Disney spotlights American businesses powering its magic in nation’s 250th year

From Alaska tour operators to California engineering firms, Disney is highlighting the American companies helping power its parks, cruises and attractions as the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary.

The entertainment giant’s U.S. theme parks alone generate nearly $67 billion in total economic impact and support about 403,000 jobs nationwide. Across its parks, cruises and attractions, Disney relies on suppliers, design firms and family businesses to help bring those experiences to life.

Disney is highlighting several partners from states featured in its new “Soarin’ Across America” attraction, which gives guests a simulated flight across the U.S. The companies are based in Missouri, Alaska, New York, Florida and California.

Sarah Salvador, senior manager of strategic sourcing for Disney Experiences, told FOX Business that Disney finds vendors through industry events, internal networks, supplier outreach and referrals from existing partners.

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“We recognize that there’s a lot of value, a lot of perspective, a lot of creativity that resides in companies of all sizes,” Salvador told FOX Business.

Salvador said Disney’s investments create opportunities beyond the company’s own workforce.

“When the Walt Disney Company chooses to invest in theme parks and resorts, it goes far beyond theme parks and resorts,” she said. “… We’re creating opportunities not just internally, but for outside businesses, large and small.”

One of those businesses is Allen Marine Tours, a family-owned company in Sitka, Alaska. The company has offered tours in Southeast Alaska since 1970 and has worked with Disney Cruise Line since its early Alaska sailings.

Zakary Kirkpatrick, chief marketing officer of Allen Marine Tours, said the company works to keep its family feel as it grows.

“We still try to maintain that family ambiance aboard our vessels with our crew,” Kirkpatrick told FOX Business. “It starts with the training [of] all of our crew. We talk about our history, we talk about who we are, and we really invite them to be a part of that and a part of the family.”

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Kirkpatrick said Alaska gives Disney Cruise Line guests a different kind of magic on every trip, from whale watching to glacier tours.

“I know Disney’s big thing is magic and every single day in southeast Alaska here, there is something truly magical,” he said. “… You just never know what you’re going to see.”

Another longtime Disney partner, Rando Productions, has helped build parade floats, showpieces and attraction elements for about 35 years.

Joe Rando said the North Hollywood-based company’s work with Disney started with parade floats before expanding into themed entertainment, live shows, attractions and projects with Walt Disney Imagineering.

Today, Rando Productions helps design, build and test parts for Disney attractions and parade floats, including moving pieces that require mechanical engineering and automation.

“What I would say is working with Disney has definitely elevated our company because they are a group of professionals and subject matter experts,” Rando told FOX Business.

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Salvador said guests may not realize how many outside businesses help create Disney experiences, from early ideas to final installation.

“Many folks might hear Disney and think that we pull from outside talent that might just be located where we have a resort located, and that is so far from reality,” Salvador said. “We do engage with firms across the country as well as globally.”

She added, “It really does take a village to create these immersive experiences for our guests.”