The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CTFOD) board, now in charge of the former Reedy Creek Improvement District, has publicized emails that they claim show illegal action by Disney.
Before following Republican Governor Ron DeSantis’s orders to dissolve the district in February, Reedy Creek quietly rushed a development agreement that effectively rendered the board powerless. Beyond municipal maintenance, most of the former board’s power went back to Walt Disney World Resort. CTFOD is forbidden from using Disney-owned trademarks or making significant changes until 22 years after the death of the last current living descendant of King Charles III.
DeSantis bashed Disney in response, promising legal action, threatening increased tourism taxes, and suggesting he would build a state prison just steps from Walt Disney World Resort. Amidst consulting with legal counsel, the CTFOD board leaked emails between Disney lawyers and Reedy Creek board members.
First obtained by FOX News, the emails allegedly show Walt Disney World Resort chief counsel John McGowan attempting to hide The Walt Disney Company’s involvement in the last-minute scheme against DeSantis.
“My name is currently at the top of the document as a drafter,” McGowan allegedly wrote. “And I am comfortable having my name on it, but from an optics perspective that is not ideal and it would be better to have a non-Disney employee be the drafter.”
McGowan’s name was later removed from the document, which DeSantis claimed was “designed to usurp the authority of the CFTOD board.”
During its meeting on Wednesday, DeSantis’s hand-picked board voted to eliminate the former Planning Board and appointed itself to the task. After officially taking over, board members introduced agenda items like forbidding COVID-19 vaccine and mask mandates on Reedy Creek property.
Have we seen a potential run for the White House implode before it has even gotten started? We have been tracking this situation very carefully and agree with alot of the sentiment in the following article. While we agree that former CEO of Disney Bob Chapek handled their stance terribly, and that we would love to see Disney stay out of politics altogether, Governor DeSantis’ response has just been anti-free speech and anti-business.
The following article was written on DisDining.com by Jill Bivins and lays out a very common sense and nonpartisan approach to this whole situation between Disney and Governor DeSantis. Take a read and decide whether you agree or not.
“It seems someone forgot to tell Governor Ron DeSantis that buying is wrong. It also seems that someone forgot to tell him that the only thing harder to fight than city hall is a beloved American institution with an army of the best lawyers money can buy. Despite this, DeSantis keeps doubling down on his fight with Disney.
Thus far, Disney has remained in the shadows. They have been making moves without causing a ruckus. Their position seems to be, “We don’t want to fight, but you’re not going to Railroad us.” DeSantis, on the other hand, seems to be intent on destroying Disney at all costs.
When Disney first opposed the Parental Rights in Education Act, DeSantis had a fit. He vowed to make them pay, yet whenever he thinks he has them cornered…they find a way to circumvent him (see: “No Records Exist” Disney Outsmarts DeSantis AGAIN). Rather than accepting defeat with dignity or even acting like the career politician he is and spinning it (“this was my idea all along”), he has publicly melted down.
His latest temper tantrum involves threatening to build a state prison next to Disney. He’s also done everything he can to thwart the company’s growth (see: DeSantis makes Disney’s 5th theme park illegal). These moves are shockingly anti-business and anti-free speech coming from a Republican.
With rumors swirling that he has his eye on a Presidential bid, one would think he would be a little more politically savvy than he has been. It’s hard to say you’re the best candidate for the GOP when you’re actively flying in the face of two of the party’s major platforms. The President is sworn to uphold the Constitution, including freedom of speech, and bringing down the full force of government on a business for daring to disagree isn’t a good look for someone with their eye on the Oval.
While he could be commended for standing by his convictions in the face of opposition to his Parental Rights in Education Act, his reaction to Disney’s stance on it has been entirely uncalled for. He is behaving like a bully, not like a president. This type of behavior won’t go well for him if he hopes to become Commander in Chief. The American people want someone they can rely on to be level-headed and diplomatic in the face of adversity. He is proving himself to lack both characteristics.
There was a time when I was all for a DeSantis presidency. Now…not so much. When you occupy high political office, you look out for your constituents, not your ego. Having a tantrum that threatens the largest employer in your state isn’t looking out for anyone, not even DeSantis himself, because he is committing political suicide.
Is it too late to right the wrongs he’s done and woo back the would-be voters he has lost due to petulance? Perhaps. Only time will tell, but he’d be foolish not to try. He needs to focus on improving his state and leave behind this silly war he will not win. He needs to remember his ego takes a back seat to keeping the citizens of his state employed. He needs to prove he has the maturity required to occupy the position he currently holds, as well as any future position he has his eye on. His temper tantrums make for an amusing spectacle, but in this arena, the Mouse will always outmaneuver him because he is playing a game he is vastly underqualified for. Entertainment is Disney’s wheelhouse, not his.”
MCU “Kang the Conqueror” Actor Jonathan Majors has been dropped by his management team, Entertainment 360, after domestic violence allegations.
Majors has been in some hot water lately after making headlines three weeks ago when he was arrested in New York City on domestic violence charges. Majors’ representatives originally denied the allegations, but have since begun to distance themselves from the Marvel actor.
Prior to his arrest, PR firm The Lede Company also initiated a break with Majors and fashion company Valentino has announced that Majors would not be invited to the Met Gala this year.
Jonathan Major has already shot the second season of the Disney + series “Loki” where he reprises his role as Kang the Conqueror. He is also set to reprise his role as Kang the Conqueror in “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty,” but that won’t begin filming for a while. At this time Disney and Marvel have not dropped Majors from the MCU or commented publicly on the allegations he faces.
Currently starring in “Creed III” and “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania”, Johnathan Majors was arrested in New York City over the weekend for assaulting a woman, according to TMZ.
