Earlier today, Josh D’Amaro, chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products shared with Cast Members, Imagineers and employees that the company is developing a new regional campus based in Lake Nona in Orlando, Florida.
Lake Nona Town Center courtesy of Lake Nona
- D’Amaro shared a letter with Cast Members today announcing the new Lake Nona Campus for the Walt Disney Company:
- “…now that we’ve secured the location, I want to share news about an exciting project that has been in various stages of planning since 2019. This new project will create a dynamic environment to support our expanding business – a brand-new regional campus which will be built in the vibrant Lake Nona community of Orlando, Florida.”
- D’Amaro mentions that this new campus will be home to more than 2,000 Cast Members, Imagineers, and Employees:
- “Initially, our new campus will be home to more than 2,000 Cast, Imagineers and employees – driving further collaboration and creativity and allowing us to better integrate our business and functional teams.”
- He went on to talk about the role Central Florida has played for Disney:
- “With more than 60,000 Cast Members, Imagineers and employees, Central Florida has long been home to many of our businesses including the Walt Disney World Resort and most of our Disney Signature Experiences team. It is also where members of other DPEP businesses reside, including Consumer Products, Games and Publishing and Walt Disney Imagineering, and serves as the hub for many support functions that assist our segment and the entire company. Throughout the past 50 years, we’ve been proud of the major role Disney has played in making Central Florida the thriving community it is today.”
- As for those in California, D’Amaro’s letter also mentions potential relocation for those employees:
- "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. Certain corporate roles that primarily support DPEP, along with a few other select enterprise functions will also move to this campus."
- According to the letter, these roles will be relocated from California to the new Lake Nona campus over the next 18 months.
- Finally, D’Amaro shared his appreciation for the entire DPEP team and again stressed the importance of this new campus:
- “I truly appreciate the immense dedication and hard work across our entire DPEP organization and the incredible contributions each of you have made—especially over this very difficult past year and a half. I realize that we are in a period of ongoing transformation, but that transformation will be the catalyst that sparks growth, collaboration and new ideas for the future. “
Full Letter from Josh D’Amaro
“Team,
All of you have heard me talk about the vision for our organization – daring us to dream big and think differently. This vision is consistent across The Walt Disney Company. I have challenged each of you to help reinvent our business … to focus on how we can grow exponentially instead of incrementally, while respecting our traditions and legacy. As we build the future of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, I truly believe we will continue to enhance our storytelling, innovative products and shared experiences in ways our guests have never dreamed before.
In order to do that we must continue to provide an environment which allows our Cast to dream, create and deliver Disney magic every day. And now that we’ve secured the location, I want to share news about an exciting project that has been in various stages of planning since 2019. This new project will create a dynamic environment to support our expanding business – a brand-new regional campus which will be built in the vibrant Lake Nona community of Orlando, Florida. With more than 60,000 Cast Members, Imagineers and employees, Central Florida has long been home to many of our businesses including the Walt Disney World Resort and most of our Disney Signature Experiences team. It is also where members of other DPEP businesses reside, including Consumer Products, Games and Publishing and Walt Disney Imagineering, and serves as the hub for many support functions that assist our segment and the entire company. Throughout the past 50 years, we’ve been proud of the major role Disney has played in making Central Florida the thriving community it is today.
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.
Initially, our new campus will be home to more than 2,000 Cast, Imagineers and employees – driving further collaboration and creativity and allowing us to better integrate our business and functional teams. 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. Certain corporate roles that primarily support DPEP, along with a few other select enterprise functions will also move to this campus.
As someone who has moved with my family from California to Florida and back again, I understand that relocation is a big change, not only for the employee, but also for their families. Therefore, moving these roles to Central Florida will take place throughout the next 18 months, providing flexibility in timing to accommodate individual situations and needs. I recognize that many of you will have to make a significant decision in the coming months and we are committed to approaching this project and all who are impacted with the utmost care and compassion. I want to personally assure you that we will provide the necessary information, assistance and relocation resources to support those of you that will be affected.
Florida is known for its rich culture of hospitality and active lifestyle as well as a lower cost of living with no state income tax. I encourage you to connect with your colleagues in Central Florida about their experiences living in the Sunshine State and visit our newly created website, which provides more information about the Lake Nona area, the Central Florida community and all the outstanding amenities and services it has to offer.
The Walt Disney Company also remains committed to its presence in California, including its continued investment in the Disneyland Resort which serves as an engine for economic growth, job creation and opportunity.
I know many of you will have specific questions, so this afternoon, my executive committee members, supported by Human Resources, will be hosting virtual meetings to share additional details with the impacted teams. Please look for that invitation so you can learn more.
I truly appreciate the immense dedication and hard work across our entire DPEP organization and the incredible contributions each of you have made—especially over this very difficult past year and a half. I realize that we are in a period of ongoing transformation, but that transformation will be the catalyst that sparks growth, collaboration and new ideas for the future.
Thank you,
Josh”