There is a lot going on between Disney’s Reedy Creek District (now called the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District) and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
Reedy Creek
On March 29th, 2023, the new Board of Supervisors that was appointed by DeSantis met for a second time to discuss several aspects of the District. The Board considered challenging some of the agreements with Reedy Creek’s former board that were approved before the new board took over and even threatened a lawsuit. Disney and DeSantis have gone back and forth commenting on the situation and now we’ve got another update.
Ron DeSantis has taken things a step further and is ordering the Chief Inspector General to launch an investigation into any possible violations by the former Reedy Creek board, according to Scott Gustin on Twitter.
©Governor Ron DeSantis Website
DeSantis released a letter saying that his new Board “uncovered that, immediately before the enactment of House Bill 9-B, the RCID Board of Supervisors attempted to enter into last-minute development and restrictive covenant agreements” with Disney. He also says this was “designed to usurp the authority of the CFTOD Board.”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ©Deadline
The letter indicates some of his and his team’s frustrations from the week before saying that this agreement was “collusive and self-dealing” and defies “the will of Floridians.”
The letter goes on to say that “RCID board’s actions appear to suffer from serious legal infirmities, including, among other things, inadequate notice, lack of consideration, improper delegation of authority, and ethical violations, such as conflicts of interest and self-dealing.”
Reedy Creek
Because of this DeSantis has now ordered the Chief Inspector General of the State of Florida to “launch a thorough review and investigation into the actions of the RCID Board of Supervisors.” This investigation will look at many things including the “legal validity of their actions” and “any financial gain or benefit derived by Walt Disney World as a result of RCID’s actions.”
Read the full letter from DeSantis below:
Gov. DeSantis is now ordering the Chief Inspector General to investigate any possible "legal or ethical violations" by the previous Reedy Creek board. Reminder: The agreements were all discussed in public meetings BEFORE the Florida House voted to put the governor in charge. pic.twitter.com/Ef37aIQC6H
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) April 3, 2023
The feud between Disney and DeSantis is not new, however, the DeSantis appointed Board taking over the District is the newest source of tension. The battle started back in early 2022 when Florida passed the Parental Rights in Education law (or what critics call the Don’t Say Gay law) and Disney spoke out against the bill (before and after it was signed into law).
Pride Month in Disney Springs
By the end of March 31st, 2022, DeSantis commented on the possibility of repealing the Reedy Creek Improvement District and in April the bill to dissolve the District passed the Florida Senate, the Florida House of Representatives, and was signed by DeSantis.
Reedy Creek
Flash forward to November after months of speculation on what could happen when Reedy Creek is dissolved, Bob Iger takes over the position of CEO at The Walt Disney Company. Some wondered if this would help the Reedy Creek situation at all, however, Bob Iger also spoke out publicly against the Don’t Say Gay law.
In February 2023, changes including a new name and a DeSantis-appointed Board were proposed and later signed into law when DeSantis chose a new Board for the District. This brings us to where we are today.
©D23
You can read more about the full timeline between DeSantis and Disney below.
A Complete Timeline of the Battle Between Gov. Ron DeSantis and Disney
We’ll continue to keep you updated as we get more information on the battle between Disney and DeSantis, so stay tuned for updates.
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In most cases, the Florida Inspector General are responsible for investigating or auditing state agencies which the Reedy Creek was not. DeSantis can examine the state board he created (CFTOD Board).
This is just DeSantis being publicly humiliated because he and his staff were too busy pounding their chests and acting all righteous that they know what is best for the state. It shows how inept government can be that they didn’t realize what happened. Just a confirmation that the most skilled people don’t go into government. Let’s hope Iger and team continue to show him the way. This could drag on long enough that DeSantis is no longer relevant.
This meglomaniac has to be stopped. Using cheap political theatrics to “punish” the states largest employer, and the only reason why Florida grew from a retirement village to America’s top tourist destination is childish and immature.
desantis u need to shut up and leave Disney alone u r real whack job all u want to do is destroy someone that uses freedom of speech so if anyone doesn’t agree then u want to go
After them u r a dictator Florida voters
Better get u out of there that was once
A wonderful state and u r destroying it with hateful axe to bare against anyone who doesn’t agree with u
This Florida resident and taxpayer says three cheers for Disney! And it is too bad we have such a small man as governor.
Hey Ron. Put ur tail between ur legs and get lost.
I think it’s so sad that things have gotten so far. The tax payers in that area don’t deserve this and neither does Disney. Everyone needs to cycle down a few notches and realize that there are enough wars on this planet.