Walt Disney World President Jeff Vahle releases a statement on the apparent demise of Reedy Creek Improvement District

Feb 10, 2023 in "The Walt Disney Company"

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Posted: Friday February 10, 2023 3:39pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Following this week's votes in the Florida State House and Senate, the bill to make fundamental changes to the Reedy Creek Improvement District appears to now be a certainty.

Created in 1967, Reedy Creek Improvement District allowed Disney the luxury of establishing its own independent government

Walt Disney World President Jeff Vahle has just released a statement that appears to concede defeat and accept that the proposed changes will come into effect.

"For more than 50 years, the Reedy Creek Improvement District has operated at the highest standards, and we appreciate all that the District has done to help our destination grow and become one of the largest economic contributors and employers in the state. We are focused on the future and are ready to work within this new framework, and we will continue to innovate, inspire and bring joy to the millions of guests who come to Florida to visit Walt Disney World each year."

-Jeff Vahle, President, Walt Disney World.

The bill that has passed moves to replace the governing body's board with five members appointed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. In addition, the Reedy Creek Improvement District would be renamed "Central Florida Tourism Oversight District."

The final step for the bill is for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to sign it into law, which at this point would appear to be a certainty.

The creation of the Reedy Creek Improvement District in 1967 allowed Disney the luxury of establishing its own independent government that handles many aspects of the Walt Disney World property, including emergency services, infrastructure, and construction permitting.

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JohnD14 minutes ago

As if the state cares. They got what they wanted one way or the other. Turns out it was the other.

GoofGoof1 hour ago

I’m not ignoring any of that. It’s part of the reality we live in. That’s why the government at all levels has made affordable housing a priority in urban areas to some extent. Disney and Universal have been involved in projects to build affordable housing for at least some of their workforce. That housing is usually apartment style vs single family homes. It’s also possible for people with lower paying service jobs to live in a single family home that’s affordable if they are willing to commute. I know places like FL have no real mass transit and commuting is more of a Northeast thing, but where do you think all the Manhattan McDonalds workers live? They commute and usually take mass transit to work.

matt91121 hour ago

Your ignoring all the induced demand from people who never intend to actually live in the houses…… also ignoring the reality that all those successful areas still need lower paying service jobs yet those areas fight tooth and nail against any kind of affordable housing.

mkt2 hours ago

And here's the order of recusal from Disney v DeSantis et al.

mkt2 hours ago

From CFTOD v Disney, there was a hearing yesterday:

flyakite3 hours ago

NOTICE OF MEETING YOU WILL PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that on June 21 st at 9:30 a.m., or as soon thereafter as practicable, the Board of Supervisors of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District will meet in regular session at 1900 Hotel Plaza Boulevard, Lake Buena Vista, Florida. At that time, they will consider such business as may properly come before them. BY: Tina Graham, Clerk

LAKid533 hours ago

The issue the judge identified was that his "third degree relative" could be financially impacted by his decision. A "third degree relative" is a first cousin, great grandparent, great aunt, great uncle, great niece, great grandchild.

FutureCEO4 hours ago

The amount of times in a year, I see a third degree relative is slim to none.

UofMGuy42310 hours ago

That’s not the same thing as legislative intent that’s clearly available in the public record or during legislative debate. The article mentions lawmakers were being subpoenaed to be deposed to find out their intent as the public record was void of any details on the redistricting legislation. While the original judge was better, a conservative judge could be just as appalled at DeSantis’ actions towards Disney which lean towards less government retaliation and intrusion.

lazyboy97o12 hours ago

And cannon was roundly shot down by other Trump appointees. Trump himself has lost a number of cases to people he appointed.

GoofGoof13 hours ago

Sadly this is only really true for most judges appointed prior to 2013 when the filibuster was still in place in the Senate. Since then the Federal Judges appointed have been a lot more partisan and extreme. The old notion of Conservative judges is being wiped away over time. Just like Disney was highly likely to win the initial case with Walker in there they are highly likely to lose now. It is what it is. There will still be an appeal but no guarantee how that plays out.

seascape14 hours ago

I don't think the Judge matters as much as the law and Constitition. Further, a Conservative strict constructionalist Judge will give the 1st Amendment issue more weight. Disney will win this case and it will be the downfall of DeSantis's Presidential run.

GoofGoof14 hours ago

When you get into highly partisan judges like this the law is less important.

GoofGoof14 hours ago

I think the motion to dismiss probably comes into play now. If this judge sticks (2 down already) he could end up accepting the defendant‘s motion to dismiss. I assume there would still be an appeal anyway.