Disney vs. DeSantis timeline: What happened when Florida's governor took on the Mouse

UPDATE: Judge rejects Disney's federal lawsuit against DeSantis.

It has long been a truism of Florida politics: Don't mess with the Mouse.

Disney World is the largest single-site employer in the Sunshine State, employing over 75,000 cast members and paying $1.146 billion in state and local taxes, according to their website. Oxford Economics' 2019 study calculated that the company’s 38-mile-long empire of six theme parks, resorts and other enterprises produced $5.8 billion in state tax revenue from $75 billion in economic activity that supported 463,000 jobs.

To a considerable degree, modern Florida grew around Disney.

“As much as any single company, they definitely helped shape and mold the state,” said Aubrey Jewett, a political science professor at the University of Central Florida, in 2021. “The economic, political and social environment that is Florida today owes a lot to the fateful decision of Walt Disney to come to Central Florida.” 

But Disney's unstoppable force may have met its immovable governor. Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared war on the Magic Kingdom, pulling out all the stops to bring the tourism powerhouse in line with his policies.

DeSantis and his targets:Ron DeSantis’ Florida power play fueling a presidential run: Who's benefited, who's targeted

See it in pictures:Graphics timeline illustrates the length, bitterness of Disney-DeSantis dispute

Here's what has happened so far:

Mar. 8, 2022: Florida lawmakers pass bill to restrict speech in public school classrooms

The Florida legislature passed the "Parental Rights in Education" bill, which would, among other things, prohibit public school teachers from "instruction" about sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten to 3rd grade — though it wasn't taught anywhere in the state in those grades — and limit undefined “age appropriate” discussions in other grades. Critics quickly dubbed it the "Don't Say Gay" bill, saying the measure would stigmatize LGBTQ youth and banish discussions of their lives and families from the public school classroom.

What does it mean to be 'woke'?And why does Florida Governor Ron DeSantis want to stop it?

Mar. 9, 2022: Disney CEO urges 'Don't Say Gay' veto, DeSantis lashes out

After increasing complaints from employees over the company's lack of reaction to the bill, Bob Chapek, Disney's CEO, told company shareholders that he called DeSantis to discuss the legislation.

"I called Governor DeSantis this morning to express our disappointment and concern that if legislation becomes law it could be used to target gay, lesbian, nonbinary and transgender kids and families," Chapek said, and added Disney would be signing the Human Rights Campaign's statement opposing legislation targeting the LGBTQ+ community and pledged to give $5 million to organizations fighting them. He said that DeSantis "heard our concerns and agreed to meet with me and LGBTQ+ members of our senior team in Florida to discuss ways to address them."

Instead, DeSantis lashed out at Disney.

"You have companies like a Disney that are gonna say and criticize parents' rights, they're gonna criticize the fact that we don't want transgenderism in kindergarten and first-grade classrooms," DeSantis told a group of supporters in a video obtained by Fox News Digital. "In Florida, our policy's going to be based on the best interest of Florida citizens, not on the musing of woke corporations."

Why is DeSantis fighting Disney?It's a warning to 'woke' big business to stay out of culture wars

Mar. 10, 2022: Disney stops political contributions in Florida

Chapek reached out to employees, apologizing for the company's lack of an initial response and announcing the company is "pausing all political donations in the state of Florida."

Disney CEO finally speaks out.But where's the gay Disney fairy tale?

Mar. 22, 2022: Disney employees stage walkouts for LGBTQ rights

Disney employees around the country staged walkouts and called on their company to live up to its expressed ideals when it comes to showing support for LGBTQ employees. Chapek apologized for not being a "stronger ally in the fight for equal rights" and announced a number of supportive measures, including donations to advocacy groups.

Meanwhile, DeSantis accused the bill's opponents of supporting sexual instruction for young kids and lashed out at Disney again.

Mar. 28: 2022: Disney pledges to work toward repealing 'Don't Say Gay' bill

On March 28, the official Walt Disney Company posted this tweet, pledging to fight the Parental Rights in Education bill.:

“I think they crossed the line,” DeSantis responded, during a press conference at the state Capitol. “We’re going to make sure we’re fighting back when people are threatening our parents and threatening our kids.”

Multiple GOP lawmakers began returning campaign contributions from the Walt Disney Co. 

More:DeSantis took $100,000 from Disney before feuding with company. Will he give it back?

Apr. 19, 2022: DeSantis announces special session to repeal Disney's special district

DeSantis escalated matters when he expanded a special session on redistricting to look into repealing Disney's five-decade-old special district. The Reedy Creek Improvement District, spanning two counties and 25,000 acres, was created in 1967 to give Disney control over their property. Reedy Creek exempted 38 miles of land Disney owns from most state and local regulations and allowed Disney to collect taxes, follow its own building codes and provide emergency services for its six theme parks and resorts.

