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Credit: Forsaken Fotos, FlickrSince the battle between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Walt Disney World Resort began in 2022, rumors spread among Disney Parks fans that the theme park giant would exit the Sunshine State. Now, a widespread report claims that the Central Florida Disney park is quietly packing up and relocating to Nashville, Tennessee.
The latest news out of Walt Disney World Resort seems to confirm the opposite, as Chairman of Disney Experiences Josh D’Amaro recently confirmed that new rides and lands would come to Magic Kingdom Park, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. These are in addition to recently opened attractions like Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and Journey of Water Inspired by Moana.
Despite ongoing developments in Florida, a false claim recently tricked some social media users into believing that Walt Disney World Resort was leaving Central Florida for Nashville, Tennessee.
TikTok user @beardenjosh originally posted the rumor in a video titled “Disney World is finally moving!” It amassed thousands of views.
Related: Disney World Cancels Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Brings Back Splash Mountain
The user claimed that he was “gullible” and would “literally believe anything,” suggesting that he didn’t invent the idea that Walt Disney World Resort was moving to Tennessee.
@beardenjosh I will literally believe anything. #disney #disneyworld #disneyworldnashville #gullible #fyp #moving
“It’s just so crazy that they’re moving Disney World from Orlando to Nashville, Tennessee, of all places,” the TikTok user began. “It makes sense, though, because they’ve had several rides recently that they shut down.”
He claimed that Walt Disney World Resort was disassembling recently closed rides and “moving them until they get everything set up.”
“They’ve been secretly buying land over there for years, thousands and thousands of acres,” the TikToker alleged. “Pretty exciting.”
“Is anybody else excited about this?” he asked. “I can’t fathom how–it just seems like the scope of work is going to be tremendous. I mean, it’s going to be worth it, and I’m excited. Let’s go, Tennessee!”
Inside the Magic was unable to locate a legitimate source for the TikTok user’s claim. It seems to have originated from an article on the satirical news site Mouse Trap News. Still, some viewers bought the hoax.
“Noooooooo!!!! My gosh nooooooo!!!! Nashville is being destroyed,” @serena_renae commented.
“Another thing to make property taxes go up,” @monkleather replied. “We don’t need it.”
The Walt Disney Company hasn’t indicated plans to move its theme park operations from Central Florida or Southern California, despite its troubles with Governor DeSantis.
The battle between Governor DeSantis and Walt Disney World Resort began when former Disney CEO Bob Chapek condemned the Parental Rights in Education Act, known popularly as the “Don’t Say Gay” law. The Republican governor reportedly warned the Mouse not to get involved with the bill and responded by dissolving a special district held by Walt Disney World Resort since 1967.
DeSantis hand-selected board members to control the area, which he renamed from the Reedy Creek Improvement District to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. Disney tried multiple avenues to prevent the takeover, including a First Amendment lawsuit, but their efforts failed.
Disney CEO Bob Iger previously threatened DeSantis with pulling investments out of Florida but backed down after a federal judge dismissed the company’s lawsuit. In recent months, Iger has promised millions of dollars in investments at Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.
Should Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney Springs, the Disney water parks, and Disney Resort hotels leave Florida? Share your opinion with Inside the Magic in the comments.