(PJ Media) As a kid, I used to think the coolest thing in the world would be to work at Walt Disney World. Spending all day in the immersive environments of the parks and resorts would be a dream come true, and I envisioned employee discounts on everything. Even as adults, my parents and siblings have half-joked on several occasions about pulling up stakes and moving to Central Florida to pursue those Disney dreams.
Apparently, we were dreaming of the wrong things. We should’ve been dreaming of working fo (RCID) because the former entity that had quasi-governmental authority over the Disney property and surrounding areas lavished millions of dollars worth of perks on its employees, funneling that money into Disney’s coffers at taxpayers’ expense.
The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CTFOD) has continued to do yeoman’s work proving that the RCID had outlived its usefulness and run its course. On Tuesday, the CTFOD board announced in a press release that it has reached out to the state inspector general regarding what it discovered about RCID’s scheme to shovel millions of taxpayer dollars back to Disney.
“For decades, the former Disney-run RCID used taxpayer funds to provide season passes and amusement experiences to its employees and their family members, cover the cost of discounts on hotels, merchandise, food, and beverages, and give its own board members VIP Main Entrance passes,” the release states. “In 2022 alone, it cost taxpayers over $2.5 million.”
The board also points out that “the scheme raises significant questions regarding self-dealing as the board members were only permitted a maximum of $100 per month in compensation per the Reedy Creek Improvement District Act.”
