Disney and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis have been battling over Orlando’s Reedy Creek Improvement District (RCID) for the better part of a year, and it seems as though the battle may be over — at least for now.
©WFTV 9
After much anticipation, we finally have an update on the status of the bill that could change Disney’s special district from here on out.
To bring you up to speed, Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District (RCID) functions as its own county with the ability to make decisions about emergency services, sewage, and more.
But following Disney speaking out against Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Bill (known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill by critics), a bill was passed and later signed into law that would dissolve RCID by June 2023.
©WFTV 9
The governor shared that he would be coming up with a new structure and plan for how Reedy Creek would work, and in early 2023 we found out what that plan was. A new bill was drafted that would make several key changes to RCID.
Firstly, the bill would strip Reedy Creek of its power to create a nuclear power plant (which was not something Disney had ever seriously considered), and it would also impose new reporting requirements for the district. The new district would still retain power over sewage and emergency services, the ability to issue bonds, and more.
Reedy Creek Sign in Disney World
Additionally, Reedy Creek would be allowed to do business as-is for two years to allow time for the necessary legal and financial changes to take place.
Next, the Governor will be able to appoint all five members of the Board of Supervisors for the District, but his selection must be confirmed by the Senate. While the effective date of the bill would end the term of all current members of the board, they are permitted to continue serving until a successor is appointed and qualified. While these new board members aren’t required to live in the Orlando area, they must be Florida residents, and they are not permitted to serve more than three consecutive terms. You can read the full details of the bill here.
via Twitter
The bill was also written so that it would go into effect as soon as Governor DeSantis signed it into law — which brings us to our latest update.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has officially signed the bill to change Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District as we know it. The governor held a press conference on February 27th, 2023, at which he declared, “Florida Ends the Corporate Kingdom.”
via Twitter
Now, Reedy Creek will slowly have to begin operating under its new name — The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. According to The Orlando Sentinel, DeSantis has already made his choices for the new Board of Supervisors:
“Bridget Ziegler, a member of the Sarasota County School Board and a supporter of Moms for Liberty; Seminole County attorney Michael Sasso; Attorney Martin Garcia of Tampa as chairman; Ron Peri, CEO of The Gathering USA, a ministry that focuses on faith and culture; and Clearwater attorney Brian Aungst.”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ©Deadline
At the press conference, DeSantis’ team was handing out a paper to various members of the media according to WESH News’ Anika Hope.
This is the paper that Governor DeSantis’s team provided to media at the Reedy Creek press event this morning. pic.twitter.com/st0OEDeBaA
— Anika Hope (@AnikaHopeTV) February 27, 2023
The governor also reiterated that these changes meant Disney would start “paying its fair share of taxes,” which is something he has continued to mention throughout the war for Reedy Creek. But, Disney has been one of the “largest property taxpayer(s) in Orange County,” according to The Orlando Sentinel, and the company does pay taxes.
Cinderella Castle
The governor spoke directly about Walt Disney’s vision for Disney World and telling people the “truth” when they lose their way. But, DeSantis’ new board holds no power over Disney’s creative decisions and what happens in the parks.
They’ll be on the board that oversees the new district, which controls decisions regarding the land where Disney is located. Think regulations for emergency services on Disney property, land use, debts, and various things like that. There won’t be much decision-making power when it comes to the next roller coaster or table service restaurant.
Reedy Creek Trash Cans
You can watch the full press conference below.
Florida Ends the Corporate Kingdom https://t.co/N7lJA1BSXb
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) February 27, 2023
We’ll continue to keep an eye out for more updates on Reedy Creek, so stay tuned to DFB for more.
See Why Disney May Not Fight the Death of Reedy Creek
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What do you think will happen with the Reedy Creek District? Let us know in the comments!
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So DeSantis is for DISNEY paying taxes but yet not so much the wealthy..
Imagine that
So even in DeSantis’s stupid spiel he still was spouting lies re taxes etc
The info on the paper handed out is political mud slinging. The district will continue operations as it always has. ..just a new name and board members appointed by Florida government. Taxpayers will pay the bill if anything changes in how the district is run.
So basically it is the same thing with a different name and board which only controls decisions regarding the land where Disney is located. What a waste of time and money for Florida tax payers.
Desantis is my hero.
Too bad Sheriff Grady Judd (Polk County) isn’t the Sheriff there– he would end the human trafficking and prostitution going on in Disney.
DeSantis, the arrogant, egotistical fool has taken a step too far with his power grabbing nonsense.
Ultimately, this decision will cost the taxpayers more money, and the area may lose some of its curb appeal. Disney does keep the area very nice looking.
One of many sad days in our recent history.
