Walt Disney Parks and Resorts and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District have reached a legal settlement that includes nullifying controversial development agreements that the entertainment giant entered with the former Reedy Creek Improvement District.
The settlement was announced Wednesday and approved by the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board, which was created last year by the Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis. The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District replaced the decades-old Reedy Creek district, which had close ties to Disney.
The deal ends an Orange County circuit-court lawsuit that came amid a feud between DeSantis and Disney over the company’s opposition to a 2022 state law that restricted instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity in schools. Disney filed a separate federal lawsuit and appealed after a U.S. district judge in January dismissed that case. The appeal remains pending.
Walt Disney World Resort President Jeff Vahle said in a prepared statement the company was “pleased to put an end to all litigation pending in state court.”
“This agreement opens a new chapter of constructive engagement with the new leadership of the district and serves the interests of all parties by enabling significant continued investment and the creation of thousands of direct and indirect jobs and economic opportunity in the state,” Vahle said.
A copy of the settlement was not immediately available.
The district provides government services for a swath of Central Florida that includes Disney properties. Disney reached development agreements with the outgoing Reedy Creek board shortly before the new Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board took over.
In the lawsuit, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District sought a ruling that the development agreements were “null and void.”
DeSantis, appearing Wednesday at the Orange County State Attorney’s Office for a bill-signing event, said his actions on changing Reedy Creek and the education issue “have been vindicated.”
“Going forward, we’re going to continue to govern with the best interests of the state of Florida,” DeSantis said. “So, I’m glad that they were able to do that settlement on those eleventh-hour (development) covenants and restrictions.”
The state in the 1960s created the Reedy Creek district. But in pushing to revamp the district, DeSantis said “allowing a corporation to control its own government is bad policy.”
Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board member Charbel Barakat said Wednesday the district is “eager to work with Disney and all other businesses to make the country’s tourism destination famous for a second reason, which is good government.”
The settlement also came as the district board on Wednesday appointed Stephanie Kopelousos to the $400,000-a-year position as district administrator. Kopelousos was recommended by DeSantis and had worked for him as legislative and intergovernmental affairs director.
Paul Huck, an attorney for the district, outlined the settlement to the board and also said Disney agreed to withdraw public-records requests tied to the litigation. Among other things, Huck said Disney agreed to work with the district to review a 2020 comprehensive plan for the region.
In the separate federal lawsuit, Disney alleged state officials unconstitutionally retaliated against the company over its opposition to the education law. The company’s appeal is pending at the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
–Jim Turner, News Service of Florida
Joe D says
Disney isn’t STUPID, they know in the Florida (Republican controlled) appeals court, they have little chance of overturning the State of Florida’s case about DeSantis dissolving the Disney self controlled district, where DISNEY paid for its own fire and emergency crew services, and basic security, not having to frequently involve taxpayer paid police services. In “unofficial retaliation” for Disney voicing opposition to DeSantis’ RAMED through his “rubber stamped” legislation: the so called “Don’t say ‘GAY’ educational restrictions.”
Of course, now the Orlando local taxpayers have to foot the bill for the services Disney used to pay for directly. Also forgetting the Billions of taxes Disney pays ANNUALLY to the State of Florida (that’s BILLIONS with a “B”). Since the original dissolution of the Reedy Creek group, by DeSantis, and the setting up of the new Tourist district council where DeSantis HANDPICKED ALL of the new governing members ( they were not “elected” by any Citizen group), Disney has cancelled a multi-million dollar planned investment in a new Orlando area Animation center, bringing in 100’s of new local jobs ( some of which had already relocated to Florida), before Disney pulled the investment plug due to the “Uncertainty of the business climate currently in the State of Florida.” Disney tried to relocate those employees within the existing company divisions, who were caught in the crossfire between DeSantis and Disney executives.
REMEMBER Y’ALL…it’s those TOURIST dollars generated by Disney and other Florida tourist attractions, that keep YOU from having to pay ANY STATE INCOME TAXES ( unlike MOST of the remaining US)…it would DEFINITELY be a hit to your wallets ( or a SERIOUS cut back in current STATE paid for services), if those tourist dollars started to be funneled elsewhere out of state.
Disney can now focus on the STILL ongoing FEDERAL appeal which will be held in the Atlanta, Georgia Federal court (FAR AWAY from Ron DeSantis’ Republican GRIP in the Florida State courts). Disney has a much better chance of investing their legal services in a more LEVEL playing field in ATLANTA, than the DeSantisland that has been created in the State of Florida
Most people have heard the old saying, “Don’t bite the hand that FEEDS you.” Clearly Governor DeSantis was ASLEEP in class when that saying was discussed. What also is not WIDELY discussed, is the COST to Florida taxpayers to pay for DeSantis’ LEGAL WITCH HUNT which it topping out over HUNDREDS of Thousands of dollars of taxpayers money to essentially “punish” Disney for exercising it right to express its OPPOSITION to the new “anti gay” educational laws
At least we are free from a PRESIDENT DeSantis in 2024 ( unbelievably, could have been MORE dangerous than a returning President TRUMP)…but then there is always 2028!!
Dennis C Rathsam says
More hit jobs for our governor….Disney,s a ripoff. Theyve been screwing Fl for years. Finally we have a man that pushed back on the WOKE crap coming out of place. I dont care for thier culture, & thier indocronation of young kids minds. This used to be family entertainment, not any more The normal family can not affored to go there now, unless they hit the lottery! One more thing we have the only governor, in the entire United States, that signed a bill to kick swatters out of peoples homes, keeping people here in Fl safe! Thanx Ron, great job!
Laurel says
In my opinion, DeSantis is one, dumb son of a gun.
Mark says
Good use of the English language there Dennis.
Nephew Of Uncle Sam says
RonDUH poked the Mouse, The Mouse will not be kind to RonDUH and the State GOP in the upcoming election.
Endless Dark Money says
haha I think its funny cause I dont care for oldies who believe made up news and talk about indoctrination but always leave out the religious indoctrination. defacist is a typical republican they care about no one, all about the profits, hate people, minorities, individual freedoms, rights, books, and any company who doesn’t support their fascist views. I can support removing somebody illegally living in someone’s house but arresting poor people because they have no place to go is cruel and inhumane but hey most fascist are.
Late stage capitalism quickly turns to fascism.
Bethechange says
Dennis,
What’s a swatter?