The DeSantis-appointed Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) Board is not backing down from its fight against Disney, according to new details revealed at the recent meeting.
©Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board Livestream
The board is engaged in legal battles against The Walt Disney Company — they announced a lawsuit against Disney in May of this year, and Disney recently filed a countersuit against the board. These lawsuits don’t come cheap, as is evident in the Board’s budget plan for fiscal year 2024.
In the recent CFTOD meeting (which took place on August 23rd), we heard more about the removal of Disney Annual Pass benefits for district employees — a change that one district resident called “a low blow.” The board also presented its proposed budget for fiscal year 2024. A significant amount of that budget is allocated to “Disney Induced Expenses.”
©CFTOD
According to the report presented at the meeting, the board plans to use over $5 million in its legal battles against Disney. $4.5 million of that is in litigation fees.
©Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board Livestream
The state court case (2023-CA-011818-O: CENTRAL FLORIDA TOURISM OVERSIGHT DISTRICT vs. WALT DISNEY PARKS AND RESORTS US INC) was brought by the District against Disney. It claims that certain agreements Disney entered into with the old Board are null and void.
Reedy Creek Improvement District
The Board has asked the state court to declare those agreements invalid. Disney previously filed a motion to dismiss this lawsuit and the judge denied that motion, allowing the case to move forward. As a result, Disney was required to file an Answer to the Complaint, which they have since done, but their Answer contains more than just responses to the Board’s accusations.
Click here to learn about Disney’s countersuit against the board.
We’ll be watching for more updates on the legal battles between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, the CFTOD board, and Disney, so stay tuned to DFB for all the latest news.
Click here for a full summary of the most recent CFTOD meeting.
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The post DeSantis-Appointed Board Prepares for Million Battle with Disney first appeared on the disney food blog.