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

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I think the reason why RCID collapsed so easily is that the way this darn thing was chartered from the beginning was SEVERELY flawed. RCID was given things and setup in a way that NO other special taxing district has ever been set up before or afterward. RCID was a freak of nature (or a freak of government) The "temptation" for self-dealing was like no other and way off the charts. (The temptation for it, because it was so easy)

For decades and decades, Florida Democrats and Republicans complained about it but eventually were convinced to turn and look away. Disney gave money to BOTH parties and BOTH parties happily took Disney's donations. Then Disney did what it did and somebody said: "OK,...that's it...we are no longer looking the other way anymore"

The thing is: Disney's RCID was ALWAYS walking on a governmental, political and public relations tight-rope! Disney just slipped on the line and fell a couple of years ago.

Disney always knew that if the legitimacy of RICD "today" ever made it to the courts...they had nothing to stand on. ALL special taxing districts in Florida are instruments of the STATE...not the company that operates in them. The state has the power to give them and the power to take them away. Disney does not have that authority. Disney disagrees with this...but RCID did NOT belong to "Disney".

I can bet my life on this: Florida was sooo EXCITED to give the Experimental Prototype "COMMUNITY" of Tomorrow...ALL these INCREDIBLE powers. Florida was expecting RCID to need an international airport and nuclear power plant and soo much more for this futuristic CITY with THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS of "residents" and "citizens" LIVING in it.

It never happened and the powers that Disney's RCID were given?....were just not necessary at all. There are MANY special taxing districts in Florida but we will NEVER,...EVER...see another one like Disney's RCID again. Especially one that has no real citizens living in it.

Wdw never happens without reedy creek. So if you have any appreciation for it…you must also appreciate reedy creek.

There was nothing there. They started in a toxic dump

Be glad they dreamt big.

As far as “legality” of it. I’ve noticed people with more an more frequency claim there are “laws” that don’t exist to justify their outrage…and give specifics to charters that give little if any specifics at all.
That came into play here.

Just today we see quotes of twits talking about how “illegally” reedy creek was run. What a bunch of crap…it was corporate interest - for sure - but it also responsible for a major American city popping up and generates money in a ripple effect all over the place.

So In essence: peeps need to shut up.

 

[BrianLo]

Seems to me the state clearly won. Disney has 'conceded' itself a win behind the scenes - as in the whole event is over, they've clearly regained a working dialogue and are clearly moving towards being allowed to do whatever they want developmental wise again. Of course, why shouldn't they, the state trying to destroy their golden goose made absolutely no sense.

The real losers here are Americans. Political and corporate backdealings matter more than your constitution.

 

[Brian]

This is the greatest headline I’ve read all day.

Funny headline, to be sure, but he was talking about a 5th gate earlier this year as well. He brings it up every time he talks about Epic Universe.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Seems to me the state clearly won. Disney has 'conceded' itself a win behind the scenes - as in the whole event is over, they've clearly regained a working dialogue and are clearly moving towards being allowed to do whatever they want developmental wise again. Of course, why shouldn't they, the state trying to destroy their golden goose made absolutely no sense.

The real losers here are Americans. Political and corporate backdealings matter more than your constitution.

Yeah…that’s the nuts and bolts of it

Disney maybe bought some time…hoping for maybe things to “normalize” and the political pendulum to swing in Florida their way down the road. It’s hostile territory.

They might be right. But the legal path was not favorable and the proxy is putting pressure on stair master and his delicate sense of self worth…

But the loss of reedy creek and their own self governance is a loss…no way to shine that one up pretty.

 

[WoundedDreamer]

The loss of RCID was a huge loss for Disney.

I agree with this. But that really was water under the bridge at this point. Disney was in a situation where they could either choose a bad outcome, or a worse outcome. So, the good outcome was admittedly bad. But it was the best available.

I think that makes sense...

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Funny headline, to be sure, but he was talking about a 5th gate earlier this year as well. He brings it up every time he talks about Epic Universe.

Well…he’ll need a senate seat in a couple of years…so gotta start building the warchest back up

 

[Chi84]

Thank you! It seems there is reference to a pending new development agreement that is currently being negotiated so that would probably be a document of interest as well.

Overall it looks like it was a walk away agreement and not overly lopsided.

“Probably be of interest” is an understatement.

 

[Tha Realest]

This is the greatest headline I’ve read all day.

Prison to fifth gate?

Like, a highly themed and immersive experience where you’re crammed into a small, confined, windowless room, made to eat at certain parts of the day, only allowed outside to a small confined area, where your time is not your own and your life is slowly sucked out of you?

It closed last fall.

 

[Cliff]

Wdw never happens without reedy creek. So if you have any appreciation for it…you must also appreciate reedy creek.

There was nothing there. They started in a toxic dump

Be glad they dreamt big.

As far as “legality” of it. I’ve noticed people with more an more frequency claim there are “laws” that don’t exist to justify their outrage…and give specifics to charters that give little if any specifics at all.
That came into play here.

Just today we see quotes of twits talking about how “illegally” reedy creek was run. What a bunch of crap…it was corporate interest - for sure - but it also responsible for a major American city popping up and generates money in a ripple effect all over the place.

So In essence: peeps need to shut up.

I respectfully disagree completely. Disney COULD have built 4 theme parts, a ton of hotels, and a shopping district WITHOUT "RCID" as it was chartered. Any "common" special taxing district that Florida has today would have been fine! CFTOD today would have been fine! Disney deals with STRICT local and international governments every day in ALL of their other parks with no severe problems! Universal has two major parks, a ton of hotels and a shopping district..and a GIGANTIC new park...and they did it all without a Disney-style RCID in it's pocket.

