It is only a matter of time.
For decades, Disney Whirled has provided a safe haven for all people, young and short, thin and fat, old and tall, of all colors, beliefs, sexual persuasions and any other factor you could imagine. They strove to be inclusive, not assholish. Their only limitations were weight and height for the most severe rides.
When the LGBT community found few warm and friendly locales, outside of Austin, San Fran, Cape Cod, and a handful of other cities, Disney acted like an adult, not a conservo-christianist, close-minded, bigoted corporate ass. From Wikipedia:
Starting in 1991, Disney World Gay Days is a loosely organized event where lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals, their families, friends and supporters go to Walt Disney World on a week long event each year. It is held on the first Saturday in June.
TEH HORROR! What if the “gay” rubs off? What if innocent children attend? What if Violence and rape breaks out spontaneously?!?
Being a muddle-aged hetero, white, stressfully employed, the 1991 news that Disney dared to accept these gatherings, I was initially a bit taken aback, but soon found myself nodding. Some years earlier, at Northwestern, (my alma mater) I still recall the first time gays and lesbians gathered on their own “Gay Day” back in 1979. I observed their march, and watched in horror at groups of spoiled Frat Boys as they hurled insults and threats to those attendees. I would bet many of them are now MAGAs.
Disney eventually supported and protected their rights to visit the Rat, ride the rides, buy overpriced stuff, and party in a safe environment. By 2000, Disney’s Gay Days were a popular, well attended, and (for Disney) profitable event.
And then came the Age of De Santis. Don’t Say Gay? Are you effing shitting me? Being all inclusive is one of the few things I admire about the giant Rodent Colony in Orlando. And simply using the word, or expressing support for all people was going to cause harm? What a crock of excrement.
Thankfully, a huge corporation actually did the moral thing. The Huge Rat said “No.” Kinda like wishing a plate of rat poison upon Uncle Ron.
Of course, the Conservo-christianists ate it up, which was the whole purpose of DeSantis’ ineffable stupidity.
This week, DeSantis has succeeded in taking away rights (and obligations) granted to Disney Corp so many years ago.
Decades ago, with the help of a normally greedy and corrupt legislature, Disney Corp and Florida entered into an incredibly beneficial and mutually profitable agreement that led to the creation of Disney World.
in 1971, it opened the first of its theme parks (it grew to Include Epcot and other theme parks). Here is its stated purpose, posted on a plaque:
“WALT DISNEY WORLD is a tribute to the philosophy and life of Walter Elias Disney and to the talents, the dedication and the loyalty of the entire Disney organization that made Walt Disney's dream come true. May Walt Disney World bring Joy and Inspiration and New Knowledge to all who come to this happy place...a Magic Kingdom where the young at heart of all ages can laugh and play and learn -- together."
Hardly a disturbing idea, hardly a disruptive statement, especially the “the young at heart of all ages can laugh and play and learn -- together" bit.
As I followed the story, i was struck by a few thoughts:
1. Disney hired the best lawyers to get control of a large tract of swampland.
2. DeSantis did not.
3. Millions of people of all stripes, absent COVID, enjoy the Disney theme parks all year long.
4. It was and is a safe place to meet and play.
5. It brings in many thousands of jobs and billions in income to the region and the state, and drives the economic growth and benefits of nearby businesses.
6. DeSantis probably practices auto-lobotomization when not begging for donations from conservative billionaires.
7. Florida is punishing Disney for being a responsible corporate citizen.
8. Florida assigned some of worst right wingers to run the new board DeSantis created. None of them have any experience in running or operating something as complex and multi-layered as Disney.
9. Disney remains a global attraction, bringing tourists from all four corners of this flat earth.
10. Disney costs Florida nothing. It was fully autonomous. (They could build its own airport AND its own nuclear power plant, if they so chose)
DeSantis probably cannot help himself. His ego and wish to earn the MAGA vote will override any common sense he once had. You just know they will squeeze Disney, squeeze some more, then brag about future squeezing — all because Disney properly objected to the “Don’t Say Gay” rules.
Disney is a responsible corporate citizen. Their parks are extremely clean and safe, their products, although highly priced, are also highly esteemed and cherished. Disney has been a huge asset to not just Florida, but the USA.
Disney Corp is also run by its own board. They are rational (except for a prior poor choice to run their media branch) players and can read the bottom line as clearly as they read the GQP scribbling on the wall.
They are probably already conducting exploratory discussions with more rational state governments, and I suspect some of those talks will take root.
Disney leave Florida? It is not a matter of “if” but “when.” Add to that, parts of the Park are almost 50 years old. They have been maintained and repaired, renewed and adapted, and still look fresh, inviting and clean. Always clean. Still, as theme park infrastructure goes, it continues to age, a clean slate, using even more modern technology would be even more profitable.
(disclaimer! As a yute in high school, my singing-dancing group actually performed there at high noon. 7 groups later, the Association performed live on the same stage. So i can brag that I fronted x 7 a real group of performers)
