‘We Have Been Vindicated’ Desantis Declares, As Disney Concedes Defeat In Legal Battle

The Walt Disney Company and a board appointed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis have announced that they’ve reached a compromise. Their announcement brings an end to a legal dispute that has lasted for over a year.

The dispute involves the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District which covers the 40-square-mile property that’s home to the Walt Disney World resort.

The Genesis Of It All: ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill

Disney drew first blood back in 2022 after the company openly condemned the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill. The bill which was championed by the Republican Governor sought to protect parental rights in education.

However, critics and Disney’s officials and workers claimed that the bill was anti-LGBT. The bill placed restrictions on conversations regarding sexual orientation and gender identity in schools.

Disney’s Opposition To Bill Angers Gov. DeSantis.

Initially, the company gave no response to the bill. After a lot of onslaught from its employees and critics alike, the company’s CEO, Bob Chapek spoke against the bill, drawing the ire of Gov. DeSantis.

Disney signed the Human Rights campaign statement shortly after In opposition to similar legislative efforts. The company also announced a pledge of five million dollars to organizations ‘working to protect’ LGBTQ+ rights. This of course included the Human Rights Campaign.

New Board Created and Disney’s Self-Governance Revoked

In response, Gov. DeSantis created the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District to oversee the company’s projects. The new board replaced the pro-Disney Reedy Creek Improvement District. In addition to that, he approved a law that revoked Disney’s self-governing status.

But before the former board was dissolved, it signed a number of projects to lock in development plans that Disney wanted.

Disney Takes Case To Court, Cites Government Retaliation

Disney responded by taking the case to court under the premise of ‘government retaliation’, punishing the company for exercising its First Amendment right to freedom of speech. The company also halted plans for a $1 billion campus in Florida.

But the court dismissed the case, on the basis that Disney lacked the standing to sue the governor. It also judged that while the new board could be sued by the company, there was no proof of harm done to the company to warrant such.

Settlement Rules Previous Deals Null And Void

The settlement marks an end to all of the drama. The last-minute agreement Disney had with the old board would have taken power from the new board.

It would have also allowed Disney to independently make decisions regarding development at the theme parks. The settlement rules that deal as ‘null and void.”

Amendments To The 2020 Arrangements

At a meeting on Wednesday, the new board announced that it will now work with Disney to amend the district’s 2020 arrangements.

“We have an interest as a state in moving forward to make this region very strong… tourism oversight board in that district is a big part of that. I think that there’s gonna be ways where we can do things that are in the best interests of the state of Florida. I think Disney can be a part of that,” DeSantis said.

DeSantis Takes Aim At Media Critics

DeSantis did however take aim at media critics who predicted that Disney would emerge victorious in the legal standoffs and win back its self-governing status.

“A year ago, people were trying to act like … all these legal maneuverings were all going to succeed against the state of Florida, and the reality is here we are a year later and not one of them has succeeded, every action that we’ve taken has been upheld in full, and the state’s better off for that,” he said.

Disney Resort President Commends Agreement

Walt Disney World Resort President, Jeff Vahle has also spoken on the new agreement. He spoke about the economic benefits that the new agreement holds for the state.

“This agreement opens a new chapter of constructive engagement with the new leadership of the district and serves the interests of all parties by enabling significant continued investment and the creation of thousands of direct and indirect jobs and economic opportunity in the State,” Walt Disney World Resort President Jeff Vahle said.

New Faces Appointed To District Board

Another aspect of the settlement is the appointment of two new faces to the district board. DeSantis has named Craig Mateer as a new member of the board. Mateer once owned a tourism-related agency in Orlando.

The board also appointed Stephanie Kopelousos as the new district administrator at DeSantis’ recommendation. She’s a former manager of Clay County and director of legislative and intergovernmental affairs for DeSantis.

Disney To Commit Upwards Of $30 Billion To Upgrades

The settlement shows that Disney is willing to work with the current structure, operating under a board appointed by Florida’s governor.

Disney CEO Bob Iger has announced that the company will commit at least $30 billion to upgrade its theme parks within the next decade, including around $17 billion in Orlando.

Agreement A Win For Both Parties

Rick Foglesong, a retired professor and author of Married to the Mouse, a book that details Disney’s relationship with Florida says the agreement is a win for both parties.

“I think they both needed to escape from the imbroglio in which they found themselves, that it wasn’t working for either one of them.”

Settlement Paves Way For Expansion Plans

Foglesong says that the settlement clears the way for advancement in expansion plans. Disney, he says, “needed to continue to invest here without appearing weak, as if they were caving to DeSantis. They need to keep tourists coming back. They need to reinvest in the parks.”

Prior to now, Gov. DeSantis has also shown a willingness to move on from the fight. In his campaign speeches in the run-up for the Republican presidential nomination, he often made mention of his dispute with Disney.

All In The Past

As soon as that candidacy closed, he began to put the issue behind him. He pretty much had no choice. Fighting with the operators of one of the state’s most popular destinations in a state where tourism accounts for around 10% of jobs doesn’t stand out as a winning long-term strategy.

“Everything we’ve done has been in the best interests of the state of Florida, and we have been vindicated on all those actions,” DeSantis said during a news conference Wednesday, according to WTVJ-TV in Miami. “Going forward, we’re going to continue to govern with the best interests of the state of Florida,” he said.