Members of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board met for the first time Wednesday, promising "big changes" in the way the jurisdiction encompassing the Walt Disney World Resort is overseen.
Board chairman Martin Garcia previewed the operations of the newly restructured district, saying changes will be made in conjunction with their mandate from the state government.
"You will see a lot of changes that are going to occur, and many of those are because we have been lawfully mandated to implement those changes," said Martin Garcia, per Orlando television station WESH 2.
The board did not elaborate on the changes they have in store, but board member Brian Aungst Jr. said the district will be about "oversight, transparency, and accountability."
During the public comment period of the meeting, firefighters for the district advocated more staffing, training, and equipment, with one saying the manuals and procedures were outdated.
Bridget Ziegler, a board member, told WESH 2 that she has been disappointed by Disney's direction in recent years, adding that the company is "time tested and a point of pride for not just Florida, but the United States." She also stated that Disney's company decisions are not under her "purview" as a board member.
The new board, made up of appointees from Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), marks the first meeting by a non-Disney-selected board to govern the district since its creation in 1967.
Before the board met Wednesday, Josh D'Amaro, chairman of Disney parks, experiences, and products, said he is "hopeful" the newly restructured district will continue the "excellent work" of the previously named Reedy Creek Improvement District.
“The Reedy Creek Improvement District created and maintained the highest standards for the infrastructure for the Walt Disney World Resort. We are hopeful the new Central Florida Tourism Oversight District will continue this excellent work, and the new board will share our commitment to helping the local economy continue to flourish and support the ongoing growth of the resort and Florida’s tourism industry,” D’Amaro said.
The next meeting of the board is scheduled for April 12.
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DeSantis signed a bill last week which takes some powers away from Disney in its central Florida district, ending what he called a "corporate kingdom." The restructured district now has government oversight via the governor-appointed board. Previously, Disney would select all members of the board.
The battle between the governor and Disney, which led to the central Florida district being restructured, began after the company came out strongly against the state's Parental Rights in Education bill in March 2022.