Is Reedy Creek a real city in Disney World? It’s two cities, and people live there

Florida wants to take away Disney World’s independent government. The Legislature just voted to dissolve the Reedy Creek Improvement District, and Disney’s authority to run itself. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the bill.

But is Reedy Creek a real place? Anyone live there?

Here are a few things to know:

Who lives in Reedy Creek?

Disney employees and their families live in Reedy Creek, according to the Orlando Sentinel. “Each [family] owns their mobile home and pays Disney $75 a month to rent the lot space. In exchange, the residents provide the votes needed on issues such as approval of bonds for park improvements.”

READ MORE: Will Walt Disney World leave Florida if Reedy Creek is dissolved? There are offers

Is Reedy Creek a city?

It’s actually two cities. But think of them as company towns.

The people who live there — workers, former workers and their families — vote the company line when it comes to approving infrastructure projects such as roads, sewers and other non-glamorous items that Disney World needs to bring you the fun part. The district was granted the right to issue bonds, assess taxes and enforce its own safety codes..

Reedy Creek was created by state lawmakers in 1967 and encompasses about 25,000 acres in Orange and Osceola counties. The two cities are Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista, where Walt Disney World Resort is located, and only a few dozen people live there.

Reedy Creek has its own garbage pickup and fire-rescue and other emergency medical services. Reedy Creek maintains roads, levies taxes and has its own wastewater treatment plant. Reedy Creek contracts out for police services from Orange and Osceola counties.