Disney and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis have finally ended their feud, clearing the way for the planned $17 billion development of Walt Disney World near Orlando.
On Wednesday night, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District — a body that Mr. DeSantis took over in 2022, ending 55 years of Disney control and triggering multiple lawsuits — gave the company a big chunk of what it always wanted: a lock-in , long-term plan to expand Disney World. At least for the next 15 years, the term of the new agreement, Disney can develop the resort without worrying about interference from Florida politicians.
To put it bluntly: State leaders can no longer use the 25,000-acre resort’s growth as a political weapon, as Mr. DeSantis did two years ago after Disney said it would fight to repeal a state education law that opponents considered called anti-gay.
Jeff Vahle, Disney World’s president, said in a statement that the agreement would “support the growth of this global destination and stimulate Florida’s economy.” It gives Disney the opportunity to build a fifth theme park, add three small parks, expand retail and office space, and build 14,000 hotel rooms, bringing the resort total to nearly 54,000.
Disney has committed $17 billion to expanding the complex over the next decade. The growth is estimated to create 13,000 jobs.
The district noted that Disney is required to spend at least $8 billion under the agreement. The company must also expand an affordable housing initiative and implement a “Buy Local” initiative, with at least 50 percent of its total spending on Disney World expansion going to Florida businesses.
Charbel Barakat, vice chairman of the county board, called the agreement “a monumental step.” Brian Aungst Jr., another board member, said, “Walt Disney World is inextricably linked to the fabric of the state of Florida, and the success of Walt Disney World is the success of Central Florida and vice versa.”
After the district’s five board members unanimously approved the expansion plan, Disney said it would end all litigation against Mr. DeSantis and the district.
Disney had been fighting Mr. DeSantis and the county executive in federal court. In a lawsuit filed last year, Disney said the governor and his allies violated the First Amendment by taking over the district in retaliation for Disney’s opposition to the education law.
In January, a federal judge dismissed Disney’s complaint, ruling that it didn’t matter whether the actions were retaliatory. Disney had promised to appeal.
A separate but related lawsuit in state court was settled in March.
The expansion agreement paves the way for Disney to make political contributions in Florida again; The company stopped campaign donations when Mr. DeSantis took control of the tourism regulator.
Disney recently put a stop to the practice by giving free parking passes to Geraldine F. Thompson, a Democratic state senator. She used Disney’s in-kind donation to increase interest in a fundraiser for her re-election campaign.
“Disney and Florida have finally kissed and made up,” said Dennis Speigel, chief executive and founder of International Theme Park Services, a consulting and theme park management company in Ohio. “The separation was a defeat. It was just a matter of time.”
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2024-06-13 03:56:09
www.nytimes.com
