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Are Disney and DeSantis making up? Both look ready to work together

Skyler Swisher, Orlando Sentinel on

Published in News & Features

Gov. Ron DeSantis and Disney are moving into a new chapter of a dramatic political story that captured the nation’s attention, one that could see better relations between the two.

Lawsuits have been settled, and now, both sides are striking a collaborative tone. A lot of money is at stake. Disney is planning to invest billions of dollars into its theme parks over the next decade.

Florida stands to benefit with new jobs, more tourists and huge economic investments. Disney needs to compete with Universal Studios’ fourth theme park Epic Universe opening in 2025. Working with Florida politicians will be key to success.

“[Disney] went sideways with politics, but when it comes to business, we should work together,” said GOP state Rep. Randy Fine, one of the most vocal Disney critics who sponsored legislation that ended the corporation’s control of the Disney World governing district. “I hope that is what happens now.”

Walt Disney World Resort President Jeff Vahle echoed a similar sentiment. He spoke of “constructive engagement” with Florida officials that would enable continued investment and thousands of new jobs.

Asked about the settlement, DeSantis noted his problems stemmed from executives at Disney’s corporate headquarters in Burbank, California, not those in Orlando. Florida wants to see Disney World expand, he said.

 

“We would like to see more development in that area. … If Universal is doing this Epic Universe, Disney is probably going to have to answer that with something,” DeSantis said Thursday. “I think the board we have in place would be willing to negotiate that.”

It appears Disney and DeSantis are making peace, political and industry analysts said.

On Wednesday, the two sides settled litigation over who would control a special district that provides government services to Disney World. The bottom line of that settlement: Disney will now have to work with a governor-appointed board on planning, zoning and other government-related issues involving its Central Florida theme parks and resorts.

“They both called uncle,” said Richard Foglesong, a Rollins College professor who wrote the book “Married to the Mouse” about Disney World’s origin story. “The imbroglio between the two of them had become self-defeating. It was in their mutual interest to come up with a compromise.”

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