Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is threatening to retaliate against Disney in ways that would hurt Florida visitors, not the company.
into Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District, which gives the company the ability to almost autonomously expand and operate the Walt Disney World resort with reduced state oversight. It’s the latest attack in a long string of maneuvers that Disney CEOThe governor’s war on Disney started with the state’s controversial law — commonly referred to as “Don’t Say Gay” — banning the discussion of sexuality and gender identity in K-3 Florida classrooms.
That silence angered Disney employees who felt their best interests were not being looked after, especially when the company’s California operations were being shifted to Florida. Many fans felt it was hypocritical not to comment when Disney sells gay pride merchandise, profits off its large LGBTQ fan base and positions itself as progressive by featuring openly gay characters in recent movies.
When Chapek finally did say something — announcing that Disney would pause political donations in Florida after contributingin the 2020 election — his response satisfied no one. To those who expected more, his statement was too late to feel authentic, and to supporters of the bill, it looked too much like the company was caving to liberal pressure.
In retaliation, DeSantis — who had received $50,000 in campaign contributions from Disney in 2020 — went after the Reedy Creek Improvement District, established in 1967. The district is essentially a special tax zone run by Disney executives, with the ability to expand their businesses on an unincorporated parcel of land between two Florida counties and implement their own services, including sewage and road maintenance.
Knowing this was extremely favorable to the company, DeSantis ordered it dissolved. In its place, he created the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, which took power in March 2023.
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