Disney is considering moving some of its corporate operations from California to Florida amid the blocks from the coronavirus pandemic. Ashley Webster of FOX Business with more.
Disney may consider moving some of its operations from California, where they are struggling to reopen their theme parks, to Florida.
The potential change makes Disney the latest in an increasing number of companies that are considering moving some or all of their operations outside California, which has some of the nation’s most stringent blocking measures.
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Although no concrete plans have been made, the company has not entirely ruled out the idea, according to Ashley Webster of FOX Business.
| Ticker | Safety | Last | change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIS | WALT DISNEY COMPANY | 190.03 | +8.88 | + 4.90% |
“As the largest employer in central Florida, we are always exploring opportunities for additional locations in the vicinity of our theme park, but there is nothing concrete,” the company said in a statement to FOX Business.
While it is not clear which specific divisions or how many people could be part of any kind of change, there are logistical challenges for exporting some California operations. For example, some TV shows and movies were shot at Disney’s Orlando facilities, but most of the studio’s production operations are on its 51-acre lot in Burbank to facilitate the use of the Hollywood film community.
During the course of the pandemic, Disney CEO Bob Chapek criticized the way California handles the pandemic, calling the rules in force “arbitrary”.
Walt Disney World in Florida on July 11, 2020. (Joe Burbank / Orlando Sentinel / Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
THE DISNEY BOB CHAPEK SLAMS CALIFORNIA CEO FOR ‘ARBITRARY’ RULES KEEPING THE PARK CLOSED
Although the theme park operator has managed to safely reopen parks in Orlando, Florida, Shanghai, Tokyo and Hong Kong, Disneyland in Orange County remains closed. The park is not allowed to reopen until there are less than 1 new case per day per 100,000 county residents and less than 2% positive COVID-19 tests, FOX Business previously reported.
“We are extremely disappointed that the state of California will continue to keep Disneyland closed, despite our proven track record. Our health and safety protocols are all based on science and are supported by unions that represent 99% of our hourly staff,” he said. Chapek during a November earnings conference call with investors.
California Governor Gavin Newsom previously defended state rules, saying residents should be concerned about opening parks that put “ourselves and others at risk of seeing transmission rates rise,” Deadline reported. .
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However, Chapek is not the only one to criticize California regulations.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who also clashed with California officials over COVID-19 restrictions over the past year, moved to Texas and even threatened to take Tesla’s headquarters with him.
“Frankly, this is the last straw,” Musk tweeted in May. “Tesla will now move its HQ and future programs to Texas / Nevada immediately.”
Newsom representatives did not respond to FOX Business’s request for comment.