In answering questions from reporters this afternoon, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis briefly commented on today's settlement agreement between Disney and The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.
DeSantis repeated previous talking points that asserting state control over Reedy Creek and nullifying certain covenants are in Florida's best interests and that legal challenges against the state's actions have not succeeded.
DeSantis was notably softer in his language today and shifted the blame to Disney in Burbank, and away from Orlando. When asked how Disney would work with the new CFTOD, he said, "I think it would be good. This is moving beyond moving forward, I think that's what the company wants to do. And, you know, a lot of what happened with parents rights and education, some of that stuff was really driven by Burbank. It was not driven by Orlando, and I think we've always understood that."
Touching upon future development, DeSantis suggested that other entities like Universal, which is developing Epic Universe, could significantly impact the region and that "Disney can be a part of that."
Continuing to speak about Epic Universe, DeSantis said, "I think it's just going to be a huge game changer. It's bigger than their other two parks combined. I mean, like, imagine that footprint; that's pretty huge. And so, you know, I got to think that Disney would want to answer that to be able to kind of keep up with the competition.
The Governor even went as far as to suggest that Disney may build another park, saying, "I got to think Disney would have an interest and maybe, maybe offering another one. The district will be ready to negotiate something to be able to be good for the state of Florida be good for jobs and be good for all those things."
Full details of the settlement agreement between Disney and CFTOD can be seen here.
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