From the Parental Rights in Education Bill to the Reedy Creek Improvement District and copyright protections, Disney’s name has been in the news quite a bit lately.
Main Street, U.S.A.
Recently, another political figure commented on some things related to Disney and we’ve got all the updates right here for you.
According to Deadline, U.S. President Joe Biden recently made some comments during a Democratic National Committee fundraiser regarding some of the recent political matters Disney has been involved in.
President Biden specifically mentioned Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Bill (which critics have called the “Don’t Say Gay” bill) and some of the actions taken by the Florida government following Disney’s response to the bill.
©AP
For context, as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill was being signed into law, Disney released a statement in direct opposition of the bill, indicating that, in their view, it should never have been passed or signed and that their goal would be for the law to be repealed or struck down.
Florida’s Governor, Ron DeSantis, indicated that Disney’s statements went too far, and House Republicans later condemned Disney CEO Bob Chapek’s response to the bill.
Pride Pin
Following this, Disney World’s Reedy Creek Improvement District became a much-discussed topic. Reedy Creek is a special district that has let Disney have a great deal of control over its land in Florida and, in many ways, act as its own county. A bill was ultimately introduced and passed by the Florida legislature, and signed into law by the Florida Governor, which will dissolve Reedy Creek in 2023.
A lawsuit was filed regarding the dissolution, which was later dismissed by the judge. But some have noted that there may be some major roadblocks in the way of the dissolution of Reedy Creek.
Reedy Creek Fire Department ©Reedy Creek
Biden recently spoke about Disney and some of the recent political matters it has been involved it, putting “the targeting of Disney in context with other efforts in states to ban certain books from school libraries.” (Deadline)
According to Deadline, Biden said “Did you ever think we’d be in a position in the year 2022 – we’d be talking about banning books in schools? …What’s going to happen to a gay child, an L[G]BTQ child in school? I mean, this thing. It’s one thing to take on Disney World. They’re going to storm Cinderella’s castle before this is over.”
Biden then went on to say “If I told you these things, I think you’d think I was crazy.” Deadline shares that he “then deadpanned, ‘You may think I’m crazy anyway, but…'”
©Tiffany Blanchette/The Daily Journal via AP (Obtained via Deadline)
Deadline shares that Disney hasn’t commented on some of the more recent political matters and “no Wall Street analysts raised questions about them on the corporate earnings call on Wednesday afternoon.” But, Deadline shares that as campaigns heat up, “a focus on Disney can draw attention.”
The “Don’t Say Gay” Bill and Reedy Creek situations aren’t the only political or legislative matters that have involved Disney lately.
EPCOT
The new legislation would “cap the length of copyrights given corporations by Congress to 56 years and retroactively implement this change on companies, including Walt Disney.” (Fox News)
According to Deadline, the bill stands “little change of passage and likely would raise constitutional challenges, but Hawley’s focus was on punishing Disney for, in his words, going ‘woke.'”
©Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images (Obtained via Fox News)
Disney has also been the subject of some other political/legislative matters. One congressional representative has called for the end of Disney’s no-fly zones, saying that “special interests” have “hijacked” the mandate of the Federal Aviation Administration in the “sheep’s clothing of national security, for commercial gain.”
According to Deadline, “attacks on Disney come as corporations in general, often with pressure from employees, have been more willing to weigh in on divisive social issues…Hawley’s message, and that of a number of other Republicans, is that corporations should stay quiet.”
©Disney | Walt Disney Company Headquarters
We’ve previously shared that how Disney handles large topics in the media and political matters is just one of the areas of the Company that could change in the future. Disney could go a number of routes — choosing to stay out of politics entirely, screening candidates more and being a bit more limiting in who they support, or they might just go back to business as usual. You can click here to see more of our analysis into this issue and what experts have to say.
Recent changes in Disney leadership in their communications department could also signal potential changes moving forward. Only time will tell. We’ll continue to keep an eye out for more news and share those updates with you.
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I think if the head of Disney spent more time , try Too bring back the magic that he killed in the first place,, and less about what the Fl school system wants to or not to teach. To baby’s that ate going to school. If he wants to run off with the mouth and be more political then he must step down.before he is the death ☠️ of are Mr.Mickey Mouse. Walt Disney legacy he is devastated ,more than one aspect of WDW.
Can you please do a show on the non meat options at WDW now , and did they close Wolfgang? That’s like the one out of 5 places my nephews will actually eat at, I’m not kidding the boys eat here the day we get in to Fl ,the day they go off by them self 2x, and the last day in Fl , sometimes 2x.
