DeSantis-Appointed Reedy Creek Board to Eliminate Free Disney Annual Passes and More for Employees

There’s been a major update in the ongoing conflict between Disney and the DeSantis-appointed board of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (formerly Reedy Creek Improvement District).

We’ve been following all of the latest updates that impact Disney including several changes that the new Board made after taking over. There are also two pending lawsuits involving Disney, the Board, and DeSantis — in both Florida state court and federal court. Now, the Board to making even more changes — this time involving its employees.

According to Fortune, the Board submitted a complaint to the Florida Inspector General with a claim that millions of dollars in season passes and discounts on hotels, food, and merchandise are “unethical benefits and perks.”

The district is working to eliminate those benefits and perks that are currently offered to employees of the district that provide government services to Disney World. The Orlando Sentinel reported that an email from administrator Glen Glizean said employees will receive a $1,000 annual stipend instead as part of the proposed changes.

The release also said that this arrangement was self-serving to Disney because it funneled money back to the company.

Rollins College professor Richard Foglesong said, “The arrangement appears to be more like an employee benefit rather than a taxpayer scam, similar to the way professors at a university may get free passes to athletic events or free tuition for family members.”

Reedy Creek trash cans in Disney Springs

So who would this change impact? Firefighters and EMTs who are the first responders in Disney World would be some of the employees losing those job perks. These people come into the parks when there is an emergency including the fire that broke out near Cinderella Castle in 2021 and a potential ride safety issue in 2022.

This comes after news that Glen Gilzean may not be able to continue to serve as both the Reedy Creek District Administrator and ethics commission chairman. Now, the Board has another controversy to handle.

UPDATE: Glen Gilzean has officially resigned as the Head of the Florida Commission on Ethics to maintain his role at the CFTOD, according to WESH news.

©Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board

The Board is set to hold a meeting on Wednesday, August 23rd at 9:30AM and is expected to discuss this topic. We’ll be tuning in and reporting on any important updates, so stay tuned.