Walt Disney Florida

2022 - 4 - 22

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Image courtesy of "The Wall Street Journal"

Revolt in Disney's Florida Kingdom (The Wall Street Journal)

Its alienating push into Florida politics is a warning for other CEOs. · Disney CEO Bob Chapek in 2015. · *** · Newsletter Sign-up · ***.

You may cancel your subscription at anytime by calling Customer Service. The Florida Legislature voted this week to abolish the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which in effect lets Disney World run its own private government. Now state lawmakers are reacting by putting down a few glue traps.

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Image courtesy of "The New York Times"

Disney to Lose Special Florida Tax Status Amid 'Don't Say Gay' Clash (The New York Times)

The vote, which appears certain to be signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis, follows an acrimonious clash over what has been called the “Don't Say Gay” law ...

“Our goal as a company is for this law to be repealed by the legislature or struck down in the courts,” Disney said in a statement at the time, “and we remain committed to supporting the national and state organizations working to achieve that.” Two days later, with pressure building for Disney to condemn the legislation, Mr. Chapek did so. The Florida Legislature convened this week for a special session on congressional redistricting. Disney could apply to re-establish the district if it is eliminated. Reedy Creek also levies taxes on Disney to pay for the resort’s own fire and medical response battalions, among other services. (In contrast, the company was not able to reopen Disneyland in California until last April because of that state’s tougher pandemic regulations.) That era ended on Thursday, when the Florida House voted to revoke Disney World’s designation as a special tax district — a privilege that Disney has held for 55 years, effectively allowing the company to self-govern its 25,000-acre theme park complex. (In contrast, in the 1990s, when Disney needed municipal infrastructure in Anaheim, Calif., to develop its California Adventure theme park, the company had to persuade Anaheim to issue the bonds.) It carries $977 million in debt, which would also be transferred to the counties. “Disney has gotten away with special deals from the state of Florida for way too long.” Reedy Creek gives Disney considerable sway over the planning and permitting process for construction on its vast property, including road building. The Florida Senate voted on Wednesday to eliminate the special zone, which is called the Reedy Creek Improvement District. Having cleared the way to this outcome with a formal proclamation, Gov. Ron DeSantis will almost certainly make the measure official by adding his signature.

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Image courtesy of "CBC.ca"

Florida passes bill to end Disney self-government in the state | CBC ... (CBC.ca)

The Florida House of Representatives on Thursday gave final passage to a bill that would dissolve Walt Disney World's private government, handing Republican ...

The company is one of Florida's biggest private employers and last year said it had more than 60,000 workers in the state. The measure leaves room for the districts to be re-established, with a Republican legislative leader signalling a likely restructuring of a 1967 deal that lawmakers struck with the company that allows it to provide services such as zoning, fire protection, utilities and infrastructure. DeSantis and his fellow Republicans then lashed out at Disney, and have defended the law as reasonable.

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Image courtesy of "CNN"

Reedy Creek: Why Disney has its own government in Florida and ... (CNN)

Here's a look at the history of Reedy Creek, why it has become a focus in a special legislative session, and what removing its special status would mean for ...

"Someone is going to have to pay for that. "Somebody is still going to have to pay for the bonds that were purchased in order to build that infrastructure. Still, the bill passed the Florida Senate on Wednesday by a 23-16 vote and the House on Thursday by a 70-38 vote. With those issues in mind, Disney pushed for a special purpose district in Florida that would give the company the ability to self-govern. What that means for Disney and for Florida taxpayers is not entirely clear. Yet the elimination of Disney's special purpose district, known as Reedy Creek, could have much further implications for the company and for state taxpayers.

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Image courtesy of "Florida Politics"

What would Uncle Walt think? A Disney historian explains (Florida Politics)

'I overestimated — or underestimated — Gov. DeSantis.' If Walt Disney were alive today, what would he think of the Florida Legislature threatening to dissolve ...

In the 1980s, the Orange County government and Disney clashed over how to manage the area’s growing development. Years later, Comcast Corp. — which owns Universal Orlando — made a surprise offer to buy The Walt Disney Co. for $54 billion in 2004. Foglesong admitted he’s been surprised to see the Republican attack on Disney unfolding this year. Disney had the freedom and control to build and expand its Disney World empire, something Walt never fully had at Disneyland in California. The Florida Legislature set up Reedy Creek in 1967 to entice Disney to the state. Under pressure, Disney CEO Bob Chapek said last month he was against it and planned to speak with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis about the new law.

