The board of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, hand-picked by Governor Ron DeSantis, unanimously voted on Monday to countersue Disney Parks & Resorts. This decision comes after the company filed its own lawsuit against them for stripping its control over Reedy Creek Improvement District. The ongoing war between the Florida governor and theme park company has escalated into a series of retaliations, one-upmanships, trash talk, and legal maneuverings.
DeSantis appointed five new members to the board overseeing the district while Disney sued in federal court accusing him and the board of conducting a "targeted campaign of government retaliation." This battle was sparked by Disney's criticism of DeSanto's so-called 'Don't Say Gay' bill.
In response, the board filed their federal suit while Gov. DeSantis was out of the country. Simultaneously, they voided previous development agreements made with Disney and restrictive covenants from last week – which happened to be on the same day that Disney sued DeSantis.
Board member Ron Peri explained that they are not political individuals trying to force an agenda but rather bringing "new and better ideas" while following laws enacted by Legislature.
Disney CEO Bob Iger has openly criticized Governor's actions in light of these events.
Announcing their intention to file a counter-lawsuit against Disney in order to protect governing power within central Florida where both parties reside and do business, this newly formed board is distancing itself from controversial legislation at play here.
Disney seeks declarations stating that two laws restructuring former Reedy Creek Improvement District were unlawful as well as unenforceable along with upholding Feb 8 agreement between themselves plus former districts involved in ongoing disputes surrounding it all together now then later on down line thus far just recently only time will tell what happens next stay tuned more details coming soon!
The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, appointed by the governor, is suing Disney in state court for violating Gov. DeSantis' takeover of the theme park district that was previously controlled by Disney for 55 years.
The oversight board's lawsuit aims to maintain its design and construction control within the district governing Disney World's 25,000 acres after previous board members transferred those powers to the company before new appointees held their first meeting this year.
This legal tussle emerged when DeSantis-appointed board members voted to nullify an agreement made by Disney officials prior to their appointment – effectively stripping them of many key responsibilities. Minutes later, they found themselves being sued in federal court along with other state officials.
In response, these new board members are investigating a 30-year restrictive covenant passed by former boards which would render them powerless over future development in Florida under Disney's control.
Many speculate that Florida lawmakers' actions were primarily driven as retaliation against entertainment giants like Disney who publicly opposed Florida's Parental Rights in Education bill barring instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity within schools.