Will the Disney versus Florida conflict end now with Disney’s latest move?

The Disney versus Florida battle continues in court and now Disney strikes back again.

Conflict Begins

The past year has been turbulent between the state of Florida and The Walt Disney Company. Florida passed the Parental Rights in Education Law in 2022.

The Walt Disney Company originally remained quiet surrounding this bill despite pleas from employees and fans for them to take an official stance. Tension built until then-CEO Bob Chapek denounced the bill, but many believed it was too little, too late.

Tension Builds

Just before the handover took place, Disney tried one last ditch effort to keep as much control out of the state of Florida as possible. Just recently, Disney made an agreement between the district and the parks/resorts.

This new agreement basically gives Disney most of the control of the district and prevents the new oversight board from making any changes to this agreement until 21 years after the death of the last survivor of King Charles III.

Governor DeSantis

At the press conference, DeSantis shared that he is planning to announce even more measures against Disney World. The first being his plans to void the contract between the Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board (previously Reedy Creek Improvement District) and Disney World regarding Disney’s development rights for many, many years.

Now, everything will be passed through the State Legislature.

The Walt Disney Company

On April 26th, Daniel M. Petrocelli, a high-powered Los Angeles litigator, filed complaints on Disney’s behalf in federal court. The complaint states that “A targeted campaign of government retaliation – orchestrated at every step by Governor DeSantis as punishment for Disney’s protected speech – now threatens Disney’s business, operations, jeopardizes its economic future in the region, and violates its constitutional rights.”

Is This the End?

Today, May 16, Disney asked a Florida court to dismiss the lawsuit by the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. In the motion to dismiss, Disney argues that the board’s lawsuit was made “moot” by legislation Gov. Ron DeSantis signed that voided Disney’s development agreement.

Disney argues that the board’s lawsuit was made “moot” by legislation Gov. Ron DeSantis signed that voided Disney’s development agreement.

Do you think the court will agree with Disney and this conflict will end? Or, will it keep going? Please let us know what you think in the comments below and share this post with a friend.