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Well, they promised they would, and now they have. On April 19, The Central Florida Tourism Oversight Committee officially passed Resolution 639. The new resolution will give the new committee “superior authority” over land agreements and development on Walt Disney World Resort property. The move comes as the board was looking into legal avenues it could pursue against Disney. The CFTOC had threatened to sue the House of Mouse when it discovered a deal between The Walt Disney Company and the former Reedy Creek board.
Credit: The Business Journal
The original land agreement — which was approved by the Florida state legislature, and signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis — had given Disney the final say over development in the area. There was a stipulation in the agreement that said it could not be overturned by a new board. The agreement would also remain in place until either (a) Disney abandoned the area or (b) 21 years after the death of the youngest living descendant of King Charles III of England.
Credit: Associated Press
Even though the agreement was approved by the state legislature, the board still introduced a resolution to overrule it. That resolution was titled Resolution 639, and it gave CFTOC “superior authority” over the former Reedy Creek Improvement District. This also includes Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista. The committee announced that the resolution would be voted on April 19. The vote came, and it passed as expected.
Spectrum News reporter Ashley Carter shared more on what the new board members decided at the meeting.
The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board of supervisors have approved a motion to remove the district’s current Planning/Zoning board members from office and appoint themselves to act as the local planning agency of the district.
The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board of supervisors have approved a motion to remove the district's current Planning/Zoning board members from office and appoint themselves to act as the local planning agency of the district. pic.twitter.com/500lPhiGEp
— Ashley Carter (@AshleyLCarter1) April 19, 2023
According to legal experts, this resolution is unlikely to stand up in a court of law, should Disney decide to fight it. According to the experts, Resolution 639 is more of an official statement. It does not hold any legal weight. Disney would have the law on their side if the committee did decide to stand in its way in terms of development.
Credit: Reedy Creek Fire Department
The board’s ruling is not the only challenge Disney will see to its authority. Governor Ron DeSantis and the state legislature have introduced new legislation to overturn the legislation they previously approved. The governor has also said that the state will pass new rules, requiring all rides and attractions at Walt Disney World Resort — including the monorail — to fall under state safety inspections. For decades, Disney had its own inspectors watching over the rides.
