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

[GoofGoof]

Don’t bash me for saying or asking this but depending on how things continue to go and in a worse case scenario, would Iger consider shutting down WDW until the situation gets resolved? Obviously it would severely hurt the company but I would think it would also securely hurt the state of FL. Id imagine that would not be a good situation for DeSantis to be in.

Why would Disney have any desire to hurt the state of FL? There are 75,000 CMs at WDW (and hundreds of thousands more people indirectly employed around WDW) who live in FL who would be instantly unemployed not to mention thousands of guests (or maybe millions depending how long the shut down lasts) who would be severely disappointed their vacations were ruined. Disney also wants to keep printing money at WDW in FL. The whole lawsuit was filed to keep control of the special district so they can continue business as usual in FL without government interference. Disney is not in this to win an argument on moral grounds or to win on principle and I don’t think they have any interest in hurting the state or even the government itself (despite the opposite not being true). It’s mostly about business and making money but Disney also has the PR side of this locked down. The vast majority of the public (and more importantly their customers) side with them on this. If they send thousands to the unemployment lines and ruin a bunch of kid’s vacations that good will will dry up mighty quickly.

 

[LapsedWDWFan]

The global pandemic's effect on the theme park/hospitality industry isn't a fair comparison of what would happen to Orlando if next week WDW decided to shut down permanently. (this is never happening)

If it's never happening then why even think about the ramifications? It just seems like a waste of brain cycles to me. They can't just pack up Disney World in U-Hauls and move it so Disney is forever tied to Florida. It's just a question of how everything is going to move forward.

 

[GoofGoof]

I can see some flaws in that hypothetical. All theme parks everywhere were shut down for about 4 months for covid, yet the state of Florida survived. Orange country survived. No shocking destruction as you put it.

Just stating the facts.

CMs still got paid for a little while after the shut down. There were also trillions in Federal dollars spread around to keep people whole, paying rent, buying food, paying their taxes, etc. Sadly, this lawsuit won’t be resolved in 4 months either so you would be looking at a much longer shut down. It would absolutely be devastating to the local economy. No question that’s a fact. There’s also no way Disney would have any desire to hurt the local economy. Also, no question that’s a fact.

 

[Chip Chipperson]

The global pandemic's effect on the theme park/hospitality industry isn't a fair comparison of what would happen to Orlando if next week WDW decided to shut down permanently. (this is never happening)

True. The federal government isn't going to give FL any emergency funds for something like that. Still not happening but it's not apples to apples.

 

[MagicHappens1971]

If it's never happening then why even think about the ramifications?

I would imagine other people like myself have brought it up as it's so crazy that the governor of Florida would attack the state's largest employer, one of it's largest taxpayers, and one of the biggest drivers of tourism to Florida.

It just seems like a waste of brain cycles to me. They can't just pack up Disney World in U-Hauls and move it so Disney is forever tied to Florida. It's just a question of how everything is going to move forward.

It is unfortunate that they can't (for Disney), as a Floridian I would be sad to see them go, but if it really was that simple, I'm sure they probably would just pack up and go, if this were to continue.

 

[Tha Realest]

But…hypothetically it would cripple the state In about 3 Months.

The destruction would be shocking.

But it’s not a possibility as you said

Perhaps. But Florida survived three months without Disney.

How long would Iger survive as CEO if he unilaterally decided to shut down the WDW spigot?

 

[Brian]

Perhaps. But Florida survived three months without Disney.

How long would Iger survive as CEO if he unilaterally decided to shut down the WDW spigot?

It would certainly ruin his "cool head," "adult in the room" persona.

 

[GoofGoof]

It is unfortunate that they can't (for Disney), as a Floridian I would be sad to see them go, but if it really was that simple, I'm sure they probably would just pack up and go.

Disney is way more “Florida“ than DeSantis. That guy will be long forgotten (maybe sooner than later) and Disney will still be entertaining us in FL. No way they would pack up and leave even if they could.

 

[MagicHappens1971]

Disney is way more “Florida“ than . That guy will be long forgotten (maybe sooner than later) and Disney will still be entertaining us in FL. No way they would pack up and leave even if they could.

Yeah, I should've been more careful with the word choice.

 

[MagicHappens1971]

Perhaps. But Florida survived three months without Disney.

How long would Iger survive as CEO if he unilaterally decided to shut down the WDW spigot?

Granted that it's the company's ATM, not long. Not that this is ever going to happen, unless there's another global pandemic sometime soon.

 

[LapsedWDWFan]

I would imagine other people like myself have brought it up as it's so crazy that the governor of Florida would attack the state's largest employer, one of it's largest taxpayers, and one of the biggest drivers of tourism to Florida.

There are a couple of inaccuracies in that statement. First, Disney is not Florida's largest employer. Walmart is. Disney is the largest SINGLE SITE employer. Disney is a large taxpayer but 80% of Florida's revenue comes from sales tax. Sure Disney plays a factor in sales tax, but not a lions share. Also consider that while Disney does drive quite a bit tourism to central Florida, it's a very big state and there are a ton of people that come here that care less about Disney.

It is unfortunate that they can't (for Disney), as a Floridian I would be sad to see them go, but if it really was that simple, I'm sure they probably would just pack up and go.

I'm a Floridian as well. I don't think about if I'd be happy or sad if they go because I know they just can't do it.