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Although we’ve moved our loyalty to Universal because of recent events at Disney World (price increases, removal of amenities, Genie+, etc), we are full on with Disney standing up for the rights of their LGBTQ cast members.
DeSantis’ reasons for what he is doing in Florida are self-serving. Not much he says or does seems to be in the interest of Florida residents. The Don’t Say Gay bill is not only discriminatory, it’s also dangerous for gay or trans children and shames children with same sex parents.
Disney has been under fire about their policy’s . Why do the politicians not care about other large companies out there. No mention of other businesses . There are so many out there to investigate. Seems strange to stop what they have started now.
Too much mismanagement of Disney properties have also played out to change the park experience. This is evident in ones experience. Right now the problems include the government. Not sure of Disney’s future .
I agree with Lisa Montgomery.
Government has now invaded Disney world and Disney Land. Things are getting heated on both sides. Very disturbing to read because I am fond of Disney.
After 26 years vacationing in Disney World I am now so disappointed in a place I loved. You buy your park pass , then you have to buy Genie+ To do practically everything ( even cast members not fans ) , then to ride the popular rides by way of lightning lane ( fast pass) it’s 15.00 per person .. can you say rip off Disney World. I can ,SAD
Lisa, I was just in Disney Springs May 11 and Wolfgang was open and running.
I hope that Disney continues to support tolerance, inclusion, understanding, and kindness towards others. And I hope that they DO NOT support politicians or anyone involved in spreading hate, intolerance and ignorance. Punishing someone for speaking out in support of someone else is completely contrary to the 1st Amendment of the Constitution of the United States.
People say “what about China and Disney’s silence about what goes on there”. Well, we don’t live in China. China does not have freedom of speech. Disney should stay there as their presence probably has some positive effect, even if they aren’t active in supporting dissenting views.
I say if someone thinks Disney is destroying the “Magic” by expressing support for any group, they don’t really understand what the “Magic” is.
Like they don’t have enough problems, the last thing they need right now is Biden’s support talk about the train running off the tracks. Not even sure why I’m trying to comment today since most of my posts get censored and never published. I’m betting this one will never see the comment section.
As a Dad, I want to see Disney simply focus on bringing the “magic” back to Disney properties and bring great, wholesome entertainment to kids and families that visit. That’s it. They should never take political stands, especially when it comes to a parental rights bill on which they are on the wrong side of.
Disney is the Bully of Orlando. Sea World and Universal don’t get the perks that WDW gets. Fl is not bending over to get Brightline to those parks.
Disney has taken swamp land and completely reworked the eco system. How did they get away with that. Not because they had to go through the same permitting process that every other company has to go through.
Yes Disney collects taxes but who do they pay them too. Ready Creek and Lake Buena Vista. Those two cities, town, districts have a combined 55 residents all of who own 5 acres each, all of who are Disney employees in key positions, All of whom have signed agreements to give that 5 acres back to Disney when they leave Disney employment.
Disney set up those so called cities so that they could control any and all expansion they want to put through. By a vote of the citizens (all of whom are Disney employees as I mentioned) they can and do pass every measure that Disney wants.
Disney is not about the family experience, They are a for profit money corporation.
Ready Creek should never have been in place to begin with. It’s time it is brought back into the control of State and Local government.
Disney wants to play politics, This is a political move by Florida, in direct reply to a political move by Disney.
Disney started a war they are not going to like.
Just another example of Biden pandering to his Base
All the while doing Nothing about Inflation
I could careless what Biden thinks at the moment about Disney he certainly could careless about the current struggles people have with ridiculous prices at the pump or grocery stores or baby formula shortages. Less worry about flapping the mouth more focus on fixing the mess please thanks
It is something how corporations have first amendment rights from the Citizens United ruling but they get hammered when they exercise those rights.
Can we please just vote Ron Desantis out of office with a vote of “no confidence.”
Let Disney Govern themselves. Disney runs better than the US Government at a profit every year at least and no shutdown. The US Gov is still in Debt no matter who You vote for.
Desantis lost his Papa Bear & needs a weekly headline for the 2024 run. Vote Desantis out. Problem solved. Let Disney run Disney . Perhaps Desantis could give more funding to teachers & schools & Let the Schools teach kids education. Instead of the other way around.
This is aging well…. Everyone enjoying the inflation and misery? No chance anyone can say they are better off than 4 years ago. Desantis is making a fool of Disney. Not that they need any help.