The Disney vs. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis drama just got more interesting.
Obtained via ClickOrlando Livestream
Disney and DeSantis have been battling for quite some time now, following Disney’s statements against the Parental Rights in Education law (what critics call “Don’t Say Gay”). Following that, DeSantis and the Florida legislature have made some significant changes to Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District (now called the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District) including the imposition of a new board, declarations by the board that some recent Disney x Reedy Creek agreements are invalid, threats of a prison near Disney World, and more. And now Disney is “officially” fighting back.
According to CNBC, Disney has officially sued Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (as well as members of the District’s new board) alleging that the Governor has waged a “relentless campaign to weaponize government power” against Disney.
Obtained via ClickOrlando Livestream
The lawsuit has been filed in federal court and argues that DeSantis has orchestrated a campaign to punish Disney for its political views and that this all now threatens Disney’s business.
Though Disney’s prior responses to the battle have typically been more quiet or subtle, this significantly escalates the feud.
Reedy Creek
According to Scott Gustin (via Twitter), the lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida. It alleges, “A targeted campaign of government retaliation—orchestrated at every step by Governor DeSantis as punishment for Disney’s protected speech—now threatens Disney’s business operations, jeopardizes its economic future in the region, and violates its constitutional rights.”
"A targeted campaign of government retaliation—orchestrated at every step by Governor DeSantis as punishment for Disney’s protected speech—now threatens Disney’s business operations, jeopardizes its economic future in the region, and violates its constitutional rights." pic.twitter.com/1baIBvfNaN
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) April 26, 2023
- For more than half a century, Disney has made an immeasurable impact on Florida and its economy, establishing Central Florida as a top global tourist destination
- Disney is one of Central Florida’s largest taxpayers
- Disney is also one of the largest employers in the State
But, “A targeted campaign of government retaliation—orchestrated at every step by Governor DeSantis as punishment for Disney’s protected speech—now threatens Disney’s business operations, jeopardizes its economic future in the region, and violates its constitutional rights.”
Magic Kingdom
Disney argues that DeSantis “paid no mind to the governing structure that facilitated Reedy Creek’s successful development until one year ago, when the Governor decided to target Disney.” In Disney’s view, “There is no room for disagreement about what happened here: Disney expressed its opinion on state legislation and was then punished by the State for doing so.”
DeSantis said that Disney’s statement on the Don’t Say Gay law had “crossed a line.” Following that, Disney argues, he has employed “the machinery of the State in a coordinated campaign to damage Disney’s ability to do business in Florida.”
Pride Mickey Ears
Disney argues that the leaders of the state haven’t been subtle in their reasons for the attack. Instead, Disney claims “They have proudly declared that Disney deserves this fate because of what Disney said.” Disney even pointed out how the Florida representative who introduced the Reedy Creek dissolution bill once shared, “You got me on one thing, this bill does target one company. It targets The Walt Disney Company.”
According to Disney, “This is as clear a case of retaliation as this Court is ever likely to see.”
Reedy Creek
According to the complaint, Disney “regrets that it has come this. But, Disney claims that it has “exhausted efforts to seek a resolution,” leaving them with “no choice but to file this lawsuit to protect its cast members, guests, and local development partners from a relentless campaign to weaponize government power.”
Disney claims that they “never wanted a fight with the Florida government” and had tried to de-escalate things for almost a year “trying several times to spark a productive dialogue with the DeSantis Administration. To no avail.”
Reedy Creek Trash Cans
Due to the uncertainty about “the lengths to which the State would go to keep punishing Disney for its views,” Disney argues that they gave notice about some contracts they would be entering into regarding future development within the District “contracts that implemented a comprehensive plan for the District that the DeSantis Administration itself had found compliant with Florida law months earlier.”
According to Disney, the “latest strike” in DeSantis’ campaign has been the action taken by the board of supervisors of the District on April 26th, 2023 which invalidated some of Disney’s “publically noticed and duly agreed development contracts” that it had signed with the previous board.
