Florida’s roadways have become the latest battleground involving Governor Ron DeSantis, and Universal Orlando Resort may be caught in the crossfire. Decorative pavement near the theme park could be the next target of the state’s crackdown on non-standard road designs.
The controversy began last month when Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) crews painted over a rainbow crosswalk on Esther Street and Orange Avenue in Orlando. The colorful design was a memorial to honor the 49 victims of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting. Outraged, locals attempted to restore the memorial with sidewalk chalk, only to have FDOT remove it. Activists then used paint, which prompted FDOT to add signage warning pedestrians not to tamper with public walkways.
Governor DeSantis defended the decision, citing SB 1662, which went into effect on July 1. He said the law requires uniformity on Florida’s roads and prohibits commandeering public pavement for messaging.
“The Florida Legislature passed a law that was very clear, that I signed into law: We’re not doing the commandeering of the roads to put up messaging,” DeSantis said.
However, State Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, disagreed. He argued that the legislation didn’t specifically require repainting crosswalks and that DeSantis was stretching its interpretation.
“[DeSantis] was not required to do this,” Sen. Smith said to the Tallahassee Democrat. “He was not enforcing a new law… The law has generally required uniformity in crosswalks – with FDOT exceptions – since the ’70s. … He invented an excuse to punish LGBT visibility and draw attention to himself, and now it’s costing taxpayers millions.”
The ripple effects of this dispute may soon reach Universal Orlando Resort. Roadways near the Central Florida destination feature decorative pavement patterns that could be deemed non-compliant under the new law. Photos from X (formerly Twitter) user @bioreconstruct highlight the potential issues:
Seems like pavement near Universal Orlando is now illegal due to recent changes in Florida law.
• There are 3 intersections with swirl patterns.
• Also 4 roads with bar patterns.
• Streets are owned/maintained by the City of Orlando.
So far, FDOT has not confirmed whether these roadways will be altered, but the designs are similar to those repainted across the state.
This wouldn’t be the first time DeSantis has clashed with a major Central Florida theme park. In 2022, he began a high-profile battle with Walt Disney World Resort after then-CEO Bob Chapek criticized the Parental Rights in Education Act, known by opponents as the “Don’t Say Gay” law. That dispute ended with the state seizing control of the former Reedy Creek Improvement District, placing it under the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board.
Should Florida change these roadways near Universal Orlando Resort? Share your thoughts with Disney Fanatic in the comments!
