Federal Judge in Disney-DeSantis Lawsuit Recuses Himself, New Arbiter Will Preside

U.S. Magistrate Judge Martin Fitzpatrick has recused himself from the lawsuit Walt Disney Parks & Resorts filed Wednesday against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and his personally-appointed Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Board. Fitzpatrick stated he is related “in the third degree” to someone employed by one of the parties, and sought to avoid any potential … Read more

GOP-Proposed Florida Timeshare Valuation Bill Would Give Large Tax Breaks to Disney, Among Others

As reported by the Orlando Business Journal this morning, a Florida bill sponsored by Representative Randy Fine (Republican — Palm Bay) would redefine the way timeshare properties are valued in the state, consequently allowing the potential for massive tax breaks to entities in the state such as Walt Disney World, Hilton Grand Vacations, Marriott Vacations … Read more

North Carolina Senator Introduces ‘Mickey’s Freedom Restoration Act’ Inviting Disney to the Tar Heel State

Amidst the rising and continued tension between Walt Disney World and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, North Carolina state senator Michael Garrett has introduced Senate Bill 594, “Mickey’s Freedom Restoration Act,” which invites Disney to the Tar Heel State and, ultimately, paves the way for any major new theme park to stake its claim in the … Read more

Reedy Creek Determines ‘No Records Exist’ for Florida Attorney General’s Probe into Disney Power Agreements

According to the Orlando Sentinel, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (previously known as the Reedy Creek Improvement District) found that “no records exist” regarding a public records request made on March 30 by Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody. An additional request from the Sentinel itself produced the same results. The Attorney General requested the … Read more

DeSantis Plans to Impose Tolls and Taxes at Walt Disney World, 3 New Star Wars Movies Announced, & More: Daily Recap (4/7/23)

We bring you a lot of stories every single day. Sometimes it’s hard to keep up. So in case you missed anything from our feed, we have rounded up all our stories in one place to get the news at a glance. Here is your Daily Recap for Friday, April 7, 2023. Walt Disney World Magic … Read more

CEO Bob Iger Accuses DeSantis of Punishing Disney for Free Speech

Addressing the Reedy Creek Improvement District (RCID) situation in Florida during today’s shareholders’ meeting, The Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger said the company was exercising their right to free speech and Governor DeSantis is now retaliating against them. Iger Accuses DeSantis of Punishing Disney for Free Speech Iger said, “We love the state of … Read more

Disney Parks Lake Nona Headquarters Project Passes Development Review Committee with Unanimous Vote

Disney’s Lake Nona Headquarters Project has been approved unanimously by the Development Review Committee. Lake Nona Headquarters Project The vote was held on March 9 and was known as the Lake Nona Parcel 20A Office Complex. The project passed through the Development Review Committee with a unanimous vote of 5-0 by its members. The site … Read more

FDOT Cancels Plans for Interstate Ramp to Disney Springs

FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) has chosen to cancel the planned onramp to cross over the interstate to gain entrance to the Disney Springs area in favor of another option to route traffic and hopefully alleviate some of the congestion in the area and on I-4. With more than 58 million visitors to the Walt … Read more

UPDATE: New Proposal Aims to Create State Board to Run Reedy Creek Improvement District, Disney to Pay Debts

A new proposal by the Florida legislature would create a state board to run Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District but ensure Disney pays all its debts. Osceola County posted this notice of legislation today: Notice is hereby given of intent to seek legislation before the Florida Legislature, during a regular, extended, or special session, of … Read more

Florida Lawmakers Now Working to Reverse Dissolution of Reedy Creek Improvement District

Florida lawmakers are now working to reverse the decision to dissolve Walt Disney World’s Reedy Creek Improvement District, Financial Times reports. The self-described purpose of the Reedy Creek Improvement District is “to support and administer certain aspects of the economic development and tourism within District boundaries.” The creation of the district in 1967 meant Walt … Read more

CEO Bob Chapek Thanks Cast Members For Successful Second Quarter of 2022

CEO of The Walt Disney Company Bob Chapek sent a memo to Cast Members after yesterday’s earning call congratulating and thanking them for a successful second quarter of 2022. The company made $19.2 billion in revenue, with $6.7 billion coming directly from Disney Parks. The memo addresses the six Academy Awards Disney won this year, … Read more

Walt Disney Imagineering Job Postings Indicate Relocation to Orlando Area Still Planned for 2024, Despite Conflicts With Florida Government

Job postings for Walt Disney Imagineering indicate that the division’s move to Orlando, Florida is still planned to be completed by late 2024. Among the job postings is one for a New Experience Development Executive in Glendale, California. It notes that the “team will relocate to Orlando, Florida in late 2024.” Many Imagineers and other … Read more

Cast Members and Imagineers Hope Disney Will Halt Their Relocation to Florida Due to Ongoing Political Rift

Erich Schwartzel with the Wall Street Journal has written a new piece about the clash between The Walt Disney Company and Florida, and the Cast Members meant to move to Florida who are caught in the middle. After Disney finally spoke out against the Parental Rights in Education bill, a.k.a. the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, … Read more

DeSantis Targets Walt Disney World With Special Legislative Session to Get Rid of Reedy Creek

Governor Ron DeSantis is expanding a special session of the Florida Legislature starting today to get rid of districts that were established prior to November 1968, targeting the Reedy Creek Improvement District established around Walt Disney World Resort in 1967. DeSantis had previously said he was “receptive” to repealing the act that created the district … Read more

Walt Disney World Earmarks 80 Acres of Central Florida for New Affordable Housing Development

disney affordable housing

Walt Disney World has earmarked 80 acres of land for a new affordable housing development in Central Florida. View concept art, watch a video about the new development, and read what Disney has to say about it below. For more than 50 years, our Central Florida family has played an important role in the story … Read more

Universal Remains Silent Amidst Disney’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill Controversy, Despite Donating to Some of the Same Lawmakers

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NBCUniversal continues to remain silent on Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill despite the controversy surrounding the bill and Universal’s main theme park competitor, Disney. In February, The Walt Disney Company was found to have donated to every sponsor of the Parental Rights in Education bill, which uses vague language to “[prohibit] classroom discussion about sexual … Read more