Disney's Reedy Creek - Reincarnated

[Talent312]

When last we visited the issue, Florida's legislature abolished the Reedy Creek District - the local government for Disney World - which Disney itself controlled. Now, according to the Orlando Sentinel, Reedy Creek will soon get a new life as a state-run entity. Essentially, they will boot out Disney's own board and create a state-appointed board.
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis is expecting a special session next week to consider the proposed state takeover of Disney World’s Reedy Creek Improvement District, a spokesman said late Tuesday.... A public notice on Osceola County’s website in early January announced the Legislature would take up legislation “increasing state oversight, accountability, and transparency” of the district...

Under the proposed legislation, “Disney will no longer control its own government, will live under the same laws as everyone else...” DeSantis spokeswoman Taryn Fenske said at the time the announcement was posted...

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[kanerf]

Seems fair. Local citizens in the affected counties can run for positions on the board, assuming they are elected and not appointed.

 

[nomoretslt]

If I recall correctly the original agreement was set to expire after 50 years. Seeing that WDW just celebrated their 50th year, I guess it was due for a change anyway. Not sure if any other parks in Florida have similar agreements. I don’t think any of them take up as much real estate as Disney though. IMHO there is never going to be a fifth gate built, although there are some new resorts in the planning/building stages.

 

[joestein]

If I recall correctly the original agreement was set to expire after 50 years. Seeing that WDW just celebrated their 50th year, I guess it was due for a change anyway. Not sure if any other parks in Florida have similar agreements. I don’t think any of them take up as much real estate as Disney though. IMHO there is never going to be a fifth gate built, although there are some new resorts in the planning/building stages.

They do not. When Universal wants to build more hotels or parks they need to deal with zoning and other issue with the City of Orlando. Disney didn't need to do anything - since they were the district board, they just approved what was put before them by Disney.

HOWEVER, they didn't approve roads that helped competitors - like the Bonnet Creek District - Reedy Creek had to be taken to court as they would not allow land locked Bonnet Creek to be connected to Buena Vista Drive.

 

[Talent312]

Faced with losing control, Disney had the old Board sign over almost total control to Disney.
Thus, Disney may have gone one-up on Florida's Governor, but the new Board could have the last laugh.

From Business Insider --
New board members say that an agreement, approved by the old Board a day before the legislature gave DeSantis control, stripped them of their powers. "This essentially makes Disney the government," Ron Peri, a member of the board, said during a meeting on Wednesday. "This board loses, for practical purposes, the majority of its ability to do anything beyond maintain the roads and maintain basic infrastructure."

From Orlando Sentinel --
If they go to court, Disney and Gov. Ron DeSantis’ handpicked board might be in for a multimillion-dollar legal slugfest that could last years... Legal bills would pile up in a protracted court fight, and the district could draw on the tax dollars which Disney pays. “Reedy Creek is going to be spending Disney’s own money fighting Disney... ” Schumer said. “If they go all the way with all the agreements, it will certainly cross seven figures, eight figures.”

 

[Rolltydr]

Faced with losing control of the Board, Disney had the old Board sign over almost total control to Disney.
Thus, Disney may have gone one-up on Florida's Governor, but the new Board could have the last laugh.

From Business Insider --
New board members say that an agreement, approved by the old Board a day before the legislature gave DeSantis control, stripped them of their powers. "This essentially makes Disney the government," Ron Peri, a member of the board, said during a meeting on Wednesday. "This board loses, for practical purposes, the majority of its ability to do anything beyond maintain the roads and maintain basic infrastructure."

From Orlando Sentinel --
If they go to court, Disney and Gov. Ron DeSantis’ handpicked board might be in for a multimillion-dollar legal slugfest that could last years... Legal bills would pile up in a protracted court fight, and the district could draw on the tax dollars which Disney pays. “Reedy Creek is going to be spending Disney’s own money fighting Disney... ” Schumer said. “If they go all the way with all the agreements, it will certainly cross seven figures, eight figures.”

 

[Ralph Sir Edward]

Faced with losing control, Disney had the old Board sign over almost total control to Disney.
Thus, Disney may have gone one-up on Florida's Governor, but the new Board could have the last laugh.

From Business Insider --
New board members say that an agreement, approved by the old Board a day before the legislature gave DeSantis control, stripped them of their powers. "This essentially makes Disney the government," Ron Peri, a member of the board, said during a meeting on Wednesday. "This board loses, for practical purposes, the majority of its ability to do anything beyond maintain the roads and maintain basic infrastructure."

From Orlando Sentinel --
If they go to court, Disney and Gov. Ron DeSantis’ handpicked board might be in for a multimillion-dollar legal slugfest that could last years... Legal bills would pile up in a protracted court fight, and the district could draw on the tax dollars which Disney pays. “Reedy Creek is going to be spending Disney’s own money fighting Disney... ” Schumer said. “If they go all the way with all the agreements, it will certainly cross seven figures, eight figures.”

Sad. It may devolve into a "p*ssing contest", and not in court.

What if the board decided to install major drainage projects at all the entrances they are now responsible for? (Reducing access by 50-75%)

As Sheriff Bart told the Waco Kid - "It's legal. . ."

 

[Bucky]

I always find it depressing when government tries to take over private enterprise. In this case the motivating factor is more a matter of free speech than doing what is right for the voters.

 

[Talent312]

Folks simply need to be aware of the tug-of-war going on.
It could change WDW. The outcome is above our pay-grade.
Who will have the last-laugh is anybody's guess.
.

 

[Patri]

I always find it depressing when government tries to take over private enterprise. In this case the motivating factor is more a matter of free speech than doing what is right for the voters.

Hmmm? FL gave them a tax break for decades. Was that okay?

 

[Ralph Sir Edward]

Folks simply need to be aware of the tug-of-war going on.
It could change WDW. The outcome is above our pay-grade.
Who will have the last-laugh is anybody's guess.
.

WE won't. We'll pay the price (one way or another) for the power struggle.
Same as it always was. . . .

 

[tombanjo]

A few points. It is local, meaning any state tax is not affected. Secondly, if you lived in let’s say “my home county” and were perfectly happy with how the county was run (on time trash pick up, roads in order, fire and police well funded and responsive), would you applaud the state of Florida taking over your local government? I don’t think so.

The idea “they will live under the same laws as everyone” is wrong.

If you live in a “dry” county, you do not live under the same laws as everyone. Same with zoning, owning chickens, etc.

While it is true that it is unusual for the board to be based on the biggest employer and most massive local tax payer, it is certainly not something that really needed to be wiped out for no good reason.

 

[MULTIZ321]

Walt Disney World Takes Gov DeSantis to School

https://www.thestreet.com/travel/walt-disneys-disney-world-puts-takes-desantis-to-school?puc=flipboard2&cm_ven=FLIPBOARD2

Richard