Disney and a Central Florida tourism board backed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis reached a settlement Wednesday in a lawsuit over who controls the special governing district that encompasses the Walt Disney World Resort.
Members of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District approved the settlement, which will bring an end to a court battle that has lasted for nearly two years.
"We are glad that Disney has dropped its lawsuits against the new Central Florida Tourism Oversight District and conceded that their last-minute development agreements are null, void, and unenforceable," Bryan Griffin, DeSantis' communications director, said in a statement. "No corporation should be its own government. Moving forward, we stand ready to work with Disney and the District to help promote economic growth, family-friendly tourism, and accountable government in Central Florida."
The dispute began after Disney's criticism of Florida's Parental Rights in Education Act – derided by critics as the so-called "Don't Say Gay" bill – prompted the DeSantis administration to revoke the special Disney-controlled tax district that gave the entertainment autonomy over its theme parks in the region.
FOX Business' Andrew Mark Miller contributed to this report.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
