News Reedy Creek Improvement District and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District

[Wendy Pleakley]

I don't see this happening, but Disney could make themselves out to look like the heroes in this situation by offering a special AP to the firefighters and all first responders, really. I thought they did this already, but can't seem to find anything. Maybe they did in the past. Regardless, I think they should add a special discount for them.

I'm not sure there would be much of an upside to such a move.

The firefighters were publicly anti-Disney. The new board is looking bad for doing this. It would be odd for Disney to provide a benefit that gets the new board off the hook for their decision and rewards a group that took sides with their aggressor.

This is a win for Disney and there's no backlash because blame is rightfully falling on the board.

 

[Horizons '83]

This benefit was for all District employees, not just emergency services. There are also issues with giving gifts to public employees.

This.

Most public offices (gov't not for profit) allow up to a fixed amount, typically $25 or less. This could be the biggest barrier for Disney to do this unless there is some legal loop-hole they can find.

 

[tissandtully]

I'm not sure there would be much of an upside to such a move.

The firefighters were publicly anti-Disney. The new board is looking bad for doing this. It would be odd for Disney to provide a benefit that gets the new board off the hook for their decision and rewards a group that took sides with their aggressor.

This is a win for Disney and there's no backlash because blame is rightfully falling on the board.

Let's remember they were anti-Disney for more than just how they were treated (which I would say was not great)

 

[GrumpyFan]

This benefit was for all District employees, not just emergency services. There are also issues with giving gifts to public employees.

A discount isn't the same as a gift, and is allowed under most guidelines and policies.

Also, Govx, which is a major outlet for listing discounts for government employees has hundreds of discounts listed for hotels, theme parks, and all kinds of things for government employees, military, and first responders. I couldn't find Disney parks and resorts on it though.

 

[GrumpyFan]

Let's remember they were anti-Disney for more than just how they were treated (which I would say was not great)

I don't think that's accurate. I think they were frustrated with Disney and RCIDs response and handling of the negotiations for a new contract due to them dragging their feet and rejecting several items they felt unnecessary. The firefighters were happy to have new leadership of CFTOD because they seemed to be more accepting of some of their demands.

 

[Wendy Pleakley]

I don't think that's accurate. I think they were frustrated with Disney and RCIDs response and handling of the negotiations for a new contract due to them dragging their feet and rejecting several items they felt unnecessary. The firefighters were happy to have new leadership of CFTOD because they seemed to be more accepting of some of their demands.

They certainly knew that they could use the situation for their own benefit, as the board was happy to open the piggy bank to "stick it to Disney".

Now they're finding out what happens when they have served that purpose.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I don't think that's accurate. I think they were frustrated with Disney and RCIDs response and handling of the negotiations for a new contract due to them dragging their feet and rejecting several items they felt unnecessary. The firefighters were happy to have new leadership of CFTOD because they seemed to be more accepting of some of their demands.

They publicly declared their support before the legislation changing the District was signed.

 

[GrumpyFan]

They certainly knew that they could use the situation for their own benefit, as the board was happy to open the piggy bank to "stick it to Disney".

Now they're finding out what happens when they have served that purpose.

Of course, but that doesn't mean they were "anti-Disney". They were just looking for a better deal, and this seemed like it was that, until the perk they previously enjoyed got yanked by their new leaders.

 

[Prince-1]

I don't see this happening, but Disney could make themselves out to look like the heroes in this situation by offering a special AP to the firefighters and all first responders, really. I thought they did this already, but can't seem to find anything. Maybe they did in the past. Regardless, I think they should add a special discount for them.

Just like they do with offering the military discount.

 

[GrumpyFan]

They publicly declared their support before the legislation changing the District was signed.

Why wouldn't they? The negotiations with Disney were stalled. They were hoping they would get a better deal. I don't fault them in that. It's like kids in an ugly divorce, they're going to pick the parent that they think will treat them best.

 

[Castle Cake Apologist]

Benefits are taken away from employees ALL the time. Would you like list of things ive lost over the last 5 years along with the increased cost of the benefits portion i have to cover? I assure you they are ALL necessary as opposed to this which is a “luxurY” perk of working. I promise you my cost are way more than what these people have lost in theme park tickets…. 1st world problems i guess for them

"Something bad happened to me, so bad things should also happen to other people."

 

[mmascari]

they're going to pick the parent that they think will treat them best.

They chose poorly.

Are we savants?

Clearly they're not savants like the posters here.

(At least most of the posters.)

 

[MrPromey]

And Ziegler just makes her token comment via zoom to justify her existence on the board.

To be fair, it's not like any of these people were brought in to actually do anything productive.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Why wouldn't they? The negotiations with Disney were stalled. They were hoping they would get a better deal. I don't fault them in that. It's like kids in an ugly divorce, they're going to pick the parent that they think will treat them best.

You said “The firefighters were happy to have new leadership of CFTOD because they seemed to be more accepting of some of their demands.” but they threw in their support before that occurred.

 

[Wendy Pleakley]

Of course, but that doesn't mean they were "anti-Disney". They were just looking for a better deal, and this seemed like it was that, until the perk they previously enjoyed got yanked by their new leaders.

They were not a "neutral" party. They were front and center at a DeSantis press conference.

All power to them. They felt the situation would be mutually beneficial and they did what they thought benefitted them the most.

I just have zero sympathy when they find out what happens when they no longer serve a purpose.

 

[GrumpyFan]

They were not a "neutral" party. They were front and center at a DeSantis press conference.

All power to them. They felt the situation would be mutually beneficial and they did what they thought benefitted them the most.

I just have zero sympathy when they find out what happens when they no longer serve a purpose.

I tend to agree with you, but also I think it's important to support and take care of the first responders. Like the CMs, they play an equally important if not more so role in helping to ensure things flow smoothly and safely at the resort. I think they stepped in to a political battle and are now being dumped on because of it. I don't fault them for trying to get a better deal, even if I disagree with who they sided with to do so.

 

[MrPromey]

"Something bad happened to me, so bad things should also happen to other people."

Personally, I just get a fun little tickle out of people on a Walt Disney World fan forum invoking the "1st world problems" discussion-ender and not expecting to get laughed out of the room.

 

[ewensell3]

This benefit cuts clearly hits very close to home. People who work in the district are no longer able to visit the place that they are so much a part of. As some of the speakers said earlier, the only reason they are working there is for the Disney AP benefit.

Could the benefits/perks cut be a way to shake out those who do not support the agenda? It's one thing to replace a governing board, but I would think it is a little harder to clean out rank and file employees who "remember the before times". Layoffs and firings incur penalties and unfair terminations claims, whereas if they could "encourage" people to leave on their own starting with little things like perks...

 

[Splash4eva]

I’m not the one constantly telling people they should “step up” and just deal with it whenever benefits are cut.

You have 2 options when employers do this… quit/find a new job or accept it.

 

[Wendy Pleakley]

I tend to agree with you, but also I think it's important to support and take care of the first responders. Like the CMs, they play an equally important if not more so role in helping to ensure things flow smoothly and safely at the resort. I think they stepped in to a political battle and are now being dumped on because of it. I don't fault them for trying to get a better deal, even if I disagree with who they sided with to do so.

For sure, and I honestly have no idea if they're underpaid or overpaid so I have no comment on their compensation.

This does demonstrate that an employee group wading into politics can have repercussions,