Credit: DisneyWhen Disney fans think about the company’s theme park footprint, they usually picture Florida and California. Walt Disney World and Disneyland dominate the conversation, attracting millions of visitors every year and serving as the face of Disney’s parks business.
But Disney’s influence stretches much farther than the gates of Magic Kingdom or Disneyland Park.
In fact, Disney recently revealed just how widespread its economic impact has become. The company highlighted the many ways Disney Experiences supports businesses and jobs across the United States, including partnerships in places many fans would never expect. Among the most surprising examples are Missouri and New York, two states located hundreds of miles from Disney’s domestic theme parks but still playing an important role in the Disney experience.
For guests planning vacations to Disney destinations, it’s a reminder that the magic they experience often begins long before they arrive at a park.
Disney’s Reach Goes Far Beyond Orlando and Anaheim
As part of its celebration leading up to America’s 250th Independence Day, Disney shared new details about the economic footprint of Disney Experiences throughout the country.
According to the company, Disney Experiences generates nearly $67 billion in annual economic impact in the United States. The division also supports more than 403,000 jobs nationwide and works with thousands of businesses across all 50 states.
Those partnerships include everything from family-owned farms and food suppliers to manufacturers, designers, engineers, and tourism operators. Many of these relationships have existed for years, with some businesses working alongside Disney for decades.
While Disney’s parks may be located in only a handful of places, the company depends on an extensive network of businesses throughout the country to help create attractions, entertainment offerings, hotels, restaurants, and guest experiences.
That means Disney’s influence can be found in communities that have no Disney theme park at all.
Missouri Plays a Role in Disney Attraction Development
One of the most interesting examples comes from St. Louis, Missouri.
Disney highlighted PGAV Destinations, a design firm that has contributed to numerous projects throughout the Disney portfolio. The company specifically noted the firm’s involvement with projects such as Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT. Disney also pointed to the economic benefits these partnerships create for communities throughout the Midwest.
Many Disney fans probably ride attractions without ever considering the number of outside companies involved in bringing them to life. Major attractions require years of planning, engineering, design, and creative development. Disney often works with specialized firms across the country to help turn those ambitious concepts into reality.
The fact that a Missouri-based company has contributed to one of Disney’s most celebrated modern attractions shows just how interconnected the theme park industry has become.
New York Helps Create the Disney Atmosphere Guests Experience
Disney also singled out a longtime partner based in New York.
Richloom, a textile company, creates custom fabrics and furnishings that are used throughout Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, and Disney Cruise Line.
While attraction announcements and ride openings often grab the headlines, Disney’s immersive environments rely heavily on countless smaller details. Resort furniture, decorative fabrics, upholstery, curtains, and other design elements all help establish the atmosphere guests experience during their vacations.
Many of those details begin far away from the parks themselves.
It’s easy to focus on roller coasters, dark rides, and fireworks shows, but Disney’s reputation has always been built on attention to detail. Partnerships with companies like Richloom help maintain the level of theming and quality guests expect when they visit Disney destinations around the world.
Disney Continues Investing in Its Future
The announcement comes as Disney continues preparing for significant growth across its parks business.
The company says it plans to invest $30 billion into Disney Experiences through 2033, funding a wave of new attractions, lands, and expansions.
Several major projects are already in development.
At Magic Kingdom, Disney is moving forward with the Cars-themed Piston Peak National Park expansion in Frontierland. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is preparing for the arrival of Monstropolis, inspired by Monsters, Inc. Animal Kingdom is undergoing a massive transformation through Tropical Americas, which will bring Encanto and Indiana Jones to the park. Meanwhile, Disney California Adventure is set to receive an Avatar experience, a Coco attraction, and major additions to Avengers Campus.
These projects will require contributions from countless suppliers, contractors, designers, manufacturers, and creative partners throughout the country.
A Reminder That Disney Is Everywhere
Disney also used the announcement to emphasize that it will continue creating opportunities for employees, suppliers, and small businesses as its parks continue to expand.
The company even pointed to the debut of Soarin’ Across America as an example of its nationwide reach. Capturing footage for the attraction involved working with businesses and tourism organizations across multiple locations throughout the United States.
For Disney fans, the Missouri and New York examples offer a fascinating look behind the curtain. While those states may not have Disney castles, Disney attractions, or Disney resorts, they still play a role in shaping the experiences millions of guests enjoy every year.
It’s a reminder that Disney’s theme park empire extends far beyond the parks themselves. From designers in Missouri helping create attractions to textile manufacturers in New York helping shape resort environments, Disney’s influence reaches every corner of the country—even places many fans would never associate with Disney magic.
