We’ve seen quite a few changes at the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) lately.
Reedy Creek Improvement District
After the Reedy Creek Improvement District was out, the CFTOD was taken over by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who quickly appointed his own members to the board. Since then, we’ve seen a mass employee exodus in the district and more recently, some changes to those DeSantis-appointed board members. Now, it seems the district has officially agreed to change the name of Disney World’s fire department.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, the former Reedy Creek Fire Department will now be called The District Fire Department. Officials revealed the new logo design in January, which received official approval on Wednesday, April 24th.
©District Fire Department
The District Fire Department will be responsible for responding to calls within Disney World and the surrounding area. The Sentinel said, “Created in 1967, the 39-square-mile special taxing district provides fire protection, roads and other government services for Disney World and nearby properties. For decades, Disney effectively self-governed the district by electing the board’s five members. Last year, the Florida Legislature upended that arrangement and gave the governor the power to appoint the board members.”
Now that the fire department has been renamed, little branding remains of the former Reedy Creek Improvement District.
Reedy Creek Fire Department
During the April 24th meeting, board members also voted to appoint a new district administrator Stephanie Kopelousous, who was DeSantis’ legislative affairs director before working on his presidential campaign. Prior to that, she served as Clay County manager and secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation.”
©Sun Sentinel
We’ll be keeping an eye out for any more changes coming to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District and how it could impact your next trip to Disney World.
Stay tuned to DFB for the latest CFTOD updates and Disney World news!
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Ron DeSantis had no business interfering with The Reedy Creek District. Disney was absolutely within their rights to sue him and really wish they had taken it all the way and gotten Reedy Creek restored. While I do not approve of Disney’s actions recently, it’s clear that this was a political move for DeSantis nothing more.
Absolutely, Desantis is a child.
Who is going to pay for this change? All the buildings, signs, and everything else has to be renamed and relabelled. All publications and stationery must be changed. All ownership documents must be amended (leases, titles, contracts,etc). Ane everything in their name must be changed (bank accounts, accounts with vendors and providers, etc. And with a different name, the trading partner might not recognize you and provide with preferenti treatment ( this is for RCFD, put it at the top of the list. This is fir The District, whoever they are, put them on the list.) To pay for this, CFTOB will raise taxes, and Disney and the stores will have more expenses.
It’s was all political theater to hide the fact Ron gave Comcast preferential treatment due to their very large investments in his failed presidential campaign.
It will ALAYS be RCID!!
Disney never should have gone into politics. This would never have happened if Disney had stayed in its lane.
This was only done to advance DeSantis’ agenda, and the appointment of a new administrator (who was already in his pocket) ensures that he retains control. The end of his reign of terror cannot come soon enough.
Well, this change will fix EVERYTHING.