Disney and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis have ended their feud by reaching a deal that allows the entertainment giant to develop the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando for the next 15 years.
Governor DeSantis and Disney, one of Florida’s largest employers, have been embroiled in controversy since 2022 when former Disney CEO Bob Chapek criticized efforts in the state legislature to restrict classroom discussions of sexual orientation and gender issues for younger students, which critics described as “don’t say gay” legislation.
Disney announced that under an agreement with the Central Florida Tourism Board, it will invest at least $8 billion in the resort over the next 10 years, for a total of $17 billion over the next 10 to 20 years.
The Central Florida Tourism Board also plans to expand its affordable housing program and ensure that at least 50% of the total expenditures for that expansion go to Florida businesses, according to the board.
The deal also gives Disney the authority to build a fifth theme park, expand retail and office space and add about 14,000 hotel rooms, bringing the resort’s total to about 54,000.
Disney President Jeff Valle said in a statement that the new agreement “paves the way for billions of dollars to be invested in Walt Disney World Resort.”
The agreement comes after Disney and appointees of Gov. Ron DeSantis reached a settlement in March, ending a high-profile lawsuit in state court over the district’s control of the Walt Disney World theme parks.
