Disney, DeSantis Tourism Board Reach Settlement Over Special Governing District

Disney, DeSantis Tourism Board Reach Settlement Over Special Governing District

2024-03-27 10:00:39

Disney and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District settled a long tug-of-war over the special governing district that houses the theme park and resorts.

Florida established the Reedy Creek Improvement District in 1967. It basically gave Disney the ability to govern the district since it owned the majority of the land. Oh, wait. The company would have “significant influence” within the district. *wink wink*

The feud between Disney and Gov. Ron DeSantis started when the theme park giant disagreed with his Parental Rights in Education Act. DeSantis also opposed Disney’s woke agenda.

DeSantis and the legislature rescinded the deal, putting a tourism board in charge.

All of this spawned lawsuit after lawsuit.

From The Orlando Sentinel:

The agreement says development agreements and covenants approved by a Disney-friendly board shortly before a state takeover in February 2023 would be null and void. Disney also agreed to drop a lawsuit seeking public records and withdraw its requests.

A 2020 comprehensive plan will be in effect, and the district agreed to “consult with Disney” while reviewing and amending the plan.

Both sides struck a tone of reconciliation with the settlement agreement’s approval.

“With this settlement, which is complete and significant, we are eager to work with Disney,” said Charbel Barakat, vice chair of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District’s Board of Supervisors.

Jeff Vahle, president of Walt Disney World Resort, said he was “pleased to put an end to all litigation pending in state court” between the DeSantis-backed board and Disney.

“This agreement opens a new chapter of constructive engagement with the new leadership of the district and serves the interests of all parties by enabling significant continued investment and the creation of thousands of direct and indirect jobs and economic opportunity in the state,” he said in a statement.

The DeSantis administration is “glad” Disney won’t go forward with the lawsuit, according to DeSantis spokesman Bryan Griffin.

“No corporation should be its own government,” added Griffin. “Moving forward, we stand ready to work with Disney and the District to help promote economic growth, family-friendly tourism, and accountable government in Central Florida.”




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