Disney Oversight District Closes $170 Million Bond, Starts $7 Million Hollywood Studios Energy Expansion

Overview

• The bond deal closed on November 25 with orders from 21 institutional investors as demand exceeded available bonds.
• Proceeds are designated for 22 projects across chilled and hot water, electric, wastewater, and potable water systems.
• The first funded project is a 50% expansion of the South Central Energy Plant at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, budgeted at $7 million to add a third 1,000‑ton chiller and a new cooling tower.
• The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, governed by a board appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis, described the plant upgrade as “due to customer expansion.”
• Reporting places the upgrades within Disney’s $17 billion Florida investment plan, citing ongoing work like Animal Kingdom’s Tropical Americas, land preparation near Magic Kingdom, and energy extensions to the Lakeshore Lodge, while rumored new lands remain unconfirmed.