The future of Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District has nearly been decided.
The District’s current structure has given Disney a great amount of control over the land on which it operates for over 50 years. But the District was set to be dissolved in June of 2023 due to a law passed in Florida last year following Disney’s disagreement with Ron DeSantis over Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Bill. A bill has been introduced that would keep Reedy Creek in place but rename the district and significantly change Disney’s level of control. And now, that bill has taken another step forward.
The bill addressing Reedy Creek already passed within the Florida House of Representatives but as of February 10th, it has passed within the Florida Senate as well. It passed with a vote of 26 yeas and 9 nays.
The bill will do a number of critical things including:
- rename the district to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District
- change the Board of Supervisors selection process — instead of being selected by the landowners (Disney is the majority landowner in the District), the board members will be selected by the Governor and confirmed by the senate
- strip the District of some powers (like the power it had to potentially create a nuclear power plant)
- place certain requirements on the district (mainly reporting requirements)
- and make other changes
The President of Walt Disney World Resort had previously indicated that Disney was watching the progress of the bill carefully. He further noted, “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.”
Keep in mind the bill still needs to be signed by the Florida Governor to become law, and that has not happened yet, but it may only be a matter of time.
The bill specifies that it would take effect as soon as it becomes law. That means as soon as it is signed by the Governor (assuming it will be), it would become effective. Granted there are certain parts of the bill that allow for a transition period, but it could mean BIG changes for Reedy Creek very soon.
A Senate analysis of the Bill notes “The bill provides that the terms of all current members of the district’s board end as of the effective date of the bill, but allows those members to continue to serve until a successor in office is appointed and qualified.” So the Board members could stick around for a bit but likely would be replaced soon.
We’ll continue to keep an eye out for more updates.
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What do you think will happen with Reedy Creek? Tell us in the comments.
Melanie says
” Walt Disney World President Jeff Vahle praised the Reedy Creek district, saying it had helped the theme park grow and contribute to the state’s economy. “We are focused on the future and are ready to work within this new framework,” he said in a statement. ”
Disney has capitulated to the governor that is seeking the WH and using this to propel his path.
We are die hard WDW,DL fans, stay on property several times a year. Even though we live 2hrs north of Seattle we have preferred WDW since the 80s,honeymooned at the DL Hotel in 1975. We also take nieces and nephews for their 1st indoctrination to magic world of the mouse. We truly have no idea how many times we have visited WDW. We have come to the conclusion that we can no longer contribute to the states coffers via air port taxes, hotel taxes,sales taxes,food/dinning,car rental. and so on.
California here we come.Often. I expect this post with not pass the moderators