Walt Disney Co. To Send 2K Jobs To Florida, Slammed By John Cox

ANAHEIM, CA —Republican gubernatorial candidate John Cox stumped in front of Disneyland Friday blasting the Walt Disney Co.'s plans to relocate about 2,000 jobs from Southern California to Florida. This is an example of California politicians' "failures," according to Cox.

Currently, the Walt Disney Co. has 60,000 workers in the state of Florida. The move of 2,000 more jobs from California to Florida was confirmed, Thursday, according to a report from the LA Times.

“Expanding our already significant [Disney parks, experiences and products] footprint in Florida makes sense,” Josh D’Amaro, chairman of the division, said in a letter to their staff Thursday. “In addition to Florida’s business-friendly climate, this new regional campus gives us the opportunity to consolidate our teams and be more collaborative and impactful both from a creative and operational standpoint.”

This move was railed on by Cox within a stone's throw of the Disneyland Main Gates.

"Disneyland calls itself the 'Happiest Place on Earth.' Sadly, it looks like Disney is happier and happier in Florida," Cox said. "The failures of California politicians are driving businesses out of California. That will end when I'm governor."

Cox said California's "high taxes" and cost of living, along with "overly burdensome regulations," are "killing jobs in California."

The jobs being relocated to a new Disney campus in Florida are expected to be primarily involved in digital technology, finance and product development, but it was unclear which positions would be affected.

"In addition to Florida's business-friendly climate, this new regional campus gives us the opportunity to consolidate our teams and be more collaborative and impactful both from a creative and operational standpoint," Josh D'Amaro, chairman of Disney's Parks, Experiences and Products Division, wrote in a letter to staff that was first obtained by The Associated Press.

The new facility in Florida will be located near Orlando International Airport, about 20 miles east of the Walt Disney World resort. According to Disney spokespeople, the comapny will pay for moving expenses.

"Florida is known for its rich culture of hospitality and active lifestyle as well as a lower cost of living with no state income tax," D'Amaro wrote.

The move is expected to take 18 months, and affected employees will be offered moving assistance.

Cox is one of several Republicans running in the Sept. 14 recall election, looking to oust Gov. Gavin Newsom.

City News Service, Patch Editor Ashley Ludwig contributed to this report.