Disney agrees to settle Florida lawsuit with special district backed by DeSantis

• Disney agreed to end litigation in state court involving a Florida special tourism district containing the entertainment giant.
• The lawsuit was related to the takeover of the district at the behest of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis after Disney had opposed the state's "Don't Say Gay" law.
• "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," Walt Disney World President Jeff Vahle said.

Disney agreed Wednesday to end litigation in state court involving a Florida special tourism district that the entertainment giant effectively controlled for more than five decades until last year after Gov. Ron DeSantis moved to revoke that status.

The settlement lifts a significant barrier to the continued development of Walt Disney World in the Orlando area and provides for the potential resolution of a related federal case.

The state lawsuit was originally filed in Orange County by the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District to void agreements the old district board had signed with Disney right before it was dissolved at DeSantis' behest after Disney opposed Florida's "Don't Say Gay" bill backed by the governor.

Disney in turn had asked the court to rule that the agreements, which benefited the company, were valid.

As part of the settlement of that case Wednesday, Disney agreed not to challenge the CFTOD's determination that the prior agreements with the old Reedy Creek Improvement District were null and void.

The settlement also includes Disney's agreement to seek permission from a federal appeals court to pause its effort to revive a dismissed retaliation lawsuit against DeSantis in Florida federal court in light of expected negotiations of