Author: Nate

Accused Disney Stroller Thief Caught Thanks to Social Media

A woman accused of stealing a stroller from Disney World and attempting to sell it online has been arrested by deputies with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. The stroller belonged to a family visiting the park and was filled with their belongings.

Along with their stroller the victims, Dave Diaz and his family, lost a child’s car seat, diaper bag and toys that they reported stolen at the Magic Kingdom on Sunday night. Altogether the stolen property totaled more than $1000.

Amanda Poyner, 24, was charged with a second-degree felony for allegedly dealing in stolen property.

According to investigators the Diaz Family went on the “Little Mermaid Ride” and when the got back to where they had left their stroller, they discovered it was gone. The family was devastated and has been chronicling the events on social media throughout.

The story has a happy ending though as the family’s stolen items were returned after detectives were able to locate them online at sites like Facebook Marketplace and LetGo. Detectives used a fake Facebook account to message the seller and set up a meeting to buy the stolen goods Wednesday morning.

The Diaz’s were able to provide serial numbers for their stolen goods and the case was pretty much open and shut. They are just happy to have their belongings back and Diaz says “This is a story about how the cast members at Magic Kingdom went above and beyond to try to fix a problem that was never their problem to fix in the first place.”

December 22, 2017
Disney Staff Can Enter Your Room At Any Time With New Security Measures

Do you enjoy your privacy and not being disturbed when staying on Walt Disney World Property? Well those ‘Do Not Disturb’ signs that don many guests room doors to let the resort staff know that you want a little peace and quiet may be a thing of the past.

According to a report by WDW News Today the ‘Do Not Disturb’ signs will be replaced with ‘Room Occupied’ signs. The new signs are expected to show up at monorail resorts first and only serve to let cast members know that guest are in the room, but will not keep them from entering your room.

Guests WILL be disturbed at some point because Disney will now require that your room be entered by resort staff at least once a day to “ensure guest safety”. Even if you elect not to have Mousekeeping clean your room, they are still coming in. In the most polite Disney way a cast member can of course… Disney states that cast members will give reasonable notice prior to entering by knocking and announcing that they will enter according to the article.

The is most likely a result of the recent security issues that have arisen in response to the incident that happened in a Las Vegas Hotel earlier in the year. Like the Vegas Hotel, the Monorail resorts are quite tall and it makes sense to start with those resorts first.

There is no public statement from Disney about the changes, but guests at Disney’s Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian Resorts should find notification of the changes in their room possibly as early as today.

It shouldn’t be that much of a disruption as many guests will probably be off in the parks enjoying their day anyway and won’t even be in their rooms when they are checked. I’m also assuming this would be during reasonable hours. It’s really just a sign of the times we live in.

December 22, 2017
‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ Forced to $600 Million Worldwide

On Tuesday, Star Wars: The Last Jedi passed $500 million worldwide as the newest installment of the Star Wars franchise added $42 million to its total. On Wednesday the film added another $20 million to its international box office numbers giving it $295 million overseas and $573 million globally. Crossing the $300 million mark internationally today, a $600 million worldwide total is fast approaching.

Disney-Lucasfilm’s “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” brought in more than $220 Million in its opening weekend making it the second biggest opening day total behind only Star Wars: The Force Awakens ($247M).

On its fourth day of domestic release, Star Wars: The Last Jedi earned $21.8 million bringing its four-day total to $241.8 million. That’s just under the $247.9 million opening weekend of The Force Awakens. The five-day total in North America was $262 million, earning another $20.3 million on its fifth day of release. The Last Jedi earned $16.9 million yesterday for a six-day total of $278.8 million domestically.

It took five days for The Last Jedi to make what The Force Awakens earned in just three. Of course, when you’re dealing with a movie that reached $220 million in three days and has more than $500 million worldwide in just under a week, it’s a little hard to compete.

December 21, 2017
Why This Disney Heiress Wants You Mad

A tax bill passed recently and many people don’t really know what to make of it, but Abigail Disney, the granddaughter of Walt Disney Company co-founder Roy O. Disney says she understands it and it should make you mad.

NowThis put out a video on Wednesday, where the heiress explains how she is expected to get a huge tax cut on income she did nothing to earn.

This Disney heiress is taking a stand against the GOP tax bill — even though she’s going to benefit from it pic.twitter.com/E5bmcI83mU

— NowThis (@nowthisnews) December 20, 2017

“This bill will give me this tax cut while also killing health insurance for over 13 million people,” Disney said. “It will let me pass over $20 million to my children, tax-free. And all my friends with private jets? They get a tax cut too.”

