Report: Court Records Reveal Disney Halted Massive Expansion Fearful of new DeSantis Board
Recently obtained court depositions from April 2026 offer a rare behind-the-scenes look at the peak of the Disney-Gov. Ron DeSantis feud. The records reveal that Disney executives, fearing the “hostile” takeover of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, now the the Central Tourism Oversight District, voluntarily slowed down a massive expansion of the Magic Kingdom, later revealed to be Villains Land, according to Florida Politics.
According to depositions reviewed by veteran theme park reporter Gabrielle Russon, master planning executives testified that the company paused billions in investment because they were uncertain if the state-appointed board would approve the necessary wetland mitigation credits to proceed.
The documents also highlight the involvement of Holtzman Vogel, a prominent Republican-aligned law firm. Despite performing millions of dollars in work for the DeSantis administration, the firm was hired by Disney to help draft the development agreements used to outmaneuver the state. Disney’s Chief Counsel testified that the firm was “terribly afraid” of gubernatorial retribution and insisted on anonymity. Interestingly, testimony suggests that the Governor’s office may have been given a heads up about these agreements by a Disney lobbyist before they were officially approved.
The legal warfare had significant real-world consequences for local infrastructure. A major road project, World Drive Phase III, which aimed to fix traffic congestion near Disney’s most iconic resorts, was halted after the new state-controlled board refused to issue municipal bonds. This shift in financial policy effectively froze construction, leaving a messy scene of mounds of dirt and rumbling equipment in an area usually known for its picturesque views. Even third-party solar developers found themselves unable to secure financing due to the instability.
As of April 2026, the two sides have reached a truce, with Disney stating that development is now moving full speed ahead. While Governor DeSantis’s focus has shifted in his final year in office, the depositions provide a permanent record of the strategic maneuvering and economic friction that defined one of the most significant political-corporate clashes in Florida’s history.
