Employee Morale at Disney World After DeSantis Takeover

By Parkopia

Former Disney World employees speak out on the impact of the Ron DeSantis-appointed board takeover and its effects on morale and employee benefits. Learn more about the ongoing legal battle between Disney and Florida's governor.

Since the Ron DeSantis-appointed board took over the Reedy Creek Improvement District governing Walt Disney World, employee morale has reportedly plummeted. As experts on Disney World, we have gathered information about the ongoing legal feud between DeSantis and Disney, as well as the impact it has had on employees.

In the ongoing legal battle between Disney and Florida's governor, the catalyst was when former CEO Bob Chapek publicly denounced Florida's Parental Rights in Education Bill. Shortly thereafter, DeSantis dissolved Disney's long-standing governing body, the Reedy Creek Improvement District (RCID), and replaced it with the Central Florida Tourism Overnight District (CFTOD). This new board, made up of members chosen by DeSantis himself, has led to operational changes in the district.

Among the changes, the board has ended popular and long-standing employee benefits, leading to a decline in morale. Data shows that over 40 of the district's estimated 370 employees have quit since the takeover, a rate of nearly 11%. This includes nearly half of senior leadership.

According to Seeking Rents, a publication that gathers qualitative data from employee exit surveys, most departures were due to declining morale and a lack of trust in the new board. Former employees praised the former RCID for being pro-employee, but have reported a shift to a more political and crony-focused workplace under the CFOTD's control. This has caused many employees to feel undervalued and unappreciated, with interests focused on politics rather than the community and long-time employees.

While information is limited to the perspective of those who have left, it appears that many employees are ready for a change in leadership at Disney World. Only time will tell how this legal battle and governance shake-up will ultimately impact the company and its employees. As experts on all things Disney, we will continue to track the situation and provide updates on any further developments.