Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at Walt Disney World signs bill to end Disney's self-governing status signaling the end of Reedy Creek

By WDWMAGIC Staff · Monday February 27, 2023 10:00am ET · "The Walt Disney Company"
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at Walt Disney World signs bill to end Disney's self-governing status signaling the end of Reedy Creek

Photos / 2 in this gallery

Ron DeSantis at Reedy Creek Improvement District

Ron DeSantis at Reedy Creek Improvement DistrictRon DeSantis at Reedy Creek Improvement District

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is in Disney's own backyard at Walt Disney World to bring sweeping changes to Disney's self-governing status and Reedy Creek Improvement District.

Ron DeSantis at Reedy Creek Improvement District
Ron DeSantis at Reedy Creek Improvement District

The bill that DeSantis has signed today replaces the governing body's board with five members appointed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. In addition, the Reedy Creek Improvement District will be renamed "Central Florida Tourism Oversight District." Disney will be responsible for paying hundreds of millions in outstanding Reedy Creek debt.

Reedy Creek Improvement District HQ near Disney Springs
Photo: WDWMAGICReedy Creek Improvement District HQ near Disney Springs

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.

Ron DeSantis at Reedy Creek Improvement District
Ron DeSantis at Reedy Creek Improvement District

The action by DeSantis comes in retaliation to Disney's public opposition to the Parental Bill of Right law, which took place under ex-Disney CEO Bob Chapek. Speaking today, DeSantis said that Disney's opposition to the Parents Bill of Rights bill was a "mild annoyance," but that the state of Florida will no longer be "joined at the hip with one California-based company."

Today's press conference, held at Reedy Creek Fire Station 4 near Disney Springs, featured chosen speakers to rant against Disney in a political rally-style atmosphere. Topics included vaccination misinformation, Disney's mask requirements, park reservations, and Disney's support of LGBTQIA+.

In signing the bill, DeSantis said, "the corporate kingdom finally came to an end." Following the signing, the Governor said he wants "Disney to be what Walt envisioned."

You can watch the press conference below.

Conversation

25,669 comments
Discuss on the Forums
lazyboy97oFeb 27, 2023
↩ replying to Tom P.
The openly stated purpose of all of this is to punish Disney.

The new district is even required to undertake unnecessary expenses.

But sure, maybe you’re right and DeSantis is just lying about this and all of the other things he is actively doing and I was wrong to believe him.
mktFeb 27, 2023
↩ replying to ParentsOf4
I mean, it’s not a big secret that Chappie is politically on the same side as DeSantis.
DCBakerFeb 27, 2023
DeSantis is having a press conference at Reedy Creek Fire Station #4 at 9:45am this morning.
JohnDFeb 27, 2023
↩ replying to DCBaker
That explains why the bill was presented to the Governor this morning.
https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=77294

You can watch the press conference on The Florida Channel website: https://thefloridachannel.org/
GoofGoofFeb 27, 2023
↩ replying to Tom P.
I’m 100% certain he didn’t mean the original RCID.

The change to the district was absolutely done to cause harm. The Governor and the legislature openly told anyone who would listen they were doing it to punish Disney for speaking out. How much actual harm is caused is yet to be determined. I don’t think Disney really needs RCID (in any form) for WDW to remain very profitable and they haven’t lost the district, they just lost complete and total control of the district (for now). It’s still unknown how much this will impact anything. There are certainly many possibilities (talked about here a lot) which could cause real harm to Disney, right now they are just speculation and things that could happen.

As far as your point on whether the Governor wants to hurt Disney, I don’t think he really cares either way. I agree this was all done as a political stunt and in that regard it was very successful. He got what he wanted. I also don’t think he cares much about the long term impact to tourism or the FL economy. His goal is focused solely on another job and he’d do anything to advance that goal. His hope is to not even be Governor of FL in a year so why would he care about any impact to tourism which wouldn’t be evident until after he’s long gone. So to put it another way, if he felt harming Disney would advance his next goal he would absolutely do it even if that meant a severely negative long term impact to FL and the economy of the state.
winstongatorFeb 27, 2023
↩ replying to GoofGoof
I do not expect the new governor appointed board to act in good faith. You're right that this has always been a political stunt, and having a board able to veto things Disney wants to do lets a governor claim to be fighting woke corporations in his culture war. I think Disney needs to use the little leverage it has left. Cancelling Lake Nona is part of that, but they need to cut campaign contributions to politicians that attack it.
JohnDFeb 27, 2023
Governor's Press Conference is now live: https://thefloridachannel.org/
mmascariFeb 27, 2023
↩ replying to JohnD
Everyone from the site must have joined the stream, it crashed. 😂

We'll need some actual good reporting and fact checking on the statements when it's over. Before it crashed, there were clearly false statements. Also an explicit statement that this was to control a California company working in FL. It feels pretty clear that he doesn't care if Disney succeeds or not and any impact to the rest of FL just be ignored.

I don't expect that actual reporting to happen because our media is so bad.
JohnDFeb 27, 2023
↩ replying to mmascari
They switched over to local WESH. There is a full video one way or the other.
sedatiFeb 27, 2023
I don’t see how any kind of harmonious existence is possible when the Governor has rebranded FLA from “The Sunshine State” to the place “Where Woke Goes To Die” while simultaneously branding Disney as “Woke”. This is a literal death sentence. Imagine Hershey’s relationship with PA if their governor declared the state to be “ A Chocolate-Free State.”
DCBakerFeb 27, 2023
↩ replying to mmascari
If you wish to continue watching, you can also catch it here -
mmascariFeb 27, 2023
↩ replying to JohnD
It came back right after I posted. Like seconds after. The content didn't get any better though.
wdwmagicFeb 27, 2023
Wow this is bizarre. Quite unbelievable that this is taking place at Walt Disney World.
GimpYancIentFeb 27, 2023
The "Central Florida Tourism Oversight District" CFTOD for short is the new reality, its here so time to adapt and keep on going with the business of providing entertainment, and Oh yea, making money. Just ask B.I.
Surferboy567Feb 27, 2023
↩ replying to DCBaker
DeSantis is definitely sending a message signing this on WDW property.

I still think they are making a huge mistake just letting this go though. Hope that backend deal was good enough assuming there even was one.
View all 25,669 comments on the Forums →

Latest Photo Galleries
More photos

Project Fedora Goes Vertical: Aerial Construction Photos — October 2026 Attraction 8 hours ago

Project Fedora Goes Vertical: Aerial Construction Photos — October 2026
Disney Believe Food Reveal: Cupcakes, Popsicles, Cocktails, and More +5 Other 1 day ago

Disney Believe Food Reveal: Cupcakes, Popsicles, Cocktails, and More
Disney Believe Full Reveal +7 Other 2 days ago

Disney Believe Full Reveal
Animation Courtyard Gets a Holiday Lounge for Jollywood Nights 2026 Events 2 days ago

Animation Courtyard Gets a Holiday Lounge for Jollywood Nights 2026

Most Read
More news

1
1 day ago

Lightning Lane Premier Pass Sold Out at All Four Walt Disney World Parks for Columbus Day Weekend
2
4 days ago

Lightning Lane Premier Pass Sell Outs Return for Columbus Day Weekend 2026 at Disney World
3
12 hours ago

A New WDI Permit Suggests More Changes Are Coming to Buzz Lightyear at Magic Kingdom
4
8 hours ago

Project Fedora Goes Vertical: New Aerial Photos Show Kids Play Structure Progress at Hollywood Studios