DeSantis Considers Imposing New Tolls, Taxes on Disney World

As Florida Governor Ron DeSantis continues to lead Tallahassee’s efforts to put Disney in its place, his latest consideration could ironically fall back on many of the very Floridians whose interests he is trying to put first.

Last night we at Disney Fanatic shared that Gov DeSantis reaffirmed his battle with The Walt Disney Corporation over actual control over the large swathe of land in Central Florida known for decades as the Reedy Creek Improvement District.

After both houses of Florida’s State Congress passed resolutions to dismantle Disney’s Special District and transform it into the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District with a new Board of Directors loyal to the best interests of Floridians rather than The Walt Disney Company, it was discovered that Disney’s puppet government approved long-term agreements that provide the freedom to continue developing Theme Park areas unabated for 30 years. Disney CEO Bob Iger also called DeSantis’ tactics “anti-business” and “anti-Florida.”

The Governor has already requested an official investigation into how those agreements were made, and he is now reportedly considering other arguably-punitive measures they can enforce on The Most Magical Place On Earth. These include adding tolls to Disney World roadways and new taxes implemented on its Resort Hotels, saying, “They are not superior to the people of Florida.”

Read More: “That Story’s Not Over Yet”: DeSantis Renews Fight with Disney During Speech Out of State

“Come hell or high water, we’re going to make sure that policy of Florida carries the day,” DeSantis said in a speech at Hillsdale College in Michigan on Thursday night, according to the Orlando Sentinel. “And so they can keep trying to do things. But ultimately we’re going to win on every single issue involving Disney, I can tell you that.”

The transition of power at the time seemed peaceful, and Walt Disney World President Jeff Vahle expressed readiness to work within the new system to find avenues best for everybody involved. However, the realization of these development agreements has been presented as sly moves made by the conglomerate to only further undermine the leaders of The Sunshine State.

“But now that Disney has reopened this issue, we’re not just going to void the development agreement they tried to do, we’re going to look at things like taxes on the hotels, we’re going to look at things like tolls on the roads,” he added. “We’re going to look at things like developing some of the property that the district owns.”

Ironically, though, the installation of toll roads and hotel taxes could fall back on the millions of Floridians who drive themselves to Disney World every year. A Disney Vacation is already incredibly expensive as it is, now factor in the possible upcharges in the form of more toll payments and higher hotel rates to offset the taxes. There is no guarantee, though, at this time, that any such plans will be executed.

Standing as one of the largest single employers in the entire state and one of if not the largest single taxpayer already, there is little denial that The Walt Disney Company is in a position that could allow corporate manipulation of local politics, like elections, and since its original declaration of opposition over the Parental Rights in Education Law it is that freedom to manipulate DeSantis and his government have been trying to break ever since.

“I don’t know what S.O.B. is gonna succeed me, but they ain’t going to have anything to do,” said DeSantis, still delaying any confirmation of his long-expected presidential campaign. “Because I’m taking all the meat off the bone.”

Disney has yet to address the Governor’s latest comments.

We at Disney Fanatic will continue to update our readers on this story as more developments come to light.