President of Disney World Jeff Vahle Comments on Disney’s Settlement With Governor DeSantis
After almost two years of fighting tooth and nail with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over the dissolution of the Reedy Creek Improvement District and the creation of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, The Walt Disney Company laid down its sword today.
Disney and the CFTOD have agreed to a settlement that will see Disney accept the new power structure in Central Florida and end the raging legal battles between the two entities.
Here is how we got here.
Disney Sued DeSantis in Federal Court
DeSantis and Disney were fighting a two-front battle.
In federal court, Disney sued DeSantis over the dissolution of Reedy Creek, arguing that the governor had dissolved the district in retaliation for Disney publicly speaking out against Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Bill (which critics had dubbed “Don’t Say Gay”).
DeSantis, meanwhile, argued that the dissolution of Reedy Creek was about reform, not retaliation and that Disney did not have a constitutional right to special treatment.
Additionally, the Florida Governor and his co-defendant, the Secretary of Florida’s Department of Commerce, had argued that they were protected from suit by the 11th Amendment.
Disney Loses Federal Case, Vows to Appeal
In his January ruling, Judge Allen Winsor determined that Disney lacked the standing to sue both DeSantis and the Secretary of Commerce, as they were, in fact, protected by the 11th Amendment.
Additionally, and perhaps more importantly, the judge ruled that the claims against the CFTOD also failed on merit. “When a statute is facially constitutional, a plaintiff cannot bring free-speech challenge by claiming that the lawmakers who passed it acted with a constitutionally impermissible purpose,” citing a 2015 federal court ruling.
Following the judge’s decision, Disney had vowed to appeal.
The Battle Rages on in State Court
As the fireworks were going off in federal court, the CFTOD was suing Disney over last-minute binding agreements that the company made with Reedy Creek in the waning days of that entity’s existence.
Those agreements essentially gave Disney regulatory control over their Central Florida land in perpetuity.
Disney then filed a countersuit against the CFTOD for failing to execute the legally binding agreements.
A Settlement Has Been Reached
While the state court battle between the CFTOD and Disney was set to continue in July, the two sides announced that they had reached a settlement today.
Per the terms of the agreement, Disney will acknowledge that the eleventh-hour deals it made with Reedy Creek are now null and void.
Additionally, should the terms of the settlement be approved by the CFTOD, Disney will withdraw its appeal of the federal 1st Amendment ruling.
“We are pleased to put an end to all litigation pending in state court in Florida between Disney and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District,” said Jeff Vahle, President of Walt Disney World Resort.
“This agreement opens a new chapter of constructive engagement with the new leadership of the district and serves the interest of all parties by enabling significant continued investment and the creation of thousands of direct and indirect jobs and economic opportunities in the State.”
At this time, it is unclear what Disney will get out of the settlement, aside from perhaps peace.
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. One of the agents from MickeyTravels, a Diamond level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, will be in touch soon! Also, thanks for reading!