Disney World has been embroiled in a battle over the Reedy Creek Improvement District with Florida lawmakers since a bill was introduced (and later signed into law) to dissolve the district and its special tax status.
©Spectrum News 13
The decision from lawmakers (including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis) came after Disney spoke out against Florida’s Parental Rights in Education law — referred to as the “Don’t Say Gay” Law by dissidents — and will take effect in June 2023. With Disney’s recent CEO shake-up, though, the future of the Reedy Creek Improvement District may not be so bleak after all.
Help us, Bob Iger, you’re our only hope — that’s what insiders briefed on Florida state lawmakers’ new plan believe, according to a new report from the Financial Times. The compromise “would allow Disney to keep the [Reedy Creek] arrangement largely in place with a few modifications.”
©WFTV 9
In April, Florida lawmakers voted to revoke Disney’s special tax district — established in 1968 — after the company spoke out against the Parental Rights in Education bill before it was signed into law. The dissolution of Reedy Creek is slated for June 2023, but since Bob Chapek was fired and Bob Iger has taken over as Disney CEO, that could change.
©Disney
The Republican lawmaker who drafted the Reedy Creek dissolution bill, Randy Fine, shared that the removal of Chapek as CEO made it more likely ‘that something will get sorted out’ over the district.
He continued, “It’s easier to shift policy when you don’t have to defend the old policy… Chapek screwed up, but Bob Iger doesn’t have to own that screw-up.”
©Reuters
Since returning as CEO, Iger hasn’t shared much about the battle for Reedy Creek, but did say that he had “no idea” what the ramifications are from the dissolution “in terms of the business itself” and that “The state of Florida has been very important to us for a long time, and we have been very important to the state of Florida.”
At an employee Town Hall meeting, Iger said he needed to “get up to speed” on the issue and that he was “sorry to see [Disney] get dragged into battle” over Reedy Creek.
Reedy Creek Trash Cans
Back in February 2022 when it was first introduced, Iger publicly denounced the “Don’t Say Gay” law, warning that it would “put vulnerable, young LGTBQ people in Jeopardy.” But it was Chapek at the helm of Disney at the time, who no doubt got on DeSantis’ bad side after the company shared a statement opposing the bill — and later stopped all political contributions in Florida.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ©Deadline
Florida Democratic state senator Linda Stewart explained that the law that would dissolve Reedy Creek “is a tax increase” and that she didn’t “think [DeSantis] understood how badly this could go for the state of Florida and the counties and the cities.”
One potential compromise currently being discussed would revoke Disney’s rights to build an airport or nuclear power plant on the property — something it is not likely to use, anyway.
Stewart shared another solution would allow DeSantis to appoint two members to the board and said, “These compromises can be done with the least amount of impact. We can’t let the governor look like he lost.”
©ABC || DeSantis signs the Parental Rights in Education Act into law.
Luckily, there is plenty of time to negotiate as the law would not go into effect until next summer, and a Republican senator is reportedly working on a draft bill that would allow for compromise. A source in Florida politics shared with the Financial Times, “It seems like Disney and the legislature have motivation to make a deal. Nobody wants a train wreck.”
©Fox10 News | Florida Governor Ron DeSantis
While the future of the Reedy Creek Improvement District remains uncertain for now, it’s possible that a compromise can be reached that would benefit all parties, and the return of Bob Iger may have something to do with that. It’s expected that the details of a new district will be finalized during the next state legislative session that begins in March 2023.
Bob Iger ©New York Post
UPDATE: A spokesperson for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has denied the report that lawmakers are considering reversing their decision to dissolve Reedy Creek, according to NBC News. In a statement, the spokesperson said DeSantis “does not make U-turns” and that he “was right to champion removing the extraordinary benefit given to one company through the Reedy Creek Improvement District.”
“We will have an even playing field for businesses in Florida, and the state certainly owes no special favors to one company. Disney’s debts will not fall on the taxpayers of Florida. A plan is in the works and will be released soon,” the governor’s office said.
Reedy Creek Sign in Disney World
We’ll continue to keep you updated on the status of the Reedy Creek Improvement District and more news from The Walt Disney Company — so stay tuned to DFB for more!
Governor DeSantis Responds to CEO Bob Iger’s Comments on Florida’s Legal Battles
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Work together, out of the spotlight, to resolve this matter. Iger is correct. Florida has benefited from Disney and Disney has benefited from Florida. Keep working together for the benefit of all: citizens, guests, cast members, tax payers, the State of Florida and Disney shareholders, everyone.
Its way too easy to get on the BAD SIDE of General DeSantis.
He’s a man of arrogance, daily hate and very divisive.
Gigi, I know that this post is off topic, but can you tell me if there are MANY MORE POP UP ADVERTISEMENTS THAN EVER BEFORE?these pop ups are very distracting particularly if you are typing a comment. There are times when I try to X-Out of an advertisement and I delete my post. Are there more advertisements now than before, do they pop up quicker and higher on the page? Thanks
The knee-jerk retaliatory move by DeSantis never would have occurred if iger were CEO. It was just another example of how inept Chapek was as a leader. The board should have removed him at that point.