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Image courtesy of "Forbes"

Florida Lawmakers Punish Walt Disney World By Passing Bill ... (Forbes)

The legislation dissolves the Reedy Creek Improvement District, though it's still unclear what will happen next.

A Senate analysis of the bill also noted local counties will have to absorb Reedy Creek’s debts—which total nearly $1 billion—even though Republican lawmakers behind the bill have claimed it shouldn’t pose a tax burden to local residents. Democratic lawmakers have heavily opposed the special districts bill as “political theater” being enacted by Republicans as political revenge against Disney that distracts from larger issues. The bill will now go to DeSantis, who is expected to sign it into law given that he expanded the special session to pass it.

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Image courtesy of "Reuters"

Florida set to strip Disney of self-governing status in dispute over ... (Reuters)

Bill passed by lawmakers now awaits governor's approval · Disney set to lose benefit of special tax status · Disney condemned law banning school discussion of ...

Disney is historically a major political contributor in the state. In a surprise move, DeSantis asked the legislature to consider the bill to strip Disney of its status during a special session he called this week. On Wednesday, the state Senate approved the measure by a 23-16 vote. Maybe you don't deserve special privileges anymore,'" state Representative Randy Fine, a Republican who is lead sponsor of the bill, told CNBC. Later Disney condemned the law and said it would suspend political donations in Florida pending a review. Disneyinitially failed to publicly oppose the legislation, prompting criticism last month by many in the LGBTQ community and some employees.

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Image courtesy of "Deadline"

Florida Legislature Votes To Repeal Special District For Walt Disney ... (Deadline)

Disney is poised to lose the 55-year-old special district that covers Walt Disney World in Orlando.

“Disney and other woke corporations won’t get away with peddling their unchecked pressure campaigns any longer,” he wrote in a fundraising pitch this week, according to the Associated Press. Under the terms of the legislation, districts would be dissolved as of June 1, 2023, but they could seek to be reactivated after that. The Florida House voted 70-38 on a bill to dissolve the district as well as others established before 1968.

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Image courtesy of "The Wall Street Journal"

Revolt in Disney's Florida Kingdom (The Wall Street Journal)

Disney CEO Bob Chapek in 2015. ... The Walt Disney Co. needs Florida more than Florida needs Walt Disney. That's the latest chapter in this tale of a CEO who ...

You may cancel your subscription at anytime by calling Customer Service. The Florida Legislature voted this week to abolish the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which in effect lets Disney World run its own private government. Now state lawmakers are reacting by putting down a few glue traps.

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Image courtesy of "Inside the Magic"

Disney Fans Fight to Move Disney World Out of Florida (Inside the Magic)

It seems that due to the ongoing political climate, many Disney fans are fighting to see the theme park move out of state.

It is not difficult to understand that the majority of citizens in Florida do not want the religious principles of Secular Humanism taught to their kids in school. People would not like our cold weather in the winter (we can get as cold as Michigan as times) nor would they like the immense amount of rain we get all year but especially in the Spring. Tennessee is economically healthy. #MoveDeSantis . It is plenty of Floridians who love Disney and is tired of the politics. I know Disney World won’t be affected, but I have hope to live to see the collapse of Florida’s aquifer. You do know don’t you the parents of children spend the money that keeps Disney afloat. The fire and EMS is completely funded by Disney anyways and in that sense they can stay and could become its own entity on the property and would not require any county input . Now the people living in the two Counties are going to be responsible for the funding for the Police/Medical Response/Fire Dept, road ways, upkeep of the surrounding areas, and more. If they go by the letter of the law, they should do away with both “Mother’s Day” and “Father’s Day” because the mention of any parent should be off limits. (like they can just pack in in a suitcase and move) because the Florida governor put a bill into place where they can’t teach sex (straight or gay) in K-3. When you alienate the majority to placate a minority you can’t stay in business. Yup, just a few boxes to pack up in the bazillion acres occupied and built by Disney including a huge solar power direction they went. Disney’s CEO should apologize to all voters in Florida, ask for a pause in actions & words, focus on creative business and stay the heck out of politics.

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Image courtesy of "The Wall Street Journal"

Revolt in Disney's Florida Kingdom (The Wall Street Journal)

Its alienating push into Florida politics is a warning for other CEOs. · Disney CEO Bob Chapek in 2015. · *** · Newsletter Sign-up · ***.

You may cancel your subscription at anytime by calling Customer Service. The Florida Legislature voted this week to abolish the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which in effect lets Disney World run its own private government. Now state lawmakers are reacting by putting down a few glue traps.

