On Wednesday, April 26, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District’s new Board of Supervisors confirmed that Disney’s highly-praised last-minute development agreement with the now-terminated Reedy Creek Improvement District is completely void.
It was seen as a last-minute power grab, both positively and negatively, in the final days of Disney’s puppet government and the Reedy Creek Improvement District. The unique deal was made in February to give Walt Disney World full development control over its property, safe from the new Board of Supervisors coming in appointed by Governor DeSantis to act in the best interests of all Florida Residents.
However, after several weeks of back and forth, the Board’s lawyers found that the previous government was in the wrong. They state that not only is it illegal to transfer governmental powers to a private entity but that Reedy Creek lacked the proper power to dictate development decisions within the limits of the special district’s two cities, Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista. The lawyer also said that the plan was approved incorrectly.
DeSantis Board Wins Power Fight with Disney
After hearing arguments, the decision came down to a vote, and according to WESH 2 reporter Bob Hazen, the new District Board of Supervisors voted to declare Disney’s eleventh-hour development agreement void.
Board votes to declare DA with #Disney void #WESH
— Bob Hazen WESH (@HazenWESH) April 26, 2023
Related: DeSantis Considers Imposing New Tolls, Taxes on Disney World
It is unclear at this time how the situation will progress from here. The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District stands ready to address any legal challenges, and it is unlikely that any development plans at Walt Disney World that are already in progress–like Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and the EPCOT Revamp–will be interfered with in any way.
No statement has yet been released by Disney at this time.
We at Disney Fanatic will continue to update our readers on this story as more developments come to light.