MyNorthwest

News

Opinion

Sports

Tools

Connect

Years of fruitful relations between Disney, Florida at risk

Joe Fowler, 75, a retired Navy admiral, points out the spot being prepared for the Disney World project near Orlando, Fla, May 2, 1969. The idea was presented to Florida lawmakers in a movie house outside Orlando, Florida 55 years ago: Let Disney form its own government and in exchange it would create a futuristic city of tomorrow. (AP Photo/Jim Kerlin)

Monorail tracks and concrete pilings lead into contemporary hotel under construction at Walt Disney World July 7, 1971 Orlando, Florida. The idea was presented to Florida lawmakers in a movie house outside Orlando, Florida 55 years ago: Let Disney form its own government and in exchange it would create a futuristic city of tomorrow. (AP Photo/SDS)

FILE - The newly painted Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World is seen with the the crest to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the theme park Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The idea was presented to Florida lawmakers 55 years ago: Let Disney form its own government and in exchange it would create a futuristic city of tomorrow. That city never materialized, but Walt Disney World became an economic juggernaut, and its government retained unprecedented powers. Five decades later, Gov. Ron DeSantis is asking lawmakers to end Disney's government in a move that throws a wrench into decades of symbiotic relations between the company and state government. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

Years of fruitful relations between Disney, Florida at risk