Disney Countersues DeSantis-Appointed CFTOD in State Court
While their lawsuit against Florida Governor Ron Desantis and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) continues to make its way through federal courts, Walt Disney World is now also counter-suing the CFTOD at the state level.
The crux of Disney’s lawsuit revolves around binding agreements that the company made with the Reedy Creek Improvement District in the waning days of that special district’s existence.


Photo: Fox Business
Those agreements essentially gave Disney continued control over the land that makes up Walt Disney World in perpetuity.
How We Got Here
Following their discovery of these binding agreements, the CFTOD ruled that the agreements were null and void. Subsequently, the Florida State Legislature passed a law that voided the agreements.


Photo: Maria Tamo/Getty Images
Despite arguing that the deals were already void, the CFTOD sued The Walt Disney Company in state court in order to get the agreements nullified.
In their counter-argument, Disney stated that since the agreements were already void under the new state law, the lawsuit was unnecessary.


Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Last week, a Florida judge ruled against DIsney’s motion to dismiss the case. This ruling was likely the catalyst for today’s countersuit.
Disney Countersues
In their new filing, instead of arguing that the agreements were already voided under state law, Disney is taking a different tactic.
The company now argues that because the Reedy Creek Improvement District was never dissolved, only renamed and restructured by the governor, their agreements are lawful and valid.


Photo: Greg Angel/Spectrum News 13
Additionally, DIsney is suing the CFTOD for damages because the district refuses its ‘duty to perform” under these “valid and binding” contracts.
“As a direct and proximate result of the District’s anticipatory repudiations and, in the alternative, material failure to perform its duties under both Contracts, DIsney has suffered and will continue to suffer damages, including consequential damages,” lawyers for the company wrote.
Because of the CFTOD’s breach of contract, Disney is asking the court to “enter a judgment against the district for damages and, in the alternative, awarding such other relief as the Court deems proper, including the equitable relief of ordering the District to comply with the Contracts.”
As always, check back in with MickeyBlog. We will continue to bring you updates on the ongoing feud between Ron DeSantis and Disney.
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