Disney fears that the idea of social mobility, that kids from a poor family can achieve the American dream — as her grandfather Roy and great-uncle Walt, did — is quickly becoming unrealistic.

“But I will be able to stay comfortably right where I am,” she said. “Does that strike you as fair?”

Disney also references President Donald Trump’s campaign promise to “drain the swamp.”

“Given how this bill was written, I think it’s looking a lot like a nightmare from ‘Pirates of the Caribbean,’” she said. “Have I made you angry yet? I really hope I’ve made you angry. You should be. No one who votes for this tax bill will be voting with your life in mind. But you will pay for it.”

Disney said she was motivated to speak out against the bill because of the desire to advocate for the public good, above self-interest.

“If democracy is just a bunch of people advocating for their own self-interest instead of the interests of the greater good, then we’re not a democracy, we’re anarchy,” Disney said. “We need to start voting and acting as citizens as though the common good matters more than our own personal well-being.”

December 21, 2017
Celebrating the 80th Anniversary of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”

Eighty years ago today, Walt Disney’s first feature-length animated film “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” premiered at the Carthay Circle Theatre in Los Angeles.

This timeless and groundbreaking masterpiece about love and friendship has enchanted generation after generation. Snow White’s journey and ultimate triumph against her evil stepmother The Queen continues to capture our imagination and charm us with its loveable characters, breathtaking animation and delightful soundtrack.

The film features the voices of Adriana Caselotti (as Snow White) and Harry Stockwell (as the Prince). Workers at the studio present Walt with a backyard playhouse for his two daughters, a child size copy of the dwarfs’ cottage from the film.

In attendance at the opening of the first American feature-length animated film are such stars as Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, Judy Garland, Carole Lombard, John Barrymore, Marlene Dietrich, and future Disney Legend Fred McMurray. Also attending the premiere is Adriana Caselotti, Snow White director David Hand, and a teenager named Marjorie Belcher (later known as Marge Champion) – the animator’s live-action model for Snow White! (The Carthay will later be razed and replaced by an office building.

December 21, 2017
Star Wars: The Last Jedi Premieres in China at Shanghai Disney Resort

More than two weeks ahead of its public release in China, Star Wars: The Last Jedi made its debut at the Walt Disney Grand Theater at Shanghai Disney Resort.

Fans lined the red carpet in costume for a glimpse of Daisy Ridley, Mark Hamill, director Rian Johnson and producer Ram Bergman – not to mention BB-8 and R2-D2.

Ahead of the premiere, the cast and crew shared a few behind-the-scenes stories and presented lightsabers to four young Jedi apprentices. They also visited Star Wars Launch Bay at Shanghai Disneyland, where they encountered Kylo Ren and caught up with C-3PO.

A processional of Stormtroopers crashed the party, but the Force prevailed and the night ended in applause.

December 21, 2017
Disney Springs Hotel Guests Now Get Extra Magic Hours and 60 Day Fastpass Bookings
Some new perks are coming to guests staying at Disney Springs Resort Area Hotels starting next year. Starting on January 1 and going through December 31, 2018, the seven Disney Springs Resort Area hotels will offer guests special benefits historically only offered to guests staying at official Walt Disney World resorts.

These benefits include Extra Magic Hours and being able to reserve FastPass+ selections up to 60-days prior to arrival. Currently, they can only book 30 days in advance like everyone else not staying on property.

The seven resorts will now be part of Disney’s official Extra Magic Hours program. The program gives guests the opportunity to enjoy select attractions Walt Disney World’s 4 theme parks, before or after regular operating hours.

Disney Springs area hotel guests can book their fastpasses 60 days in advance and they will be able to link their reservation on the My Disney Experience app if they booked a Walt Disney Travel Co. package with a stay at one of the hotels and a valid theme-park admission.

Included Disney Springs Resort Area Hotels
- B Resort & Spa
- Best Western Lake Buena Vista
- DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando
- Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace
- Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista
- Holiday Inn Orlando
- Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista
December 20, 2017
Disney Parks Magical Christmas Celebration on ABC Christmas Morning
Families and friends will rock around the Christmas tree when “Disney Parks Magical Christmas Celebration” presents a celebrity showcase of seasonal sights, performances and traditions, including the beloved Christmas day parade, December 25 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. EST on The ABC Television Network.

