Disney Punches Back, Countersues DeSantis’ Board

After Orange County Circuit Court Judge Margaret Schreiber denied Disney’s request to dismiss the lawsuit filed by the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, Disney had 20 days to respond and respond they have. Today in Circuit Court, the Walt Disney Company countersued the Board hand-picked by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, claiming, among other things, that the Board has violated the Florida State Consitution and breach of contract.

Related: DeSantis Tells Iger to ‘Drop the Suit,’ He and His Allies Have ‘Moved On’

In the 55-page complaint filed today, the Walt Disney Company claims that creating the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District breached its contract with Florida. When Walt Disney built Disney World, he entered into an agreement with Florida that allowed for the creation of the self-governing Reedy Creek Improvement District.

The filing says:

The District has a duty under the terms of the Contracts to do such further acts and assurances as shall be reasonably requested  by Disney to carry out the intent of the Contracts and give effect thereto and the District has refused to perform its obligations under the Contracts and has instead breached the Contracts by, among other things, declaring them void.

The Walt Disney Company seeks financial damages, but argues there is “no adequate legal remedy” and “an award of damages would not fully compensate Disney for the losses caused by the District’s breach of contract.”

Disney is also asking the Court to make Senate Bill 1604 unconstitutional or order that the District cannot enforce the Bill. Governor DeSantis and Florida Lawmakers passed that Bill after it was learned that Disney had reached an agreement with the Reedy Creek Board, which limited the power of the new Board. The Bill makes any contracts between Disney and Reedy Creek null and void.

Before the dissolution of Reedy Creek, Disney entered into a series of agreements with the previous Board that have come to be known as the “King Charles III” clause. Those agreements were to stay in place until the last descendent of the King died.

This is the second lawsuit Disney has against the CFTOD. Disney is currently suing Florida Gov Ron DeSantis and the Board in Federal Court, alleging government retaliation for speaking out against Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Act, known by its critics as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

Earlier this week, the CFTOD asked the state court to rule they were the winners without a trial. That happened just one day after Gov DeSantis said he and his allies had “moved on” from the lawsuit and urged Disney CEO Bob Iger to drop his suit.

With this latest move by Disney, it appears unlikely they will drop their lawsuit against the governor and his Board anytime soon.

We will continue to update this story at Disney Fanatic.