I am genuinely curious. Yes it is amusing that for years the left has been trying to get rid of RCID and the right has been protecting it and now they have flipped sides but apart from both sides trying to claim some undiscernible high ground I have a simple question? Why should Disney operate under a different set of laws than anyone else in the state - say Universal Orlando? Them having their own governance is an awfully handy way to save money and equally importantly save time. When Imagineering designs a new attraction/building it sometimes takes months and on occasion even years to get it through the planning and permitting phase of Orange County. Disney just gives the plans to themselves and stamps them approved and hands them back to themselves. (I AM NOT saying Disney cuts corners but since they are the only ones looking over themselves that is a question that is interesting especially with the current Disney "every penny is ours" management style) When Universal Creative plans a new attraction after they finish the design it has to go through Orange County's various commissions and processes and for all but the most simple attractions it then goes back to Creative to be modified and submitted again (and again, and again). Why should Disney be given this advantage in perpetuity?
Nobody flipped sides. There was no strong effort to get rid of the District in Florida. It was largely a non-issue.
You’re entire description of processes involved in building are just completely wrong.
Neither Walt Disney Imagineering nor Universal Creative develop and sign the architecture and engineering documents that are used for permitting. That is done by third-party architects and engineers who, as state-licensed professionals, are obligated to follow state law.
Different rules apply to different places. That isn’t new or unusual. No projects at Universal Orlando Resort North Campus are submitted to Orange County because it is located in Orlando, so submissions are to the City. Universal Orlando Resort South Campus is in unincorporated Orange County which means projects there are submitted to the County and have to follow slightly different rules. Even if Reedy Creek Improvement District did not exist, Disney’s All Star Resorts would follow slightly different rules than Cabana Bay because they’re in Osceola County.
Universal Orlando Resort North Campus and South Campus are zoned as planned developments. Since receiving that designation they pretty much do not have to seek zoning or development approval for their projects. There is no submitting to various city or county commissions for approval. They submittal to the relevant building department pretty much no different than Disney projects.
Lastly, Disney does not submit to themselves. Disney is not the only owner with projects in the District. Projects are submitted to the District. Plans are reviewed by District employees, not Disney employees. The District is known for being strict, and they have no problem telling Disney what to do. They send drawings back for revision just like every building department. Yes, the District enforces a different building code but that code must meet the minimum standard set by the Florida Building Code (The EPCOT Building Code also predates the Florida Building Code and the state requiring local governments enforce a building code). The fire department enforces the Florida Fire Prevention Code just like every other fire department. Even if the District was cutting corners and rubber stamping Disney projects, a building permit is not absolution; the architect, engineers, contractor and owner are all still liable if a project does not conform to codes and the standard of care (which can easily be more stringent than codes).
