There has been an update on the fight between The Walt Disney Company and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Recently, DeSantis outlined his plan to take action against Disney in an attempt to control the Reedy Creek Improvement District (now the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District).
Since the new board has taken over, we’ve learned about several actions that the board plans to take against Disney, including changes to company procedures, possible lawsuits, and new regulations for monorail inspections. Disney released a statement defending its position, but now Disney is taking steps to fight back.
CNBC reported that The Walt Disney Company is suing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. The lawsuit was filed on April 26th, 2023 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida.
BREAKING: Walt Disney World is suing DeSantis.
Lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida. pic.twitter.com/1E16RgWl7k
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) April 26, 2023
According to CNBC, The Walt Disney Company is alleging Florida Governor Ron DeSantis “has waged a relentless campaign to weaponize government power over the company.”
The lawsuit further points out, “A targeted campaign of government retaliation— orchestrated at every step by Governor DeSantis as punishment for Disney’s protected speech — now threatens Disney’s business operations, jeopardizes its economic future in the region, and violates its constitutional rights.”
The lawsuit was filed on the same day that the new Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board of supervisors voted to void development contracts, “which had laid the foundation for billions of Disney’s investment dollars and thousands of jobs,” according to the lawsuit. Disney called the move “retaliatory, patently anti-business, and patently unconstitutional.”
Disney went on to defend its position, explaining in part that the lawsuit was filed “to protect its cast members, guests, and local development partners,” stating, “Disney regrets that it has come to this.”
Disney is asking the court to rule that the board’s legislative steps were unlawful and unenforceable and declare that the previous Contracts remain in effect and enforceable. We will continue to update this post as more information is made available. Stay tuned for more news.
Click here to learn more about the battle over the Reedy Creek Improvement District
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Disney just got too big for their pants. If they’d stayed out of politics their sweetheart deal might still be in place. Bully corporations deserve no special treatment by anybody, much less state governments. Florida didn’t tell Disney how to run their business. Disney should have given Florida the same consideration.
By no means am I a fan of big corporations. And I am angry at Disney for many changes they have made in the last few years. But that anger pales in comparison to my anger at what DeSantis’ is doing here. No one wants corporations to have a sweetheart deal. But going after a corporation because they didn’t like something you did is what Republicans have become. Full of hatred and anger. If they will go after Disney, they will go after anyone who tries to disagree with them. They want stop with this. Think about it another way. Isn’t this exactly what you despised the other side for doing? When you become what you say you don’t like, what does that make you?
You become someone who doesn’t want your kindergartener taught “you can be whatever gender your little heart desires.” Government, corporations and media are in an unholy trinity to push radical gender nonsense on children who are so very vulnerable. I have always loved Disney. But they need to stay in their lane and run their theme parks. I appreciate and admire Gov DeSantis for doing the right thing here.
I seem to recall DeSantis’s commented a few years ago he didn’t think Disney should get special treatment while other entertainment venues didn’t. Yes, Disney employs a lot of people. So does Universal and the other park. Disney started getting politically involved in Florida’s decisions, so that put things in motion. Freedom of speech is one thing. However, in today’s world anything you say may be used against you. Disney has learned they can’t get a free pass. I remember when Disney use to have great family programs on television. Now, the programs they produce for children all need to be monitored by parents.