Disney: We won’t fight DeSantis on Reedy Creek
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (FLV) – Disney will not go to war with Gov. Ron DeSantis over the Florida legislature’s moving forward with stripping its self-governing powers, special privileges, and paving the way for a governor-appointed board, Variety reported.
Disney reportedly said they are “ready to work with this new framework.”
Walt Disney World Resort President Jeff Vahle said the resort will “continue to innovate, inspire and bring joy to the millions of guests who come to Florida to visit Walt Disney World each year.”
“For more than 50 years, the Reedy Creek Improvement District has operated at the highest standards, and we appreciate all that the District has done to help our destination grow and become one of the largest economic contributors and employers in the state,” he said.
Efforts from the Florida government to reconsider Disney’s status in the state came in 2022 after the company vowed to get the Parental Rights in Education Act repealed. The law prevents classroom discussion from centering around gender identity and sexual orientation in grades K-3.
The legislation allows DeSantis to appoint members, who are confirmed by the Senate, to the district’s board. The changes strip Disney of its control over the district, ultimately doing away with many of the company’s self-governing powers.
The Reedy Creek Improvement District will also be renamed the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.
The governor’s office said the bill will end Disney’s ability to; build airports, nuclear facilities, toll roads, boundary changes to their property, award noncompetitive construction contracts, and more.
Rep. Fred Hawkins, St. Cloud, carried the legislation in the House while Sen. Travis Huston carried the bill in the Senate.
Hutson said the board would operate like a government. For example, if Disney needs to change the zoning for land, he said the company would present its plan to the board. Hutson emphasized that the daily operations of Disney like ticketing and rides would continue “to function daily as you see it right now.”
Other Republicans, including Sen. Debbie Mayfield, R-Indian River County, noted that Walt Disney’s original dream was for the district to be a residential community instead of a theme park; therefore, special privileges like building a power plant should be revoked.
“There is nothing in this bill that tells Walt Disney that they cannot do whatever they want within their Walt Disney property,” Mayfield said. “They can do all the fun, they could do all the nonprofit, reach out that they want to. They can do whatever they want to do with their employees. There is nothing in this bill that says they are restricted to do what they want to do within their boundaries of their park.”
Democrats advocated for people from the local area to be appointed to the district’s board.
“It does not make sense that that structure be driven by one individual who we all know was mad at Disney last year because this company expressed first amendment rights and defended LGBTQ people,” Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, said Thursday on the House floor.
Last year, lawmakers passed legislation to dissolve Disney’s Reedy Creek district. However, Republican leadership called lawmakers into a Special Session last week in an effort to make sure Disney’s estimated $700 million in debts would not be dropped to the taxpayers once the district dissolved.
