The situation with Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District is really starting to heat up.
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The District was previously set to be dissolved on June 1st, but a special session of the Florida legislature that began on February 6th will address the District’s future. On February 6th, a bill was filed that gives a much clearer picture as to what the revised District could look like, and now Disney has finally spoken out on the issue.
The last time we truly saw Disney address the RCID situation was when Bob Iger commented on Reedy Creek soon after becoming CEO. But now Jeff Vahle, President of Walt Disney World Resort, has issued a statement on the issue.
As shared by Scott Gustin, Vahle stated, “We are monitoring the progression of the draft legislation, which is complex given the long history of the Reedy Creek Improvement District.” He continued, “Disney works under a number of different models and jurisdictions around the world, and regardless of the outcome, we remain committed to providing the highest quality experience for the millions of guests who visit each year.”
NEW: Jeff Vahle, President of Walt Disney World Resort, issued a statement saying they are "monitoring the progression of the draft legislation, which is complex given the long history of the Reedy Creek Improvement District." Full statement: pic.twitter.com/ZQhbeqfWUe
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) February 6, 2023
Reedy Creek Trash Cans
The bill would not dissolve the District but instead would rename it. It would also revise the selection of its Board of Supervisors and put other restrictions in place.
For a full breakdown of just what the bill would do with the Reedy Creek District, click here.
For more on the Reedy Creek District situation, see our posts below:
- The LOOPHOLE Disney might use to resolve some of its Reedy Creek issues
- “We’re Not Going to Have a Corporation Controlling Its Own Government” — Governor DeSantis Comments on the Future of Disney’s Reedy Creek District
- “We Don’t Have a Choice” — Update on Disney’s Reedy Creek Drama from the District’s Leaders
Stay tuned for more news.
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What do you think will happen with Reedy Creek? Tell us in the comments.
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Aside from placing himself in front of the Florida base, Gov DeSantis has no real plans for Reedy Creek. Right now, the state of Florida takes its taxes out of Orlando without having to deal with the day to day headache of running an area. It’s doubtful that they want to establish a layer of bureaucracy replete with all operational needs that a district of that size requires.
Why on earth would it be “outrageous” that the statement on Reedy Creek “does not include a proposed opening date for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure or a recommendation for what Disney should do with the Imagination Pavilion at EPCOT”. It’s about the governance model, not operational details about the theme park. What is outrageous is a Disney fan expecting all of their questions answered in a statement on a completely different issue. If Disney issues a statement about labour negotiations, I don’t expect it to include details about the Dining Plan or Annual Passes.
Heck, WDW might be holding back on some investments as a negotiating tactic with the State of Florida. Now Disney would never shut down WDW, nor as some foolishly proposed when word of the Reedy Creek issue, move it to another state, the sunk costs in Florida are simply too much. However, if the new Reedy Creek District replacement terms (or tax rates) are too onerous, Disney could redirect some of their capital investment to other parks, or even a completely new park somewhere else in the world. It’s all about return on investment and if Florida becomes less than competitive, the capital will flow elsewhere.