Apr. 21, 2022: Florida lawmakers revoke Disney's self-governing status

The Legislature took less than 48 hours to write, debate and approve the bill SB 4, which dissolves Disney's Reedy Creek Improvement District as of June 1, 2023. DeSantis signed it the next day and warned of more consequences if Disney did not also dismantle its diversity and inclusion program.

Disney reaction:Here's what Disney has said so far about its feud with DeSantis over 'Don't Say Gay' law

DeSantis unchained:Disney fight shows a powerful governor, emboldened and vengeful

May 5, 2022: Taxpayers sue to block Reedy Creek dissolution

Four Central Florida residents filed a lawsuit saying the effort to silence Disney would result in significant injury to taxpayers, threaten the loss of thousands of jobs, and violate not only the Florida Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights and contractual law, but also the U.S. Constitution’s guarantees to free speech and due process. 

The complaint said the move to dissolve the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which provides Disney authorization to govern its property as it sees fit, puts taxpayers on the hook for more than $1.7 billion of Disney’s debt. The law that initially created the Reedy Creek Improvement District forbids its dissolution until all bond obligations are met and debts discharged. 

Orange County Tax Collector Scott Randolph predicted the dissolution could cause a 20% to 25% increase in property taxes for county residents.

Is the magic still there?Disney fans react to feud with DeSantis, Florida lawmakers

May 11, 2022: Lawsuit dismissed as 'highly speculative'

In a win for DeSantis, U.S. District Court Judge Cecilia Altonaga, a George W. Bush appointee, found the Orange and Osceola counties residents lack standing to file suit, the federal court lacks standing to decide the issue, and the law does not go into effect until 2023. 

May 16, 2022: DeSantis says Florida will bypass local governments, take control

Even with the lawsuit dismissed, DeSantis responded to charges of higher taxes — which he blamed on local governments rather the Legislature's actions — by announcing the state would take control of the district. 

“You know what, even though there are ways where you could potentially have local communities absorb jurisdiction over Disney, after seeing them threatening to raise taxes on their citizens, we are not going to be in a situation where we’re just going to be giving them locally control," DeSantis said during an event at Seminole State College. "More likely that the state will simply assume control and make sure that we’re able to impose the law and make sure we’re collecting the taxes."

Nov. 20, 2022: Disney replaces CEO Chapek, brings back former CEO

Disney said in a statement that Bob Chapek, who succeeded Bob Iger in 2020, had stepped down from the position and that Iger would be returning to head the company for two years. Disney board chair Susan Arnold thanked Chapek for his leadership during “the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic.”

Chapek had faced criticism over his cost-cutting measures, price hikes at theme parks, lower-than-expected revenue and his handling of a lawsuit from Scarlet Johansson over her pay for "Black Widow," but his involvement with the DeSantis feud couldn't have helped.

Dec. 2, 2022: With Iger back, DeSantis says 'a plan is in the works'

With Disney CEO Bob Iger back at the helm, the Financial Times reported that state lawmakers were working on a compromise to allow Disney to hold onto its special tax privileges, with some tweaks.

Gov. Ron DeSantis' office said the governor “does not make U-turns” but said a plan is in the works and will be made public soon.

Jan. 6, 2023:  DeSantis announces new plan to take over Disney's special district

The new plan didn't do Disney any favors, though. Reedy Creek was previously led by a five-member board who were essentially hand-picked by the Walt Disney Co. DeSantis's new plan would rename the board to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District and put the board appointments under his control. The plan also would shield local taxpayers by putting the $700 million in outstanding debts onto Walt Disney Co.

"The corporate kingdom has come to an end," DeSantis' communications director, Taryn Fenske, told Fox News.

Feb. 8, 2023: Disney strips DeSantis' new board of power before it can begin

On the day before the Florida House voted to establish the new board, Reedy Creek and Disney quietly but publicly discussed and approved two contractual agreements that put control over a lot of what Reedy Creek used to handle under Disney's control for the next 30 years. Under the terms of the pacts and covenants, Disney retained maximum control over future development, current and future public facilities, and protection of wetlands and conservation lands in the district.

DeSantis' new district also is prohibited from using the name “Disney” or any symbols associated with the theme park resort without the company’s permission.

The new Central Florida Tourism Oversight District didn't discover this until the end of March.

Did Disney outmaneuver DeSantis?Why is King Charles III involved? Here's what we know

Feb. 27, 2023: Unaware of Disney's end-run, DeSantis signs law to strip away Disney's self-governing status

Three weeks after the Legislature approved the bill, DeSantis apparently timed the signing to the eve of his new book release, which he also touted during his appearance at a Lake Buena Vista fire station. The governor’s book, “The Courage to Be Free" covers the Disney dispute at length, laying out his version of the backstory and clash with the entertainment icon. 