“Law enforcement sources tell us the actor was booked Saturday morning on charges of strangulation, assault and harassment. We’re told cops responded to a call for service around 11 AM ET near the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan.
We’re told the alleged victim in this case, a female, relayed to police that Majors had gotten into a dispute with her and proceeded to attack her. Their exact relationship is unknown.
Our sources tell us the alleged victim had visible injuries — including a laceration behind her ear, redness and marks to her face. She was taken to an area hospital and is in stable condition. As for Majors … he was cuffed and taken to jail on the spot, as police felt there was enough evidence for probable cause. We’re hearing he is currently out of custody.“TMZ
He is expected to appear before a judge on May 8 as he faces multiple counts of harassment and assault. Evidence, including video footage and witness testimony, allegedly points to Majors, a rising star within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, involved in a domestic dispute with a 30-year-old woman. The woman was taken to the hospital to be treated for minor head and neck injuries.
Major’s criminal defense attorney Priya Chaudhry made a statement to Deadline:
“Jonathan Majors is completely innocent and is probably the victim of an altercation with a woman he knows…We are quickly gathering and presenting evidence to the District Attorney with the expectation that all charges will be dropped imminently.”
The criminal defense attorney added that the “evidence includes video footage from the vehicle where this episode took place, witness testimony from the driver and others who both saw and heard the episode, and most importantly, two written statements from the woman recanting these allegations.”
Major’s attorney also released a set of text messages to the press. They were redacted to protect the woman’s identity, in which she takes blame for the fight:
“Please let me know you’re okay when you get this. They assured me that you won’t be charged. They said they had to arrest you as protocol when they saw the injuries on me and they knew we had a fight. I’m so angry that they did. And I’m sorry you’re in this position. Will make sure nothing happens about this. I told them it was my fault for trying to grab your phone. I only just got out of the hospital. Just call me when you’re out. I love you.”
At this time, Majors still remains represented by WME.
shopDisney has released a first look at the newest Cinderella-inspired 1950s Disney Decades Collection coming soon to Disney Parks.
1950s Disney Decades Collection featuring “Cinderella”
shopDisney has given an exclusive first look at the “Cinderella” inspired Loungefly backpack from the Disney100 Decades 1950s Collection.
The light purple mini backpack features Cinderella in the midst of being transformed from her tattered pink dress into her iconic ballgown by her Fairy Godmother.
Cinderella’s mouse friends, Jaq and Gus, among a few others are also featured on the front of the mini backpack. It also features her dog Bruno and her horse Major.
There is a small pumpkin in the bottom left corner to represent the “pumpkin coach” that was magically transformed with the help of the Fairy Godmother.
As you can see above, the Disney100 Decades Collection will also feature “Alice in Wonderland.”
The Disney100 Decades 1950s Collection will be available May 15th at 8 a.m PT on shopDisney. It will likely be available at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort on the same day.
The 1940s Disney100 Decades Collection features merchandise inspired by “Pinocchio,” “Fantasia,” “The Three Caballeros,” and more. The 1930s collection was inspired by “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” and “The Band Concert.” The 1920s collection was inspired by “Steamboat Willie.”
Upcoming Disney100 Decades Collections
While the products we can expect to see in upcoming Disney100 collections are largely a surprise, Disney has been kind enough to share teaser images that point to the following productions as being among the upcoming decades. With so many beloved characters debuting between the 1950s and present-day, we’re sure to see many great additions to this list.
The 1960s — “The Jungle Book” and “101 Dalmatians”
The 1970s — “The Aristocats” and “The Muppets”
The 1980s — “Mickey Mouse Club” and “Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers”
The 1990s — “Darkwing Duck” and “Beauty and the Beast”
The 2000s — “The Princess and the Frog” and “Bolt”
Mother’s Day is May 14, and we want to make sure everyone is ready with Disney-themed gifts that show off happy moments with their mom! Disney PhotoPass Service has collaborated with EZ Prints to offer a quick and easy way to take Disney vacation photos and turn them into a personalized gift.
With specialty prints, canvases, magnets, photo books, mugs, and more, no matter the budget, there’s a gift everyone can customize with their photos.
Today through April 24, 2023, when purchasing photo products through EZ Prints, use code MAGICAL30 to enjoy 30% off sitewide on photo products (exclusion applies).*
Visiting Disney Springs soon? guests can now customize and order a selection of these products from self-service kiosks found at the Disney PhotoPass Studio located in the Marketplace and still take advantage of the promotion above.
Thoughtful gifts take time, so get going now! guests will need to place their order at least 10 days before Mother’s Day to have it made and delivered in time. Orders shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, United States Territories, and international addresses outside of the United States will need additional time to ship.
To create personalized products, Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort guests can visit the EZ Prints website.
Photo gift products are offered by a third party, EZ Prints. Not all Disney PhotoPass photos can be used in EZ Prints products. Use of Disney PhotoPass photos by EZ Prints will be subject to EZ Prints’ own policies and terms, and Disney will not be responsible for EZ Prints products, site or actions. More information on third-party products can be found in the Disney PhotoPass terms and conditions here. Subject to restrictions and change without notice.
*Offer valid on eligible products ordered from EZ Prints from April 18, 2023 (12:01 a.m. ET), through April 24, 2023 (11:59 p.m. ET). Disney PhotoPass® Archive USB excluded from offer. No adjustments to prior purchases. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer or discount and is subject to restrictions and change without notice. Not valid on any in-store, online or in-app purchases from Disney PhotoPass Service or any other Disney affiliate, location or site. Disney will not be responsible for the EZ Prints offer. Void where prohibited.
