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Disney has managed to strip power from the newly-appointed board governing its Florida parks by invoking the name of King Charles III in an ongoing dispute with governor Ron DeSantis
Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 30 Mar 2023
King Charles III has had a surprising impact on Disney’s row with Florida governor Ron DeSantis
The British royal family has had a surprising impact on the dispute between Disney and Florida’s Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, with a clause citing King Charles III 'neutering’ a recently appointed board to oversee Disney’s Orlando theme parks.
DeSantis declared in February that “the corporate kingdom” had “finally come to an end”, after signing the bill that nullified Disney World’s self-governed status.
Disney was granted the special status in 1967, which has, until recently, allowed the company to self-govern its 101sq km (39.1sq mi) of resorts, theme parks, housing and more by collecting taxes, and providing emergency services and infrastructure.
A new board - appointed by DeSantis and named the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District - has been appointed to oversee the area but the board says its authority has been bypassed by restrictive covenants citing the current King of Britain.
A binding legal agreement passed last month by the previous board hands Disney total power over development of the area, with the declaration valid until “21 years after the death of the last survivor of the descendants of King Charles III, King of England”, according to the document.
Known as a ‘royal lives clause’, such things have been in use in legal documentation since the late 17th century. They are still found in UK contracts though not as often in the US.
“We're going to have to deal with it and correct it,” said board member Brian Aungst, who called Disney's actions “a naked attempt to circumvent the will of the voters and the will of the Florida Legislature.”
In a statement, Disney said that “all agreements signed between Disney and the District were appropriate, and were discussed and approved in open, noticed public forums”.
The 151-page agreement also states that no “fanciful characters” owned by Disney can be used by the new board, with the name Disney also banned.
The move follows clashes between the controversial DeSantis and Disney over the “Don’t Say Gay” bill - a piece of legislation that limits discussion of LGBTQ issues in schools. After immense pressure from the public and cast members, including staff walkouts, Disney said it would suspend political donations within Florida, adding that it was committed to supporting those working to oppose the controversial ruling.
At the time, DeSantis wrote “if Disney wants to pick a fight, they chose the wrong guy”, also adding that he would “not allow a woke corporation based in California to run our state”.
The move also precedes a likely presidential run by DeSantis.
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