©Reedy Creek Meeting Livestream
Disney argues that its Development Agreement with the prior board doesn’t “undermine” the authority of the new board to “govern and exercise authority.” And they claim that nothing in these contracts was a surprise because they were “discussed and approved after open, noticed public forums in compliance with Florida law.”
According to Disney, the action by the board to invalidate these agreements now is “patently retaliatory, patently anti-business, and patently unconstitutional.”
You can read more about that board action here
Disney warns that the Governor and the board he has appointed will not stop. Disney alleges that DeSantis has threatened to “to look at things like taxes on the hotels,” “tolls on the roads,” “developing some of the property that the district owns” with “more amusement parks,” and even putting a “state prison” next to Walt Disney World.
via Twitter
As a result of this situation, Disney claims that it has been “forced to defend itself against a State weaponizing its power to inflict political punishment.” Disney claims that DeSantis and his appointed board have violated Disney’s federal constitution rights “under the Contracts Clause, the Takings Clause, the Due Process Clause, and the First Amendment.”
Disney’s ultimate view seems to be summed up in one sentence “In America, the government cannot punish you for speaking your mind.”
Magic Kingdom
The complaint goes through some of the history of Reedy Creek, why it was created, and what it has achieved over the years. It also goes into a discussion about the Comprehensive Plan 2023 (which is one the new board has taken issue with and may strike down at an upcoming meeting). Disney argues that a challenge to the comprehensive plan could be filed within 30 days after it was adopted by an “affected person,” but no such petition was filed.
The complaint then details Disney’s response to the Don’t Say Gay law, DeSantis’ response, and what they’ve called DeSantis’ “campaign of punishment.”
©Governor Ron DeSantis Website
Disney details how, in their view, DeSantis orchestrated the attack to dissolve the Reedy Creek District behind the scenes and how those plans are detailed in DeSantis’ own book.
The complaint then goes on to talk about the bill that established the new Reedy Creek board, changed the District’s name, and made other changes — calling that bill “every bit the takeover that Governor DeSantis promised.” Disney also called it a “law designed to target Disney and Disney alone.”
The complaint also goes through a number of statements from various leaders to display how all of this is, according to Disney’s argument, a clear attempt at retaliation for Disney’s speech on the Don’t Say Gay bill.
Disney World Monorail
The complaint also alleges that the new board has “embraced the Governor’s express mission to punish Disney for expressing disfavored viewpoints.”
The complaint brings forth a few different causes of action including a violation of the contracts clause, takings clause, due process clause, and first amendment.
Disney is asking that the court:
- declare the legislative declaration just approved by the new Reedy Creek board as unlawful
- declare that the contracts Disney signed with the old board are still in effect, and
- declare that the laws impacting Reedy Creek (specifically, the first one that would have dissolved the district, and the second one that made substantial changes to the District) be declared unlawful.
Spaceship Earth in EPCOT
If that relief is granted, it could mean that Disney would essentially undo the changes DeSantis, the legislature, and the new board have sought to make within the District.
This is a developing story, so check back with us for the latest news.
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Yessss, get him, Disney!
DeSantis is a petty wannabe-dictator who is going above and beyond to attract voters, with zero regard for Florida. His sights are on the White House and Florida is just a means to an end. He should have never been elected, let alone re-elected.
As a DVC member, Annual Pass holder, and Disney Shareholder, stop wasting money on political agendas and pay your employees, keep the park rides running and parks clean. They’re going downhill while you chase windmills!
The governor has chosen to create a war in Florida against Disney. I would like to see the the Disney Corporation just start shutting things down. Not sure how many people would lose their job but I am sure DeSantis has a resolution for that as well.
I was ready for this mess to be over several weeks ago, stating that DeSantis was due for a dose of statesmanship, and to call Iger and sit down over a cup of coffee and talk things out. We’ll see where this ends up. In hind sight, DeSantis should have expressed public shock and disappointment that the company founded by Walt Disney now thinks its acceptable to teach 5 and 6 year olds about sexual orientation and gender identity, robbing them of their innocense, and the State has a different view, and just allowed the consumer market place provide Disney it’s much-needed corrective feedback, which it is now seeing in less than stellar new movie box office receipts.
Hopefully Disney will crush his political future! We do not need a bully as our president
Go Disney! DeSantis went too far with his actions.
Good! desantis is on a quest to be a dictator. Punishing anyone for a differing opinion is fascist . Why would you want to punish one of the largest employers in your state who brings millions of tourism dollars into the state every year? He needs to be stopped.
!!!NEWSFLASH!!!
Disney… you’re NOT really a “World”. In fact, you’re no longer even really Disney. Shame on you… as Walt turns in his grave at the political shambles you have made of his theme park! That theme being, “for the Children”!! Sadly, no longer.
Disney speaks the truth. DeSantis the dictator is so wrong. How can you go after a company for speaking its point of view.
DeSantis’ little retaliatory whiney fit, supported by his sycophantic stooges in the Florida Legislature will cost his delicate ego, and the citizenry of Florida who have to pay the bill. Grow up Ron! Who’s done more for Florida, Disney or you?
I’m so glad Disney’s finally sued him!
Good luck, loser, in beating the Mouse! What a stupid fight to pick!
Not a one sided article at all. 😂
Disney needs to stay out of politics. Walt would never have approved of all this WOKE stuff. DeSantis is right. Disney abused their privileges.
Seems to me like Disney has been getting away with preventing people’s free speech for years in their dress codes and forcing the new non-hetero agendas. Stay out of politics and be the entertainment company Walt made it to be.
Yay! Go Disney!
Disney (Chapek) picked the fight saying they would do all they could to help overturn the Parental Rights Bill. That was not “free speech”, that was action taken against a State that had welcomed Disney and given them special privileges. How far is this from the founding purpose of providing trusted family entertainment?
They are hypocritical in saying they are being punished for free speech. They do not hesitate to fire and or defame anyone associated with the company who says anything in disagreement with their “woke” views or policies.
Why should Disney not have to comply with same regulations as Universal, Sea World and others? How is that not fair?
Disney leadership is destroying the company
Kudos to DeSantis! Keep on!
Go Ron!
Disney is fighting a losing battle. Tried to pull a fast one and that backfired big time. May win first court challenge , but after that it’s all over. You can’t fight city hall. They had a unique set up, best in the state. But had to shove their nose into state politics. I don’t see them suing the Chinese Communist Party for the laws that allow slavery in their country. Stop preaching and entertain people.
DeSatan should know better than to mess with the mouse!
What would Walt do? I’d bet not get his company involved in this. Just a thought.
For all of you who are saying Disney should stay out of politics, where were you when Hobby Lobby decided not to comply with the Affordable Care Act and where were you when MyPillow CEO, Mike Lindell, started spewing falsehoods about a stolen election? Do you recall when Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney said “Corporations are people” or remember the Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission Supreme Court ruling? The point I’m making is that if you truly believe a corporation shouldn’t get involved in politics, then you can’t just speak out against it when their viewpoints don’t align with your own. As a taxpayer in the State of Florida, Disney has every right to speak out against an unjust law that impacts their cast members and guests. Moreover, they’re totally on the right side of history by opposing a law that only serves to propagate hate, ignorance and intolerance. If a government official like Governor DeSantis can get away with harassing an entity as large as Disney into submission, no one else would stand a chance. He is only trying to make an example out of them in violation of their First Amendment rights so that others are afraid to speak out. Without any challenge, the governor’s unconstitutional example would set a very bad precedent that would pave the way for more odious laws to be enacted in the future at every level of government. Tyranny anywhere is a threat to freedom everywhere. Thank you Disney for standing up for freedom and standing up for what’s right!
I’m sick of the word WOKE so need to stop 🛑 it and desantis is jerk a little man with a big ego and Disney pats lots of money n taxes and where do u think Florida would have been with out it my family lives n Florida and they will tell the same thing I said when it was just beaches if Disney would leave thousands up on thousands of jobs would go