The last two original board members appointed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to oversee Walt Disney World Resort have officially stepped down. The departures mark the complete turnover of the initial five-member board DeSantis installed after seizing control of Disney’s special municipal district in 2023.
Final Original Appointees Exit
The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Board website no longer lists Bridget Ziegler and Brian Aungst Jr. as members. Both had served since the DeSantis-appointed board assumed control in February 2023. The other three original appointees have previously departed, leaving Ziegler and Aungst as the last remaining connections to DeSantis’s initial takeover.
Ziegler co-authored the Parental Rights in Education Act—the legislation that sparked the conflict between DeSantis and Disney, ultimately leading to the dissolution of the Reedy Creek Improvement District.
The board now includes Alexis Yarbrough as Chair, along with David Woods, Matt Ravenscroft, John Gilbert, and Scott Workman. DeSantis recently appointed Woods and Ravenscroft, though their positions await confirmation by the Florida State Legislature.
Origins of the Disney-DeSantis Battle
The conflict began in early 2022, when former Disney CEO Bob Chapek publicly opposed the Parental Rights in Education Act. Colloquially known as the “Don’t Say Gay” law, the legislation restricts teachers’ classroom discussions about sexuality, primarily affecting LGBTQIA+ educators. Disney cast members and fans protested the bill, prompting Chapek to speak out despite a private warning from DeSantis.
Weeks later, DeSantis signed legislation dissolving the Reedy Creek Improvement Act of 1967, which granted Walt Disney World Resort control over a special district board managing municipal issues on its property. While thousands of similar districts exist throughout Florida, DeSantis argued Disney had received special privileges for too long.
Board Takes Control in 2023
DeSantis appointed five board members to control the area, renaming it the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. They assumed power in February 2023 and immediately passed measures, including a ban on COVID-19-related restrictions and mandates on Walt Disney World Resort property.
Disney attempted to legally revoke the Reedy Creek Improvement District’s powers in the weeks before surrendering control to the DeSantis-appointed board, but those efforts failed. A judge later dismissed Disney’s free speech lawsuit in DeSantis’s favor.
Have you noticed any changes around Walt Disney World Resort since the Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board took over? Disney Dining would love to hear from you in the comments!
I am assuming that the Disney management realizes that they are free to operate their business as they see fit as long as they refrain from abusing Floridas few tax laws and stop dicrimination against those who are not progressive socialist advocates. Maybe Disney should confine their efforts to neutral policy that emphasizes patrons enjoying a special vacation rather than being shocked by employees who do not fit the wholesome image Disney once projected.