Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at Walt Disney World signs bill to end Disney's self-governing status signaling the end of Reedy Creek

Feb 27, 2023 in "The Walt Disney Company"

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Ron DeSantis at Reedy Creek Improvement District

Posted: Monday February 27, 2023 10:00am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is in Disney's own backyard at Walt Disney World to bring sweeping changes to Disney's self-governing status and Reedy Creek Improvement District.

Ron DeSantis at Reedy Creek Improvement District

The bill that DeSantis has signed today replaces the governing body's board with five members appointed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. In addition, the Reedy Creek Improvement District will be renamed "Central Florida Tourism Oversight District." Disney will be responsible for paying hundreds of millions in outstanding Reedy Creek debt.

Reedy Creek Improvement District HQ near Disney Springs

The creation of the Reedy Creek Improvement District in 1967 allowed Disney the luxury of establishing its own independent government that handles many aspects of the Walt Disney World property, including emergency services, infrastructure, and construction permitting.

Ron DeSantis at Reedy Creek Improvement District

The action by DeSantis comes in retaliation to Disney's public opposition to the Parental Bill of Right law, which took place under ex-Disney CEO Bob Chapek. Speaking today, DeSantis said that Disney's opposition to the Parents Bill of Rights bill was a "mild annoyance," but that the state of Florida will no longer be "joined at the hip with one California-based company."

Today's press conference, held at Reedy Creek Fire Station 4 near Disney Springs, featured chosen speakers to rant against Disney in a political rally-style atmosphere. Topics included vaccination misinformation, Disney's mask requirements, park reservations, and Disney's support of LGBTQIA+.

In signing the bill, DeSantis said, "the corporate kingdom finally came to an end." Following the signing, the Governor said he wants "Disney to be what Walt envisioned."

You can watch the press conference below.

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vikescaper3 days ago

I could see them doing something similar to what they did to the BVD and Hotel Plaza Blvd intersection years ago. They changed the alignment so Hotel Plaza Blvd flows directly into BVD.

maxairmike3 days ago

As long as they're widening all the way from BVD to Avalon (mainly to match lane alignments since the Sawgrass/Flemings connection is finally being fast tracked) and working with CFX to finally signalize the 429 interchange, anything less than that is like putting a normal size bandaid on a multi-inch gash. I think they also need to look at an alternative to the standard intersection for BVD and Western Way given the volume of traffic there, but that's probably more of a multi-phase project like World Drive, as it would likely involve modifications to the World Drive/BVD interchange alignment and flow, as well as the Coronado intersection in what I envision as a "good" solution.

Brian6 days ago

Widening Western Way? Yes, please! That road is a nightmare between 4-6pm, thanks to the s***storm known as I-4!

DCBaker6 days ago

Here's what was in the BoS packet:

JoeCamel6 days ago

Who's 100M is it?

GoneViral6 days ago

Imagine if anyone in this thread had said six months ago that the CFTOD would propose $100 million to fix WDW roads. They would have been laughed out of here.

Goofyernmost7 days ago

Whereas, I have no degree in legal jargon, can someone please splain what that all means and did it have any fundamental changes to how it has always been run in the past as per ss. 123.4567-8910, G.F. 🤔 :)

DCBaker8 days ago

The agenda and documents for the CFTOD Board of Supervisors meeting on Wednesday, May 22 is now available at the link below. https://www.oversightdistrict.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/May-22-2024-BOS-Packet.pdf Here's what included for RESOLUTION NO. 661 (begins on page 270 in the PDF):

peter1143517 days ago

No. But it’s the start of the process

MR.Dis17 days ago

Does this mean a new agreement has been reached with Disney? I am trying to read between the lines on just what this is saying.

flyakite17 days ago

castlecake2.030 days ago

Yes

Stripes30 days ago

Has Disney/CFTOD continued to replace the purple direction signage with the new blue color scheme since CFTOD took over?

mkt30 days ago

You're right. The new document will be different. It will be "different" in the way that Chris Gaines was "different" from Garth Brooks or how the drummer from Nirvana is "different" from the singer of the Foo Fighters.