Disney Seeks Dismissal of The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District’s Lawsuit
The Walt Disney Company asked a Florida judge on Friday to dismiss a lawsuit by the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. The motion is the latest move in the ongoing court battle between Disney and Governor Ron DeSantis.
The CFTOD is suing in The Walt Disney in state court over last minute binding agreements that the company made with the Reedy Creek Improvement District in the waning days of that entity’s existence.
While Disney says that the agreements were perfectly legal, DeSantis and the CFTOD have sought to void the deals, which essentially give Disney control over their Central Florida land in perpetuity.
At the end of an hour-long hearing today, Judge Margaret Schrieber asked both sides to submit by Wednesday proposed orders to resolve Disney’s request.
The Latest Battle In A Larger Battle
The legal dispute between Disney and DeSantis began when the Florida Governor encouraged lawmakers to dissolve Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District. The longstanding special district had given Disney nearly complete control over the land in-and-around Walt Disney World.
Reedy Creek was eventually dissolved and replaced by the governor-appointed Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.
In federal court, Disney is currently suing both DeSantis and the CFTOD, arguing that the dissolution of Reedy Creek was an example of the governor “weaponizing” the state government against Disney for the company’s public criticism of Florida’s Parental Rights in Education law.
In their motion for dismiss, Disney argued that the court case is no longer necessary, since the company’s agreements with the prior board were nullified by the state.
Instead, Disney wants to shift the focus to the federal case, where it argues that DeSantis and the CFTOD have violated the company’s First Amendment rights.
The CFTOD Responds
An attorney for the CFTOD argued that the district’s case should proceed, as it differs from the broad-ranging federal case. Instead, the state case focuses specifically on the agreements between Reedy Creek and Disney.
“If Disney’s contracts are void, nearly all of Disney’s claims in the federal case disappear,” the district said in a court filing.
As always, be sure to check back with MickeyBlog. We will continue to update you on all the news surrounding the ongoing battle between The Walt Disney Company and Governor Ron DeSantis.
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