The importance of its Florida investments to the company and the state's tourism industry will be underscored by the introduction of one of the world's most expensive roller coasters this month.
On May 27 riders on the ride will climb into a four-seat cockpit that will take them up to 60 miles an hour and immerse them in a story about Star-Lord, Groot and other characters. Dennis Speigel, an industry consultant, estimated that Disney spent $500 million on the ride.
He said that the technology there is incredible. The cost was not commented on by the company.
Disney's investment underscores how important Florida is for the company, even as it tussles publicly with the governor. In April, GOP lawmakers voted to dismantle a special municipal district Disney has operated in since the 1960s, in retaliation for the company's opposition to a bill banning instruction of gender identity in K-through 3 classrooms. Disney has four theme parks and 29,000 hotel rooms in the area.
Disney World is not going away because it is such a huge investment, according to Chad Emerson, author of a book about the Florida resort.
The latest stage in the refreshment of the park is the Guardians attraction. When Disney opened the park 40 years ago, they left out film and TV characters to differentiate it from the Magic Kingdom park next door. The company's deep well of programming will be featured in the new Epcot, which will appeal to families with younger kids.
Disney will invest a record $6 billion in its businesses this year, after reducing capital spending to conserve cash during the global Pandemic. The resorts division, which includes consumer products and cruise ships, is expected to make more money than Disney's other businesses combined. It's the first time in decades that it's happened thanks to a U.S. consumer who wants to have fun again.
Spending on theme- park attractions is increasing.
Company reports
Disney World is packed to the rafters, according to an analyst with LightShed Partners.
The Burbank, California-based company built the second theme park in Florida. It was envisioned by Disney as an Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. The park became a kind of permanent fair and science expo. Adult crowds enjoyed pub crawls through the park's country-specific pavilions at the festivals tied to flowers and food.
Disney added characters from its hit film "Frozen" to a ride at the Norway pavilion in 2016 and replaced oil platforms and vikings. That success inspired a broader rethinking of the park, according to the Disney designer who spearheaded the remodeling.
The French pavilion opened a ride tied to the film Ratatouille last year. Music and imagery from the movie "Moana" are coming to an outdoor water garden. Disney characters will be featured in an interactive pavilion.
Projects were delayed because of the swine flu. Plans for a ride at the U.K. pavilion were put on hold. There are film tie-ins in the Disney empire. The California Adventure at Disney's California Adventure in Anaheim, California has an Avenger-themed campus. The Paradise Pier hotel is remodeling with a Pixar theme.
Carissa Baker, a professor who studies the parks at the University of Central Florida, said that some Disney fans don't like the idea of characters being everywhere.
She said thatRatatouille fits into France.
The company made it so that it fits into the park. There is an explanation of how representatives from planet Xadar came to Earth to open a pavilion at the park.
Glenn Close is the commander of the Xandarian military. One of the songs will play during the ride, a nod to Star-Lord's love of old school.
We have a lot of great touch points where you can get the world of Guardians brought to life, but done in a way that feels pretty unique.
Disney expects strong demand. It charged $35 for fan club members to be the first to ride Cosmic Rewind. The tickets were sold out.
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