Big Update on the Dissolution of Disney's Reedy Creek District

Since last year, we have been closely following the status of the fight to dissolve Disney World’s Reedy Creek Improvement District.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ©Reuters

The process started over Disney’s response to what critics call the “Don’t Say Gay” law, which prompted Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to call for the dissolution of Reedy Creek, which allows Disney to operate its own county government.

Now, Osceola County has updated its website with a notice that gives an update on the status of the Reedy Creek district. In the notice, the county outlines its “intent to seek legislation before the Florida Legislature, during a regular, extended, or special session, of an act relating to the Reedy Creek Improvement District, Orange and Osceola Counties.”

Reedy Creek trash cans in Disney Springs

The full notice reads:

“Notice is hereby given of intent to seek legislation before the Florida Legislature, during a regular, extended, or special session, of an act relating to the Reedy Creek Improvement District, Orange and Osceola Counties; amending, reenacting, and repealing Chapter 67-764, Laws of Florida, and decree in chancery no. 66-1061 (May 13, 1966); removing and revising powers of the District; increasing state oversight, accountability, and transparency of the District; revising the selection process, membership qualifications, and compensation for the governing body of the District; ensuring debts and bond obligations held by the District remain with the District and are not transferred to other governments by retaining the District’s authority related to indebtedness and taxation; revising the District’s authority over local permitting and regulation; revising the District’s regulatory framework and structure; instituting reporting requirements, including a review of the District’s remaining powers; describing the District boundaries and name; revising exceptions to general law and certain special acts; removing duplicative provisions; making conforming changes; creating an exception to general law; providing an effective date.”

Reedy Creek Fire Department

Previously, Florida Governor DeSantis had indicated that Florida would take control of the district. The next regular legislative session for the Florida legislature is currently scheduled to begin in March 2023, though the RCID is set to be dissolved by June 1st under the current law.

While the battle began while Bob Chapek was CEO of the Walt Disney Company, it will continue under the new (and returning) CEO Bob Iger. In the fall, Iger commented on the Reedy Creek situation at an employee town hall.

He said that he was “sorry” to see Disney “dragged” into that battle over Reedy Creek. He also noted “the state of Florida has been important to us for a long time and we have been very important to the state of Florida…That is something I’m extremely mindful of and will articulate if I get the chance.”

According to the Orlando Sentinel, the Reedy Creek firefighters support the plan for state control of the district. In an interview on Monday, January 9th, the communications director of the Reedy Creek Professional Firefighters Local 2117 said, “Anything has got to be better than what we currently have.”