Walt Disney World has resolved 11 property tax lawsuits with the Orange County Property Appraiser. Six were settled, and five were voluntarily dismissed.
The cases involved three of Disney’s monorail resorts near Magic Kingdom:
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Quick Summary
| Outcome | Number | Resorts and Years |
|---|---|---|
| Settled | 6 | Grand Floridian and Polynesian, 2015 to 2020 |
| Dismissed | 5 | All three resorts, 2021 to 2023; Grand Floridian and Contemporary, 2024 |
The Settled Cases
The settlements set new just values for two resorts. Assessed values stayed the same.
Grand Floridian Just Values
| Year | Just Value |
|---|---|
| 2015 | $356,290,945 |
| 2016 | $371,533,205 |
| 2017 | $395,326,403 |
| 2018 | $416,030,191 |
| 2019 | $371,153,374 |
| 2020 | $395,365,019 |
Polynesian Just Values
| Year | Just Value |
|---|---|
| 2015 | $155,623,556 |
| 2016 | $161,051,633 |
| 2017 | $164,885,974 |
| 2018 | $168,034,456 |
| 2019 | $176,097,099 |
| 2020 | $158,692,884 |
The Contemporary
The just and assessed values for Disney’s Contemporary Resort will not change.
The Dismissed Cases
Five lawsuits were voluntarily dismissed with prejudice.
What that means:
- Disney chose to drop them
- They cannot be reopened
Years covered:
- Grand Floridian, Polynesian, and Contemporary: 2021, 2022, 2023
- Grand Floridian and Contemporary: 2024
What Happens Next
- Within 30 days: Property Appraiser Amy Mercado issues a Certificate of Correction to the Tax Collector and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District
- Recalculation: Taxes are recalculated using the new values
- If Disney owes more: Revised bills go out within 30 days of the certificate
- Payment window: Disney has 30 days to pay without penalty
- If Disney is owed money: A refund check is mailed to Disney’s attorney
A Yearly Pattern
Disney files lawsuits over its hotel values every year.
Other cases settled earlier this year:
- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Community Pushback
Property taxes help fund local schools, which has made these lawsuits controversial.
- July: Members of the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association and Disney Cast Members, represented by UNITE HERE delivered petitions asking Disney to drop the lawsuits
- Schools: Orange County Public Schools set aside $119 million for possible refunds to Disney
- Superintendent: Dr. Maria Vazquez said leftover funds could go toward teacher salaries
Why These Resorts Matter
The Grand Floridian, Polynesian, and Contemporary sit on the monorail loop, just a short ride from Magic Kingdom. They’re among the most valuable and popular hotels at Walt Disney World, so their values carry major tax implications.
Final Thoughts
With these 11 cases resolved, the next step is recalculating Disney’s taxes. But since Disney challenges its property values every year, more lawsuits are likely ahead.
What’s your take on Disney’s property tax lawsuits?
