Orlando's theme parks are in court to resolve disagreements over property taxes. In the past, such disputes have been resolved through negotiations.
Traditionally, the parks receive tax bills totaling tens of millions of dollars lowered through appeals to a property board or negotiations with county officials. The theme parks have even gone as far as filling undeveloped land with cows and claiming agricultural exemptions.
The usual methods are no longer doing the job, leading to these lawsuits against Orange County Appraiser Rick Singh.
In suits filed last year, the theme parks say Singh's office failed to use proper appraisal methodology. Singh disputes that, saying he's just being fair and equitable to all taxpayers.
Here's a look, by the numbers, at the dispute:
- Number of theme park parcels in dispute as of last year: 46
- Market value of all the theme park parcels in dispute as of last year: $5.7 billion
- Most valuable parcel in dispute: Walt Disney World's Grand Floridian Resort, valued at $554 million
- Priciest theme park in dispute: Walt Disney World's Epcot, valued at $469 million
- Priciest parking garage in dispute: Universal Orlando Resort's 20,000-vehicle garage complex, which was given a market value of $297 million