“All too often, GOP governors have bowed to corporate pressure, especially on noneconomic issues; I was going to stand firm in defense of the rights of parents and the well-being of our schoolchildren,” DeSantis wrote in one chapter titled “The Magic Kingdom of Woke Corporatism.”

The governor, widely expected to announce his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination, also twice used what is emerging as a favorite taunt aimed at the company – warning, “there’s a new sheriff in town.” 

Apr. 3, 2023: DeSantis escalates Disney feud with call for probe; CEO Iger blasts 'anti-Florida' tactics

DeSantis had been burnishing his reputation for an expected presidential run and was already reeling from taunts from former president and likely opponent Donald Trump and a poll putting support for Trump 30 points over him. Disney's public out-maneuvering, a big story on social media and late-night talk shows for days, just made it worse.

DeSantis sent a letter to Inspector General Melinda Miguel asking for an investigation into whether the Disney-controlled Reedy Creek Improvement District violated any civil or criminal laws, or state ethics rules.

In the company's most expansive comments to date on the feud, Disney's Iger called DeSantis' moves "anti-business" and "anti-Florida" during an annual shareholder meeting, saying the governor was seeking "to punish a company for its exercise of a constitutional right. And that just seems really wrong to me."

Apr. 6, 2023: DeSantis says Florida will not relent, threatens new tactics

DeSantis announced the Florida Legislature would void Disney's agreement with Reedy Creek. Speaking at Hillsdale College, a conservative Christian school in Michigan that DeSantis is closely aligned with, the governor vowed he would not relent in his battle with Disney until he is victorious.

“Come hell or high water we’re going to make sure that that policy of Florida carries the day," DeSantis said. "And so they can keep trying to do things, but ultimately we’re going to win on every single issue involving Disney, I can tell you that."

DeSantis also said that Disney could be subject to new taxes and road tolls.

“The Legislature’s going to void anything Disney did on the way out the door but now that Disney has reopened this issue we’re not just going to void the development agreement they tried to do, we’re going to look at things like taxes on the hotels, we’re going to look at things like tolls on the roads, we’re going to look at things like developing some of the property that the district owns," DeSantis said.

Apr. 17, 2023: DeSantis announces legislation to assert control over Disney, suggests building prison near resort

DeSantis announced legislation aimed at re-exerting state control over the property and discussed potential plans to crack down on Disney such as tolls on nearby roads, ride inspections, taxes on Disney hotels, property assessment, even suggesting that low-cost housing, a prison or other theme parks could be built nearby.

Apr. 19, 2023: Trump says Disney could leave

"Disney's next move will be the announcement that no more money will be invested in Florida because of the Governor — In fact, they could even announce a slow withdrawal or sale of certain properties, or the whole thing. Watch! That could be a killer," Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.

Apr. 26, 2023: Disney sues DeSantis for 'unconstitutional' and 'retaliatory' acts

Disney filed a lawsuit, saying that Florida's governor led a "targeted campaign of government retaliation" against the company. The lawsuit alleges five different violations of Disney’s constitutional rights by DeSantis, including two free speech violations, a property rights violation, a due process violation and a violation of the contracts clause.

"Disney regrets that it has come to this," the lawsuit reads. "But having exhausted efforts to seek a resolution, the Company is left with no choice but to file this lawsuit."

Is Disney moving to Georgia?DeSantis v. Disney feud sparks online rumors

DeSantis Communications Director Taryn Fenske called the lawsuit "yet another unfortunate example" of Disney's "hope to undermine the will of the Florida voters and operate outside the bounds of the law." DeSantis was on an overseas trip at the time.

Later that day, some cracks began to show in the Florida GOP support for the war when Sarasota state Sen. Joe Gruters − the former chair of the Republican Party of Florida - voted against the bill to rein in the company. The bill still easily passed the GOP-dominated Senate.

Two days later. U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy reminded DeSantis that Disney is one of the state's "largest" employers and called on the governor to "sit down" with Disney. U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio warned against the perception that a company that "runs crossways with us politically" will then "wind up in the crosshairs of the Legislature for political purposes to make a statement."

May 1, 2023: New district board sues Disney

The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District voted to file a lawsuit against Disney in state court in response.

“We have no choice now but to respond,” CFTOD Chairman Martin Garcia said during the board meeting. “We’ll seek justice in our own backyard.”

May 3, 2023: Lawmakers target Monorail

The GOP-led Florida Legislature gave final approval to a bill that would allow the state Department of Transportation to inspect Walt Disney World's monorail system, singling out the company for an exception to state law which allows Florida's largest theme parks to conduct their own safety inspections.

