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Disney Finally Gets Its Day In Court Vs. DeSantis’ Board With Disney World’s Future Development at Stake

After months of back and forth and verbal sparring on both sides, lawyers representing the Walt Disney Company and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District finally faced off in an Orlando Courtroom. Today was the first shot of many between the two sides as Disney fights to protect its First Amendment rights and its ability to control the formerly Reedy Creek Improvement District.

Ron DeSantis and Mickey Mouse
Credit: Flickr/Disney

Related: Disney Busting Out ‘Legal Legend’ for Fight With DeSantis

The two sides are at odds over agreements that Disney made with the Reedy Creek Improvement District before the takeover by the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. Those agreements would have essentially rendered the new board powerless against Disney until 28 years after the last living descendent of King Charles III died. Governor DeSantis’ committee sued Disney to remove all of those deals. 

Lawyer Daniel Patrocelli argued for Disney that the lawsuit filed by the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District should be thrown out because Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida legislature passed a law voiding all contracts between the Walt Disney Company and Reedy Creek.

Bob Iger Disney CEO
Credit: Disney

WESH 2 Orlando reporter Greg Fox added an interesting wrinkle to this case. Not only is Disney fighting for its rights, but what happens next could determine the future of Walt Disney World.

Fox said: 

Disney has said the outcome of these legal cases could determine if they move forward with major development plans at Disney World. 

While Disney CEO Bob Iger and Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products Josh D’Amaro have hinted at the possibility of pulling back development at Disney World if the cases don’t go their way, they have never outright threatened to pull the new development. Disney has already canceled its $1 billion Lake Nona project in Central Florida.

Disney is currently fighting with Gov DeSantis and his board in Federal Court. Disney has sued the governor claiming that he retaliated against the company for speaking out against Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Act, known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. There is no date set for that case.

josh d'amaro walt disney
Credit: Disney/Marvel

Related: Every Fight DeSantis Picks With Disney Hands His Biggest Rival a Victory

DeSantis is currently running for the Republican nomination for President. He has been accusing Disney of sexualizing and grooming children. Iger addressed those accusations, calling them “preposterous and inaccurate.” 

Orange County Circuit Court Judge Margaret Schreiber heard about an hour of arguments from both sides. Judge Schreiber said she would consult previous cases and decide soon. Patrocelli asked that if the case isn’t thrown out, Judge Schreiber issue a stay until Disney’s Federal Court case against Florida Gov Ron DeSantis and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District is decided.

We will continue to update you on Disney’s lawsuit at Disney Fanatic.

Rick Lye

Rick is an avid Disney fan. He first went to Disney World in 1986 with his parents and has been hooked ever since. Rick is married to another Disney fan and is in the process of turning his two children into fans as well. When he is not creating new Disney adventures, he loves to watch the New York Yankees and hang out with his dog, Buster. In the fall, you will catch him cheering for his beloved NY Giants.

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