The Walt Disney World Management District, appointed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, has been delaying in providing Disney with required documents litigation ended Disney said in court documents that it owns the design and construction rights to the company’s sprawling theme park resort in central Florida.
Disney on Thursday accused the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District of “evading its obligations” and asked a Florida judge to delay any decision on whether the case should proceed until the company obtains documents and conducts the testimony needed to oppose the district’s request for summary judgment. . .
A hearing is scheduled for mid-December. Disney seeks a two-and-a-half-month delay.
Disney said in court documents that the district “failed to provide a single document nearly two months after Disney requested it, breached its commitment to the agreed-upon deadline, and still possesses the evidence Disney needs to raise its summary judgment objection.”
An email seeking comment was sent to a spokesperson for the district.
The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, formerly known as the Reedy Creek Improvement District, was controlled by Disney allies for more than five decades until it was taken over by DeSantis appointees earlier this year. The area was taken over after Disney publicly opposed the area. State Law Ban classroom lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in lower grades. The bill has the support of DeSantis, who is currently running for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.
Before control of the school district passed from Disney allies to DeSantis appointees, Disney backers on its board signed an agreement with Disney to hand over design and construction control of Disney World to the company and banned The district uses likenesses of Disney characters or other intellectuals. Property not licensed by Disney. DeSantis’ new appointees claimed the “last-minute deal” undermined their power, and the district sued the company in state court to invalidate the contract.
Disney has filed counterclaims, including asking a state court to declare the agreements valid and enforceable. Disney is also seeking internal communications from DeSantis’ office and several state agencies, including text messages, emails and documents.
“The work to date is either non-existent or woefully inadequate,” Disney said in court documents.
Disney and DeSantis and his allies are also fighting in federal court, and the company has sued DeSantis, claim The governor violated his free speech rights by punishing companies for expressing opposition to the law. DeSantis and the Central Florida Tourism Supervisory District have asked a federal judge to dismiss Disney’s First Amendment lawsuit, calling it without merit.
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