Disney asks for DeSantis lawsuit to be tossed in latest round of legal fight

Disney is asking a judge Friday to dismiss a lawsuit that seeks to block the company from standing in the way of Gov. Ron DeSantis' attempts to takeover of the Orlando theme park's governing district, the Associated Press reported.

According to the AP, the hearing in Orlando regards one of two cases which were launched by DeSantis in retaliation for Disney's public opposition of the state's Don't Say Gay legislation. The feud between the two has been going on for over a year, with Disney accusing DeSantis of violating its free speech rights.

DeSantis took over the district that governs Disney World and appointed a board of supervisors to oversee municipal services for the parks and hotels. But, before the board took over, Disney made agreements with previous members that stripped the new supervisors of some of their powers.

The DeSantis lawsuit aims to neutralize that.

"Disney is arguing before Circuit Judge Margaret Schreiber that any decision in state court would be moot since the Republican-controlled Legislature already has passed a law voiding the agreements," the AP's report stated. "If the judge decides not to dismiss the state case, the entertainment giant is asking that the state court case be put on hold until a federal lawsuit in Tallahassee is resolved since they cover the same ground and that lawsuit was filed first."

DeSantis appointees on the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board told the judge that tossing out the suit would be the wrong move.

“Disney’s motion is classic Imagineering, inviting the court to make believe that reality is whatever Disney dreams up,” attorneys for the oversight district’s board said in a court filing.

Read the full report over at the Associated Press.