Restaurant owners at Walt Disney World voice concerns about threats of raising taxes by the new governing district

Apr 26, 2023 in "Reedy Creek Improvement District"

Posted: Wednesday April 26, 2023 9:52am Et by WDWMAGIC Staff

Third party operating participants spoke at today's Central Florida Tourism Oversight District meeting, voicing concerns about the potential impacts of the new Ron DeSantis board taking over from Reedy Creek Improvement District.

The BOATHOUSE at Disney Springs

Steve Schussler, who has spent thirty years as an operating participant at Walt Disney World, creating Rainforest Cafe, T-REX, Yak and Yeti, and The BOATHOUSE, spoke first about his concerns of impacts created by the new district.

Gibsons Restaurant Group, a partner with Schussler, said during the meeting that The BOATHOUSE at Disney Springs paid $3.9 million in taxes last year. The group has voiced concerns that talk of raising taxes on business within the district could drastically impact third-party operating participants at Walt Disney World.

Schussler volunteered to act as part of an advisory group to present the viewpoints of businesses operating within the district.

Also speaking at today's meeting was George Miliotes of Wine Bar George. He expressed concerns about the welfare of his 90 employees that depend on his business's success.

Representatives from Splitsville, Homecoming, Everglazed, Basin and EPCOT's Mexico pavilion restaurants also spoke, voicing the same concerns as Schussler and Gibsons, including tax rises and more regulation.

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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

lazyboy97o10 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.