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

[castlecake2.0]

Just keep posting pics of Velocicoaster in that upside-down stall element until this blows over!

Pride is Universal! Let yourself woah!

would be a great time for Disney to finally respond to their heckling tweets

 

[ToTBellHop]

would be a great time for Disney to finally respond to their heckling tweets

Would be a great time for Disney to announce some new rides…flamingo cupcakes aren’t going to cut it!

 

[Squishy]

Would be a great time for Disney to announce some new rides…flamingo cupcakes aren’t going to cut it!

Sir, the year is 2022. Chapek is the CEO and Josh D'amaro is his puppet.

 

[Chip Chipperson]

It seems to me that Roach (fitting name, btw) is publicly admitting that he and other legislators are considering retaliatory legislation based solely on the political opinions stated by executives at TWDC. I have a hard time believing such an action would stand up in the courts - and it's more than a little unsettling that any elected official would seriously consider punishing any entity or individual for exercising their Constitutional rights.

 

[the.dreamfinder]

Think of it a another "Bob" scheme. **** the politicians off so there is legislative change that would shift a load of expenses Disney has now to the local taxpayers. Ta da more money retained in Disney coffers. This keeps getting uglier by the minute.

But then Orange County has a greater say on what happens on Disney property like Anaheim does with DLR.

 

[mkt]

It seems to me that Roach (fitting name, btw) is publicly admitting that he and other legislators are considering retaliatory legislation based solely on the political opinions stated by executives at TWDC. I have a hard time believing such an action would stand up in the courts - and it's more than a little unsettling that any elected official would seriously consider punishing any entity or individual for exercising their Constitutional rights.

Freedom of speech for me but not for thee.

If that's the reasoning behind any legislation, it will not survive a first amendment challenge.

 

[JohnD]

For anyone who wants to read the act, including district boundaries, here is the text of Chapter 1967-764, Laws of Florida.

https://www.rcid.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/RCID-Charter.pdf

 

[Comped]

Bigger problem for Disney would be if the recent accident causes Florida to rethink the visiotr-based exemption from state ride inspections (as a preventative measure). THAT would be a bigger problem for Disney than RCID going away, at least in the longer term.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

 

[DisneyCane]

The governor that sends Disney away will lose horribly because they will have to find other ways to plug the Disney sized hole in the state's tax revenue and budgets.

The only way to do that is issue debt, never a good option (see Puerto Rico); or raise taxes, also a bad option (see California). Florida's public services are already a joke, so there's not much more there to remove.

How exactly would Disney leave Florida? Are they just going to walk away from billions in assets with billions more in financing obligations?

WDW will not be sent away by any governor or taken away by Disney. The only possibility would be for Disney to sell it to somebody but then there would be no hole left behind. The right to use the IP would have to go with the sale or nobody would buy it.

 

[mightynine]

They're terrified to speak out.

From the letter linked above:

Why can’t they get a job somewhere else, like I hear that side say whenever someone on the other complains?

 

[GhostHost1000]

Simple problems call for simple solutions

Stay out of politics and making a public statement on a position

Just run your company (and preferably not in the ground)

 

[the.dreamfinder]

Regardless of any further discussion about the law itself, I don't think eliminating the RCID is a legitimate concern. There are far more downsides than upsides for the state of Florida in doing so.

This is political bluster.

The rep who posted this represents Fort Myers, so saying this is no skin off his back because Disney isn’t in his district.

 

[Lilofan]

I asked this on another thread - wouldn't this mean the taxpayers in Orange County would have to foot the bill for all the services that Disney currently pays the cost for? Water, fire protection, etc. ...

Yeesh.

Guests and cast love Reedy Creek services in parks and resorts. If one calls for paramedics they come check the person out , transport if necessary and patients do not get billed.

 

[Brian]

The core stated concerns might be an issue for voters, but I seriously wonder how much they’re willing to walk out on Disney.

Me too. Disney has alienated some folks in the past, but I feel that this is uncharted territory for them. I have a fairly conservative circle, and the bulk of them have taken steps to distance themselves from Disney. One even quit their job of 20+ years; this was the "straw that broke the camel's back."

 

[ToTBellHop]

This is all delicious. Missteps in PR has pulled all of this corporate welfare and behind-the-scenes machinations out into the light of day.

The GOP is a lot more populist now, and less business friendly than it has been in years' past. And, the cultural issue that has come to the fore of late is likely a motivating one for GOP primary base voters.

Will be FASCINATING to see how this plays out. The strong play is for both sides to cool off and retreat. But, the progressives pushing TWDC to push these issues (with the legislature, within the Parks, within the products, etc) is motivated to continue to push TWDC since the company and its' CEO is embattled from within and externally. For the GOP, specifically the governor, he can't be seen as relenting for a multitude of reasons.

Okay, but will this get daily housekeeping back at Pop Century?

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

This is all posturing. Each side playing to their base. Disney isn't in a position to "pack up and leave" and current administration can't waive a wand a make it so. It will take years for things to filter through - much less go into effect.

As for the "taxes" - it'll be funded by tourism. It always is. You'll pay an extra 2% on your hotel night or an extra 3% on your air tax, car rental tax etc.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Actually, Disney would pay more in taxes to Orange County if this were to pass. Orange county would essentially absorb all the functions such as permitting, etc that currently RCID provides.

Orange county would then sell those services to Disney, just as they do any other business. Same as police and fire, a rate for those services would be set and paid for by Disney.

Yes, projects would take longer and cost more for Disney to build.. but to suggest that this would somehow cause taxes on the citizen's to increase, is simply not true and I'd assume anyone pushing that line is a PR firm hired to do damage. The same goes for the "Well Disney will just pack up and leave Florida" crowed... not going to happen and you all know it.

This assumes that the rates and fees Disney pays to the District are the same as those that would be paid to Orange and Osceola Counties. The counties can’t just unilaterally charge Disney higher rates. They could shield residents by setting up something like tax allocation districts where higher rates are charged for use in the district.

Regardless of any further discussion about the law itself, I don't think eliminating the RCID is a legitimate concern. There are far more downsides than upsides for the state of Florida in doing so.

This is political bluster.

This should be terrifying to everyone because it is a clear example of rule of retribution, not the rule of law. This isn’t being proposed in response to inappropriate actions taken by the District but as revenge for other activities, and not just the opposition to a single piece of legislation. It will also harm investment in the state from other companies if the attitude of the state is that they will seek to punish companies that act in a manner that they don’t like, not just one that is illegal in Florida.

 

[Tha Realest]

This should be terrifying to everyone because it is a clear example of rule of retribution, not the rule of law. This isn’t being proposed in response to inappropriate actions taken by the District but as revenge for other activities, and not just the opposition to a single piece of legislation. It will also harm investment in the state from other companies if the attitude of the state is that they will seek to punish companies that act in a manner that they don’t like, not just one that is illegal in Florida.

Why is this "terrifying?" TWDC, through excessive lobbying and payoffs, has gotten itself a uniquely privileged position that many others - competitors, etc - were never entitled to. They have chosen to pick a fight and use its governmental relations position and money to push for certain legislation. Given this vocal and public antagonism to the legislature, why is it "terrifying" that existing and past agreements come under reassessment?

 

[Lilofan]

So if no more Reedy Creek , then those tract houses across the street from Saratoga Springs where Reedy Creek execs and staff live with their families in a non descript gated area will be for sale? Any takers who wants to live at WDW?