Chapek ‘screwed‘ up EVERYTHING! Hallelujah He’s GONE !!! I was at Disney last week and everybody is so happy he’s no more especially all the workers. I asked them to smile if happy or frown if sad he’s gone. All I saw was teeth !!!!!! The smiles were huge !!!! Love it 😍
The dissolution of Reedy Creek is a daunting obstacle. But, as a Florida resident, I do not want the guy who blindly initiated it, DeSantis, to be appointing two members to the board. Now, I believe this board is the Reedy Creek board. The article was not clear. But is it in Disney’s, and our state’s interest, to have DeSantis further influencing what is basically a county issue? The Orange and Osceola counties are facing a horrible shift in infrastructure if this change goes through. They would have to hire hundreds of public service positions. Granted, the best candidates are the folk already doing this for Disney. But their salaries are paid by Disney. The counties would have to absorb this work force. And for an area not inhabited by tax payers.
Apparently this all fell to some one not dotting an I and crossing a T when some underlying law changed decades ago. Bring the contract up to date and move forward.
Disney and Florida are intrinsically linked. I am hoping it can stay this way.
Please stop showing Chapek’s picture!!!!!
A special shout out to AJ…….I love you! You always write a little something at the right time, most recently “Take it easy on yourself”.
You Awesome Sauce!!!!
Carolyn
Hi Ron. I’m not sure why you’re getting extra popups. What kind of ads are you seeing?
Disney should focus on doing what it does best — providing fun, family entertainment. When it (or any company) starts getting political, it risks alienating at least half of its clients by standing for 1 side & against another. The problem is that many higher ups at Disney are more interested in using their position to be activists than in actually providing a quality service that appeals to all.
The bill in question is totally misnamed as it has nothing to do with gay people, it has to do with giving parents the right to share sexual information with their young children, & not teachers.
Dissolving Disney’s special privileges puts it on an equal playing field with other businesses in FL as no other corporation received those same special privileges. Shouldn’t Disney have the same rules as all other businesses? Why the special treatment?
Chapek/ Disney brought all this mess on themselves. They should get out of politics & sexualizing of children & get back to entertainment & protecting kids’ innocence.
I wish people would keep their political opinions regarding Ron De Santis to themselves. He was overwhelmingly voted back in as the Florida governor for another term. People who dislike De Santis are in the minority in Florida. Disney screwed up. The so-called “Don’t Say Gay Bill” is about parental rights. Companies need to stay out of local politics that have nothing to do with their business. I know that both sides will work together to come to a resolution at the end of the day. Neither side is going is going to win 100%, but one thing is certain: Florida will have some say in what happens with the Reedy Creek District in the future.
The comments on this article have been filtered. Not all viewpoints are presented. Very interesting . . .
Ron DeSantis is a bully. His “I don’t make u-turns” is a great example. It’s not about what is good for Florida, with him it’s about his ego. While Disney doesn’t need this fight, if they cave to DeSantis now, he’ll just get worse. And besides, the Angels are on Disney’s side. This move by DeSantis is a clear violation of the first amendment. This is one of those moments in time that seem small at first, but in hindsight will mark the beginning of something much greater, and not in a good way.
Please let the MOUSE run Reedy Creek, I do not live in FL., but I am aware that it benefits not only Disney, but it’s residents. All the good that Disney has done over the years. DeSantis, mind your own business, show some real power in forgiving!!!!!!
Gigi, if I am reading a story or writing a comment, the advertisement pops up very high and blocks the story or covers my comment. I apologize for not explaining it properly. Ron K
That’s ok, Ron! Just trying to get to the bottom of it. Do you remember what the ads are for? I just wanted to ask to see if it’s something we are doing on our end or if it’s an adware issue. I appreciate you being so helpful!
Hi Carolyn. When messages are not approved it is for a number of reasons including, but not limited to insensitivity, inaccuracy, language, etc. All comments must be linguistically appropriate for a wide audience, and generally not inflammatory. We are happy to approve all viewpoints as long as they do not include any of these factors. Thanks!
My comments were political, but not offensive. I am offended by many comments you publish. This is why we have stopped supporting Disney
Hi Carolyn. I went back and did a comment search to pull up all of your comments that have been left on this blog and all of them were approved. There were none that were denied. Perhaps a comment didn’t make it all the way through to us.
DeSantis is a bully! If you do not agree with him he will retaliate against you which is what he did to Disney. As a Floridian and a long time annual passholder Disney is a boon to our state. It put Florida on the map! Great for our economy. People don’t realize what Reedy Creek has done for Disney and the surrounding area. It has it’s own police and fire departments, road maintenance etc. If you get rid of Reedy Creek you will lose all the services it provides to keep Disney World the beautiful and fun place it is. Not to mention that the residents will probably get taxed for it’s loss! De Santis needs to stop punishing everyone and everything that disagrees with him, mind his own business and quit being a big bully! Imagine him as President. I TOTALLY DREAD THAT THOUGHT!! Keep Reedy Creek! Disney needs it and so does the communities around it!
Looks like DeSantis will be our next president considering all he has accomplished in rebuilding after IDA.
Oh wait maybe he should take Iger’s place as CEO. Let’s think on this, maintenance brought up to par, no more major rides down, pass on upcharges to, well I am not sure where, Reedy Creek owned and run once again by Disney. New rides, new park, new future.