Disney to bolster revenues with theme parks, cruise ships

Robert Besser
25 May 2023, 20:58 GMT+10

Walt Disney Co. has said it will prioritize building theme parks and cruise ships, rather than miniparks in the US
Due to the ongoing legal dispute between Disney and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, other US states have expressed interest in possible investments from the media giant
Earlier this month, Disney cancelled plans to build a $1 billion corporate campus in Florida, which would have housed 2,000 employees

BURBANK, California: Walt Disney Co. has said it will prioritize building theme parks and cruise ships, rather than miniparks in the US.

Responding to a question on whether the company will follow Universal's move and build small parks, Disney parks chief Josh D'Amaro said, "Focusing on our core assets is where we should be spending most of our opportunity," as quoted by Reuters.

Due to the ongoing legal dispute between Disney and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, other US states have expressed interest in possible investments from the media giant.

"My home state would happily accept Disney's theme park jobs and investment if you want to leave Florida," tweeted Former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley last month.

Earlier this month, Disney cancelled plans to build a $1 billion corporate campus in Florida, which would have housed 2,000 employees.

The company has sued potential Republican presidential nominee DeSantis, claiming he is "weaponizing" the state government in retaliation for its criticism of a Florida law banning classroom discussion of gender identity with younger children.

However, D'Amaro said that the political issues have not affected Disney's business results, adding that Disney might open a theme park in the city state of Singapore, the home port for its new cruise ship.

Running a cruise ship in Singapore "gives you some indication of how guests are receiving the brand and what the opportunities might be, going forward," he said.