May 4, 2023: GOP lawmakers approve nullification of Disney-Reedy Creek agreements, DeSantis signs next day

On the eve of the final day of the two-month legislative session, the Florida Senate approved a bill (CS/SB 1604) Thursday intended to nullify development agreements that kept the company in command of its 25,000 acres in Orange and Osceola counties. The House had already approved it, and DeSantis signed it into law hours after the Legislature adjourned the 2023 season the next day.

May 8, 2023: Disney expands lawsuit against DeSantis

The corporation amends its April 26 lawsuit to include its opposition to the May 4 Florida bill and against state inspections of the Disney World monorail system.

May 11, 2023: DeSantis signs monorail bill

DeSantis signs the bill requiring the state Department of Transportation to inspect the Disney World monorail system every three years, starting July 1.

May 18, 2023: Disney cancels $1 billion development plan in Florida

Disney CEO Iger and Josh D’Amaro, Disney’s theme park and consumer products chairman, announced that the company was no longer moving forward with a nearly $1 billion office complex in Orlando that would have brought more than 2,000 jobs to the region. D'Amaro cited "changing business conditions" and said the company hoped to continue with the $17 billion that was still earmarked for development at Disney World over the next ten years.

June 26, 2023: DeSantis wants out of lawsuit

DeSantis' attorneys asked a federal judge for immunity from the case, which would drop the suit and free him from any further legal action, liability or punishment. In a legal filing, his attorneys said the court should dismiss the case in part because "all of Disney’s claims fail as a matter of law."

On the same day, former Vice President Mike Pence, a recently announced Republican presidential candidate himself, published an essay in the libertarian magazine Reason criticizing DeSantis and other modern conservatives. "He not only risked billions of dollars of investment and thousands of jobs for the state, but even more importantly, he turned his back on the principles that make our country great," he wrote.

Two days later DeSantis requested through his attorneys to delay the trial until after the 2024 presidential election.

July 10, 2023: Report shows Disney attendance down, Iger denies lawsuit influence

A Wall Street Journal article reported tracking from analysts who said traffic to Disney's U.S. theme parks (and some rival parks) have slowed this summer, with the wait times for lines at Walt Disney World significantly lower than usual.

CEO Bob Iger dismissed claims that DeSantis and the lawsuit had anything to do with it, pointing out the extreme heat of the day and the downturn as tourists went elsewhere now that more places besides Florida have opened up from the pandemic.

July 26, 2023: Disney rejects DeSantis' attempt to remove himself from lawsuit, new board eyes cutting costs at theme park

"The Governor seeks to evade responsibility for his actions on a narrower ground, asserting that a governor cannot be held officially liable for implementing, administering, and enforcing state laws that punish residents for political statements violating a state-prescribed speech code," Disney's attorneys wrote in a legal filing.

On the same day, the district's new, governor-appointed board, encumbered with litigation costs due to the Disney dispute and other start-up expenses, said it's eyeing cutting $8 million used to pay off-duty law enforcement officers who exclusively patrol Disney properties. Chairman Martin Garcia called it "wasteful spending."

Aug. 14, 2023: DeSantis says Florida has 'moved on'

DeSantis said during a CNBC interview that Florida has "basically moved on" from the Disney feud and that Disney should just drop the federal lawsuit and accept the state's takeover of the theme park's special district.

So far, Disney has not.

Dec. 12, 2023: DeSantis attorneys say there's nothing wrong with retaliatory actions from the state

In court filings and a court hearing, the governor’s attorneys said DeSantis is immune from the lawsuit and should be removed as a defendant, telling U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor the action was about making sure Disney played by the same rules as every other business. But, citing a 2015 appellate decision, they say if a law is constitutional on its face, it doesn’t matter if it was created for a retaliatory reason.

Jan. 31, 2024: Judge rejects Disney's federal lawsuit against DeSantis

U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor threw out Disney's First Amendment federal lawsuit against the governor and others, citing a lack of standing.

"To extent the Governor contributed to Disney’s injury by appointing CFTOD board members, that action is in the past," Winsor wrote. "Because Disney seeks injunctive relief, it must allege an imminent future injury." Winsor agreed with the governor’s attorneys who said it didn't matter if a law was created for retaliatory reasons if it was constitutional on its face.

While DeSantis press secretary praised the decision, Disney is likely to appeal. The company said in a statement provided to POLITICO, "If left unchallenged, this would set a dangerous precedent and give license to states to weaponize their official powers to punish the expression of political viewpoints they disagree with. We are determined to press forward with our case."

Contributors: Zac Anderson, Sarasota Herald-Tribune; James Call, Tallahassee Democrat