As reported by Meg James for the Los Angeles Times, Disney employees were duped into selling their homes and moving to Florida, only for the company to cancel the project a year later.
Seems like a great story for a Pinocchio reboot: Return to Pleasure Island!
Honest Josh D'Amaro: Oh, Pinocchio, my dear boy! Have I got a golden opportunity for you! How would you like to move to the sunny paradise of Florida? Just imagine it—palm trees, tax credits, and a shiny new billion-dollar campus in Lake Nona!
Pinocchio: Gosh, Honest Josh, it sounds too good to be true. What about my home and job with you here in California?
Honest Josh: Oh, don't worry your little wooden head about that. Just sell it! You'll get a good price, and you'll have a fabulous new life in Florida. And let's be honest, you wouldn't want to lose your job, would you?
Pinocchio: But what if something goes wrong? What if the campus doesn't get built?
Honest Josh: Oh, stop being such a worrywart! The move is a sure thing. Bob and I are behind it, and we don't make promises we can't keep. We've even given you 90 whole days to decide. That's plenty of time!
Pinocchio: Well, if you say so, Honest Josh. I guess I'll sell my home and move.
[One year later]
Pinocchio: Honest Josh, you lied! The campus isn't happening, and I sold my family home! Now, I'm stuck in Florida with no campus and a house that's worth less than when I bought it!
Honest Josh: Oh, Pinocchio, you know how things go. "Considerable changes," "new leadership," "changing business conditions," and all that jazz. Disney had to pull the plug. But don't you worry; we'll figure something out for you.
Pinocchio: Something like what? My new house is so small, and I miss my old Los Angeles home. You tricked me! And your nose is a lot longer than it was last year. Believe me, I know what that means!
Honest Josh: Oh, come now, Pinocchio. It's not so bad. Look on the bright side; Disney's going to expand the parks anyway. Maybe you'll get a free pass to Magic Kingdom?
Pinocchio: I think I need a lawyer.
Honest John: Oh, lawsuits, schmawsuits! You're part of the Disney family, and families stick together. Actually, now that you have those unsightly donkey ears, you are an eyesore. Begone, foul pestilence!
Previously:
• Disney's amazing new drone show
