President Obama Visits Walt Disney World Resort to Announce Plans to Boost
Tourism

The eyes of the nation were focused on Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort on Thursday as President Barack Obama unveiled a comprehensive set of initiatives to attract more international visitors and make the United States the world’s top tourism and travel destination.

“People want to come here. And China and Brazil are two of the countries with the biggest backlogs,” Obama said. “So this is what it’s all about – telling the world that America is open for business.”

With Cinderella Castle serving as his backdrop, the president outlined his plans to improve the U.S. travel visa process, especially for residents in emerging countries
such as China, Brazil and India. He also detailed other strategies that will significantly increase foreign visitors in the U.S., which not only will contribute to the country’s economic growth but will help create jobs as well.

Each year, Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, Disney Cruise Line and all of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts’ domestic businesses attract millions of international Guests, providing positive economic impact throughout the communities in which they operate. Disney has a long-standing history as an industry leader in initiatives to increase international visitation and supports the President’s efforts to further bolster the growth of potential markets such as Brazil, China and India.

President Obama was the fourth sitting U.S. president to visit a Disney theme park. The sitting Presidents who visited previously are Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush.

Disney Growth Means Thousands of Central Florida Jobs

This year, Walt Disney World Resort plans on hiring thousands of Cast Members for new and existing positions throughout the resort. Many new jobs will be created by the opening of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and the expansion of Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom
Park. Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will open in phases beginning May 31. So far, the project has created up to 800 construction jobs and, once open, will create 750 ongoing resort hotel jobs. Fantasyland will open in phases beginning later this year and create hundreds of ongoing jobs. Learn more about Disney jobs at disneycareers.com.

Runners From Around the World Make Trek to Central Florida

Attracting runners from more than 60 countries and 50 states, the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna set a new record this year with 56,000 runners participating in the region’s largest sporting event. Reflecting a growing trend in sports tourism, the weekend has grown from approximately 5,500 runners in 1994 to more than 112,000 athletes and spectators this year. While the runners contribute to the Central Florida economy, their presence also benefits local charitable organizations, including Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, which received more than 6,000 pounds of fresh fruit, bagels and fruit snacks remaining after the race. Read more.

Disney Offers $1.5 Million in Grants to Local Nonprofits

Seeking to support Central Florida organizations committed to inspiring and improving the lives of children, Disney is accepting applications for the Disney Helping Kids Shine Grant program. Nonprofit organizations may be eligible for up to $75,000 as part of this annual program, which will award $1.5 million in financial support. ”Through these organizations, children have the opportunity to build a strong foundation so they may thrive as capable citizens with the confidence to reach their highest potential,” said Nancy Gidusko, director of community relations for Walt Disney World Resort. Applications are due by Jan. 31. More details are available online at waltdisneyworld.com/about.

Disney Fantasy One Step Closer to Florida Arrival

The newest Disney Cruise Line ship Disney Fantasy will travel out of Papenburg, Germany, this week. Known as conveyance, the ship will sail 30 miles up the River Ems to the North Sea. The ship, which floated out of the enclosed building dock at the Meyer Werft shipyard earlier this month to a rousing celebration, will sail its maiden voyage March 31 from Port Canaveral. Read
about the float out of the Disney Fantasy.

Central Florida Marks Leap Day in Special Way

Leap Day will get a new twist in Central Florida this year as Magic Kingdom
Park will remain open for a full 24 hours Feb. 29. “For the first time ever, the Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Parks will remain open for 24 hours on Leap Day, so that our Guests can take advantage of every minute of their extra day to make memories with friends and family,” said Tom Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. The extra hours are an extension of “Disney’s Let the Memories Begin” marketing campaign. As part of this effort, Disney also announced a new vacation sweepstakes, in which a Disney vacation is awarded each day of the year through Feb. 29. Read more.

Disney and General Motors
to Re-Imagine Test Track

Disney and General Motors have renewed their long-term business relationship with a new multi-year corporate alliance. As part of the new agreement, GM will be actively involved with Walt Disney Imagineering in the development of a re-imagined Test Track experience at Epcot. “We are excited to renew our long-term alliance with General Motors,” said George Aguel, Senior Vice President, Corporate Alliances for the
The Walt Disney Company. “This unique agreement extends collaboration between two of the most recognized brands in the world, a relationship that spans over 30 years.” Read more.

Disney Leader Joins Executive Committee of Statewide Group

Florida TaxWatch,
a statewide, non-profit, non-partisan taxpayer research institute, recently
elected George Gross, controller and vice president, Walt Disney Parks and
Resorts, to a one-year term on its executive committee. The organization aims to
provide Floridians with independent research and education about government
revenues, expenditures, taxation, public policies and programs.

© Disney

MouseMail is a periodic news brief for Central Florida business, community
and government leaders, produced byWalt Disney World Co.