Nazis were spotted at the edge of Walt Disney World Resort property yet again on Saturday, September 2. X user guillermoperezg (@elREALguille) shared photos and a video of the protestors, who were near the Apopka Vineland Rd entrance of Walt Disney World, close to Disney Springs. This is a popular spot for protestors because it’s a busy road with sidewalks, but not technically Disney’s private property — so they can’t be told to leave. We’ve seen Nazi protestors here in May 2022 and June of this year.
Nazis at Walt Disney World
As before, the Nazis were waving swastikas and DeSantis 2024 flags. They were wearing gaiters or bandannas over their faces so as not to be identified.
They had also hung a banner over the Mickey Mouse sign reading “Pedo World,” referencing Disney’s support of LGBTQIA+ individuals and the false belief that people in that community are pedophiles. The “o” on the banner is the Star of David, referencing Nazi conspiracy theories about Judaism. A Mickey symbol with more icons and writing on it was also on the banner, but not legible in the photo.
Guillermoperezg wrote in replies to his own post that his kids saw the protestors and he explained the situation to them, using it as a teaching moment. “I believe, once there,” he wrote, “it was important for them to understand what it means and also know these kinds of things are real. Not that we look to find this kind of thing. It’s a sad thing to see.”
Disney, LGBTQIA+ Rights, and Governor DeSantis
More extremist conservative hate for Disney ramped up after the company expressed support for the LGBTQIA+ community and condemned the controversial Florida’s Parental Rights in Education bill regarding classroom instruction and discussion on sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis retaliated against Disney in several ways. After trying to dissolve the Reedy Creek Improvement District in which Walt Disney World resides, the Governor ultimately took control of the district, renaming it the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD), and appointed his own Board of Supervisors.
Disney has gotten away with special deals from the state of Florida for way too long. It took a look under the hood to see what Disney has become to truly understand their inappropriate influence.
After the CFTOD Board attempted to declare Disney’s final agreements with RCID null and void, Disney filed a federal lawsuit against the Board and DeSantis, calling their actions a violation of their constitutional rights.
In the lawsuit, Disney cites “A targeted campaign of government retaliation—orchestrated at every step by Governor DeSantis as punishment for Disney’s protected speech—now threatens Disney’s business operations, jeopardizes its economic future in the region, and violates its constitutional rights.”
Disney regrets that it has come to this. But having exhausted efforts to seek a resolution, the Company is left with no choice but to file this lawsuit to protect its cast members, guests, and local development partners from a relentless campaign to weaponize government power against Disney in retaliation for expressing a political viewpoint unpopular with certain State officials.
The Board then filed a state lawsuit against Disney and Disney is now countersuing on the state level, arguing that because RCID was never actually dissolved, the CFOTD is essentially the same entity and is going back on their word.
Despite his many statements against Disney, DeSantis recently stated he’s “moved on” from the issue and said Disney should drop their lawsuit.
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