The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board has announced that The Walt Disney Company and the District have proposed a settlement agreement that could end their respective lawsuits.
Highlights from the meeting:
- The development agreement and restrictive covenants involved in the lawsuit are now null and void.
- Disney won’t argue against the district’s view that certain plans and regulations from last January are invalid. Instead, it accepts the 2020 Comprehensive Plan as the current one in effect.
- The district pledges to review and possibly revise the 2020 Comprehensive Plan, engaging in consultations with Disney and other relevant parties.
- Both parties have agreed to mutually dismiss the claims and counterclaims in the ongoing state court lawsuit with prejudice.
- Disney will drop a separate state court case concerning public records and withdraw its pending public records request.
- The labor service agreement’s term is shortened and will end in 2028.
- Disney asserts ownership of certain long-term mitigation credits, with the district agreeing not to interfere with their use.
- Regarding the federal court case filed by Disney, currently under appeal, both parties aim to defer briefing on the appeal while negotiating a new development agreement.
- Both parties agree not to contest each other’s actions until a specified date, with exceptions related to the settlement agreement and potential defenses in the federal lawsuit.
The Board of Supervisors voted to approve the settlement.
Disney issued the following official statement after today’s announcement.
We are pleased to put an end to all litigation pending in state court in Florida between Disney and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. This agreement opens a new chapter of constructive engagement with the new leadership of the district and serves the interest of all parties by enabling significant continued investment and the creation of thousands of direct and indirect jobs and economic opportunity in the state.
Jeff Vahle, President of Walt Disney World Resort
Senior Editor for the DIS and DCL Fan | Disney Vacation Club Member | Thrilled to have been a '13/'14 Disney Parks Moms Panelist (now planDisney) | Lover of all things Disney; the Magic of Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and Disney Cruise Line | ºoº