 

[MagicHappens1971]

There are a couple of inaccuracies in that statement. First, Disney is not Florida's largest employer. Walmart is. Disney is the largest SINGLE SITE employer.

Well actually, Publix is #1, Disney is #2.

Employer Database - FloridaJobs.org

floridajobs.org

Disney is a large taxpayer but 80% of Florida's revenue comes from sales tax. Sure Disney plays a factor in sales tax, but not a lions share.

Okay, so they are the largest taxpayer in Central Florida. Over a billion dollars.

Also consider that while Disney does drive quite a bit tourism to central Florida, it's a very big state and there are a ton of people that come here that care less about Disney.

I can't really find concrete information on the largest driver of tourism in Florida, but Disney is definitely one of the largest.

For a fun fact:
"Orlando’s population grew by more than 165% since Disney World opened, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Its population of 287,442 as of July 1, 2019 is almost triple its population of 99,006 in 1970." link

Orlando would not exist as it does today without Disney, point blank period.

 

[Chi84]

Even if Disney wins any of this in Federal court, I doubt that it would affect Florida’s moving forward with this. As California has shown us for decades, Federal law can be ignored by states with little to no consequences, ie. Federal Immigration laws, marijuana laws, gay marriage laws, etc. California lawmakers are also considering ignoring Federal abortion laws. The template for ignoring Federal law is to circumvent them with new state laws, which I’m sure Florida lawmakers would have no problem enacting.

If states can just ignore federal law, why is Florida defending the federal suit and prosecuting their own suit in Florida state court? They could save a lot of time, effort and money by just letting Disney win.

 

[LapsedWDWFan]

Well actually, Publix is #1, Disney is #2.
View attachment 716865

Employer Database - FloridaJobs.org

floridajobs.org

Fair enough. I looked at a few sources and some said Walmart and some said Publix so I went with Walmart. But the my original point remains that Disney is not Florida's largest employer.

Okay, so they are the largest taxpayer in Central Florida. Over a billion dollars.

Compared to Florida's $117B budget, then Disney represents .8% of Florida's revenue according to that metric. My point is that I think some folks overvalue what Disney means to the state of Florida financially overall.

I can't really find concrete information on the largest driver of tourism in Florida, but Disney is definitely one of the largest.

For a fun fact:
"Orlando’s population grew by more than 165% since Disney World opened, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Its population of 287,442 as of July 1, 2019 is almost triple its population of 99,006 in 1970." link

Orlando would not exist as it does today without Disney, point blank period.

100% true. The Orlando area would be nothing today without Disney. But a lot has happened in the last 50 years. Orlando has grown by leaps and bounds. Other players have come into the market more than eager to scoop up Disney's market share. The area has become more than just Disney World. I'll bet Disney's recent rhetoric about not investing in the Florida property has Universal chomping at the bit saying "Please don't. We'll love to have your guests here as we open more and more stuff." Again, my point here is that I think some people are overconfident in Disney's grip of central Florida market share.

 

[MagicHappens1971]

The legislature will just enact new laws that will circumvent the federal orders

If they were planning on doing this anyway, why did CFTOD countersue Disney?

California does this all of the time. I know, I was born, raised and lived most of my life there. I saw it firsthand for decades. The lawmakers not only ignore federal laws, they do it with gusto.

Allowing gay marriage or selling marijuana against the wishes of the federal government and using your "gusto" to violate citizens first amendment rights aren't comparable, again, apples to oranges.

Florida will not allow the feds to dictate any of this to them. As you will see, states have incredible power to act alone, when they want to. Especially with no check and balances in place.

I don't personally agree with this viewpoint, nor do I feel that we will find it to be accurate, but time will tell.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

A word to the unwise, not everyone that disagrees with you is a troll.

You blew your cover days ago when you said “their politics” in a diatribe about Disneys “issues”
The politics issue here has nothing to do with Disney. It’s a con game and you fell for it like a blind roofer

Sorry, I’m usually the one giving the warnings. But what an insane view of this country’s legal system.

See above. This is a 24/7 cable pundit type.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Allowing gay marriage or selling marijuana against the wishes of the federal government and using your "gusto" to violate citizens first amendment rights aren't comparable, again, apples to oranges.

Mainly because one was never illegal on the federal level and the other they specifically would not enforce for the last 30 years…but they absolutely could if they wanted to and the states would not be able to do much but make speeches…like they do in Florida for nothing now.

I don't personally agree with this viewpoint, nor do I feel that we will find it to be accurate, but time will tell.

Florida has no ability to “stop the feds”

That is beyond stupid for one very obvious reason: they can’t function without federal money. No state can.
This is like an 1859 myth converted to digital.

 

[MagicHappens1971]

In case anyone was confused, this is what Disney is requesting for relief in the suit.

Which explains how the "fed" is going to stop the state from enforcing these laws. Plain and simple.

 

[BuddyThomas]

Y'all sure are being b*tchy tonight. I just had to have a series of tests for Parkinson's disease, which all came back okay (I think), fortunately, but it kind of puts all the online arguing over stupid crap in perspective.

 

[TheCoasterNerd]

Y'all sure are being b*tchy tonight. I just had to have a series of tests for Parkinson's disease, which all came back okay (I think), fortunately, but it kind of puts all the online arguing over stupid crap in perspective.

stay safe man, hope you're healthy