Disney has recently sidestepped the board appointed by Florida’s government to oversee Disney’s Orlando theme park through a last-minute royal clause.  The district was run by Disney for nearly half a century, until Florida officials penalized the firm not abiding by state laws focused on regulating sex education.

The authority of the newly appointed board has been bypassed using restrictive clauses citing King Charles III. In response, the government has begun hiring lawyers to settle the matter.

Disney maintains that all the agreements signed with the District are correct and approved with the consent of both parties in public forums. The now-disputed agreement was signed on 8 February 2023, a day before the senate authorized Governor Ron DeSantis to appoint a board that would oversee Disney’s theme park.

The newly formed Central Florida Tourism Oversight District has claimed that the binding agreement passed by previous boards hands full powers to Disney for the development of the area. According to the document, the agreement is valid for the next 21 years following the death of the last surviving member of King Charles III’s descendants. Such clauses have been included in legal documentation in the UK since the late 17^th century.

A board member, Brian Aungst, commented that it is an attempt by Disney to circumvent the will of the voters and the will of the state legislature. The new Board’s chairman, Martin Garcia, has also expressed that their board may have to challenge the agreement in protracted litigation.

Disney expressed its criticism regarding the Parental Rights in Education Act, signed by Mr. DeSantis last April. Supporters have stated that the bill protects children from inappropriate content and has banned instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity for children nine years of age and under. Opponents, on the other hand, are of the view that the bill stigmatizes LGBT youth. The war between Disney and DeSantis has strengthened the governor’s profile as a potential Republican candidate for the 2024 Presidential Elections.

Source Credit: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65120369