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Walt Disney World Resort made an unexpected move this week by installing a tribute to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, a government body that was appointed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. The tribute, which honors the district’s fire department, is located in the Magic Kingdom, the original Central Florida Disney park.
Background: The Shift in Governance
Credit: Reedy Creek Improvement District
In early 2022, Governor DeSantis introduced measures to dissolve the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which had been under Walt Disney World Resort’s control since its creation in 1967. Reedy Creek had granted Disney near-total autonomy over the operation of its parks and properties, allowing for unique control over infrastructure and municipal development.
However, following a public feud between DeSantis and former Disney CEO Bob Chapek—culminating in Disney’s vocal opposition to DeSantis’s Parental Rights in Education Act, widely known as the “Don’t Say Gay” law—DeSantis moved to dissolve the special district and replace it with the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. This new board, appointed by DeSantis, now has control over the area encompassing Walt Disney World Resort.
The Change Inside Magic Kingdom Park
Credit: Disney
According to BlogMickey, Walt Disney World Resort recently installed a tribute to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Fire Department inside Magic Kingdom Park. A barrel marked “Fire Chief Eric Ferrari, Lost Boys Fire Brigade,” can now be found in Fantasyland, near the Peter Pan’s Flight and Prince Charming Regal Carrousel attractions.
Fantasyland Prop Updated with New Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Fire Chief
Fantasyland Prop Updated with New Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Fire Chief
byu/dejablu82 inWaltDisneyWorld
While the tribute itself seems relatively subtle, it marks a significant acknowledgment of the newly established district that now governs the land where Disney’s theme parks and hotels operate. Walt Disney World Resort has yet to publicly elaborate on the significance of the tribute, leaving many to speculate whether this marks an official shift in the company’s stance toward the DeSantis-appointed board.
Fans React to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Tribute
As expected, the tribute has sparked mixed reactions among Disney Parks fans. Many have expressed frustration over the growing influence of Florida’s government on Disney’s operations, particularly the role of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District in overseeing the resort.
Credit: Inside the Magic
“The district is still a ridiculous name,” said Reddit user u/TheRealFiremonkey. “It’ll always be RCID to me.”
“Ugh… can’t we just wait it out?” u/at-woork commented.
Do you think The Walt Disney Company should’ve won its lawsuit against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis? Share your opinion with Disney Tips in the comments!
