Flavor Park, Disney, and the Jacksonville Disney Company: A Case of a First-Principles Vote for a New Development Deal

MIAMI — The Walt Disney Company has filed a lawsuit against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and other officials. Disney claims that the government retaliated against the company for violating its protected speech.

Before voting to strike down Disney’s development deal, the new district board heard from a number of independent business owners who have restaurants and retail shops at Disney properties. Several said that new regulations and taxes could make their businesses unprofitable. The governor mentioned raising taxes and toll roads in the district. Some of the land may be used for a new prison and additional development. The board’s chairman told business owners their taxes were going to go up in order to pay for legal fees related to the feud with Disney.

It’s the latest action in a feud that began more than a year ago when Disney’s former CEO said he’d work to overturn a law banning discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in the schools. The law, the “Parental Rights in Education Act,” is called “Don’t Say Gay” by critics.

Many in Celebration, a community built by Disney that is adjacent to the theme park, are afraid because of the ongoing feud, a resident told the board. McDonald said, “It has hurt us deeply. The Governor is not the only one who has an argument with Disney. It affecting everyone around him.”

In response to the lawsuit, DeSantis’ communications director Taryn Fenske said, “We are unaware of any legal right that a company has to operate its own government or maintain special privileges not held by other businesses in the state. This lawsuit is yet another unfortunate example of their hope to undermine the will of the Florida voters and operate outside the bounds of the law.”