Disney Drops Federal Appeal in Florida Lawsuit, Ending DeSantis Fight

variety.com:

Gene Maddaus Senior Media Writer Disney dropped its appeal on Thursday in its First Amendment lawsuit against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, officially ending the two-year battle sparked by the company’s opposition to the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law.

The move came a day after a state board approved a new 15-year development agreement, which will allow Disney to invest up to $17 billion to expand its Orlando theme parks. “Walt Disney World is inextricably intertwined in the fabric of the state of Florida, and the success of Walt Disney World is the success of Central Florida and vice versa,” said Brian Aungst Jr., a member of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, at the meeting on Wednesday. “This agreement provides a lasting, sustainable and prosperous future for the district and for people of the state of Florida and for the Walt Disney Company.” The governor and the entertainment giant are moving on from the bruising culture war fight that dominated headlines in 2022.

The battle has left Disney in a weakened position, as it lost control over a nearly 40 square-mile area surrounding the parks, which it had enjoyed since 1967.

The development agreement allows Disney to build a fifth major theme park in Orlando, as well as up to two additional minor parks.