The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) is a special area that helps manage the land where Walt Disney World Resort is located. It used to be called the Reedy Creek Improvement District (RCID). This district covers about 39 square miles (101 square kilometers) in Orange and Osceola counties in Florida. It acts much like a local government, providing important services. The district includes the cities of Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista, plus other undeveloped areas.

This district was officially created on February 27, 2023. Before that, it was known as the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which was set up in 1967. This happened because Walt Disney and his company wanted to build Walt Disney World. Walt Disney had a big idea for a futuristic city called "Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow" (EPCOT). This city was meant to be a testing ground for new ways of living. To make this happen, Disney asked the Florida government for special control over the land.

The original Reedy Creek Improvement District was managed by The Walt Disney Company. It had many powers like a government but with fewer rules. However, this changed in 2023. A new law gave the Florida governor the power to choose the district's board members. This replaced the old board, which Disney used to control.

In April 2022, Florida lawmakers passed a bill to end the Reedy Creek Improvement District. Some people believed this was because Disney had spoken out against a new state law. The change was supposed to happen in June 2023. But then, in February 2023, the state legislature voted again. They decided to keep the district but change how it was run. The governor would now appoint the five board members. Also, some of the district's powers, like building a nuclear power plant, were removed. The district's name was changed to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District on February 27, 2023. Disney later filed a lawsuit against the governor, but they settled some parts of it in March 2024.

History of the District
Geography
How the District is Governed
Fire Department

History of the District

How it Started

Early Plans

Logo of the Reedy Creek Improvement District

After the success of Disneyland in California, Walt Disney wanted to build a second park on the East Coast. He didn't like how businesses had grown around Disneyland. He wanted more control over a much larger area for his new project. In November 1963, he flew over the Orlando area and other possible locations. He saw good roads, like Interstate 4, and an airport nearby. He chose a central spot near Bay Lake.

Walt Disney used several fake companies to buy land quietly. This helped him get the land at very low prices. These company names are now shown on windows in the Main Street USA area of Walt Disney World. Some names include Compass East Corporation and Tomahawk Properties, Incorporated.

On March 11, 1966, these companies, all owned by Disney, asked for a special drainage district to be created. This district was formed on May 13, 1966. It had the power to buy land outside its borders for public use. It used this power to get land for a canal.

Creating the Improvement District and Cities

Walt Disney knew his plans would be easier if he had more independence. He wanted to build his EPCOT. This was meant to be a futuristic planned city. It would be a real working city with homes and businesses. It would also test new ideas for city living.

So, the Disney company asked the Florida State Legislature to create the Reedy Creek Improvement District. This district would have almost complete control within its borders. People living in Orange and Osceola counties did not have to pay taxes to the district unless they lived inside it. The district would manage things like building rules, water control, waste treatment, and fire protection. The only things the district couldn't control were property taxes and elevator inspections. The idea of the EPCOT city was a big part of why this special district was approved.

On May 12, 1967, Governor Claude R. Kirk Jr. signed the Reedy Creek Improvement Act. This act created the Reedy Creek Improvement District. It also set up the City of Bay Lake and the City of Reedy Creek. The City of Reedy Creek was later renamed the City of Lake Buena Vista.

Disney wanted to control the district fully. So, they limited voting rights to landowners who owned more than half an acre. Since Disney owned most of the land, they controlled the votes. The population was kept small, mainly in the two cities, Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista.

Later Changes

After Walt Disney passed away in 1966, the Disney company decided not to run a city. They dropped many of his ideas for Progress City. The planned residential areas were never built. Some people later argued that Disney had too much power over the district.

In 1968, the Supreme Court of Florida said the Reedy Creek Improvement Act was legal. The law also said the district was free from state land use rules.

In 1993, the town of Celebration, Florida was separated from Bay Lake and the district. This was done to keep its residents from having power over Disney's main areas. Celebration was built with some of Walt Disney's original ideas, like a "New Urbanism" style.

Ending the Old District

On March 30, 2022, Florida lawmakers started talking about ending the Reedy Creek Improvement Act. They wanted to remove Disney's "special privileges." Governor Ron DeSantis also criticized these "special perks."

On April 20, 2022, the Florida Senate voted to end the special taxing district. The bill would dissolve any special district created before November 5, 1968, including the RCID. This change was set to happen on June 1, 2023. The Florida House also passed the bill. Governor DeSantis signed it into law the next day. Some lawmakers said this was in response to Disney speaking out against a state law.

