Disney, DeSantis-Backed Board Reach Settlement

Facts

• Disney on Wednesday reached a settlement with members of the Gov. Ron DeSantis-backed Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD), an autonomous governing zone for Walt Disney World in Orlando. Board members approved the settlement, ending a nearly two-year court battle.¹
• Under this settlement, the CFTOD's ruling that previous agreements between Disney and the old Reedy Creek Improvement District are null and void stands. Disney may also end its pursuit of a federal free-speech civil complaint against DeSantis.²
• Reedy Creek was governed by Disney for five decades, and DeSantis took over the board and filled it with his allies in Feb. 2023 after Disney refused to comply with state law. Before DeSantis' takeover, the prior Disney-backed board agreed to undercut DeSantis.³
• The DeSantis appointees sued Disney in a state court to have the 'eleventh-hour deals' voided, and Disney countersued.⁴
• Both sides claimed victory, with DeSantis saying his fight over a $17B planned development near Disney was 'vindicated.' Meanwhile, Disney highlighted DeSantis’ agreement to appoint pro-Disney members to the CFTOD board.⁵
• Development plans, which date back to 2020, are back on, and the new board will negotiate any changes to the agreement.⁶

Sources: ¹FOX News, ²CNBC, ³Forbes, ⁴Associated Press, ⁵New York Post and ⁶USA Today.

Narratives

• Right narrative, as provided by Washington Examiner. DeSantis has secured a major win over Disney, vindicating his fight against the rogue, woke corporation. Disney thought it could disregard Florida legislation and create its own rules in opposition to state laws, but DeSantis stepped in and stopped it from expanding its private empire.
• Left narrative, as provided by Deadline. DeSantis and his cronies may be taking a victory lap, but there are still legal battles to be fought. The governor could still be held accountable for violating Disney's First Amendment rights. Disney is ready to coexist with the DeSantis administration if he upholds his end of the settlement.

Predictions