There’s an ongoing battle between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and The Walt Disney Company. What started as a reaction to Disney’s opposition to the Florida Parental Rights in Education law (commonly called the “Don’t Say Gay” law by critics) turned into a larger fight to control the land that’s home to Disney World.
Animal Kingdom
Recently, DeSantis outlined his plan of attack against Disney, which included a bill to nullify agreements between Disney and the Reedy Creek Improvement District (now renamed the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District). While we’ve heard a few comments from Disney CEO Bob Iger, Disney hasn’t directly responded to many criticisms regarding its connection to the Reedy Creek Improvement District — until now.
In a newly-discovered webpage on the Disney World website, Disney has laid out the value of Disney Reedy Creek to Florida with a series of questions and answers. The page includes questions like, “Does Disney pay taxes to the district?” and “Why was the special taxing district created in Orange and Osceola Counties?“
©Disney
In a possible attempt to explain the impact that Ron DeSantis’s actions could have, Disney writes, “The district remains a cost-effective mechanism for ensuring that tax burdens for municipal services supporting Walt Disney World Resort do not fall on residents in Orange and Osceola Counties. These services include building and maintaining 134 miles of roadways and 67 miles of waterways and other infrastructure within the special taxing district.”
Taxes to cover waterways and roadways could fall on county residents
Around the same time that Disney shared this new information, CNBC reported that sources familiar with the Reedy Creek situation say Disney is preparing to take its fight with Governor Ron DeSantis to “the next level.”
Obtained via ClickOrlando Livestream
After a press conference led by DeSantis on April 17th, a source close to the matter told CNBC that “Disney executives called on lobbyists to keep an eye on any Florida bills that could hurt the company and to start aggressively working against them.“
©Disney
During that press conference on April 17th, DeSantis shared his plans to take action against The Walt Disney Company, including the idea to file legislation that would place Disney’s rides and attractions under inspection and oversight by the state’s Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services.
Click here to read more about what DeSantis had to say during the press conference
CNBC’s sources indicated that “Disney is pushing lobbyists to step up their efforts to influence the Republican-controlled state Legislature and to target land use-related bills that could hurt the company, among other measures.”
This battle has so many twists and turns
More specifically, CNBC reported that Disney lobbyists are watching the CS/SB 1604: Land Use and Development Regulations bill closely. We’ll continue to follow this ongoing situation, so stay tuned for updates.
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
Truth does sometimes come in the form of criticism
Having been to both parks,I must say, they both lack good food choices. They’d be better off with franchising foods.
Disney is a great place even though your prices are somewhat high and I wish you could do something about that because the mouse has become so iconic and part of americana. I personally think every child an adult should have opportunity and an access without having to go into debt. Other than that, I think Ron DeSantis his war on Disney is simply not American. Everybody loves the mouse and perhaps we should just call Ron DeSantis Ron defunct best of luck.
Maybe Disney stop campaign donations to the GOP, entirely across the country everywhere.
Little Ronnie doesn’t take criticism well.
Subtly responded? You mean tried to circumvent the rules. Why can’t Iger just play nice admit that Disney was wrong to get involved with woke politics and work with DeSantis. With all of the money I have invested with DVC I have a vested interest of Disney making this work out, but they do not want to go back to what was Walt’s vision a family friendly entertainment conglomerate.
Very disappointed, thought Iger would be reasonable but too many left-wing radicals still in the company.
The Department of Agriculture and Consumer services can’t do a lot of their job now. Where are they going to find time and people to inspect anything?
I am glad I don’t own property in Golden Oaks.
The mouse needs Sunshine
Disney… let the people of Florida know that you’re considering moving the entire Disneyworld to a location in south Georgia, and you will be taking along 75,000 jobs and over $1 billion a year in taxes. The majority of the attractions will be disassembled and transported to the new location in Georgia. Also mention how this will affect all the workers and businesses at Orlando airport and all other south Florida businesses such as transportation, restaurants, food services, and hotels that depend on Disney. Let them know that their governor is interfering with a major business and is inserting big government into business, clearly, not in alignment with the Republican values of supporting big business and small government. Why are you voting for someone who hurts business in Florida?