Florida Governor Ron DeSantis moves to nullify Disney's last-minute deal with outgoing Reedy Creek to protect its Walt Disney World interests

Apr 17, 2023 in "Reedy Creek Improvement District"

Gallery / 3 Photos
Reedy Creek Improvement District overview

Posted: Monday April 17, 2023 1:05pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is continuing his retaliatory action against Disney by announcing today that Florida lawmakers will advance a bill to formally nullify Disney's February agreement with the outgoing Reedy Creek Improvement District that rendered the new DeSantis-appointed board powerless for decades to come.

DeSantis was joined by Wilton Simpson, Florida's Commissioner of Agriculture, at a press event at the Reedy Creek Improvement District HQ just steps away from Disney Springs.

Reedy Creek Improvement District overview

In addition to move towards nullifying the latest agreements created between Disney and Reedy Creek Improvement District, DeSantis said that Walt Disney World will be subject to state-ran ride inspections, including the monorail system. Notably, DeSantis said that he expects this to only apply to Disney due to it being located within a special district, and will not impact Universal Orlando or Sea World.

The large Central Florida theme parks, including Disney and Universal, currently do their own ride inspections, largely because the ride systems are highly specialized, and the state does not have personnel able to carry out the work.

DeSantis also again spoke about imposing higher taxes on Walt Disney World, recovering Reedy Creek debt from Disney more quickly, and even developing a state prison or other amusement park on Reedy Creek land. DeSantis threatened last week to impose tolls on Walt Disney World roads, but seemed to step away from that idea today due to its impact to Florida residents.

The new Central Florida Tourism Oversight board will meet again on Wednesday to discuss its next steps against Disney.

The Florida Governor's dispute with Disney initially began with Disney's public opposition to his Parental Right Bill, and has intensified in recent weeks as Disney appears to have out-smarted the Florida Governor in his attempts to seize effective control of the Reedy Creek Improvement District.

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tissandtully1 day ago

Yeah, apparently she should be done on Feb. 26th, but who knows what Ronnie has in mind.

JoeCamel1 day ago

She still there? Thought she was busy with her OF

tissandtully1 day ago

Glances over at Bridget.....

lazyboy97o3 days ago

You’re so out of touch with the times. Institutional knowledge isn’t based. The terms are clearly part of the facade of propriety. The posts are minor patronage and an example of “new” ideas of executive power. People can rotate through and they get to pad their resume because the board only needs to exist, not overtly act, at this time. So long as Disney remains compliant anyone can provide the rubber stamp. Who has remained is quite telling.

wdwmagic3 days ago

Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Board Changes Again as Vice Chair Departs https://www.wdwmagic.com/other/reedy-creek-improvement-district/news/18feb2025-central-florida-tourism-oversight-district-board-changes-again-as-vice-chair-departs.htm

LAKid533 days ago

Because the originals work is done.

mmascari3 days ago

How normal is it for boards roughly like this one to change members this often disconnected from their terms? I keep wondering what the point of terms even is, if we're just going to replace members whenever anyway.

lazyboy97o6 days ago

This is not normalcy nor should we lie and pretend it is. Development and building are local concerns and this structure remains abnormal and completely outside the construct of what are supposed to be legal taxing authorities. The threats remain clear, even if they’re just more loudly coming from others at the moment, and Disney is actively complying.

JoeCamel6 days ago

I think I would like to know Gilbert's campaign contribution history he seems to fit the bill of a Florida real estate salesman. Those and car dealers seem to gravitate to being politicians. Oh and lawyers too. I guess I yearn for the days of citizen service where the motives were clear but the money is way too high a bar for most.

Stripes6 days ago

These seem like decent appointments. Certainly better than the departing board members. With these appointments, it would seem to me that the new board will have members that are all qualified to be there. With the showdown over, things have returned to normalcy.

wdwmagic7 days ago

DeSantis Reshapes Disney's Central Florida Tourism Oversight District with New Appointments https://www.wdwmagic.com/other/reedy-creek-improvement-district/news/15feb2025-desantis-reshapes-disneys-central-florida-tourism-oversight-district-with-new-appointments.htm

DCBaker7 days ago

Ron DeSantis has appointed 3 new members to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Board of Supervisors: TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Alexis Yarbrough as Chair, John Gilbert, and Scott Workman to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. Alexis Yarbrough Yarbrough is the current Chair of the Broward College District Board of Trustees. She previously served as Chair and Commissioner on the Fourth District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission. Yarbrough earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Miami and her juris doctor from Nova Southeastern University. John Gilbert Gilbert is the Executive Managing Director at Stream Realty Partners. He was recognized as the 2007 and the 2012 Orlando Office Broker of the Year by the National Association of Industrial and Office Parks, Commercial Real Estate Development Association. Gilbert earned his bachelor's degree in real estate from Florida State University. Scott Workman Workman is the Owner of Workman Transportation and Owner and President of Workman Travel. He has been active in the transportation industry in Orlando for over 25 years. Workman attended the University of Iowa. These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate. https://www.flgov.com/eog/news/press/2025/governor-ron-desantis-appoints-three-central-florida-tourism-oversight-district

lazyboy97o9 days ago

The FCC is investigating Comcast over their internal corporate practices that have nothing to actually do with broadcasting. Make no mistake, this is why Iger capitulated.