The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District has filed a motion to dismiss a countersuit that was brought against the district and Governor DeSantis by Disney. This comes as the feud over the former Reedy Creek Improvement District continues to wage on at both a state level and federal level in the courts. This motion to dismiss comes after Disney filed for a subpoena for the former administrator of the Reedy Creek Improvement District to testify about how development agreements were made between the district and Disney.
The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District’s motion on Wednesday aimed to get counterclaims brought against it by Disney dismissed. These counterclaims are seeking a declaration by the court that the development agreements are valid and that the new district’s board has violated the contracts, free speech, and due process rights. Since the agreements were signed, Governor DeSantis has appointed his own allies to the board. An allie of his has also been appointed as the new administrator for the new named Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.
These development agreements were signed ahead of Governor DeSantis’ hand-picked board taking over the district. They gave control of design and construction within the district where Walt Disney World resides to Disney. Previously this would have been in the purview of the district leadership. The agreements also prohibited the district from using any likeness of Disney characters or other intellectual property without Disney’s permission. The new board claims that these agreements strip the district of their powers.
The district was originally formed in 1967 ahead of the building of Walt Disney World Resort. For over 50 years, the Reedy Creek Improvement District was the governing body for the district that provides municipal services for the area around most of Walt Disney World Resort. This all changed after Disney came out against legislation that banned classroom lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades. Almost immediately after Disney came out against the legislation, Governor Ron DeSantis came out against what he called “woke” Disney. Saying there is “a new sheriff in town,” Governor DeSantis sought a way to punish the company for crossing his efforts and beliefs. Ultimately, this led to the dissolution of the Reedy Creek Improvement District without a clear plan about what would come next. Eventually, it was replaced by the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. This new governing body is led by a board of directors that are all appointed by the Governor.
Since the transition from one governing body to the new one, the relationship between the district and Disney has changed as well. As the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District and Governor DeSantis decided to nullify the development agreements, Disney went to the courts to protect these contracts at a federal level. Governor DeSantis and the new district board took the matter to court at a state level, where this week’s developments have come from.
The future of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District/Reedy Creek Improvement District will undoubtably be determined in a courtroom. It is unknown exactly when the decisions will be made at this point. Currently Disney is advocating for the federal case to go to court next summer. The state case is moving forward at a different pace with updates coming more frequently.
Daps Magic will continue to follow this story and provide updates as they become available. Do you think this counterclaim will be dismissed in the state court? How do you think this feud should be resolved? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
