ORLANDO, FL (AP) — Allies of Gov. Ron DeSantis and Disney reached a settlement agreement Wednesday in a state court fight over how Walt Disney World is developed in the future following the takeover of the theme park resort’s government by the state.
In a meeting, members of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD), appointed by the governor, approved the settlement agreement bringing an end to almost two years of litigation that was a result of the state’s takeover of the district from Disney supporters following the company’s opposition to Florida’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law.
The 2022 law bans classroom lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades and was championed by the governor.
The district provides municipal services including firefighting, planning and mosquito control, among other things, and was controlled by Disney supporters for most of its five decades.
Under the deal, covenants and a development agreement which Disney supporters on the board had made with the company before the takeover would be dropped.
Jeff Vahle, president of Walt Disney World Resort, said in a statement Wednesday that the company was pleased a settlement had been reached.
“This agreement opens a new chapter of constructive engagement with the new leadership of the district 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.
The governor was in Orlando Wednesday and said at a news conference that “we have been vindicated on all those actions.”
“I’m glad that they were able to do that settlement,” DeSantis said. “Those 11th hour covenants and restrictions were never going to be valid. We knew that.”