Disney Experiences Says Its U.S. Economic Impact Now Reaches All 50 States

As America turns 250, Disney Experiences says it generates nearly $67 billion in annual U.S. economic impact, supports 403,000-plus jobs, and partners with small businesses in all 50 states. The company also touts a $30 billion parks investment through 2033 and the new Soarin' Across America attraction.

As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, Disney Experiences is turning the spotlight onto the thousands of small businesses across all 50 states that help bring its parks, resorts, and attractions to life. From the summer debut of Soarin' Across America to supplier partnerships that reach back to opening day, the company says its economic footprint now touches every corner of the country.

A $67 Billion Footprint That Reaches Every State

Disney's reach extends far beyond the gates of Magic Kingdom Park and Disneyland Park. According to the company, Disney Experiences generates nearly $67 billion in annual economic impact in the United States, supports more than 403,000 jobs, and works with thousands of small businesses in all 50 states. Those figures frame Disney less as a single Florida-and-California operation and more as a national supply chain that runs through family farms, fabrication shops, textile mills, and tour operators thousands of miles from the nearest castle.

The Small Businesses Behind the Magic

Many of Disney's supplier relationships are decades old, and the company points to a roster of family-run and regional firms whose growth has been tied to the parks. Among the examples Disney highlighted:

• Allen Marine Tours (Sitka, Alaska) — a family-owned day-cruise operator that has guided guests since Disney Cruise Line's first Alaska sailings.
• Southeast Dairy Processors (Tampa, Fla.) — a longtime dairy supplier that has served Walt Disney World since opening day.
• Rando Productions (North Hollywood, Calif.) — a design, engineering, and manufacturing company that has collaborated on Disney showpieces and parades for more than 20 years.
• Y. Hata & Co. (Honolulu, Hawaii) — a family-owned foodservice distributor that has supported Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa since it opened.
• PGAV Destinations (St. Louis, Mo.) — a design firm whose work includes Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, contributing to the Midwest economy.
• Richloom (New York) — a textile company creating custom fabrics and furnishings for Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, and Disney Cruise Line.
• Grand Canyon West (Peach Springs, Ariz.) — a tourism destination that helped Disney capture footage of the Grand Canyon for Soarin' Across America.

Disney frames these partnerships as more than one-off contracts. Longstanding relationships, the company says, help suppliers hire employees, expand operations, and reinvest in their own communities.

"The attractions industry has a unique ability to drive economic impact at both the local and national level. When guests travel to experience destinations and attractions, that spending supports thousands of small to mid-sized businesses across hospitality, food and beverage, retail and more." — Jakob Wahl, President and CEO, IAAPA

How Florida and California Feel the Impact

The two states that host Disney's flagship U.S. resorts feel the effect most directly. Magic Kingdom Park in Florida and Disneyland Park in California rank as the two most-visited theme parks in the world, drawing tens of millions of guests every year. That tourism translates into jobs: Disney says it supports nearly 1 out of every 20 jobs in Orange County, California, and 1 out of every 32 jobs in Central Florida. In both states, the company also buys goods and services from local businesses, many of them small or family-owned.

"The Walt Disney Company is one of California's greatest success stories, and its positive impact on the state cannot be overstated. The halo effect of Disneyland Resort extends far beyond the park gates — it is the beating heart of Anaheim's tourism economy, supporting thousands of local small businesses, hotels and restaurants." — Caroline Beteta, President & CEO, Visit California

A $30 Billion Bet on What Comes Next

The economic story is also a forward-looking one. Disney has committed to investing $30 billion in its domestic parks and experiences through 2033, money earmarked for new lands, new attractions, and updates across its U.S. parks. As that expansion rolls out, the company says it will keep creating opportunities for employees, suppliers, and small businesses — extending the same supplier network that built today's parks into the next decade of growth.

Soarin' Across America Takes Flight

The clearest symbol of that interplay between Disney and American small business is the new attraction Soarin' Across America, a reimagined version of the beloved flying theater that sweeps guests over iconic U.S. landscapes. The ride is itself a product of Disney's economic reach: its filming and production were supported by a network of American businesses, from aviation operators to regional tourism partners like Grand Canyon West. Soarin' Across America is open now at Walt Disney World Resort and launches July 2 at Disneyland Resort as part of the broader Disney Celebrates America initiative honoring the nation's milestone anniversary.

What This Means for Disney Fans

For guests, the takeaway is that the magic on display in the parks is stitched together by businesses spread across the entire country — the dairy in your snack, the fabric on your resort bed, the footage soaring past on the screen. As Disney pours another $30 billion into its domestic parks through 2033, that web of partnerships is only set to grow, and a ride like Soarin' Across America offers a fitting way to celebrate the landscapes — and the small businesses — that span all 50 states.