Sigh. Political posturing disguised as corporate governance. The previous members of the RCID board were not what you’d call liberals in any sense of the word, but the need for political theater resulted in an ultra-conservative board. Especially troubling is the appointments of a “Moms for Liberty” activist who has publicly stated positions that mirror Christian Nationalist rhetoric.
We’ll see how this all plays out, I guess. The board can control building permits for a new 5th theme park, which may be the chief way they will attempt to punish any further corporate speech on issues.
I’d like to know what the residence of Reedy Creek think of this. Will their property taxes increase? Will Disney decide they no longer want to be in Florida and move to somewhere that is more friendly towards them? With the tourist income that Disney draws, the governor is walking a thin line by punishing Disney for not going along with his totalitarian regime.
That was a lot of words to say “Disney hurt his feelings and he’s retaliating.”
Desantis is a disgrace. Great bill, but his middle school girl slap fight with Chapek shows that this man has NO BUSINESS climbing any higher in politics. We already had an embarrassment in office and don’t need another. What damage would his extremism cause at a higher level?
Good for DeSantis. Disney should not be getting special treatment.
OMG! I feel sorry for the residents of Florida. Dictator DeSantis. What is more frightening and even more dangerous is to have an individual of his nature exploring an even higher office. Did we not learn the first time? Instead of gratitude for being Florida’s largest employer this man is making ever attempt to downsize and downplay the importance of Disney. The best thing Floridians can possibly do is to make sure he isn’t re-elected and not elected to a higher office.
The State’s pulling books from libraries, telling teachers they can’t explain why one of their students may have two dads for fear of being fired, fined, or arrested, and when a company’s employees speak out against it, a fifty year precedent is reversed in retaliation.
Florida and Free Speech are no longer friends.
Come on everyone yes this seems like a response to the Parental Rights in Education bill, and it very well may be BUT as The Govenor said what he is doing is making it so there is a level playing field for all Theme parks! No other company has what Disney had.
Let’s look beyond the timing and look at the fact that all companies should have some sort of accountability.
Central
Florida
Takes
Over
Disney
Oy. This guy. He’ll go down in history for sure, but not in a good way.
WDW should move out of Florida – Other states would love to have em.
What happens when Disney World gets sued for bad roads or a brawl at one of the parks? Florida residents will be on the hook for that now.
Didn’t the Governor just win reelection in a Landslide? It seems standing up for parents rights is a popular position in Florida.
We need to stop this governor with his dictate self Florida need a legislation that will stand up to him and stop the mess that he is doing it wrong I pray that everything will change soon
So many misinformed people spewing MSNBC and CNN talking points on here. Wow. Do your own research and stop listening to these propaganda machines.
Hope Disney “ bans” DeSantis for life from entering the parks! And that “mom” that spoke out too! I bet her poor children will be the ones that suffer the consequences though….sad
Disney had an unfair advantage over other theme parks like Sea World and Universal, now the field is level. Let them eat cake….
More proof that Americans want businesses to stay out of politics. If you’re a bank, concentrate on providing financial services. If you’re an athlete, focus on performing your best. If you’re an entertainment empire, focus on providing wholesome entertainment for all. Nobody wants to hear Disney lecturing us on sexuality & whiteness. The parental rights bill was a common sense, non controversial step in the right direction for protecting children from grooming. Why in the world would anyone be opposed to parents being the ones to teach their young children about sex & not other adults?!
MIKE I agree with everything u said and he needs to b stopped he is out to destroy Disney and stopped from climbing the political ladder Florida u better wake up and like I said he is a dictator and I stand by what I said
This will hurt him nationally if he tries to run for President. Moderate voters will definitely favor Disney over a book banning fascist. If he does this to a family entertaiment company imagine what other BS he has up his sleeve. He won’t be Governor for ever so this is a temporary setback for Disney. This will come back to bite Florida residents. I hope Disney starts looking at other states to invest in. History is filled with power hungry guys like this who end up screwing themselves. He can wear his white boots in prison.
Disney now has to operate under the same rules as all the other Florida amusement parks
The media that is the propaganda machine is FOX. And OAN
My thoughts as an unabashed conservative:
What an incredible waste of time and money for cheap political theatrics. This was retaliation, we know this because Gov. DeSantis said so, so I don’t believe this is over.
Does anyone think it is odd that Disney has been very quiet on this? I mean not even legal posturing has taken place. No threats of lawsuits, etc. ,and this isn’t a push over company, this is a well-funded media conglomerate that could become a wrecking ball for Gov. DeSantis. So why not as much as a peep?
