Nearly 70 years after Disneyland launched the modern theme park industry, Disney continues to play a vital role in driving economic growth, job creation, and small businesses across the United States. Disney Parks & Resorts generated a historic $67 billion in annual economic impact from coast to coast, standing as a cornerstone of America’s tourism economy and beyond, supporting more than 403,000 direct and indirect jobs in California, Florida and in all 50 states.
“Disney defines the themed entertainment business in America, and our presence is felt across the country,” said Josh D’Amaro, Chairman, Disney Experiences. “Our destinations create economies far beyond the gates of our parks, and when we invest in the groundbreaking experiences that only Disney can deliver, growth follows.”
For the last 20 years, Disney has conducted studies on how it impacts local economies where it does business, and a new report prepared by economists from Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company, sheds light on the profound economic impact of the theme park that started it all. Key findings show that Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif. generated $16.1 billion in annual economic impact across Southern California and supports more than 102,000 jobs in the Southern California region (directly and indirectly).
“As we celebrate 70 incredible years in Southern California, we are deeply proud of the lasting impact Disneyland Resort has made — creating thousands of jobs, fueling the local economy and welcoming the world to this extraordinary region,” said Thomas Mazloum, president, Disneyland Resort. “And we’re just getting started — the decades ahead hold even greater promise, and we look forward to growing, evolving and contributing more to the community we call home.”
For the first time, Disney is combining total economic impact and total job creation data from Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort to emphasize the company’s significant contributions to the U.S. economy, across all 50 states.
The report — which builds on previous research about the economic impact of Disney’s operations in Florida in fiscal year 2022 — emerges as Disney advances its plans to accelerate and expand investment. The company’s plan to ‘turbocharge’ the growth of Disney’s domestic parks will increase capital expenditures in the U.S. to $30 billion through 2033, including:
- The largest-ever expansion of the Magic Kingdom, including a reimagined section of Frontierland inspired by the Pixar Animation Studios film Cars and a new land themed around Disney Villains from classic Walt Disney Animation Studios films
- A new Tropical Americas land in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, featuring attractions based on Encanto from Walt Disney Animation Studios and Indiana Jones
- The first-ever land based on Pixar Animation Studios’ Monsters, Inc. at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Doubling the size of Avengers Campus at Disney’s California Adventure park
- Also at Disneyland Resort: New attractions based on Disney and Pixar’s Coco and Avatar
- And more…
“Disney is an iconic economic engine powering entire ecosystems of jobs, small businesses and public revenue. What began as a single destination has evolved into one of the most impressive examples of local and national economic growth — generating more than $16 billion in economic impact across Southern California alone in 2023.” said Adam Sacks, president of Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company.
Other cumulative highlights from the Disneyland and Walt Disney World reports include:
- Nearly 1 out of every 20 jobs in Orange County, Calif. and 1 out of every 8 jobs in Central Florida can be attributed to Disney.
- Disney’s operations power a massive small business ecosystem across the country. Disney works with thousands of small businesses in all 50 states, which employ workers and provide a wide range of goods and services — from the paint used on Sleeping Beauty Castle to specialty popcorn served in the theme parks, towels and linens provided for guests across Disney Resort hotels and more.
When Walt Disney opened Disneyland in 1955, no one could have predicted the effect it would have on Anaheim, let alone America and the world. Today, the impact of Disney Parks in the U.S. is profound, attracting millions of visitors and fostering thriving local economies by supporting thousands of small businesses, hotels and service industries.
By producing captivating content and experiences, Disney not only creates happiness but also generates employment, stimulates tourism and contributes to charitable endeavors that enrich communities.