MORE Updates Could Be On the Way for Disney’s Reedy Creek District SOON

Your next Disney World trip might be different — and not for the reasons you probably expect.

Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District (RCID) has allowed the company to effectively act as its own government for more than 50 years, but that could all be changing soon. A bill was signed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis that seeks to dissolve RCID this summer, and we may be getting another update soon.

A special session is potentially meeting next week to discuss Florida’s gaining of control over the Reedy Creek Improvement District, according to the Orlando Business Journal.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ press secretary, Bryan Griffin, shared that “the governor’s office anticipates a special session next week on Reedy Creek and other items,” though he did not mention what the “other items” might be.

When we last checked in on the Reedy Creek situation, leaders from the RCID indicated that they were continuing with “business as usual” despite the pending dissolution of the RCID and the potential for a replacement district with much more state control.

The Florida Legislature is planning on proposing “increasing state oversight, accountability, and transparency” over Reedy Creek, which could make things difficult for Disney.

A spokesperson for DeSantis indicated that under the proposed plan, “Disney will no longer control its own government, will live under the same laws as everyone else, will be responsible for their outstanding debts, and will pay their fair share of taxes. Imposing a state-controlled board will also ensure that Orange County cannot use this issue as a pretext to raise taxes on Orange County residents.”

While this “special session” has not been confirmed as of now, the governor’s office is anticipating a meeting next week that could give us more insight on the future of Reedy Creek. According to the Legislative calendar, there are several committee hearings planned for next week already.

UPDATE: On Wednesday, Governor DeSantis shared that a bill was being drafted in Florida that would give the state complete control over Reedy Creek, though he did not share when the bill would be introduced or voted on.

The governor went on to say, “We’re not going to have a corporation controlling its own government. That’s going to be reverted to the state. I’d rather it be the local [governments], but I don’t think that they’re prepared for it. So the state is going to have a board to run it.”

We’ll continue to look for updates on this potential session and more news about the Reedy Creek Improvement District. Be sure to stay tuned to AllEars for the latest updates.

Current Reedy Creek Leaders Comment on Pending Dissolution

What do you think will happen with Reedy Creek? Let us know in the comments!

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