Disney says the new Central Florida Tourism Oversight District administrator has not been in contact with the company since taking the $400k job

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Glen Gilzean speaking on May 10 at his appointment as District Administrator

Posted: Wednesday July 26, 2023 7:50am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

WESH 2 news was given an inside look at the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, which included a brief interview with the new district administrator, Glen Gilzean.

Glen Gilzean speaking on May 10 at his appointment as District Administrator

In his first interview since taking the $400k job in early May, Gilzean said that he is "excited about the future" and "bullish and optimistic that the future is going to look really good."

Asked about his relationship with Disney, Gilzean said, "I would say, under this independent government that we have, all of our ratepayers have now an opportunity to have a fair and balancing using the analogy. My job is to be the best umpire here to call the balls and strikes."

In responding to a request for comment by WESH 2, Disney says that since Gilzean has been on the job, he has not been in contact with the company. The district says he has been in touch with Disney about some bus routes and utilities.

You can see the full report from WESH 2 below.

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castlecake2.02 days ago

Yes

Stripes2 days ago

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

mkt2 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.

Unbanshee2 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

lazyboy97o2 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.

Brian2 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.

mkt2 days ago

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

pdude812 days ago

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

Brian2 days ago

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

pdude812 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.

lazyboy97o3 days ago

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

flynnibus3 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.

UNCgolf3 days ago

That seems wildly optimistic.

flynnibus3 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.