Any REGULAR taxing district will be fine. RCID was only necessary for EPCOT as a true functioning "city" with several thousands of residents living there. WDW is nothing like the EPCOT city that RCID was built for.

RCID (as it was chartered) was not necessary for WDW because it was chartered for the needs of a futuristic EPCOT.

Disney and Universal have both 100% proven over and over again that RCID was\is not necessary.

 

[WoundedDreamer]

Prison to fifth gate?

Like, a highly themed and immersive experience where you’re crammed into a small, confined, windowless room, made to eat at certain parts of the day, only allowed outside to a small confined area, where your time is not your own and your life is slowly sucked out of you?

It closed last fall.

Man, you're a genius! Do you think that they could rent the Galactic Starcruiser to the state penitentiary system? It shouldn't take much modification. That way we can get the prison and the 5th gate!

 

[Chi84]

I respectfully disagree completely. Disney COULD have built 4 theme parts, a ton of hotels, and a shopping district WITHOUT "RCID" as it was chartered. Any "common" special taxing district that Florida has today would have been fine! CFTOD today would have been fine! Disney deals with STRICT local and international governments every day in ALL of their other parks with no severe problems! Universal has two major parks, a ton of hotels and a shopping district..and a GIGANTIC new park...and they did it all without a Disney-style RCID in it's pocket.

Any REGULAR taxing district will be fine. RCID was only necessary for EPCOT as a true functioning "city" with thousands of residents living there. WDW is nothing like the EPCOT city that RCID was built for.

RCID (as it was chartered) was not necessary for WDW because it was chartered for the needs of a futuristic EPCOT.

This is inaccurate.

https://ir.law.fsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1123&context=lr

 

[flynnibus]

You can read the Settlement Agreement documents that were filed in state court from Politico at this link: https://www.politico.com/f/?id=0000018e-8071-d570-adaf-a47778d90001

Wow, there really are no concessions from the District in this. (sans the hands-off of the Mitigation Credits)

There is zero promise from the District to do anything beyond their normal staturatory obligations when it comes to reviewing and updating the Comprehensive plan. "The District shall resolve to begin immediately to review, evaluate, and amend the 2020 Comprehensive Plan pursuant to its statutory obligations and shall consult with Disney and any other appropriate parties during the process;'

AKA STANDARD BUSINESS - no promises, no considerations, just the district doing what it was already required to be doing.

And Disney gives up the developer agreement and prior changes to the Com Plan, and lets them set an earlier end date to the RCES contract.

In short.. the District gets everything they wanted.

For the Federal lawsuit, it just says simply "pending negotiations among other matters of a new development agreement between Disney and the District"

There really is no teeth there for the District to do anything different from what they have already set out to do. Disney better have damn good faith in the new developer agreement they already working on.. because this settlement obligates to the District to do virtually nothing.

 

[flynnibus]

The real losers here are Americans. Political and corporate backdealings matter more than your constitution.

DING DING DING

 

[Chi84]

Wow, there really are no concessions from the District in this. (sans the hands-off of the Mitigation Credits)

There is zero promise from the District to do anything beyond their normal staturatory obligations when it comes to reviewing and updating the Comprehensive plan. "The District shall resolve to begin immediately to review, evaluate, and amend the 2020 Comprehensive Plan pursuant to its statutory obligations and shall consult with Disney and any other appropriate parties during the process;'

AKA STANDARD BUSINESS - no promises, no considerations, just the district doing what it was already required to be doing.

And Disney gives up the developer agreement and prior changes to the Com Plan, and lets them set an earlier end date to the RCES contract.

In short.. the District gets everything they wanted.

For the Federal lawsuit, it just says simply "pending negotiations among other matters of a new development agreement between Disney and the District"

There really is no teeth there for the District to do anything different from what they have already set out to do. Disney better have damn good faith in the new developer agreement they already working on.. because this settlement obligates to the District to do virtually nothing.

What do you think the district wants to do that would be contrary to Disney’s interests?

 

[lazyboy97o]

What do you think the district wants to do that would be contrary to Disney’s interests?

Their whole reason for being, to be able to interfere with Disney’s business when Disney acts in a manner they dislike.

Disney has handed over this ability and stated their intent to provide ample opportunity in the coming years.

 

[Chi84]

Their whole reason for being, to be able to interfere with Disney’s business when Disney acts in a manner they dislike.

Okay. I don’t think that reason exists anymore. But if it did, I can understand your concern.

 

[JKick95]

What do you think the district wants to do that would be contrary to Disney’s interests?

Not sure but listening to prior comments made by the board and DeSantis (including today), it appears they want to take Disney land and develop it.

 

[Chi84]

Not sure but listening to prior comments made by the board and DeSantis (including today), it appears they want to take Disney land and develop it.

What did he say that makes you think he wants to take Disney land and develop it?

 

[lazyboy97o]

Okay. I don’t think that reason exists anymore. But if it did, I can understand your concern.

Then why do they need to change the comprehensive plan and the development agreement? To this day the board has not identified any actual issues with the comprehensive plan. The only issue they have identified is affordable housing, something already allowed throughout almost the entire district.

 

[flynnibus]

What do you think the district wants to do that would be contrary to Disney’s interests?

Pick from a list of absurdities
A) Whatever the govenor got an itch over in the last 48hrs
B) Whatever the school board bigot wants to advance
C) Duplicating services unnecessarily for the extreme sake of independence where not necessary
D) Undoing decades of cooperation between the cities and district for no mutual benefit except to drive up costs
E) Spend money without concern of it's constituents
F) Spend money on extravagent salaries for unqualified employees
G) Hire people based on political connections instead of qualifications and capabilities

And all of that is without anyone being of the mindset that the district SHOULD prioritize Disney's interests as the lion share of the landowners and tax payers.