Records Show Legislation Meant to Target Disney World for State-Mandated Ride Inspections Came from DeSantis. [View all]

A report from local journalist Jason Garcia reveals that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ office was responsible for the failed legislation that would target Walt Disney World for state-mandated ride inspections.

As a refresher, DeSantis held an April 17th press conference earlier this year to outline his plans for retaliation against Walt Disney World for the theme park speaking out against the “Don’t Say Gay” bill back in 2022. During the press conference, DeSantis floated the idea of a state prison at Walt Disney World or even allowing a different theme park operator to come in and build on Disney World’s doorstep.

Wilton Simpson, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture
As part of the press conference, the newly elected Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson talked about further steps that the State could take to get its hands into Disney’s operations. Simpson said that there was a proposal from the Florida Legislature that would allow the State to have a new inspection process for Disney World attractions. At the time, Disney World was one of a handful of theme park operators that were exempt from inspections but must report injuries to the state. Other theme park operators included in the 2001 “MOU Exempt Facilities” list include SeaWorld, Universal Orlando, Busch Gardens, and Legoland.

https://blogmickey.com/2023/11/records-show-legislation-meant-to-target-disney-for-state-mandated-ride-inspections-came-from-desantis/