Threats to Disney World’s ability to govern its own property in Florida (thanks to a special independent district it has operated under for years) are now becoming very real.
Cinderella Castle
Earlier this year, we shared how one Florida representative had mentioned the idea of repealing the act that formed the Reedy Creek Improvement District — a district that essentially allows Disney World to act as its own county with relation to the land on which it operates in Orlando, Florida. The Florida Governor then expanded a session session of the legislature to allow for this action to be considered. And now we’ve got some huge updates.
According to The Orlando Sentinel, the Florida Senate “quickly voted” on Wednesday (April 20th) to dissolve the Reedy Creek Improvement District (RCID). Again, this is the special district that affords Disney a great amount of control over its land in Florida and essentially lets it operate as its own county.
Click here to learn more about Reedy Creek, how it functions, and why its dissolution could mean “disaster” for Disney
The Sentinel notes that lawmakers had originally come to Tallahassee for a special session regarding a “congressional map drawn by DeSantis’ office.” But, less than 1 hour before the special session started is when Governor DeSantis expanded the session to be able to include consideration on a bill that would repeal the RCID.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ©Deadline
The Orlando Sentinel also says that DeSantis has expanded the session to include consideration on “another bill retracting a special carveout that protected Disney from liability in the so-called Big Tech law from 2021.”
On the Reedy Creek bill, the Senate voted 23-16 to dissolve the RCID (with one Republican senator voting against the bill). The Senate also voted 24-15 (along party lines) to approve the bill that would retract the “Disney carveout, which was found unconstitutional by a federal judge.” (The Orlando Sentinel)
Reedy Creek Fire Department ©Reedy Creek
Critics of Florida Governor DeSantis have said that these bills are “meant to punish Disney, Florida’s largest single-site employer, for opposing the so-called ‘don’t say gay’ law signed by DeSantis last month.” (The Orlando Sentinel)
The Sentinel also says, “The bills were filed almost as soon as he called for the expanded session, raising questions about who wrote them and whether the sponsors were forced to carry them for the governor.”
The Walt Disney World main gate
Senate Bill 4-C appears to be the bill that was passed. You can see more details about it on the Senate website, where it notes that it was voted on on April 20th and got 23 yeas and 16 nays.
Senate Bill 4-C says “Notwithstanding s. 189.072(2), any independent special district established by a special act prior to the date of ratification of the Florida Constitution on November 5, 1968, and which was not reestablished, re-ratified, or otherwise reconstituted by a special act or general law after November 5, 28 1968, is dissolved effective June 1, 2023. An independent special district affected by this subsection may be reestablished on or after June 1, 2023, pursuant to the requirements and limitations of this chapter.”
Mexico Pavilion
The Reedy Creek Improvement District was created in 1967 (thus, prior to the 1968 date noted in the Bill).
House Bill 3-C appears to be the version of this bill that was introduced in the Florida House. The Senate website notes that the latest action in the House indicates that it was placed for a 3rd reading. That has since been updated to note that it was added to a third reading calendar.
©Florida Senate Website
The House website notes that a specific amendment failed after a 2nd reading. That has since been updated to say that the House substituted SB 4-C and “H Laid on Table, refer to SB 4-C.”
©Florida House of Representatives Website
Michael Grieco, a member of the Florida House of Representatives, tweeted yesterday that the Florida Legislature “cannot unilaterally dissolve Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District. It’s an exercise in futility…” Grieco went on to say that it’s all an “effort to deflect attention away” from the redistricting that is also going on.
But it seems at least Senate leaders were quick to vote on the matter today.
The FL Legislature cannot unilaterally dissolve Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District. It’s an exercise in futility…
This whole thing is an effort to deflect attention away from the unconstitutional redistricting of Congressional districts and diluting of the black vote.
— Michael Grieco (@Mike_Grieco) April 19, 2022
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Wow!
Any other business in Florida is regulated, so why should Disney be any different?
It most likely is a smoke screen to divert attention away from redistricting going on, however, should anything like Senate Bill 4-C be adopted, Desantis is not only shooting himself in the foot, he’s blowing both feet off. Florida will assume responsibility for Disney road and highway construction and maintenance, flood control, water and sewer maintenance, electrical development and maintenance, etc., etc. Florida residents will bare a significant tax increase, Disney will not be paying all of it because it’s a state burden. And possibly, a decrease in tourist revenue from Disney could significantly hurt Florida over the long run. It appears Mr. Desantis is only interested in his political interest.
Good Luck Florida…..
It’s so obvious that this is DeSantis being petty …
And he clearly doesn’t understand how much it’s going to cost to take over what RCID has been doing.
Good. Why does Disney get special privileges but Universal doesn’t? You opened your mouths Disney, now take your medicine.
If I was Disney, I’d be suing on the basis the law is arbitrary and capricious. The 1968 cutoff is pretty obvious. All the other special districts including many in the Villages, should be concerned about their status as well.
