Disneyland Resort is a major driver of the Southern California economy, according to economists from Cal State Fullerton’s Woods Center for Economic Analysis and Forecasting. The Woods Center studied the economic impact of Disneyland Resort in 2018, and found that the resort generated $8.5 billion for the Southern California economy. “Tourism is one of the major and growing segments of the economy as consumers shift more of their spending to leisure activities. Disneyland Resort has shown phenomenal growth,” said Dr. Anil Puri, director of the Woods Center for Economic Analysis and Forecasting. Additionally, visitors traveling to Disneyland Resort were responsible for $2.5 billion in off-site spending at hotels and businesses in Anaheim and throughout the broader region.

The Woods Center also credits Disneyland Resort with generating nearly $510 million in tax revenue for Southern California cities, counties and the state of California. In Anaheim alone, the resort generated nearly $162 million for the city’s general fund. The study also found that Disneyland Resort is responsible for generating a total of more than 78,000 jobs—and nearly 75 percent of those jobs are located right here in Orange County. Disneyland Resort is the largest employer in Orange County—directly employing a total of 31,000 cast members. The resort has committed to training and developing job skills for the future with cast members, as well as working with partners to extend these efforts to the broader Anaheim community. “Disneyland Resort also plays an important role in propelling the economy forward through programs like Disney Aspire, a free education program, and other programs offering skills for economic mobility and advancement,” said Dr. Puri.

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