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Disney’s dispute with Florida governor Ron DeSantis seems to be over with the entertainment giant agreeing to end litigation involving the special tourism district that oversees governance of the Disney World resort
Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 27 Mar 2024
Disney World and DeSantis had been locked in a dispute since 2022
Disney and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board have reached an agreement over the future governance of the Walt Disney World resort.
Centred around determining who controls the special governing district that encompasses Disney World, the dispute began when Disney criticised Florida’s controversial ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law - a ruling which restricts the teaching of sexuality in schools, also suspending political donations in the state.
In response, Florida’s governor, Ron DeSantis, passed legislation that stripped Disney of its self-governing authority. Disney then invoked the name of King Charles III with a special clause that handed control back to the company before filing a lawsuit against the Florida governor, alleging that his administration has been waging a “targeted campaign of government retaliation” against the company’s “protected speech.”
Following the agreement between Disney and the Oversight board, the signing over of control to Disney is considered “null and void”, bringing to a close a nearly two-year dispute and ending all pending litigation between the two entities.
"We are pleased to put an end to all litigation pending in state court in Florida between Disney and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District,” said Disney World’s president, Jeff Vahle.
“This agreement opens a new chapter of constructive engagement with the new leadership of the district and serves the interests of all parties by enabling significant continued investment and the creation of thousands of direct and indirect jobs and economic opportunity in the state.”
DeSantis has repeatedly attacked what he dubs “woke Disney” during appearances as he attempted to win the Republican Presidential nomination, an effort now abandoned after failing in his attempt against former President Donald Trump. After a judge ruled that the company could not sue him over a constitutionally enacted state law, regardless of if that law was passed with the intent of retaliation, he declared that the “Corporate Kingdom is over”.
“We are glad that Disney has dropped its lawsuits against the new Central Florida Tourism Oversight District and conceded that their last-minute development agreements are null, void, and unenforceable,” said Bryan Griffin, DeSantis' communications director.
“No corporation should be its own government. Moving forward, we stand ready to work with Disney and the District to help promote economic growth, family-friendly tourism, and accountable government in Central Florida.”
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