Great news if you love competing at Walt Disney World!
Disney and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis have reached a groundbreaking agreement that paves the way for Disney to expand its iconic Florida theme park empire. This exciting development follows a lengthy dispute triggered by Disney’s opposition to DeSantis’ controversial “Don’t Say Gay” law, which has since been moderated.
On Wednesday, the DeSantis-appointed board overseeing the rebranded Central Florida Tourism Oversight District greenlighted Disney’s ambitious plan to invest up to $17 billion in its Orlando resort. This plan includes the addition of a fifth major theme park, new waterparks, and luxurious hotels.
“This new development agreement paves the way for us to invest billions of dollars in Walt Disney World Resort, supporting the growth of this global destination, fueling the Florida economy, and allowing us to deliver even more memorable and extraordinary experiences for our guests,” said Jeff Vahle, president of Walt Disney World Resort.
For the cheerleading community, this news is particularly thrilling. With most major cheerleading competitions held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort, these expansions promise to elevate the experience for competitors and fans alike.
Disney’s parks and experiences division generated a whopping $32.5 billion in revenue for fiscal year 2023, marking a 16% increase from the previous year. Disney has committed to spending $60 billion on its parks worldwide over the next decade, with a significant portion of that investment coming to Florida. The $17 billion earmarked for Orlando includes new attractions at Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, as well as a new hotel. The potential for such an addition is enormous.
The last major addition to Disney’s Orlando resort was the 580-acre Animal Kingdom park in 1998, which cost nearly $1 billion. This latest agreement allows Disney to push forward with its expansion plans while helping DeSantis mend relations with Florida’s largest employer.
For cheerleading competitors and fans, this means a new excitement to look forward to for their major competitions at Walt Disney World. Get ready for a future filled with new attractions, enhanced experiences, and unforgettable memories!
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