My thoughts are that this actually might work in favor for Disney. Could it be that this could put them in a better financial position or offer some benefit that we are not seeing? Possibly. Or could it be because until Disney can show actual harm, they have to wait before any legal maneuvering and then they will unleash the lawyers whom it would seem would have an easy case for suing for violating their 1st Amendment right.
As far as even playing field, there wouldn’t be a Universal or Sea World or most likely any theme park in Orlando if hadn’t been for Walt’s vision and idea. He was willing to take the risk and the State of Florida offered him this Special District, much like the dozens and dozens of other special districts in Florida, and he built this economic juggernaut out of swamp land and provided tax revenue and jobs from it, so to say that the Mouse House is special is a bit disingenuous. It is special, just not in that context.
Walt Disney World is great for Florida because it pays a lot in taxes and in return handles all of its own infrastructure at no cost to other taxpayers. Where is the downside to Florida?
Free Speech is a hallmark in this country, and for the Governor to punish anyone for speaking out against any government position should not be heralded or applauded by Conservatives, but instead pushed back against and defended. We measure Free Speech not on what we don’t allow to be said, but rather on what we do allow to be said.
Do I agree with the law that precipitated this? Doesn’t matter, it is irrelevant to this. What matters is the chilling effect this action will have, and I for one, fully support Disney and any other company in a similar situation to push back and use any legal remedy they have.
to ANDREW M u have said it very well every thing u said is point on and I agree with u totally u covered it very well !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!👍
Andrew M. elegantly put. Are u running for President? If so, you have my vote!!! Better yet Andrew M. new CEO of DISNEY.
That governor is such a fool, and making an even bigger mess.
I still can’t believe so many people are fooled by DeSantis. The bill he demanded that started this waz a so nothing bill anyway. What teacher in their right (or left) mind, is, has, or will teach gender issues on that deep of a scale?
People who complain about media outlets that report the TRUE down side to decisions made are a blessing that should recognized for telling the WHOLE truth. I know what both sides want. The outlets mentioned show extended clips of the network the right champions, (the one the owner doesn’t care what they say, just how much they bring in for the company) then tells the other side.
Everyone talks about the Disney “bubble”. Many need to get outside the tRump/DeSantis bubble and see what the rest of us can see.
Again, as usual, the DeSantis supporters just scream their loyalty without giving any kind of a real reason to maybe change our minds. Just blind followers.
Again you want motive? Look at the name change. That says it all. “Improvement” vs. “Oversight”.
No one wants to mention what they say are sweetheart deals other Florida tourist and entertainment companies get. This plan was a well thought out investment in a huge risk and undertaking by Mr. Disney and the Florida state government before a shovel was turned. It also layed the groundwork for future companies to work with the past legislators to create travel and entertainment cashcows. TO THE BENEFIT OF ALL. Sure, Disney nakes a ton, but so did Florida because of it. NEW money brought INTO the state. Years ago Florida government wanted to parlay their good fortune of weather and location. Now that it made some carpet baggimg politicians rich they, as usual get jealous that someone else is getting more than them.
I love how this triggered people. 🤣🤣
Disney says it’s not fighting this because it doesn’t want to be in a political battle for years! Hmmmm that does not seem like what really is behind this decision..
I agree Andrew m should b disneys new ceo much better that what is n now definitely speaks the truth Walt Disney put Florida on the map made it the tourist state that my family has been going there for over 30 years and that’s b cause of Disney world always the first plane we stayed at and then went to other Florida places after that like the beach space station st. Augustine and ate at.Dixie crossroads a Reasturant n Titusville which has the best seafood n Florida and need to try the rock shrimp and get it grilled with drawn butter I meant to say the Space center and we were so lucky to c the second night launch y sister and brother n law lived n apartment on the indian river across from from the launch 🚀 pad that the shuttle lifted off from and took great pics with huge camera and giant lens and was at Disney staying and saw it hi over at night on another launch a Disney cast member told us about it so some of other guest saw it with us to the cast members work so hard to take care of guest and we appreciate th so much and they deserve better that what they get paid his bless Walt Disney and it started with a mouse who I love
I eagerly expected Iger to make some major changes such as lowering ticket prices, do away with park reservations, bring back free fast pass, perks to all owned Disney resorts and passholders, and take care of maintenance issues, as we the people are the most dedicated to Disney, but he has done none of these things. Prices continue to rise; major rides continue to break down,1/2 hour early morning advantage should go back to 1 hour, plus don’t let in the people that don’t have this perk until park officially opens, Iger is focused on Disney+. He could up his game by Adding HU the LU to Disney+ for ONE annual fee, NOT a monthly fee. This would add more content which Disney+ is severely lacking.