food IS a theme park
Much has changed since the DeSantis-appointed Board of Supervisors took control of the Reedy Creek Improvement District — now called the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.
Cinderella Castle
Longtime employees have left, operations have been amended, and most recently, employee Disney World Annual Pass benefits were replaced with a stipend. The park pass change follows the latest board meeting, where we also learned just how much they plan on budgeting to fight Disney in federal court.
The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (formerly the Reedy Creek Improvement District), has been enforcing some changes lately.
©Central Florida Tourism Oversight District
Earlier this month, the governing district held a board of supervisors meeting that resulted in the removal of a long-held benefit for its employees. That benefit granted employees free access to the Disney World parks (essentially a Disney World Annual Pass). Now, following backlash from that decision, the board has decided to put in place a new system to benefit its employees.
The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (formerly known as the Reedy Creek Improvement District) held a board of supervisors meeting on September 13th. During the meeting, board members shared an update on the status of a long-held Reedy Creek District employee benefit that may soon be eliminated.
Walt Disney and Mickey
The issue stems from a previously-created Reedy Creek employee benefit that granted employees free access to the Disney World parks (it was essentially a Disney World Annual Pass). Reportedly, the collective cost of these passes and peks was worth about $2.5 million, according to the Central Florida Torusim Oversign District. As part of the board’s new cost-cutting measures, the CFTOD talked about eliminating this benefit. Now, we’ve got an update.
Disney’s battles regarding the Reedy Creek Improvement District (now called the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District) are far from over.
©Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board Livestream
Lately, we’ve seen the Board of Supervisors for the District criticized for their removal of Disney Annual Pass benefits, important changes proposed for the District, and a countersuit filed by Disney against the DeSantis-appointed District board. But now we’ve got more updates.
The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) held a board of supervisors meeting on August 23rd. During the meeting, members of the district met to express their comments and concerns regarding a long-held Reedy Creek District employee benefit that is set to be taken away under the new board.
Reedy Creek Improvement District
For context, Reedy Creek employees previously received free access to the Disney World parks as an added benefit for working in the district. The collective cost of these passes and peks was worth about $2.5 million, per the Central Florida Torusim Oversign District. In an effort to cut costs and create a 2024 budget for the district, the CFTOD met to discuss its reasoning for eliminating this benefit. Here’s what they had to say.
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.
The battle between Disney and the Reedy Creek Improvement District (now called the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District) continues, and this latest development adds one more layer to the mix.
Reedy Creek Improvement District
Disney is already facing off with the District in two different lawsuits — one filed by Disney against members of the District Board of Supervisors and Governor Ron DeSantis in Federal Court, and another filed against Disney by the District Board in State Court. And now the State Court case has seen an important update.
The Walt Disney Company has been dragged into the political campaign sphere despite not actually being able to hold public office.
Disney vs. DeSantis
In early 2023, Disney filed a federal lawsuit against DeSantis and members of the board of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, arguing that Disney’s constitutional rights had been violated. The company has alleged DeSantis waged a “relentless campaign to weaponize government power” against it to punish it for speaking out. But now, DeSantis seems to have “moved on” from the conflict overnight.
The battle between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, the board of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (formerly Reedy Creek Improvement District), and Disney continues — and there have been some NEW developments.
Disney vs. DeSantis
Earlier in 2023, Disney filed a federal lawsuit against DeSantis and members of the board of the District arguing that there has been a violation of Disney’s federal rights. Basically, Disney has alleged that DeSantis has waged a “relentless campaign to weaponize government power” against Disney to punish them for their political views. We’ve seen a number of actions taken in the federal case over the last few months, but now there’s something NEW to tackle.
Changes continue to hit the Reedy Creek Improvement District (now known as the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District).
Reedy Creek Improvement District
The District’s Board of Supervisors is made up of Governor DeSantis’ appointees, and over the past few months, they have declared some of Disney’s agreements with the old board to be invalid, filed a lawsuit against Disney in state court, heard some complaints and fears from Disney Springs restaurant operators, and more. A recent district meeting revealed even more important changes and now there’s been another shakeup.
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