Disney and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis have finally put an end to their dispute, clearing the way for a planned $17 billion development at Walt Disney World near Orlando.
On Wednesday night, the Central Florida Tourism Board — the organization that DeSantis will take over in 2022, putting an end to 55 years of Disney dominance and sparking multiple lawsuits — gave Disney much of what it's always wanted: a locked-in, long-term plan for Disney World expansion. For at least the next 15 years, the life of the new deal, Disney can develop its resorts without worrying about interference from Florida politicians.
Put plainly, state leaders can no longer use Disney's 25,000-acre resort expansion as a political weapon, as Governor DeSantis did two years ago when he said he would fight to repeal a state education law that opponents called anti-gay.
Disney World President Jeff Valle said in a statement that the agreement “will support the growth of this world-class destination and boost Florida's economy.” The agreement will allow Disney to build a fifth theme park, add three smaller parks, expand retail and office space and build a 14,000-room hotel, bringing the resort's total room count to about 54,000.
Disney has budgeted $17 billion to expand the complex over the next decade, which it says will create an estimated 13,000 jobs.
The District noted that the agreement requires Disney to spend at least $8 billion. The company also must expand affordable housing initiatives, implement a “buy local” initiative, and provide at least 50% of the total expenditures on Disney World expansion to Florida businesses.
Charbel Barakat, vice chairman of the district's board of directors, called the agreement “a groundbreaking step.” Brian Aunst Jr., another board member, said, “Walt Disney World is inextricably intertwined with 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 school district's five-member board unanimously approved the expansion plans, Disney announced it was dropping all litigation against DeSantis and the district.
Disney has been fighting Governor DeSantis and the school board in federal court, alleging in a lawsuit filed last year that the governor and his allies violated the First Amendment by taking over the school board in retaliation for Disney's criticism of education law.
In January, a federal judge threw out Disney's lawsuit, ruling that whether the company's actions were retaliatory was irrelevant. Disney has vowed to appeal.
A separate but related lawsuit in state court was settled in March.
The expansion agreement clears the way for Disney to resume political contributions in Florida, after the company suspended campaign contributions when DeSantis took power on the tourism oversight board.
Disney recently re-entered the practice by gifting free park tickets to Democratic state Sen. Geraldine F. Thompson, who used Disney's non-cash donations to raise money for her own reelection campaign.
“Disney and Florida have finally come to terms,” said Dennis Spiegel, CEO and founder of International Theme Park Services, an Ohio-based consulting and park management company. “The breakdown was a loss for both sides. It was only a matter of time.”