Topline
A board appointed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to oversee Disney’s theme parks in the state says the company pushed through an agreement that severely curbs their authority, in the latest chapter in the ongoing feud between DeSantis and Disney over the media giant’s criticism of Florida’s so-called ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill.
A general view of Cinderella’s Castle at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
Key Facts
On Wednesday, the DeSantis-appointed supervisors of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District said Disney pushed through a pact that allows the company nearly complete power over developments in its sprawling 27,000-acre theme park in the state, the Orlando Sentinel reported.
The newly appointed board said it found out about the agreement during its first meeting earlier this month, and is now exploring legal remedies to undo the pact which was pushed through by an earlier Disney-appointed board.
The agreement bars the board from having any say on any of Disney’s building projects, and while empowering the company to have final say on any exterior changes to buildings in the district to “ensure consistency with the overall design and theming” of Disney World.
The pact also includes terms that prohibit the district from using the Disney name or any of the company’s intellectual property without permission from the company.
In a press conference, one of the board members, Brian Aungst, slammed the agreement, calling it “a subversion of the will of the voters and the Legislature and the governor.”
Disney, however, responded with a statement arguing its agreements were “appropriate and were discussed and approved in open, noticed public forums,” in compliance with state laws.
Surprising Fact
The terms of the agreement state it is valid in perpetuity, and if it is deemed to be in violation of “Rule Against Perpetuities,” it will remain in effect until 21 years “after the death of the last survivor of the descendants of King Charles III,” the reigning British monarch.
Crucial Quote
Addressing the press on Wednesday, board member Ron Peri said: “This essentially makes Disney the government. This board loses, for practical purposes, the majority of its ability to do anything beyond maintain the roads and maintain basic infrastructure.”
Further Reading
DeSantis’ Reedy Creek board says Disney stripped its power (Orlando Sentinel)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2023/03/30/desantis-appointed-board-says-disney-pact-severely-curbs-its-authority/