Everyone knows that when you travel to Walt Disney World, it’s the cast members who help make the experience even more magical. They do everything to ensure that every guest has the best possible experience and wants to return to Disney World every year.
However, finding these cast members has become increasingly difficult for The Walt Disney Company, as some recent laws in Florida have made it more challenging to hire the type of people Disney was used to hiring in the past.
A year ago, the Florida Legislature passed SB 1718, which punishes employers who hire undocumented immigrants and prohibits people without legal status from obtaining driver’s licenses in the state.
The law has had a particularly drastic effect on Florida’s agricultural industry, but it has also impacted the tourism and construction industries, which affects Disney World.
To comply with the law, Walt Disney World Resort can no longer hire undocumented individuals to work in its theme parks or hotels. Thus, Disney, like other theme parks in Florida, is having to rely more on international workers.
Last August, Disney World restarted its international program, which brings workers from around the world to the parks.
The Florida Policy Institute estimates that this law has cost the state’s economy $12.6 billion in its first year, not including tax revenues.
In addition to work in the parks, restaurants, and hotels, Disney World has big expansion plans for which it needs workers. Disney plans to expand both Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom simultaneously, requiring double the number of workers it currently hires.
Thus, with a limited workforce, Florida has decided to address the issue by expanding the hours that teenagers can work during the school year and allowing them to even work in more dangerous positions, such as on roofs.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stated that this “anti-illegal immigration law” aims to protect Florida residents. However, with an aging population, Florida needs these immigrants to fill open positions throughout the state.
For now, with the law preventing Disney from hiring immigrants, the company has no choice but to allow high school students aged 16 and 17 to work in its parks and construction projects.
So, the next time you are in any Disney park, you already know the reason you may not see all your favorite characters walking around the park.
Source: NPR