The Mouse Blinked.
by EricCartman (2024-03-28 14:56:18)
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This appears to be a win for RDS, since Disney essentially caved and RDS can now declare victory.

Disney backed down on Wednesday from a long-running legal battle with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis over control of the Orlando-area land that is home to its most important resort, ending a yearslong feud and handing the governor a political victory.

The company’s truce with the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, the entity that oversees the resort’s land and infrastructure, gives DeSantis more power and influence over the company’s Florida operations. It also paves the way for Disney to expand its theme parks and resort properties in the state.

“Everything we’ve done has been in the best interest of the state of Florida,” DeSantis said Wednesday. “We’ve been vindicated on all those actions.”

Jeff Vahle, president of Walt Disney World, said he was pleased to end the litigation with the district, which is overseen by a board handpicked by the governor.

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Under the terms of the settlement, Disney agreed to the nullification of a 30-year development plan that Disney rushed through the approval process a year ago in an attempt to circumvent the new DeSantis-backed board.

Disney must now follow an earlier, less expansive land-use plan that still allows the company to expand its operations by building new attractions and hotel properties.

Before the settlement, Disney had been wary of announcing the details of any large-scale development plans because of the legal fracas between the two parties, according to people familiar with the matter.



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