It’s no secret that Disney has been in a years-long political conflict with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis that started as a disagreement, eventually evolving into a legal battle between the two over Disney’s “special district” political privileges.
Cinderella Castle
DeSantis took control of the former Reedy Creek Improvement District in early 2023, turning it into the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD). Lately, though, the two parties have started to get along, with news of a settlement gave hope that the situation was turning a corner. Now, we have an update.
The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) reached a new development agreement with Disney at the end of May. Under this new development agreement, over $17 billion worth of investments will go to Disney World over the next 10–20 years. The final vote just took place during a CFTOD board meeting tonight — June 12th.
©Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board Livestream
During the meeting, the board voted unanimously to approve the agreement, and it will be moving forward.
Animal Kingdom
The new agreement covers about 17,300 acres owned by Disney, and authorizes a maximum of five major theme parks (meaning that yes, Disney COULD build a fifth gate under the agreement, though obviously nothing has been announced and the agreement is NOT confirmation one is coming), a maximum of five minor theme parks (water parks and other similar concepts), 1.3 million square feet of office space, 1.7 million square feet of restaurant/retail space and 53,467 hotel rooms.
Spaceship Earth welcomes you to EPCOT… and to World Celebration!
For their part, Disney commits to fund “at least $10 million in affordable housing projects and create a local business hiring program that would award a minimum of 50% of the value of all construction work to Florida-based businesses.”
Cinderella Castle
Stephanie Kopelousos, the administrator of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, commented on the deal, “With Walt Disney World’s substantial investments, we anticipate economic growth, job creation, and support for local businesses, alongside environmental stewardship and workforce housing initiatives, benefitting Central Florida’s community.”
Tower of Terror
Of course, Disney has not confirmed any major new park projects quite yet (besides teasing a Magic Kingdom expansion). But now, the possibility for a fifth gate exists — from a development perspective, anyway.
Local business leaders were enthusiastic in support of the Disney World expansion plans. “It’s impossible for any of us to truly grasp the enormous impact these announcements will have on a global basis. It will induce people everywhere to be thinking about Central Florida,” said Robert Earl, the owner of Planet Hollywood, Buca di Beppo, Earl of Sandwich, Chicken Guy, among other restaurants.
Stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog as we keep you updated on the latest news from the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, Disney World, and more!
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Ok now we wait for the anti “woke” guy to make his comment
Another 53,0000 hotel rooms? Justly what the place doesn’t need!
Promises, promises. The promised expansions before and nothing happens… or we get some re-theming of an existing ride. Or something silly like a splash pad at Epcot. Epic Universe is the type of thing Disney should be doing. Not the lame stuff there putting out lately
A fifth park eventually built, everyone just needs to be patient. It takes years, if not decades to plan and build an amusement park like Disney or Universal.
People act as if a whole new park (or expansion) can and will be built within a year or less. Sorry people, Disney does things the way they see fit, not how we want things done.