It Turns Out Disney Struck Another Secret Deal with Reedy Creek Before it was Dissolved

Just before the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District took over the Reedy Creek Improvement District, Disney was busy. It needed to ensure self-control despite Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ new board taking over.

Since the takeover, information has been trickling out about the deals the Walt Disney Resort struck with Reedy Creek in the moments before it was dissolved. The first to come out was the “King Charles III” clause, which essentially stripped the new board of its power until the last living descendent of the new British monarch died.

The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District then learned that Disney also struck a last-minute deal with Reedy Creek’s utility provider. This new deal allows Walt Disney World to set its utility rates.

All of this has now landed in the courts. Disney sued Governor DeSantis and the state of Florida for infringing on the company’s First Amendment rights and retaliating against Disney for speaking out against Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law. The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District then countersued the Walt Disney Company for the deal, stripping it of its power.

And now, there’s another secret deal for the courts. The Associate Press reports that Disney struck another secret deal with Reedy Creek in the 11th hour that limits or prohibits several types of businesses from ever being operated on Walt Disney World property.

The list of prohibited businesses includes tattoo parlors, liquor stores, adult entertainment, oil refineries, gun stores, head shops, bowling allies, massage parlors, nursing homes, marijuana dispensaries, doctor’s offices, trailer parks, any store that sells X-rated material, and any building over four stories tall.

Ironically enough, the list does not include prisons. After learning of the “King Charles Clause,” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis threatened to build a state prison next to Walt Disney World’s property.

This week, Disney CEO Bob Iger addressed the issues that the Walt Disney Company is having in Florida, saying that stripping Disney World of its self-governing district is “retaliatory” for Disney exercising its “Freedom of speech.” Iger not-so-subtly threatened to pull Disney’s pledged $17 billion in new investment in the state, which would require hiring an additional 14,000 Cast Members.

It remains to be seen how this new development will fit into the two competing court cases brought by Disney against Gov Desantis and the new board’s lawsuit against the Walt Disney Company.