Married to the Mouse

"Walt Disney World and Orlando have become the world's most popular tourist destination. Using the metaphor of love and marriage, this intriguing book traces the evolution of the Disney World-Orlando relationship, an "economic-development marriage," says the author, characterized by conflict and consensus, individuality and mutual dependency - just like a real marriage." "But there is another side to the story. As the author shows, growth not only gives, it also takes away. Fueled by Disney's arrival, the tremendous growth in Orlando has created public expenditure needs, but not always matching tax resources. It has generated traffic congestion, public facility deficits, affordable housing shortages, and a low-wage economy. This situation is complicated further because of the special enticement granted to the Disney Co. for coming to Florida: their own private government - a sort of "Vatican with Mouse ears" - with powers and immunities that exceed Orlando's."--BOOK JACKET.