Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' office responds to Disney abandoning plans for Lake Nona campus

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Disney's abandoned Lake Nona campus

Posted: Thursday May 18, 2023 4:20pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

The office of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has released a brief statement in response to the news that Disney has abandoned its plans to build a massive east coast headquarters complex in Lake Nona.

DeSantis' press secretary, Jeremy Redfern, has told local news outlets that, "Disney announced the possibility of a Lake Nona campus nearly two years ago. Nothing ever came of the project, and the state was unsure whether it would come to fruition."

He continued, "Given the company's financial straits, falling market cap and declining stock price, it is unsurprising that they would restructure their business operations and cancel unsuccessful ventures."

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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.