The State of Florida Does Not Appreciate Mickey Mouse

Disney welcomes over 50 million guests each year and makes Florida a huge tourist destination. Now, a proposed plan could greatly increase Disney’s building fees which will create a ripple effect on guests’ wallets. What do you think of these proposed fees?

Legal Woes

Many of us are tired of hearing the legal disputes between Florida Governor, Ron DeSantis, and the Walt Disney Company. The current dilemma is in regard to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.

This new oversight district repealed the Reedy Creek Improvement Act of 1967. Disney CEO, Bob Iger, called this “hypocrisy” as there are about 2,000 special districts in the state of Florida. Iger believes that DeSantis is punishing the Walt Disney Company for practicing free speech.

Proposed Building Fees

Previously, the Reedy Creek Improvement District could make its own laws, zone its own land, and plan for new projects within those limits. By stripping the company of those abilities, Disney would be regulated by Orange and Osceola Counties.

Today, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) released a proposal that will include a 30% increase in building fees. Fees would include building permits, plan review fees, revision fees, State of Florida surcharge fees, temporary structure fees, fees for manufactured buildings and trailers, and building relocation fees.

This could also affect permit fees as well including fire alarms, electrical, fire suppression systems, gas, mechanical, plumping, elevators, escalators, material lifts, etc.

The list continues to include increased fees for attraction inspections, certificate of operation fees, demolition fees, investigation fees, etc.

These increased fees will impact taxpayers in the district which directly targets Walt Disney World Resort. Walt Disney World pays roughly 85% of taxes paid in the CFTOD. The new proposed fees are to help with their 2024 operating budget.

Earlier we shared that the CFTOD proposed a budget of over $5 million for the 2024 financial year just for what is referred to as “Disney-induced expenses.” If approved, this will affect the Walt Disney Company directly, and guests visiting Walt Disney World indirectly.

Today, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) released a proposal that will include a 30% increase in building fees.

Disney Huge Revenue

This new proposal comes alongside a new study released by Oxford Economics which shares that the Walt Disney Company is responsible for $6.6 billion in tax revenue including $3.1 billion in both annual state and local tax revenues. The tax revenue is created by visitors, employees, and third-party businesses.

The Walt Disney Company generated $40.3 billion across Florida while creating 250,000+ direct and indirect jobs in Central Florida during 2022. It is interesting to note, that this big revenue was while Reedy Creek Improvement District was still in operation.

Disney is important to the state of Florida, but it does not seem as though the feeling is mutual. The higher proposed fees will directly affect a company that generates so much revenue and creates so many jobs.

The Walt Disney Company generated $40.3 billion across Florida while creating 250,000+ direct and indirect jobs in Central Florida during 2022.

What do you think of the current battle between the Walt Disney Company and CFTOD? Do you think these higher fees will be approved? Share your thoughts with us and share this news with your Disney pals.