In a recent class-action lawsuit, Disney Vice President of Product Design Maria De La Cruz and Creative Director George Fong allege that Disney relocated California employees to Florida in 2021 under the premise of constructing a new Florida campus called “Lake Nona.” However, the project was later canceled, leaving 2,000 Disney employees impacted.
According to the complaint, the affected employees were informed that failure to relocate would result in job loss. Many, including De La Cruz and Fong, sold their California homes and purchased new properties in Florida. Fong said he found the decision painful as the home he sold was his “family home he had grown up in and inherited.”
Employees were initially told that the Lake Nona project would be delayed until 2026. Later, in May 2023, they were later informed that the project was canceled entirely. Disney told employees they would have to decide by the end of the year to physically relocate again, this time back to California.
Plaintiffs cite dropping housing costs in Orlando, Florida, and soaring home prices and mortgage rates in the California area. The complaint said Fong was only able to afford a smaller home than he previously had in California.
Straight Arrow News reached out to Disney for comment and awaits its response.