Disney launches new website 'The Value of Disney Reedy Creek to Florida'

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Posted: Thursday April 20, 2023 4:22pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has launched a new webpage this afternoon that provides a history of Reedy Creek Improvement District and its impact on Florida and the Walt Disney World Resort.

With Florida Governor Ron DeSantis continuing his retaliation against Disney for its opposition to his Parental Rights bill with a hostile takeover of Reedy Creek, Disney is setting the record straight on the exact purpose of the special district.

The Reedy Creek HQ near Disney Springs

The page explains why the district was created, how taxes are paid, and how it helped drive economic prosperity in Florida. Continue reading The Value of Reedy Creek to Florida.

In 1967, the Florida State Legislature established a special taxing district in Orange and Osceola Counties known as the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (previously known as Reedy Creek Improvement District or RCID). Encompassing 25,000 acres, this special taxing district provides and manages municipal services for the 47-square miles of the Walt Disney World Resort.
More than five decades later, the special taxing district continues fulfilling its legislative intent as outlined in the charter – the advancement of economic progress and well-being of the people of Florida by facilitating the development of a world-class tourist destination.
The special taxing district has long served as a catalyst for economic prosperity in Florida by helping Walt Disney World Resort welcome millions of visitors to the region, and it has historically championed efforts to protect Florida’s natural environment for all Floridians and visitors to enjoy.

Continue reading The Value of Reedy Creek to Florida.

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castlecake2.010 days ago

Yes

Stripes10 days ago

Has Disney/CFTOD continued to replace the purple direction signage with the new blue color scheme since CFTOD took over?

mkt10 days ago

You're right. The new document will be different. It will be "different" in the way that Chris Gaines was "different" from Garth Brooks or how the drummer from Nirvana is "different" from the singer of the Foo Fighters.

Unbanshee10 days ago

Both are effectively picked by the Governor, just not technically. Look no further than the communications "strategy" with the replacement of Gilzean of the Governor's office getting out ahead of every single step of the process

lazyboy97o11 days ago

The settlement acknowledged the “need” to change the comprehensive plan, which undermines this idea. So too does the lack of an agreement, as the 2032 Comprehensive Plan wasn’t that different than the again in force 2020 Comprehensive Plan.

Brian11 days ago

That's understandable for sure. I just felt inclined to make the distinction due to the ongoing conversation, as the district administrator is selected by the board, while the board is selected by the governor.

mkt11 days ago

The new agreement will be functionally the same as the one Disney was sued over.

pdude8111 days ago

You're right. This has been going on so long I just lumped all the antagonists together.

Brian11 days ago

Not to nitpick, but Gilzean was district administrator, not a board member.

pdude8111 days ago

A bigger risk than keeping Garcia and Gilzean on the board as active disruptors? I don't agree with their decision to stall the federal lawsuit, but I understand why they saw the status quo as a risk to growth over the next few years.

lazyboy97o11 days ago

You don’t think dropping your bargaining power in the middle is the best strategy in a negotiation?

flynnibus11 days ago

Again… we know nothing except both sides have shown signs of positive attitude and certainty of successful outcomes. What does that mean? None if us know. All we can speculate is… they know a lot more than they have said publicly… and obvious things like "desantis is not perpetual…" were clearly obvious to them when they made these choices.

UNCgolf11 days ago

That seems wildly optimistic.

flynnibus11 days ago

“Right now…” Yes, we all know this. But again, we don’t know what back room deal they have setup. Who knows… it could even include new legislation promises… Or Disney is just rolling with the hand they are dealt… maybe they have accepted that the time to sunset their advantages of rcid is here… none of us can tell what their true intentions are right now.