Walt Disney Parks and Resorts and its Florida oversight board have agreed to a settlement that ends state litigation filed by the parties over governance and development of the company's Orlando-area theme parks.
The agreement between Disney and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) was signed in the final week of March, resulting in the dismissal of dueling state lawsuits in the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court in Orange County. Under the terms of the agreement, Disney agreed that certain development agreements passed in the final days of its former oversight entity, the Reedy Creek Improvement District, are null and void, putting a 2020 comprehensive plan back in force.
“The district shall resolve to begin immediately to review, evaluate and amend the 2020 comprehensive plan pursuant to its statutory obligations and shall consult with Disney and other appropriate parties during the process,” the settlement states.
Both parties see the end of the two competing lawsuits as a path to a more positive and economically beneficial relationship.
“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,” Gov Ron DeSantis’ director of communications, Bryan Griffin, said in an email to the Florida Record. “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.”
Jeff Vahle, the Walt Disney World Resort president, said the company was pleased to end the state court litigation.
“This agreement opens a new chapter of constructive engagement with the new leadership of the (CFTOD) 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,” Vahle said in a prepared statement.
Specifically, the parties have agreed to dismiss lawsuits that were filed last year. The CFTOD will drop its litigation over the legality of the development agreement signed by Disney and the former district. The lawsuit was filed after the state Legislature passed a measure revising the now-dissolved Reedy Creek’s governance structure and putting in place the CFTOD.
In turn, Disney has agreed to drop a lawsuit filed against CFTOD accusing the district of failing to comply with public records requests for specific documents. Neither side acknowledges any fault or liability in the settlement.
“The parties, recognizing that settlement serves the best interest of all involved and promotes good governance of the district, now express a mutual desire to resolve all disputes relating to the state (CFTOD) lawsuit and the (public records) lawsuit through this agreement,” the settlement says.
The district also acknowledged in the agreement that Disney is the legitimate owner of certain long-term permit mitigation credits and entitlements that were made with both federal and state entities.
In addition, Disney agreed in the settlement to seek permission from the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals to defer briefing proceedings in an ongoing federal lawsuit between the parties, pending further talks between Disney and the CFTOD.