Disney Tips Your Guide To A Great Disney Vacation
On July 1, nearly 200 new laws signed by Governor Ron DeSantis took effect in Florida–many of them impacting his political rival, Walt Disney World Resort. On Wednesday, news broke that the Republican governor is fleeing Florida soon after The Walt Disney Company quietly removed some operations from the Republican state.
Controversy between Governor DeSantis and The Walt Disney Company began in 2022. As the largest employer in Florida, the Mouse had a quiet alliance with the Republican politician until former CEO Bob Chapek condemned his pet legislation, the Parental Rights in Education Act (“Don’t Say Gay”). He paused campaign donations to politicians who supported the anti-LGBTQIA+ law.
Staying true to a private warning, DeSantis responded by dissolving the Reedy Creek Improvement District, a special municipal area controlled by Walt Disney World Resort since 1967. He hand-appointed board members to maintain the district, which he renamed the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.
Disney CEO Bob Iger tried suing DeSantis for retaliating against the company’s First Amendment right to free speech, but a federal judge dismissed the lawsuit. DeSantis has since indirectly impacted Walt Disney World Resort with statewide bans on intentional balloon releases, municipally enforced breaks for hourly employees, lab-grown meat, and more.
Credit: Inside the Magic
Iger promised to appeal, and subsequent court battles are ongoing. Disney has pulled some operations from Florida, spreading its theme park-exclusive coffee brand throughout the United States and canceling an Imagineering move from Southern California to Lake Nona, Florida.
Nevertheless, The Walt Disney Company isn’t leaving Central Florida anytime soon. They’ve promised billions of dollars in future investments at Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Weeks ago, they quietly restarted donating to Republican political campaigns in the state.
As the push-pull battle against Disney continues, Ron DeSantis is fleeing Florida. On Wednesday, NBC News reported that DeSantis is now scheduled to speak at next week’s Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee. The former presidential candidate and Donald Trump endorser previously had no publicized role at the political event.
Credit: Inside the Magic
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The decision came less than a day after CNN revealed that DeSantis and another former presidential candidate, Nikki Haley, were excluded from the RNC. Haley still hasn’t been given a speech slot.
A senior DeSantis official claimed that the Florida governor always had a scheduled speaking engagement at the event, but an official close to the RNC told CNN that plans changed in the last 24 hours.
It’s unclear when Governor DeSantis will deliver remarks at next week’s RNC, which will take place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from July 15 to 18, 2024.
Who won the battle between Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and The Walt Disney Company? In the comments, share your thoughts with us.
