Florida’s Republican Governor Ron DeSantis on Monday signed into law a new bill that gives control of Walt Disney World Orlando’s autonomous district back to the state of Florida. 

Ahead of DeSantis’ run for U.S. president, critics are wondering his reasons for the move, with many arguing politics are at play.

Walt Disney World has lost its autonomy in Orlando, Florida.   It previously operated in a ‘special district’ that could issue bonds and dictate zoning and construct infrastructures on its own land.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law that gives control of development and municipal services to the state of Florida in Disney’s special zone surrounding Walt Disney World.

Walt Disney World’s self-governing district was granted in the 1960s as an incentive for Disney to build in the area.

The new law changes the name of  Reedy Creek Improvement District to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.  DeSantis says Disney World’s autonomous district has enabled the park to have unfair advantages not available to other commercial businesses.

Critics say the law is DeSantis’ retaliation against Disney CEO Bob Chapek’s support for repealing Florida’s controversial Parental Rights in Education Act, or “Don’t Say Gay” bill. DeSantis has attacked Disney’s “woke” ideology and accused the company of injecting inappropriate subjects into children’s programming. 

DeSantis and his wife were married at Disney World Orlando.

The Disney company was a donor to DeSantis’ 2020 election campaign.The move came ahead of DeSantis’ book release and presidential run.The law does not alter the district or its financial obligations.

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