The bill that ended the district did not explain how to handle its money or debts. The district had about $1 billion in debts. If the district dissolved, these debts would have gone to Orange and Osceola Counties. Governor DeSantis said he wanted the government to take control of the district. He promised that local taxpayers would not have to pay for Reedy Creek's debts.

In 2023, Governor DeSantis announced that the district would be renamed the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. He would also replace the five board members chosen by Disney with new members he picked. The Florida state legislature approved this on February 9 and 10, 2023. Governor DeSantis signed the bill on February 27.

Possible Problems

The bill was passed quickly without a full study of its financial effects. This led to discussions about how it would affect taxes and debts. Some thought it would increase costs for taxpayers in Orange and Osceola counties. These counties would have to provide services that the district used to handle.

There were also concerns about legal challenges. Some argued that targeting Disney for its political views might violate the company's free speech rights. Others said it might break a contract the state had with people who bought the district's bonds. This contract said the state wouldn't limit the district's powers until all bonds were paid off.

Reorganization

In December 2022, reports suggested a deal was being worked out to keep the main Reedy Creek Improvement District agreement. This was partly because the former Disney CEO, who had opposed the state law, was no longer in charge. Also, ending the district could mean tax increases for Florida cities and counties.

Concerns about debt being transferred to taxpayers led the legislature to change their plans. On February 9 and 10, 2023, the Florida State House and Senate passed bills. These bills allowed the special tax district to remain. Disney could still issue tax-free bonds and approve development plans. However, Disney could no longer appoint the five board members. Instead, the Governor would appoint them, and the Florida State Senate would confirm them. Some of the district's powers, like building a nuclear power plant, were removed. Governor DeSantis signed the bill on February 27.

Geography

Reedy Creek is a natural waterway. Its path and how it drains have changed over time due to human development. It starts west of the Bay Lake city limits and the Magic Kingdom. It then flows south through Disney property. It passes between Disney's Animal Kingdom and Blizzard Beach. The creek crosses Interstate 4 and leaves Disney property west of Celebration. It then flows into Lake Russell and continues south into Cypress Lake. Cypress Lake is connected to the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes.

How the District is Governed

Reedy Creek Improvement District Office in Lake Buena Vista

The district is led by a five-member Board of Supervisors. The Governor of Florida chooses each supervisor. The Florida Senate must approve them. Supervisors serve for four years and can serve up to three terms. People who have worked for a theme park or entertainment company in the last three years cannot be supervisors.

The members appointed to the board in 2023 include:

Charbel Barakat
Bridget Ziegler
Brian Aungst Jr.
Craig Mateer
Ron Peri

Before 2023, the Board of Supervisors was chosen by the landowners in the district. Each landowner got one vote per acre of land. Since The Walt Disney Company owned most of the land, they basically picked the board members. Each board member owned a small piece of undeveloped land within the district. This was the only land not controlled by Disney or used for public roads.

The district headquarters are in Lake Buena Vista, near Disney Springs. The district provides many services, mainly for Disney:

Law enforcement: Police officers from Orange County, Osceola County, and the Florida Highway Patrol work in the district. Disney also has about 800 security staff. They help with traffic control and can issue notices to Disney and district employees.
Environmental protection: The district helps protect natural areas. It makes sure that large parts of the land stay as natural wetlands.
Building rules and planning: The district has its own building codes, called "EPCOT Building Codes." These codes allow for new and creative building designs. Most of the rules are based on the Florida Building Code. Buildings in the district are built to withstand strong winds.
Utilities: The district manages services like wastewater treatment, water recycling, electricity, trash disposal, and natural gas. These services are handled by Reedy Creek Energy Services.
Roads: Many main roads in the district are public roads maintained by the district. Smaller roads and roads leading to attractions are private roads maintained by Disney. Major highways like Interstate 4 also pass through the district.

Disney provides transportation for guests and employees. This includes buses, ferries, and monorails. Public bus routes also enter the district, connecting to Orlando and Kissimmee.

Fire Department

Fire Station 4 in Lake Buena Vista

The Reedy Creek Fire Department (RCFD) started in 1968. It provides fire services for the district. Today, the RCFD offers fire suppression, emergency medical services, 911 communications, and hazardous materials help. Most of their calls are for medical emergencies. The department's name was changed to The District Fire Department in 2024.

The RCFD has four fire stations across the district. They have 138 firefighters and other staff. They also have 86 administrative and support staff, including EMS teams at the four Walt Disney World theme parks. The department has four fire engines, two tower trucks, and eight ambulances.

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Central Florida Tourism Oversight District facts for kids

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