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Credit: Inside the MagicOn Wednesday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis visited Orlando near Walt Disney World Resort. He and First Lady Casey DeSantis gave remarks in the area months after the Republican governor fled the state unexpectedly for the Republican National Convention (RNC).
According to reports, Governor DeSantis originally wasn’t scheduled to speak at the RNC but was given a slot alongside his former presidential primary opponent, Nikki Haley. He thoroughly endorsed former President Donald Trump at the July convention in Milwaukee.
Some Disney fans noticed that DeSantis’s sudden trip out of state coincided with Walt Disney World Resort’s decision to expand some formerly theme park exclusive brands nationwide. Joffrey’s Disney coffee blends, once only sold at the Central Florida Disney parks, were spotted at retail locations in Texas, Illinois, and more.
Disney Parks fans feared that Walt Disney World Resort would cancel millions of dollars in investments in Florida after Governor DeSantis took over the Reedy Creek Improvement District. He dissolved the area after former Disney CEO Bob Chapek publicly condemned the Parental Rights in Education Act (“Don’t Say Gay”).
DeSantis hand-selected new board members to control the municipality, renamed the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. Disney tried to sue Florida for retaliating against its constitutionally protected right to free speech, but a federal judge dismissed the lawsuit in January.
The Republican governor’s decisions continue to impact Walt Disney World Resort. In July, nearly 200 laws took effect, many of which impacted Disney cast members and guests. One bill, for example, illegalized single balloon releases by anyone older than seven in Florida.
On Wednesday, the House of Mouse wasn’t on DeSantis’s mind as he addressed his constituents at the Department of Children and Families annual summit. He and First Lady Casey DeSantis discussed connecting communities with state programs and increasing volunteer opportunities through the Volunteer Florida program.
“It is something as small, which is a big deal, is going to read to a child,” said Mrs. DeSantis. “Just showing that you’re interested and listening and giving them value.”
The couple also discussed the Hope Florida initiative, which provides funding and support to religious charity efforts in the Sunshine State. DeSantis recently expanded the program with Activate Hope, an emergency response group for Floridians impacted by disasters.
“We have all these great resources out there,” Mr. DeSantis said. “We have our faith community, we have a lot of charity groups, we have businesses that want to be involved in their community.”
DeSantis said Activate Hope members could respond faster than government services in some instances.
“You may have someone that’s elderly that had a tree fall on their home,” he said. “Well, we could potentially have folks with the state, but there’s all these groups they will send people out there. They will get that tree off.”
The governor credited his wife for helping to come up with Activate Hope.
“People don’t know where to go, they don’t necessarily know these resources are there,” Gov. DeSantis added. “So the First Lady’s insight was, ‘Why don’t we have our agencies as a mechanism to sort of connect people in need?’”
In your opinion, who won the battle between Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and The Walt Disney Company? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments.