The continuing conflict between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and The Walt Disney Company is about to come to a boiling point.
©Disney | Walt Disney Company Headquarters
A hearing has been set for July 14th in the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Board v. Disney state lawsuit and we’re eager to see just what the outcome of that might be. But, how has the Disney-DeSantis feud impacted the way each party is viewed by the public? A new poll has the answer.
A poll from Florida Atlantic University’s Mainstreet PolCom Lab reveals just how Floridians feel about the Disney-DeSantis battle — and it’s a near-even split along party lines.
Cinderella Castle
The survey, released on July 10th, shows that 35% of respondents “strongly” back DeSantis while 33% said they “strongly” side with Disney. A further 12.5% of participants reported leaning toward DeSantis’ position with 10% indicating the same about Disney, and 9% said they didn’t know.
Disney vs. DeSantis
The party split isn’t too surprising — 81% of Republicans surveyed supported DeSantis, and 76% of Democrats who participated responded in support of Disney. The sample was made up of 933 adults 18 or older, living in Florida and is intended to represent the voting population of the state.
©Governor Ron DeSantis Website
A previous poll from YouGov and Yahoo News also revealed a similar pattern. The poll discussed how Disney criticized the Florida Parental Rights in Education bill (what critics called “Don’t Say Gay”) and asked whether Disney’s actions were “appropriate or inappropriate.”
Overall, 42% of adults in the US felt Disney’s actions were inappropriate, while 39% felt they were appropriate, and 19% weren’t sure. But when split among party lines, 66% of Democrats felt it was appropriate, while 47% of Independents and 73% of Republicans felt it was inappropriate.
©Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board
The poll also noted how, in response to Disney’s statement, DeSantis has tried to abolish the Reedy Creek District and then took control of the board that oversees the District. The poll asked whether DeSantis’ actions were appropriate or inappropriate.
As a whole, 38% felt DeSantis’ actions were appropriate, while 40% felt they were inappropriate, and 22% weren’t sure. Among party lines, 67% of Democrats felt it was inappropriate, while 67% of Republicans felt it was appropriate.
Reedy Creek Improvement District
But, at the end of the day, it’s the courts who will make a decision in the July 14th hearing for Disney’s motion to dismiss the case filed by the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. If the court sides with Disney, the District’s lawsuit would be dismissed.
On the flip side, if the court decides to move forward with the lawsuit, Disney would be open to further litigation on the matter. The court’s ruling may also impact any new court filings going forward, like the breach-of-contract case brought up by the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.
Magic Kingdom
That’s all the updates for now but we’ll be sure to keep an eye out for more updates in the coming days, as the Reedy Creek hearing is set for July 14th. Stay tuned for more news related to Disney, DeSantis, Reedy Creek, and more.
Learn More About the Upcoming Hearing in the Disney-DeSantis Battle Here
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Hmm and still losing business
Our state officials should spend a little more time paying attention to all of the home insurance companies that are fleeing the state so that they can save their constituents money than a feud with a company over hurt feelings
Its Disney hurting Disney, if they would get back to what made the parks work so well, quit being woke, and stop taking away attractions that people loved (splash mountain) things might get better. But the idiots in charge are just unbelievable. They dont know their audience, they are using the Desantis feud as a political game. Oh and someone already AX the stupid Genie system, this is what is hurting them. Too much work, too expensive, too complicated.
An honest dispute about an issue must not distort the opposing side. “Don’t say gay” distorts the sincere perspective of trying to prevent the sexualization of the school curriculum for young children in Florida.
Disney used to be a wholesome corporation but now has been hijacked by people with a bad agenda. Our society has many corrupt aspects. Disney is now experiencing a collapse of its value, park attendance, and movie attendance.
I am so over this Reedy Creek business. As far as Disney low crowds, seems to me people are making a stand “over pricing”. Genie+ prices are out of control. Yes, get to the park and give in simply to be able to ride 2 or 3 rides? Food and merchandise has declined severely in quality. Disney needs to step up their GAME! Fifth Door is not the answer. If Disney plans to invest 17 million, fix what is in disrepair now, stabilize pricing, give more perks, then move on. Value resort guests do not receive same perks as Deluxe.
Hey Disney, perk to Value resort guests, free refillable mug during stay, Moderate, free resort continental breakfast during stay, Deluxe, free fast pass during stay, just suggesting.
Disney and the State of Florida should mediate, and keep things quiet. Yes, Disney should have stayed away from politics. Yes, the State of Florida should not retaliate and punishment Disney.
Get back to work, doing the things they know best, and keep it separate.
My stock is taking a hit, and this is definitely effecting it. But I speak as a Disney Adult, as well as support for the State.
The cost of going to Disney is restrictive.
The cost of DeSantis in government is disastrous.
The first Disney Bob got fired. The second is on his way out. Disney has lost millions. Crowd levels are down at Disney and up at Universal. Disney stock is selling low. Disney lost it special tax privileges. The governor is more popular and famous than ever. Disney is the clear loser.
Whoever isn’t supporting Disney doesn’t understand the 1st Amendment implications of this, and that’s terribly sad.
Well, Jack the second Bob just got his contract renewed for another 2 years! Crowds are down because it is so hot this year here in Florida and it is also hot across the USA so who wants to come to Florida just to roast in the heat when they can roast at home! And save money! Oh, and Jack, our governor’s (Desantis) popularity is waning in the polls because of all the recent laws he has passed here in Florida. He is taking us back several decades with these new laws. Disney had a right to it’s freedom of speech. Thank goodness Desantis hasn’t taken that away from us Floridians yet!! My money is on Disney. Reedy Creek has taken great care of Disney World and surrounding areas since 1967! Hopefully Desantis will fade away into the Florida sunset!
So Carolyn when you say “Hey Disney, perk to Value resort guests, free refillable mug during stay, Moderate, free resort continental breakfast during stay, Deluxe, free fast pass during stay, just suggesting.” you think that the family of 4 that has saved several years just to stay in a value resort doesn’t deserve the same perks as someone staying at Grand Floridian (this family may have saved just as long too). Personally I think resort perks should apply to ALL resort guests. No one knows each guests situation. Maybe they can just write a check & pay in full or maybe they save for years and make monthly payments to paid in full.
But Cinderella-it’s not Disney’s job to project 1st amendment rights or limitations. You don’t want them to step up to support the 2nd amendment do you? The happiest place on earth should be politically neutral. Or at least minimize cultural 50-50 splits as so aptly portrayed by this poll.
Those of you who support Dasantis, should wait until you say or print something that DeSantis doesn’t like. Will he start coming down on other private companies or individuals? And those of you sheep are talking about Disney grooming, there is nothing going on there that hasn’t been there for 50 years. You should stop listening to Faux News and think about why this is an issue now. It is to rile up the base and you’re riled up about something that doesn’t affect you at all. Ask DeSantis what he is going to do about Home Insurance rates, inflation or immigration (his answer to the immigration problem is to grandstand.). Of course this whole Disney thing is grandstanding at its finest form.
Tina you are absolutely right. Whether it be Value, Moderate or Deluxe, if it is a Disney Resort all guests should receive the same perks.
Tina I agree every one that stays at Disney should have the same perks I am sick of this thing named the separation of the classes we r all suppose to b equal and that is a huge injustice n our country and there is one thing that the genie system should b stopped and it’s not our fault that Disney has done things they should not have did don’t get me wrong I grew up on Disney and still love disney and my husband and me have gone to disney over 100 times and yes this is true we started when only the magic kingdom was there
I am so sick and tired of hearing that word WOKE that word is irritating