When California Governor Gavin Newsom was briefed on Disney’s plan to invest in the Orange County region over the coming decades on June 13, the data used was from the research of Cal State Fullerton economists Anil Puri, Adrian Fleissig and Aaron Popp.

The three experts, working under the Woods Center for Economic Analysis and Forecasting, released a study in 2021 showing that every $1 billion that Disney expects to invest to expand its Anaheim theme parks is expected to generate more than $250 million annually in economic output and $15 million in tax revenue for the city of Anaheim.

Plus, the region is likely to see 4,000 new construction jobs and 2,000 ongoing jobs in operating the theme parks.

The state of California itself is expected to see $20 million in increased tax revenue.

The Southern California economy sees $5.7 billion in benefit from Disneyland, which is the largest employer in Orange County and a major contributor to the region’s status as an international tourist destination.

“Not only does it draw tourists from around the world, it also adds to the local economy through its major construction and renovation projects,” says Puri of Disneyland. “Disneyland Resort is a magnet and catalyst for additional tourism and recreational activities and enterprises in the region.”

For more on the research that the Woods Center did on Disneyland back in 2021, see the full report from CSUF News.

It’s just the latest manifestation of applied and actionable research generated by the Woods Center and the business college that is used by policymakers and the local business community to make decisions and improve economic conditions.

For more on the Woods Center, read our articles on economic forecasting.