Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board Files Lawsuit Against Walt Disney World in Response to Disney’s Lawsuit Against Governor DeSantis

The Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board has voted unanimously to sue Walt Disney World in state court, in response to the company’s lawsuit against Governor Ron DeSantis and the board. The board is attempting to maintain its oversight of design and construction in the district that governs Disney World’s 25,000 acres.

The lawsuit comes after the previous Disney-controlled board signed over powers to the company before the DeSantis-appointed board members held their first meeting earlier this year. Disney filed its own lawsuit against DeSantis and the board last Wednesday, asking a judge to void the governor’s takeover of the theme park resort district previously controlled by Disney for 55 years.

The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District’s lawsuit seeks to defend the board’s authority and invalidate the agreement the previous board passed allowing Disney to keep control of much of its operations. The board also voted to defend itself in federal court in Tallahassee, where Disney’s lawsuit was filed.

The ongoing political feud between Disney and DeSantis has been escalating since the governor’s takeover of the district. The Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board’s lawsuit is the latest move in the ongoing dispute. It remains to be seen how the courts will rule on the matter.