Ron DeSantis Signs Legislation Nullifying Disney’s Reedy Creek Agreements

In the latest chapter of the ongoing feud between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the Walt Disney Company, the governor signed legislation nullifying agreements the Walt Disney Co. previously made with Reedy Creek.

For those who haven’t been following, the story began with the replacement of the Reedy Creek Improvement District with the state-appointed Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.

Photo: The Business Journal

In a legislative move designed to strip Disney of its self-governing powers in Walt Disney World, Reedy Creek was dissolved and a new board was put in place.

Disney’s Last-Minute Maneuver

In order to retain their power, Disney and Reedy Creek entered into a series of binding agreements in the waning days of the special district’s existence. Those agreements gave Disney control of the land in, and around, Walt Disney World in perpetuity, regardless of what the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District wanted.

Photo: Maria Tamo/Getty Images

Essentially, the state government-appointed board learned that It was powerless.

As DeSantis and his allies vowed to nullify the agreements, Disney sued the administration in federal court. The company is arguing that DeSantis’s policies were retaliatory.

Photo: Greg Angel/Spectrum News 13

DeSantis Signs Bill Nullifying Agreements

Now, DeSantis has signed a new bill that states that a newly appointed independent special district doesn’t have to comply with any agreements or contracts approved up to three months before “the date of a law modifying the manner of selecting members of the governing body of the independent special district.”

Photo: Click Orlando

While the bill does not explicitly mention Reedy Creek, the district would clearly fit the bill. In fact, while the bill was still in committee, Republicans openly admitted the bill was aimed at Disney.

Photo: Reedy Creek

In the end, the latest legislation will likely not affect who runs the former Reedy Creek land. That decision will be made by a judge in federal court. Until then, both sides will continue to posture and press their case.

Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Thanks for visiting MickeyBlog.com! Want to go to Disney? For a FREE quote on your next Disney vacation, please fill out the form below and one of the agents from MickeyTravels, a Diamond level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, will be in touch soon! Thanks for reading!