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Image courtesy of "Forbes"

Disney World Losing Its Special District Status Could Be ... (Forbes)

Orange County, Florida, taxpayers could see their property taxes go up by as much as 25%, while Disney would save $163 million per year.

The bill, which restricts classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity, “should never” have been passed or enacted, Disney said in a statement after the bill was signed into law, adding its “goal as a company is for this law to be repealed by the legislature or struck down in the courts.” That statement set off conservatives and led Florida Republicans to seek revenge. Once Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signs the bill dissolving Reedy Creek into law, it will remain in place until June 1, 2023, and Demings said the county will use that time to figure out the details of how the new arrangement would work. It essentially allows Walt Disney World to function as its own city and govern itself, handling the same municipal functions that the county governments would.

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Image courtesy of "INSIDER"

Disney World Florida: TikTok of purported Disney wedding goes viral (INSIDER)

A TikToker said her friend "shut down" Disney World Florida for her wedding party. Footage of the event has been viewed over 4 million times.

As previously reported by Insider, some couples choose to get married at Disney world for a "fantasy" wedding experience. On Instagram, Metselaar posted a slideshow of pictures and videos she said were from the afterparty. It was no question in anyone's mind that she would have her wedding at Disney." It states that the Magic Kingdom Park section can accommodate up to 300 guests and can be reserved for a fee of $30,000. Metselaar told Insider that as well as hiring the Magic Kingdom Park venue at Disney World Florida, they also had access Space Mountain, a space-themed rollercoaster ride located in the park. She also filmed a large buffet which had hot dogs, cookies, and pastries.

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Image courtesy of "The Wall Street Journal"

Revolt in Disney's Florida Kingdom (The Wall Street Journal)

That's the latest chapter in this tale of a CEO who followed his woke staff like a lemming off the cliff of cultural politics. Disney employees demanded that ...

You may cancel your subscription at anytime by calling Customer Service. The Florida Legislature voted this week to abolish the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which in effect lets Disney World run its own private government. Now state lawmakers are reacting by putting down a few glue traps.

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Image courtesy of "NPR"

DeSantis signs a bill to punish Disney World, but the move could ... (NPR)

Orange and Osceola counties could take on a massive debt held by Disney now that Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill revoking Disney World's special ...

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Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Wall Street Journal"

Revolt in Disney's Florida Kingdom (The Wall Street Journal)

Its alienating push into Florida politics is a warning for other CEOs. · Disney CEO Bob Chapek in 2015. · *** · Newsletter Sign-up · ***.

You may cancel your subscription at anytime by calling Customer Service. The Florida Legislature voted this week to abolish the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which in effect lets Disney World run its own private government. Now state lawmakers are reacting by putting down a few glue traps.

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Image courtesy of "USA TODAY"

Will Disney leave Florida? How the company might respond in feud ... (USA TODAY)

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and lawmakers are pushing to revoke Disney's special status in the state. How will the entertainment giant respond?

My opinion is that when someone walks down Main Street and comes in the gates of our parks, they put their differences aside, and they look at what they have as a shared belief — a shared belief of Disney magic, hopes, dreams and imagination and bringing people together." "I truly believe we are an infinitely better and stronger company because of our LGBTQ+ community." And reverting back to the magic and innocence that has been the founding motive for its success?" "I think all the participants in today's call can see how difficult it is to try to thread the needle between the extreme polarization of political viewpoints we have as shareholders," he told shareholders. "And we were hopeful that our long-standing relationships with those lawmakers would enable us to achieve a better outcome. We need to use our influence to promote that good by telling inclusive stories, but also by standing up for the rights of all."

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Image courtesy of "CNBC"

Florida Gov. DeSantis signs bill revoking Disney's special district ... (CNBC)

Sunsetting the Reedy Creek Improvement District means that local counties will likely be left to foot the bill for potholes and emergency services at Disney ...

Taxpayers will likely be left to foot the bill for potholes and emergency services. Reedy Creek was created in 1967 by the Florida legislature so Disney could develop the infrastructure for Walt Disney World at no cost to Florida taxpayers. The counties would also absorb Reedy Creek's debt. Tax experts and legislators say eliminating the district could have unintended consequences for county taxpayers. That's set to change in June 2023 now that DeSantis has signed the bill into law. While proponents of the bill have denied that it is a retaliatory act against Disney, critics see it as retribution for publicly quarreling with the governor.

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