Disney and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis‘ board have reached a settlement agreement in a lawsuit over who controls Walt Disney World‘s special governing district.
This is the latest development in the nearly two-year battle between Disney and DeSantis, which started when the entertainment giant opposed the governor’s so-called ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law.
In a meeting on Wednesday (27 March), members of the board for the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, previously called the Reedy Creek Improvement District, approved the settlement agreement.
“This agreement opens a new chapter of constructive engagement with the new leadership of the district and serves the interests of all parties by enabling significant continued investment and the creation of thousands of direct and indirect jobs and economic opportunity in the State,” said Jeff Vahle, president of Walt Disney World Resort, in a statement.
A spokesperson for DeSantis said in a statement: “We are glad that Disney has dropped its lawsuits against the new Central Florida Tourism Oversight District and conceded that their last-minute development agreements are null, void, and unenforceable.
“No corporation should be its own government. Moving forward, we stand ready to work with Disney and the district to help promote economic growth, family-friendly tourism, and accountable government in Central Florida.”
The feud with DeSantis started after Disney criticised the ‘Parental Rights in Education Act’, which bans discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity with students at certain grade levels in Florida.
In response, DeSantis took control over the special tax district and appointed a five-member board to run it.
New development agreements
However, the new board later said it had been stripped of many of its powers after Disney entered a series of development agreements with the former board.
Disney then sued the district, which countersued. In January, a judge dismissed the Disney lawsuit, ruling it was legal for Florida to make changes to the district government.
At a press conference in Orlando yesterday, DeSantis said the Disney settlement means both sides can move forwards, with Disney able to expand its theme parks.
Under the settlement, Disney and Florida will drop the lawsuits they have filed against each other and negotiate new development agreements.
Images courtesy of Disney
