Lawyers representing the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District say Disney's last-minute agreement with Reedy Creek is 'null and void'

Apr 19, 2023 in "Reedy Creek Improvement District"

Forum Forums Tweet Share Tweet Share

Posted: Wednesday April 19, 2023 11:00am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

In a presentation by the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District's high-profile lawyers, it was said that Disney's February 8 2023 developer agreements and restrictive covenants with Reedy Creek Improvement District prior to the new board taking over are "null and void."

Specifically, David H. Thompson from Cooper & Kirk said that Disney was in violation of the Florida Sunshine Law, and "failed to mail notice to the other property owners in the district." Adding that this alleged inaction "dooms their entire effort."

Secondly, it was said that such agreements can be entered into "only if the district has put in place to adopt such an agreement, Reedy Creek Improvement District neglected to do so."

More details are expected as lawyers continue their presentation today.

Reedy Creek Improvement District overview

Signed into effect on February 8, just as the Florida House passed the legislation to take control of Reedy Creek Improvement District, the new Developer Agreement gives Disney significant control of the RCID landing and prevents the new board making any changes to the agreement.

At a March 29 special meeting, where the board discussed the new Developer Agreement, one member said, "We lose control over everything other than to maintain the roads and maintain the infrastructure." Board member Brian Aungst said, "We gave governmental control to Disney."

Disney is yet to comment on recent developments.

Discuss on the Forums

Get Walt Disney World News Delivered to Your Inbox

MagicHappens197122 hours ago

Most likely not. Disney isn't building it because it was a Chapek plan that Iger didn't like, they used the guise of the political issues they were having to justify not building it.

rogerrabbitfan922 hours ago

I would imagine that any long term office use plans from that long ago are based on very different assumptions than would be made today.

Goofyernmost1 day ago

I looked at it, when they cancelled that project, it was more of a convenient way of getting out of it. There was a lot of backlash from the Imagineering department about uprooting and heading for the less than liberal thinking area called Florida. They were about to lose a lot of very creative people. They might still attempt to be the developer of that property if they still own it, but they won't be investing more money into it in my opinion.

eddie1041 day ago

I don’t believe they have.

Comped1 day ago

To my knowledge, Disney still hasn't sold off the land?

eddie1041 day ago

I wonder once the dust settles on this will this revive their plans for an East Coast division HQ in Florida?

BrianLo2 days ago

It's nice to get the funding commitment tied up into this. Obviously they've given themselves an out in case of an 'event', much like they have for Disneyland Forward. But an out doesn't mean zero investment. It also sort of again concedes their figures aren't just purely political or Wall Street talking points. Not that I've doubted they are, but the company clearly intends (at this juncture) to still spend this 17 billion over ten years.

BrianLo2 days ago

From what Len posted it would seem to be maybe a two-ish year project finishing mid or late 2027. World Drive being done in 2026.

JoeCamel2 days ago

Or when they spend other people's money

Dr.GrantSeeker2 days ago

Really excited about the widening of Western Way. Is there a timeline on that? It needs to happen sooner than later.

mkt2 days ago

It’s amazing what will get done when the board is forced to act in good faith

Tom P.2 days ago

It's a discussion forum. That's the whole point. Why would you want to be in a discussion on a discussion forum and just say "eh, let's stop talking about this" and expect everyone to just drop it?

GoneViral2 days ago

Agreed!

lazyboy97o2 days ago

No… there are people who genuinely believe that Disney is a bunch of groomers. Just because DeSantis dropped the attacks doesn’t means others have. Disney is hoping people in Florida will run interference if people at the federal level want to target Disney.