Part 6/9:
Critics point out that this massive capital expenditure comes at a precarious time. Disney is heavily leveraged with approximately $50 billion in debt and faces imminent payments—over $10 billion to Comcast alone within the next quarter. The company is also attempting to offload other assets to manage its debt load.
Adding to the complexity, Disney’s recent blockbuster movies have underperformed at the box office, reducing confidence that new attractions and expansions will immediately translate into increased park attendance and revenue. Meanwhile, the evolving demographic of park visitors—more Disney adults and fewer traditional families—raises questions about the long-term sustainability of this investment strategy.