Politics
Gov. DeSantis appoints Disney World President Jeff Vahle to UCF Trustee Board
Vahle, the head of Walt Disney World Resort, has worked for Disney since 1990.
In another sign the bad blood between Disney and Gov. Ron DeSantis is long over, as the Governor appointed Walt Disney World President Jeff Vahle to the University of Central Florida Board of Trustees.
Vahle’s appointment requires Senate confirmation.
The Board of Trustees, whose members aren’t paid, is an influential body tasked with overseeing UCF’s educational programs, finances, personnel and more.
DeSantis infamously feuded with Disney in 2022 when the entertainment giant spoke against a parental rights in education law that critics dubbed “Don’t Say Gay.”
The Republican-led Legislature then passed laws targeting Disney, including one that allowed DeSantis to appoint new members onto Disney World’s governing board that oversees the resort’s infrastructure and emergency services.
Lawsuits sprung from both sides in the feud, but in recent years, the drama ended between Disney and Republicans and the litigation has settled.
Disney World is undergoing a major expansion to build a new Villains Land in the Magic Kingdom and more attractions at other parks. The Mouse appears to be working with its governing board — with DeSantis appointees still in control — without the political fireworks seen previously.
Vahle has been the head of Walt Disney World Resort, the largest single-site employer in the country, for five years. Under his tenure, Disney opened Tron Lightcycle / Run at the Magic Kingdom and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at Epcot. He has worked for Disney since 1990.
Vahle is currently a Trustee at Rollins College, a private school in Winter Park.
He earned a bachelorʼs degree in mechanical engineering from Auburn University and a masterʼs degree in business administration from Rollins College.
UCF has ties with Disney. The school educates future theme park and hospitality leaders at its Rosen College of Hospitality Management located in the tourism corridor. Disney also pays the tuition bill for some of its employees to go to UCF through the Disney Aspire program.