The companies that own Orlando’s big theme parks have pumped millions of dollars into campaigns this election cycle.
The theme parks have an interest in many issues affecting everything from the taxes and wages they pay to how much competition they have. The tourism industry is considered one of the most powerful political forces in the state of Florida.
Maintaining a strong relationship with elected officials is important because “it’s always nice to have someone that can take your phone call if you have legislation pending out there that’s going to greatly affect your operation and your finances,” said University of South Carolina assistant hospitality professor Scott Smith.
In Florida, records show Walt Disney Co. subsidiaries had given more than $4 million through the end of September, a period for which candidates had to report earlier this month. Universal Orlando’s parent company has spent more than $1 million, while SeaWorld Entertainment has spent a smaller amount than it had at this point in past election cycles — about $65,000.
Disney’s contributions are about at the same level as this time during the 2014 elections, during which a governor’s election was taking place. Various subsidiaries including Walt Disney Parks and Resorts and Walt Disney Travel Co. spent more than $5 million during the election cycle ending in 2014, records show.
This time, about half the money has gone to political-action committees. The largest recipient is the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s Florida Jobs PAC, which received $500,000 in checks. The chamber PAC gives to both parties but tends to lean more Republican. Disney’s single largest contribution was last year’s in-kind donation of more than a quarter million dollars to Gov. Rick Scott’s Let Get to Work PAC. That was for Scott’s Economic Growth Summit at Disney World’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort. The event featured speeches by several top Republican presidential candidates.
Disney has also donated $285,398.40 to Republican Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam’s Florida Grown PAC.
Disney has given $673,813 to the Republican Party of Florida and $614,346 to the Democratic party. For individual candidates, Disney has leaned more Republican, with $473,415 to GOP candidates and $194,500 to Democrats. It has also given $144,345 to the Florida Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee.
With the Legislature so dominated by Republicans, leaning more that way in donations is not unusual, said University of Central Florida associate political science professor Aubrey Jewett.
“Republicans pretty much rule the state in terms of state government both in the executive and the legislative branch,” he said. “Pretty much all businesses and corporations have given more to Republicans.”
Disney, SeaWorld and Universal all declined interviews about their giving and particular issues affecting them.
In the past, Disney has lobbied to prevent the expansion of casinos and has helped persuade state lawmakers to substantially increase state spending on tourism advertising. Big issues statewide for the tourism industry in general include funding for Visit Florida, which promotes state tourism; and opposing additional uses for tourism-development taxes.
The Florida Attractions Association also lists as its legislative priorities keeping Florida’s rules that schools start no earlier than 14 days before Labor Day and protecting members from animal–welfare activists.
And one of the biggest issues for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions is making sure labor regulations are “considerate of the economic realities facing employers and employees across the country,” spokeswoman Colleen Mangone said in an email.
“The biggest issue without a doubt, and their largest costs, are wages,” Smith said.
Of the three theme park companies, SeaWorld Entertainment — much smaller than Disney’s and Universal’s parent companies — has spent the least. SeaWorld has been struggling financially amid attendance declines. It has spent about $65,000 this year – less than half of what it did around this time last election cycle and in 2012.
“They’ve been reeling a little bit the last couple years because of … the decline in visitors,” Jewett said. “So I suspect that their involvement is more affected by those things than the election cycle.”
SeaWorld said in an emailed statement it backs candidates “who support tourism and advocate for a positive business environment that allow us to continue our mission of inspiring guests to protect animals in the wild.”
Universal Orlando, its parent company Comcast Corp. and its NBCUniversal division have spent more than $1 million. Comcast Corp. spent about half of that. The cable provider had already contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars in Florida even before it became Universal’s owner in 2011. NBCUniversal also employs about 1,000 in Orlando at Golf Channel and its related businesses.
Universal has traditionally hosted a fundraiser event every year for Republican party legislators. Universal City Development Partners spent $335,000 this election cycle on in-kind donations such as those Republican fundraisers. It also provided $32,000 worth of tickets, food and beverages to the Democratic party.
spedicini@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5240
