The Disney vs. DeSantis battles are continuing in a new and unique way.
©Governor Ron DeSantis Website
Though Florida Governor Ron DeSantis may have ended the “corporate kingdom” by changing parts of Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District (now called the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District) and appointing all new board members, the Board might NOT have the power it expected thanks to a special agreement Disney entered into with the previous Board. We’ve seen Disney comment on the new Board’s lawsuit threats and statements released by a Board Member, but now we’ve got even more news on the matter.
If you’re thinking “wait…what’s happening?” allow us to explain. Basically, prior to the new Board (made of people appointed by DeSantis) taking over the District, Disney and the old Reedy Creek Board entered into an agreement that gives Disney a lot of control over the District for the next 30 years. CNN shares, “Lawyers for the new board also said Disney has veto authority over any public project in the district.”
Another part of the Agreement stops the new Board from using any of Disney’s “fanciful characters” until “21 years after the death of the last survivor of the descendants of King Charles III, king of England.”
©Spectrum News 13
Essentially, Disney put in place an “insurance policy” that would ensure they’d be able to function as they expect to even if the new Board wants to make changes. The Orlando Sentinel reported that this agreement was unanimously approved by the old Board on February 8th of this year.
One Board Member, Ron Peri, shared “This essentially makes Disney the government…This board loses, for practical purposes, the majority of its ability to do anything beyond maintaining the roads and maintaining basic infrastructure.”
Reedy Creek Trash Cans
The new Board raised concerns about this at a meeting in late March. DeSantis’ office later made some statements about the matter, but now we’ve got some words from DeSantis himself.
According to CNN, DeSantis has “teased” that future actions could be taken against Disney regarding their agreements with the old Reedy Creek board. DeSantis said, “There’s a lot of little back-and-forths going on now with the state taking control, but rest assured, you know, you ain’t seen nothing yet…There’s more to come in that regard.”
via Twitter
In talking about Disney, DeSantis noted, “They basically got everything they wanted for the many decades they’ve been operating in Florida – until now, because now there’s a new sheriff in town.”
Various sources have pointed out that while the new Board seemed to indicate they had “just” learned about the agreement between Disney and the old Board, that agreement had actually been approved in a public meeting well before the new Board took over. NPR reports, “A detailed note about the Restrictive Covenant clause was recorded in the Feb. 8 Reedy Creek agenda and meeting minutes. A day later, the agreement was registered with the Orange County Comptroller. All of those documents were, and still are, available online, no public records request needed. Anyone could’ve attended the old board’s meeting on Feb. 8.”
Reedy Creek Fire Department Sign
CNN also points out that “Documents for the February 8 meeting show it was noticed in the Orlando Sentinel as required by law.” And they share, “DeSantis’ office on Thursday declined to say when the governor discovered Disney maneuvered to salvage its special powers.”
According to CNN, while DeSantis was “upbeat” in his discussions about the recent battles with Disney, “DeSantis on Thursday spoke less about his battle with Disney than he has in previous speeches on his recent book tour.”
©Governor Ron DeSantis Website
So what happens now? Well, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has sent a records request to the District and former Board members requesting documents and communications surrounding the vote on this Agreement. Moody’s office has warned that there could be “civil and criminal penalties” for refusing to turn over records related to the action.
Additionally, the new Board has hired a number of law firms to look into the issue and potential lawsuits or legal actions against Disney related to this.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ©Deadline
Meanwhile, Disney has stood by its actions, saying “All agreements signed between Disney and the District were appropriate, and were discussed and approved in open, noticed public forums in compliance with Florida’s Government in the Sunshine law.”
Where things go from here remains a bit of a mystery at the moment, but we will be keeping a close eye out for more details and will let you know what we find.
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
DeSantis needs to pipe down and move on. This has been a ridiculous spectacle on his part from the beginning.
No matter what side you are on, I think everyone agrees that WDW has been good for Florida and WDW has been good for Disney and Reedy Creek played a key role in the rapid development of WDW in its infancy. It worries me as a Central Florida resident and Disney fan that the new board has been so incensed over this late policy enactment by the old board that they now stated they may need to become adversarial. I hope this situation doesn’t become so toxic that things are ruined for everyone. Are there any grown ups remaining in either organization?
