Disney EXPOSED! Secret Florida Deal to STICK IT to DeSantis Revealed!

New court documents obtained by Florida Politics reveal that in late January 2023, Disney rushed a major development agreement and restrictive covenants through the outgoing Reedy Creek Improvement District board—just days before Governor Ron DeSantis’ new appointees took control in February. The deal was designed to lock in long-term land development rights and protect the company’s ambitious Magic Kingdom expansion plans from what Disney executives internally described as an incoming “hostile board,” triggered by the company’s public opposition to Florida’s Parental Rights in Education law. Depositions show the company used low-profile tactics, including limiting information shared with the old board and discreet attorney involvement, while even voluntarily slowing its own expansion progress due to permitting uncertainty. The new Central Florida Tourism Oversight District later voided the agreements, calling the move underhanded, though the parties eventually settled the broader Disney-DeSantis feud.