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NEWS: A Senator Is Preparing a Bill That Could REPEAL Gov. DeSantis’ Takeover of Disney World’s Reedy Creek District

Disney’s relationship with the state of Florida has been a whirlwind, to say the least.

Reedy Creek Improvement District

Disney and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis have been in a battle for control over the former Reedy Creek Improvement District, which was renamed the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District since a bill was introduced (and later signed into law) to dissolve the district and its special tax status. Since then, DeSatis and his appointed board have been in control over the district. Florida Democratic state senator Linda Stewart stated that the law that would dissolve Reedy Creek “is a tax increase” and that she didn’t “think [DeSantis] understood how badly this could go for the state of Florida and the counties and the cities.” Now, we’re hearing more from Stewart.

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Important CHANGES Proposed for Disney World’s Reedy Creek District

By Kayleigh Henniger 14 Comments

2023 has been the year of ups, downs, and lots of changes for Disney, and even Orlando.

Reedy Creek Improvement District

Earlier this year, the Reedy Creek Improvement District underwent a lengthy battle with Florida Governor Ron Desantis, which resulted in the District being restructured to become the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. The new District consisted of a Board of Supervisors hand-appointed by Governor Desantis himself.

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“They Brought This on Themselves” — Governor DeSantis Responds to Disney CEO Bob Iger’s Comments on Florida Legal Battles

By Kelly Oliveros 7 Comments

Okay, let’s do the Sparknotes version of allllll the political battles Disney has found itself in lately when it comes to Florida and Governor Ron DeSantis.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ©Deadline

After initially refusing to make a statement, Disney (under Bob Chapek’s time as CEO) made comments in opposition to Florida’s Parental Rights in Education law (what critics call “Don’t Say Gay”), indicating that the law should never have been passed and that Disney would work for its repeal.

Following this, in what many have seen as an act of retaliation, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature passed/signed a bill that will dissolve Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District — the special taxing district Disney has operated under for years that gives them a large amount of control over their land in Orlando.

Now, Bob Chapek is out of the Disney CEO position, and Bob Iger is back. We’ve already talked about what this could mean for Reedy Creek and Disney’s relationship with DeSantis, but now we’ve got a response from the Governor himself when it comes to Disney and Florida politics.

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UPDATE: What We Know About Disney World’s Reedy Creek Dissolution

By Robin Burks 10 Comments

The Walt Disney Company has been at odds with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ever since the company spoke out against Florida’s Parental Rights Bill (or what critics call the “Don’t Say Gay” bill) that the governor eventually signed into law.

Cars heading into the Magic Kingdom

Governor DeSantis retaliated against the company by threatening to dissolve Disney World’s Reedy Creek Improvement District, which allowed Disney World to act as its own county government. The Governor’s efforts to dissolve the district were successful, and a bill was passed to do so. Now, where do things stand with this situation?

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Gov. DeSantis Says State Government Will Control Disney World’s Reedy Creek District

By Sara McOmber 15 Comments

The Walt Disney Company and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis have been at odds since Disney opposed Florida’s Parental Rights in Education law (called the “Don’t Say Gay” bill by some). In retaliation, DeSantis threatened to dismantle Disney World’s Reedy Creek Improvement District and was ultimately successful in passing a bill that would do so. This district essentially allowed Disney World to function as its own county government.

Disney World Entrance

The dissolution of the Reedy Creek Improvement District (which takes effect in June 2023) happened quickly and has left many questions about the practical issues that will need to be addressed. For example, who will absorb Disney’s nearly $1 billion in bond debt? Now, Gov. DeSantis has given an update on what might happen once Reedy Creek is gone. [Read more…]

NEWS: Florida Tourism is Already BREAKING Records This Year

By Isabelle Deveaux Leave a Comment

Disney World is back!

Where magic becomes real

While the parks have been open since July 2020, there are some experiences, like hugging characters and character dining, that have only come back recently. Additionally, we’ve seen a lot of traffic at Disney World this year. With COVID-19 safety regulations loosening, many people have been traveling to the parks, and it’s big for Florida’s tourism industry.

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Senators Discuss REPLACEMENT Options for Disney World’s Reedy Creek District

By Kelly Oliveros 5 Comments

Things at Disney World could be CHANGING in a big way.

The Walt Disney World main gate

A bill that will dissolve the Reedy Creek Improvement District (“RCID”) has passed the Florida Senate and House of Representatives, and been signed by the Florida Governor. The RCID is a special district that has allowed Disney World to essentially act as its own county and have a great deal of control over the land on which it operates in Orlando. There have been some, however, who have argued that there might be some MAJOR roadblocks that could stand in Florida’s way of dissolving the RCID. What if the RCID does get dissolved, though? What could happen next? Well some Florida lawmakers are chiming in with their thoughts.

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Activist Warns Disney That There “Will Be Consequences” Regarding Company’s Inclusivity Program

By Kelly Oliveros 61 Comments

Disney’s name has rarely escaped the news over the past several weeks.

Magic Kingdom

From the situation with Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Bill (what critics call the “Don’t Say Gay” bill) to the act dissolving the Reedy Creek Improvement District, we’ve shared all the latest updates with you. Recently, a specific Disney program was directly called out by an activist during the signing of another bill in Florida. What has been said about Disney and what bill is at issue? We’re breaking down what you need to know here.

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