With the Disney/DeSantis Battle Over, Who Actually Won?

After nearly two years of battle, the feud between the Walt Disney Company and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis came to an unexpected end. It wasn’t after a prolonged legal fight that bloodied both sides; instead, the end came with a whimper.

But after years of fighting and some very harsh things said on both sides, can these two sides find a way to work together? At least for now, both sides have struck a positive, conciliatory tone.

President of Walt Disney World Resort, Jeff Vahle, said this agreement opens a “new chapter of constructive engagement.” For his part, Florida Gov Ron DeSantis was upbeat about the deal, saying that he hoped Disney World would consider building a fifth gate in Central Florida. 

So, as for who won this battle, it appears that it has simply ended in a tie.

Richard Foglesong, a Rollins College professor who wrote the book “Married to the Mouse” about Disney World’s origin story, told the Orlando Sentinel: 

They both called uncle. The imbroglio between the two of them had become self-defeating. It was in their mutual interest to come up with a compromise. 

Governor DeSantis’ Side

The end of this lawsuit allows the governor to reset for his final two years in Tallahassee and look forward to another presidential run in 2028. What Gov Ron DeSantis realized from his failed 2024 run is that his culture wars play well in Florida, but he just couldn’t gain any traction nationally.

Aubrey Jewett, a political scientist at the University of Central Florida, told the Sentinel

Disney has raised the white flag and surrendered over Cinderella’s castle. It is pretty clear they just folded, legally speaking. It is an opportunity for him to pivot and for him to revise history a bit and downplay the punishing Disney for speaking out and instead say this was about good governance.

Governor DeSantis can now reshape the narrative and claim victory, even if it is a limited victory.

Related: Disney Is FINALLY Staring Work on Its Animal Kingdom Expansion

Walt Disney Company’s side

Disney must have known that Walt Disney World would never get the Reedy Creek Improvement District back, no matter how long this legal battle continued. This settlement allows Disney World to move forward with the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, enabling them to focus on building another park at Disney World.

Disney World also got a break with Glen Gilzean and Martin Garcia leaving as the leadership of the new Board. Replacing Gilzean is Stephanie Kopelousos, who worked in Governor DeSantis’ office and helped Disney get a special carveout from Florida’s social media law that is currently before the Supreme Court.

Replacing Garcia, who was critical of Disney World, is Craig Mateer, an Orlando businessman. In his first interview, Mateer said that he is focusing on “growth and investment” in the former Reedy Creek District.

Related: She Helped Save Disney From a Supreme Court Case, Now She’s Running DeSantis’ Disney District

And the Winner Is…

Disney had to realize they were alienating nearly 45 percent of the country with their battle against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. This allows them to return to work in Florida and expand the Disney Parks.

For DeSantis, he can finish his final years in office without worrying about this case hanging over his head. This also sets him up for another presidential run in 2028, when Donald Trump is presumably off the stage.

However, in the end, the true winners are Disney fans. We don’t have to fight anymore about this lawsuit, and now we know that Disney World will invest heavily in its parks.

Who do you think won this feud? Let us know in the comments.