Florida Senate Passes Reedy Creek Bill and Disney is “Ready to Work”
Yesterday we discussed the status of Disney World’s Reedy Creek Improvement District after the Florida House of Representatives approved the bill to make changes to the district and sent it on its way to the Florida Senate.
Photo: Reedy Creek
Today, the Florida Senate passed HB 9B, which means the bill is now in the hands of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for final approval. So what happens next? Let’s discuss.
Central Florida Tourism Oversight District
While the bill makes it seem like Reedy Creek Improvement District will change significantly, that’s not quite the case. The district will be renamed Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD), and once approved, Governor Ron DeSantis will have the power to appoint new board members.
Photo: Yahoo Sports!
Essentially, the district will not actually be dissolved nor will Disney lose their tax exemptions, but the leaders of the district can no longer be appointed by Disney.
Jeff Vahle’s Statement
As shared by Scott Gustin on Twitter, Disney World President Jeff Vahle has issued a statement about the status and future of Reedy Creek.
Vahle said, “For more than 50 years, the Reedy Creek Improvement District has operated at the highest standards, and we appreciate all that the District has done to help our destination grow and become one of the largest economic contributors and employers in the state.”
Walt Disney World President Jeff Vahle issued a statement on Friday about the restructuring of Reedy Creek: "We are focused on the future and are ready to work within this new framework…"
Full statement: pic.twitter.com/ahXQRGsA3I
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) February 10, 2023
Vahle continued, “We are focused on the future and are ready to work within this new framework, and we will continue to innovate, inspire and bring joy to the millions of guests who come to Florida to visit Walt Disney World each year.”
Photo: @abigail_the_fun_princess on Instagram
We’re keeping our eyes on this developing situation, so stay tuned to MickeyBlog for more updates!
