(Reuters) – Walt Disney DIS.N and appointees of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis reached a settlement on Wednesday to end a high-profile lawsuit in state court over control of the special district that includes the Walt Disney World theme parks.
Disney also agreed to defer briefings in a federal lawsuit it filed against DeSantis while the parties try to reach a consensus on a new development agreement for Walt Disney World, among other matters.
“This agreement opens a new chapter of constructive engagement with the new leadership of the district,” Walt Disney World President Jeff Vahle said.
DeSantis and Disney, one of Florida’s biggest employers, have been embroiled in a dispute since 2022, when former Disney CEO Bob Chapek criticized a state legislative effort to limit classroom discussion of sexuality and gender issues for younger students. Critics described it as the “Don’t Say Gay” law.
A Florida board appointed by DeSantis to oversee development around Disney’s theme parks sued the company to void “backroom deals” favorable to the entertainment conglomerate.
The clash was a centerpiece of DeSantis’ speeches last year as he sought the Republican nomination for U.S. president and bashed the company as “woke Disney.”
DeSantis later limited his public attacks on the company and dropped out of the presidential race in January.
The settlement showed that both sides wanted to move past the skirmish and restore the historically strong relationship between Disney and state officials, said David Jolly, a former Republican congressman from Florida who is now an independent.
Jolly said he believed DeSantis and his allies lost their appetites for the battle once the governor exited the presidential contest.
“It made sense for his politics,” Jolly said. “It never made sense for Florida’s economy or for the long-term interests of the state.”
Disney’s four theme parks in Orlando attracted roughly 47 million visitors in 2022, according to industry statistics.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, DeSantis said the state’s actions had been “vindicated.”
