Disney and Florida Settle Lawsuit Over Authority Over Walt Disney Resort
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Disney and the state of Florida reached an agreement over who governs the Walt Disney World Resort.
For Context: The settlement comes after a nearly two-year-long legal dispute escalated by Disney's opposition to Gov. Ron DeSantis’s Parental Rights in Education law. Disney had self-governing status over the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which encompasses much of the Walt Disney World Resort area, for decades. This status was revoked by DeSantis after Disney publicly opposed his education law. Disney retaliated by filing a lawsuit in April 2023, accusing DeSantis and the state of Florida of violating Disney's First Amendment rights.
Details: The settlement agreement between Disney and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District stipulates that development plans approved by the old board are now “null and void.” Furthermore, Disney agreed to drop a separate case involving public records. Looking ahead, Disney will now have to work closely with the new district leadership appointed by Governor DeSantis's office. While Governor DeSantis celebrated this as a victory for Florida, Disney said the agreement represents a new chapter of "constructive engagement" and "investment" in Florida.
How the Media Covered It: The New York Daily News (Left bias) focused significantly on Disney's opposition to the Parental Rights in Education bill, referring to the bill as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, a term coined by critics. The Daily Caller (Right bias) framed the story as a clear victory for DeSantis, emphasizing the idea that Disney dropped its lawsuit and extensively quoting spokespersons who praised DeSantis. This summary was developed with the help of AllSides' AI technology.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Left
Disney, Florida settle lawsuit sparked by ‘Don’t Say Gay’ opposition
The legal battle between Florida and Disney over how the company’s properties are developed in the future appears to have been resolved, with both parties agreeing to a settlement over control of the special district that includes Orlando’s Walt Disney Resort.
Members of the board of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District voted unanimously Wednesday to accept a deal proposed by the House of Mouse to end the lengthy and often bitter dispute sparked by the company’s opposition to the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, a law championed by Gov. Ron...
From the Center
Disney, DeSantis-backed board reach settlement agreement
Disney and the state of Florida have reached a settlement agreement in their lawsuit about who controls Walt Disney World’s governing district, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board announced Wednesday.
Members of the board approved the settlement agreement, ending the nearly two years of litigation that were originally sparked by Gov. Ron DeSantis’s (R) “Don’t Say Gay” law.
Disney and DeSantis have been engaged in a feud since the company publicly opposed the law and DeSantis stripped Disney of the special status it had for decades, which gave it...
From the Right
Disney Drops Lawsuits Against DeSantis-Backed Tourism District
Disney has dropped its lawsuits against a special district backed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis that revoked the corporation’s self-governing status in the state, multiple outlets reported on Wednesday.
DeSantis signed legislation in February 2023 replacing Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District with the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, setting off nearly a years-long legal battle between the two entities. Disney has decided to drop the pending litigation on Wednesday, resulting in a win for the Florida Republican, according to multiple outlets.
AllSides Picks
April 26th, 2024
April 26th, 2024
More News about Business from the Left, Center and Right
From the Left
From the Center
From the Right
