Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, Cropped by Resist the Mainstream

Disney resolved its its legal disputes with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Wednesday, reaching a settlement that cancels the lawsuits against the state.

This settlement is seen as a victory for the new board governing the land around Walt Disney World Resorts. As part of the agreement, Disney recognizes that the last-minute deals it made with the outgoing Reedy Creek Improvement District are now considered null and void. These deals were Disney's effort to secure property rights and grant the theme park additional powers as DeSantis appointed a new board to hold the corporation accountable to Orlando's laws and taxes.

The conflict between Disney and DeSantis escalated following public criticism from then-CEO Bob Chapek against the governor's educational policies, particularly those concerning the teaching of gender identity and sexual orientation to minors, which critics have labeled the 'don't say gay law.'

“No corporation should be its own government,” read a statement by DeSantis' Communications Director Bryan Griffin.

Griffin also stated, “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.”

The legal dispute was part of a broader clash over diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies implemented by Disney. Many Republicans, including DeSantis, have opposed DEI initiatives, arguing they promote inherently discriminatory programs that favor minorities and left-wing ideologies. In response, DeSantis began dismantling the special status that allowed Disney to operate with certain benefits not available to other Florida companies.

In February 2023, DeSantis signed House Bill 9-B, establishing the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) as a replacement for Disney's Reedy Creek Improvement District, effectively ending several tax breaks and powers previously held by Disney in Florida.

The agreement reached on Wednesday declares the Development Agreement between Disney and the Reedy Creek Improvement District as 'null and void,' having 'no legal effect or enforceability.'

“We are glad that Disney has dropped its lawsuits against the new Central Florida Tourism Oversight District and conceded that their last-minute development agreements are null, void, and unenforceable,” said Griffin.

He criticized how media outlets were quick to declare Disney's last-minute deals with Reedy Creek as a victory, suggesting an uneven portrayal of the events.