When Governor Ron DeSantis returns to the office on Monday morning, he will finally receive the bill from the Florida Legislature to terminate The Walt Disney Company’s special autonomy over the Reedy Creek Improvement District.
The Governor is expected to sign the legislation, renaming the tract of land the “Central Florida Tourism Oversight District” and replacing Disney’s hand-picked Board of Supervisors with independent Florida residents selected by the Governor and approved by the Senate.
As soon as the special bill was filed during a special session of the State Congress, there was an almost immediate cry out against the bill, claiming that it was a blatant infringement on property rights. Many of those voices expected Disney to fight the State Takeover in court. But a new statement from Walt Disney World Resort President Jeff Vahle suggests otherwise.
Vahle said,
For more than 50 years, the Reedy Creek Improvement District has operated at the highest standards, and we appreciate all that the District has done to help our destination grow and become one of the largest economic contributors and employers in the state. We are focused on the future and are ready to work within this new framework, and we will continue to innovate, inspire and bring joy to the millions of guests who come to Florida to visit Walt Disney World each year.
Disney has finally spoken on Reedy Creek. The company will not fight the changes. @WFTV pic.twitter.com/SGNisQUj8v
— Nick Papantonis WFTV (@NPapantonisWFTV) February 10, 2023
Founded in 1967 via the Reedy Creek Improvement Act, Disney’s plot of land twice the size of Manhattan Island has enjoyed a special type of independence. It is unlikely that the Walt Disney World Resort Guests will experience any change in the day-to-day experience, as the amending legislation targets the governing body and eliminates certain privileges that Disney has not taken advantage of, such as the construction of an airport and the operation of a nuclear power plant.
Related: Disney World Fire Department Supports State Takeover of Reedy Creek
Starting in the Spring of 2022, Florida’s Government’s desire to reign in The Walt Disney Company’s power and influence over the people of the Sunshine State found the opportunity to target its special district in Orange County and Osceola County. Finding it to not fit properly under the ratified State Constitution, initial legislation announced the imminent outright termination of the district. However, Reedy Creek Improvement District amasses a $1 billion bond debt, and action needed to be taken to ensure that Disney was still responsible for the debt instead of the taxpayers of both counties. Thus, the special reorganization of this district was put into action for the betterment of the entire state.
We at Disne Fanatic will continue to update our readers on this story as more details come to light.
