Disney reached an agreement with Florida to end lawsuits over the state dissolving the special governing district that allowed Disney to self-regulate its theme park properties.
The deal comes after Disney criticized Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law, angering Governor Ron DeSantis.
DeSantis signed legislation stripping Disney of its Reedy Creek Improvement District in retaliation for Disney’s opposition to the law.
“No corporation should be its own government,” DeSantis’ Communications Director Bryan Griffin stated. “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.”
“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,” Griffin said.
Disney had argued this was an unconstitutional attack on free speech, but dropped the lawsuits as it acknowledged losing special treatment.
“This is an important case with serious implications for the rule of law, and it will not end here,” the company stated. “If left unchallenged, this would set a dangerous precedent and give license to states to weaponize their official powers to punish the expression of political viewpoints they disagree with. We are determined to press forward with our case.”
The agreement signals Disney accepted it no longer has autonomy and must operate under state oversight like other companies.
“The days of Disney controlling its own government and being placed above the law are long gone,” Desantis spokesperson Jeremy Redfern said. “Disney is still just one of many corporations in the state, and they do not have a right to their own special government.”
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