I am a huge Disney fan from way back. I started going to Disneyland as a child with my parents. I am now 63 years old and Disneyland was only 4 years old when I was born. I have been a passholder since they were in the middle of remodeling DCA. BUT, I think Disney needs to lose this one. From what I have read, Disney has WAY too much power and say-so for being a private company. And, because of their becoming more and more “woke” as of late, I am trusting them less and less especially with certain changes they have made (and are making) in the parks. The magic isn’t gone….yet……but it has diminished some and it will disappear if they keep following the same path. The “new sheriff in town” needs to do what is best and fair for the state. Not for Disney.
Disney played with fire and they got burnt. And, now they are going to get burned again because DeSantis will not back down, nor should he. Disney decided to stick its corporate nose into the political arena and they are paying the price for it. The majority of WDW customers, including myself, go to WDW to be on vacation and step out of the rigors of day-to-day life. I don’t care about someone’s political agenda and they don’t care about mine. I don’t want anyone else’s political views, agendas or sexual orientation shoved down my throat when I am there. This is what vacation is for. However, when Disney decided to entertain the woke culture and push an agenda which is not supported by 98% of the population, they ruined this vacation experience for a lot of customers. If Disney survives, it will be a miracle. Such a sad way to end Walt’s legacy.
Thank GOD I was wondering why Disney was too quiet
DeSantis and his “minions” were so busy strutting around, they forgot to keep their eye on the ball. They won a battle but it appears they may have lost the war.
I love that DeSantis was outfoxed!! Yay, DISNEY!!
DeSantis is such a joke–he’s just embarrassed because Disney’s several steps ahead of him.
Florida homeowners are getting screwed over on our home insurance fees and all DeSantis can worry himself over is the fact that Disney beat him. He’s like a petulant child, spending our taxpayer money to fight Disney. Deal with more important state issues Ron.
There are so many things I am reading that make no sense. If Disney backs away, which I’m sure they won’t Florida residents in the area may get stuck paying higher taxes.
Disney as a large company, like all other large commercial companies was always in the political game, they donate and support their political choice. It’s retaliation for not going along with his agenda.
I think Disney should start to look at another state that would welcome the economic help. Florida will then see how much Disney helps Florida monetarily.
The Mickey Mouse Goobernador, little
Ronito, was made to look Goofy. The poor little pipsqueak brat didn’t get his way.
It appears odd that often people that don’t want political opinions shoved down their throat, don’t mind pushing their own opinions on others.
DeSantis says his actions against Disney is The Will Of The People. Ask the citizens of Florida if they would be better off if Disney World never existed in Florida. Most would choose Disney over Wanna B Dictator DeSantis, HANDS DOWN.
DeSantis is off the rails because Disney dared to have an opinion
Different from his. He’s turning Florida into a little Russia, controlling everything and attacking anyone that disagrees with him. Wanna be dictator. Pathetic
“I don’t want anyone’s political agenda shoved down my throat when I’m there”
Good job literally no one was doing that then really, isn’t it?
DeSantis is a goon, just like his indicted role model.
They’ll just focus on developing tax paying tract housing around the park lands. All around Disney is wilderness, which Disney owns and developers have always wanted the land; just ask Walt.
Do you know how many monkeys live in Disney’s vast wilderness?!
Really! More taxes, tolls levied on your own citizens and out of state visitors. Who does he think Disney is going to pass this on to? Ronnie needs to think before he speaks and request Florida legislators to enact such measures. Apparently Florida doesn’t have issues other than Disney to argue with. Floridians, wake up!! Ronnie is going down a path he needs to avoid. Disney has and continues to enhance Floridas citizens .
I thought DeSantis was presidential material however his personal vendetta against Disney has changed that thought process.
All of the comments (here and elsewhere) cheering DeSantis are missing the point. This isn’t about “woke”culture so put that aside. This is about a man’s ego and inability to put his personal frustrations aside. When you are in government, you have to accept that some people will dislike you, your views, and your bills. You have to rise above that, continuing to do right by the people, whether they voted for you or not (We’ve lost that in American politics, IMHO.) DeSantis cannot handle being “one upped” and he is making himself look pouty and foolish.
GIVE IT UP RON and move on to governing my state of Florida instead of bullying it!!! Did Disney dare to destroy your dreams of power over everything? Disney is the best thing that ever happened to my beautiful state, not you!!
GIVE IT UP RON and move on to governing my state of Florida instead of bullying it!!! Did Disney dare to destroy your dreams of power over everything? Disney is the best thing that ever happened to my beautiful state, not you!! Try acting like a governor and govern, not bullying it.
Did you all know that DeSantis got married at the Grand Floridian in Disney World?? Is he annoyed that he got married there or just that he got married?? Seems strange to retaliate against a place that should be such a beautiful memory for him and his family!!