Married to the Mouse: Walt Disney World and OrlandoJoined together in an 'economic development marriage', Walt Disney World and Orlando, Florida, have become the world's most popular tourist destination. This intriguing book traces the evolution of the relationship between the Disney Co. and the surrounding community since it began in the 1960s. Like most close relationships, the Disney-Orlando union has involved conflict and compromise. Richard Foglesong shows that this evolving relationship validates the adage: whom you marry affects what you may become. Foglesong explains how Orlando leaders seduced the Disney Co. with big road projects, how the Disney Co. shielded its property from government regulation, and how the company has used the governmental powers it acquired. In short, Disney World has become a Vatican with Mouse ears, the author declares. In a balanced and thorough analysis of the Disney-Orlando story, Foglesong offers a critical account of how Disney has used - and also abused - its governmental immunities from the beginning of Disney World to the present under chairman Michael Eisner. Orlando's experience with its biggest local employer raises broad questions about urban development policy. Can local leaders resist the demands of global corporations? Do privatisation and deregulation offer a viable strategy for economic development? And is it possible to escape the weight of previous economic development decisions that seem to lock in, for example, more tourism and low wages, while locking out other opportunities? |
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Common terms and phrases
affordable housing area’s asked attorney Bay Lake Bill Billy Dial Boice bond building Card Walker central Florida chairman charter commission company’s corporate county’s created Creek Improvement District deal Demetree Disney executives Disney property Disney Security Disney’s Disneyland Donn Tatum downtown Orlando economic Eisner elected employees Epcot expressway Faddis finance Florida's Turnpike Governor growth Hawkins Helliwell I-Drive Ibid impact fees interchange Interview issue legislation Linda Chapin Lund Mag-lev Martin Andersen mayor meeting ment Michael Eisner million movers and shakers needed negotiated Nunis Nusbickel Orange County Orlando Sentinel Osceola County Osceola Parkway owner percent planners political problem Project Winter Reedy Creek Reedy Creek Improvement regime relationship road route Roy Disney says Sipkema Tabuchi theme park tion told tourist urban vice president Walt Disney Productions Walt Disney World Walt's wanted Winter Park
References to this book
Research Methods for Leisure and Tourism: A Practical Guide Anthony James Veal No preview available - 2006 |