Part 3/9:
One of the central issues was Disney's use of a special self-governing district in Central Florida—Reedy Creek Improvement District—which granted it a high degree of autonomy, including its own governance, infrastructure, and development rights. Florida officials, led by Governor Ron DeSantis, argued that Disney had exploited these privileges and sought to revoke or weaken their powers, asserting that no corporation should wield such government-like authority.
In response, Disney fought back with lawsuits aimed at preserving its district status and contractual rights. The media heavily covered Disney’s efforts, often portraying Disney as a corporate hero resisting government overreach, even suggesting that Disney was out-negotiating and embarrassing Florida's leadership.