The Walt Disney Company and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis settled a legal dispute over control of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, where Walt Disney World Resort is located. The dispute was in response to DeSantis taking control of the district after the Walt Disney Company’s opposition to Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Act (HB 1557).
Walt Disney World President Jeff Vahle claimed the agreement allows Florida and the Walt Disney Company to work together, stating, “This agreement opens a new chapter of constructive engagement with the new leadership of the district and serves the interests of all parties by enabling significant continued investment and the creation of thousands of direct and indirect jobs and economic opportunity in the state.”
The agreement ends litigation in the state of Florida, with DeSantis spokesperson Bryan Griffin telling National Review, “No corporation should be its own government.… Moving forward, we stand ready to work with Disney and the District to help promote economic growth, family-friendly tourism, and accountable government in Central Florida.”
