Creative's global headquarters are in Orlando whereas WDI is still in Glendale.

    JoeCamelMar 17, 2025

    Maybe the high bar (price+insurance+interest rate) is why 8 months so not many can enter the market? I know they are packing them into Clearmont (are they? IDK) but not really a rosy outlook

    mktMar 17, 2025

    Tight residential market? Orlando has 8 months of inventory available.

    JoeCamelMar 16, 2025

    How is the market in Glendale?

    Bobby GabrielMar 16, 2025

    Orlando's 17% commercial vacancy rate highlights the continued struggles in the commercial real estate sector, which contrasts sharply with the tight residential market. This pattern isn't unique to Orlando. The commercial sector's recovery will likely require significant adaptation, possibly including conversion of some commercial spaces to residential or mixed-use developments to better align with current demand patterns.

    LilofanOct 02, 2024

    And earn the sweat shop wages of where Apple Disney etc and many other US companies have production locations for company products in - Asia.