The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District has filed a new Motion for Protective Order to stop Disney from filming depositions with the current and former District Board members.

CFTOD Files Motion for Protective Order

In a previous filing regarding the District’s state lawsuit against Disney, the entertainment company announced its intention to film depositions with Martin Garcia, Charbel Barakat, Ron Peri, Bridget Ziegler, Brian Aungst Jr., and Michael Sasso beginning on Friday, March 22. Sasso resigned from the Board last May and Chairman Martin Garcia resigned this month.

In the District’s most recent filing, they cite the “apex doctrine” as the reason they should not have to give depositions. The doctrine holds that high-level government officials should not be subject to deposition unless the other party has exhausted other avenues of discovery.

“Disney cannot demonstrate that the individual board members have unique, personal knowledge that would be relevant to any of the claims, counterclaims or defenses in this action to overcome the apex doctrine, therefore a protective order is warranted,” the Motion reads.

Disney’s assault-style effort to depose all the board members is simply an improper form of harassment of these high-level government officials.

Former and current Board members provided statements explaining why they should not be deposed. They each state, “Given the lack of unique, personal knowledge relevant to the disputed matters and the comprehensive discovery already undertaken through document production and the records custodian deposition, my deposition would be unlikely to contribute meaningfully to the resolution of this case.”

Current Board members also state, “Engaging in a deposition would significantly impede my ability to execute my official duties as a member of the Board of Supervisors, diverting attention and resources away from the governance and oversight responsibilities critical to the District and its constituents.”

Disney is also countersuing the District for failing to provide the requested discovery.

A summary judgment hearing for the District’s suit against Disney has been delayed multiple times and is currently scheduled for July.

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Universal Orlando Resort is celebrating Butterbeer Season in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Butterbeer is available year-round in the Wizarding World, but for a limited time, new seasonal treats will be offered. The newest form of Butterbeer has arrived in the form of a caramel.

Butterbeer Caramel – $5.50

This new sweet treat can be found inside Sugarplum’s Sweet Shop in Diagon Alley and Honeydukes in Hogsmeade. Inside the case, a brand new Butterbeer caramel is displayed among the other flavors typically available. A caramel with the thin layer of white chocolate around it gives off major Butterbeer vibes, already. The look is completed with an edible Butterbeer label on the top of the caramel.

With just one taste, we fell in love. The caramel is soft and chewy, making it easy to bite into. The texture isn’t too sticky, so it doesn’t get caught in your teeth. This smooth caramel has a very rich butterscotch flavor to it. The white chocolate around the outside adds depth to the flavor and helps create the true Butterbeer flavor. Creamy white chocolate and butterscotch caramel compliment each other perfectly.

Several different forms of Butterbeer can be found around the Wizarding World. There’s ice cream, potted cream, and fudge in addition to hot, frozen, and cold Butterbeer. This is the first time that Butterbeer caramels have been available and they are exclusive to Universal Orlando Resort. Butterbeer Season only lasts until April 30, so make sure you hurry over to the Wizarding World to get one of these limited time treats while you can.

For those of you visiting Universal Studios Hollywood, be sure to check out the new Florean Fortescue’s ice cream counter being added to Honeydukes in Hogsmeade. Another new Butterbeer treat should be coming soon, so stay tuned!

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Disney has released a new statement regarding their Florida affordable housing project after locals raised complaints in a recent community meeting.

The project has been in development for years, with 80 acres of land designated for affordable housing in Central Florida. The Orange County community meeting was held to address changing the land use allowances for the parcel to allow for commercial residential units. The plans declare an intent to create 1,450 new units.

Some local residents took to the meeting to raise concerns, with some protesting the addition entirely. The motion passed four to three to allow for the housing to move forward.

Since then, Disney has released a statement regarding the project:

Dear Central Florida Friends and Neighbors,

As many of you know, affordable housing continues to be a significant need across the country, including here in Central Florida. In April 2022, Walt Disney World announced a plan to contribute to the solution: Dedicating nearly 80 acres of our land for a new mixed income housing community in Orange County, Florida. The community would include approximately 1,400 units, over 1,000 of which would be reserved as affordable.

Since then, we identified a renowned affordable housing developer with experience in Florida, The Michaels Organization, to build, own and operate the community. It would serve those who contribute to and support our area every single day – from teachers and first responders to hospitality workers like our Disney cast members, nurses and others. In fact, a recent report found that you need to make about $80,000 a year to avoid being rent burdened.

This initiative is privately funded, not government funded. The developer is not seeking impact fee waivers typically available for affordable housing, meaning it will pay millions of dollars for Orange County to use toward schools, transportation, infrastructure and more.

Some people have asked us why we are doing this if there is no financial benefit to Disney. The answer is simple: Orange County leaders have said creating more affordable housing is a top priority for our region and we can help in a meaningful way by gifting this land. We also hope this model can inspire other companies and organizations in Central Florida and beyond.

On Tuesday, March 26, at 2 p.m., we will present our plan alongside The Michaels Organization to Orange County’s Board of County Commissioners. We want to thank all of you who have voiced your excitement for this initiative over the last several weeks. We also appreciate the input we’ve received from local residents in the surrounding area, as their voice is important to us.

For the latest information on this development, you may visit DisneyFlorida.com. 

Thank you for all you do in our community.

Groundbreaking is still anticipated to begin this year, with the hopes of opening the new housing in 2026.

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