Good! No matter your political affiliation, corporations have no business attempt circumvent the will of the voters. And Disney will just use this as an excuse to raise prices and they will profit; if they need to raise ticket prices 1% to cover this new expense, they’ll raise them 4%, blame the new situation and pocket the difference. Happens everyday in business.
This all comes down to Bob Chepek. If you all want someone to blame look no further than Bob. He can feel, politically, how ever he wants but not as CEO. Disney has no place being political. It’s a place where people go to escape reality not to have social issues shoved in their faces. Everyone was always welcomed in and by Disney. There was no need for a public statement.
Idiots. More democrats need to move to Florida to vote these people out.
DeSantis wants to PUNISH Disney for disagreeing with his policy. This IS NOT how a politician should act. This is not the way voters would act towards their family and friends. Being vengeful and wanting to hurt others IS NOT what we want in our politicians.
Florida would still be a swamp if wasn’t for Walt Disney I know i wouldn’t go down there for nothing Leave Disney world alone
So Disney wanted to get involved in politics. This is what can happen when you decide to do that. Can’t say I’m surprised this happened. Heads at Disney should roll.
This was a definite and distinct retaliation and punishment for Disney fr our fearless leader King Ron. He is using Disney as the example to those who would dare criticize Ron or who try to make their voice heard in opposition to a “law” that they consider to be inappropriate. And the FL legislature republicans voted in lockstep. Shame on them.
Good luck to the surrounding counties that will now have to pick up the slack in services for what Disney provided. And for all the rest of Florida who will see taxes raised to compensate for this- as you know, government bureaucracy is more expensive than the private sector doing the same job.
I can only imagine what Walt and Roy would think of this situation. Sadly it is the result of a CEO who mishandled the entire situation followed by an out of control governor. Chapek should have handled this differently from the beginning and RCID wouldn’t have ever surfaced as a result.
Wake up Disney. Stay out of politics!
This is a sad day for FL. Considering the tax hike that CNN is already saying it will cause for people that live there, I’m so happy we never moved there. I hope this bite DeSantis in the butt and people see him for what he clearly stands for….
Bob should’ve just kept quiet…I seriously think this could have all been avoided. Delving into the political landscape is not usually a good idea.
One true thing is that no one is talking about the three district with black representatives that were dismantled. Bait and switch; hope FL voters are paying attention
I don’t think this won’t have a huge impact on Disney as they are too big to fail. They will just make sweetheart tax deals that favor their best interest with the local counties and cities as they do in Anaheim, CA. They only impact will be on the GOP politicians who will no longer be receiving Disney campaign donations. They had been on pause, but I don’t believe they will resume after this.
If they do donate to a Republican, it will only be those running against DeSantis and those politicians who voted against Disney. Otherwise all political donations will be going directly to the Democrats, especially those who represent the Orlando area. Don’t be surprised if any Democrat runs for Governor or any other state position, he or she will be finacially backed and endorsed by Disney.
I also wouldn’t be surprised if they now endorse (and financially support) any appeals to challenge recent DeSantis and the GOP passed bills. Disney has billions to influence voters and politicians, so it is going to be interesting to see how this ends.
Sorry, not sorry.
How terrible! If people thought that WDW was losing the magic before, it’s REALLY going to be a mess now, and for no good reason. They have to right to stand with their employees, and should have to be subjected to punishment from the government. We all claim to want freedom of speech, until someone says something we don’t like?.
I have been a resident of Florida for over sixty years. Now we have our own little dictator. This will raise the taxes in Oceola county by approx. $2400 a year.
Now. Maybe Disney will play by the rules. After all they have a choice to stay in Florida or leave. Their call
Great! Stay in entertainment; get out of politics. Simple!
This bill removed ALL special districts in Florida, not just Disney. From what I’ve seen of Disney lately, they will double down on everything they stand for and then double down on a price increase. I think I’ll do some research and spend my money elsewhere when I’m there this fall.
Good for DeSantis!!!!
Job well done Mr. Chapek
They had a great thing going and then have to play politics.
What a shame. It’s so politically motivated. See how long it takes to repair the roads now. Many people will lose their jobs.
*shouldn’t (for my previous comment)
I don’t believe Disney or Anyone should be subjected to retaliation from the government for expressing view that they disagree with. Is that not the same “cancel culture” that people in congress are always crying about?
I’d really like to know why you posted all these comments but ignored my post. Not cool at all. You’re daily newsletters clog up my Email but the one time I respond you ignore it.
Sure, you can pat DeSantis on the back…if you don’t live in Orange or Oceola counties, who are going to pay a tax increase of at least 25% according to the tax offices in those counties. If you think Disney is playing politics…you are being fooled by your state government.
Disney threw FL under the bus with their unnecessary political drama. Disney should have always stayed politically neutral. I used to visit DW to escape the noise not to be force fed politics. They can keep it.
Hello Universal Studios!
One question…what ever happened to the amendment about Free Speech that everyone always screams about?