Emmy-Award winner Julianne Hough and multiplatinum recording artist and television personality Nick Lachey will take viewers on a magical ride down Main Street, U.S.A. and beyond at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Sports star and commentator Jesse Palmer joins as co-host from Disneyland Park in California where beloved Disney characters will take the helm of the most joyous parade of the season.

Among the star-studded performances, Tony Award-winning actress Idina Menzel, who voiced the character Elsa in the Walt Disney Animation Studios blockbuster, “Frozen,” will melt viewers’ hearts when she sings the captivating Disney classic, “When You Wish Upon a Star,” from the steps of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Park.

Adding extra holiday sparkle to the Christmas day lineup, Sean Giambrone from ABC’s “The Goldbergs” and Olivia Rodrigo from Disney Channel’s “Bizaardvark” join the festivities as parade commentators.

“Disney Parks Magical Christmas Celebration” will overflow with heartwarming family stories, the joyful sounds of celebrity-sung holiday tunes and exclusive scenes featuring upcoming Disney Parks attractions.

Viewers Blast Off ‘To Infinity and Beyond!” Feel ‘the Force’ and More

It’s the most wonderful time of the year when children awaken to discover favorite toys beneath the Christmas tree, like pals from Disney-Pixar’s blockbuster animated film, “Toy Story.” During the show, viewers will ride along for a sneak peek at the new Toy Story Land opening next summer at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World. The show will offer a glimpse of the family-friendly Slinky Dog Dash roller coaster and the Alien Swirling Saucers attraction, both of which will join fan-favorite Toy Story Midway Mania! in the new land.

The stars of a galaxy far, far away will shine brightly Christmas morning as viewers also get a preview of the Star Wars-themed land, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, opening at both Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World in Florida and at Disneyland Park in California in 2019. Adventure on a galactic scale will be on tap when park guests take control of the Millennium Falcon on a customized secret mission and join a battle between the First Order and the Resistance.

Disney’s star couple, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, will get in on the holiday action when viewers learn about the new Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, also planned to open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It will be the first ever Mickey-themed ride-through attraction and will feature a new original story and lovable theme song.

Viewers will also learn more about Pixar Fest, the biggest theme park celebration of stories and characters from Pixar Animation Studios, opening at the Disneyland Resort April 13, 2018. Guests will join the fun as they experience a new fireworks spectacular, the return of two favorite parades with fresh new Pixar surprises, new décor, atmosphere entertainment, creatively themed food and beverage and exclusive event merchandise.

‘Christmas Celebration’ Holiday Tunes Spread Spirit of the Season

Musical performances will be sure to inspire harmonious family gatherings and singalongs:
- Idina Menzel will perform the captivating Disney classic, “When You Wish Upon a Star” from Disneyland Park.
- Ciara will sing “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” from Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort.
- Darius Rucker will sing “Candy Cane Christmas” from Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World.
- Fifth Harmony will take viewers on a magical “Sleigh Ride” from Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort.
- Fitz and the Tantrums will perform the popular Christmas hit “Last Christmas” from Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.
- Jason Derulo will sing “This Christmas” from Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Park.
- Lea Michele will sing the holiday favorite “Let It Snow” from Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Resort.
- “Descendants 2” star Sofia Carson will perform on the Cinderella Castle stage at Walt Disney World Resort.
- 98° will heat things up from Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort with their new song, “Season of Love,” from “Let It Snow,” their first full-length Christmas album in 18 years.
- Broadway’s Telly Leung and Arielle Jacobs, of the stage hit “Aladdin,” will take over Disney’s Hollywood Studios for a romantic performance of the Oscar-winning classic, “A Whole New World.”
Rounding out the Christmas festivities, the cast of the new digital variety program, “Club Mickey Mouse,” will shine a spotlight on Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland Park.
December 20, 2017
The Best Bites at Disney Parks for December 2017

If you are heading to Walt Disney World this month there are some amazing Disney Food options you have to check out. Here are some of the Best Bites recommended by Disney Parks Blog.

First off Disney’s Animal Kingdom has as prix fix menu at Tiffins, offered during lunch. The meal comes with a trio of appetizers with black-eyed pea fritters, heirloom tomatoes and marinated grilled octopus. The entrée selections include a vegetable noodle bowl, swordfish, braised wagyu beef pozole or grilled chicken. You can then end your meal with a delicious dessert trio consisting of chocolate ganache, lime cheesecake and guava mousse! Stop by Tiffins on Discovery Island to try out this amazing new menu.

Right next door to Tiffins is Pandora – The World of Avatar, when you can now find some breakfast options at Pongu Pongu. The new offerings include a chocolate-stuffed brioche, colorful coffee cake, the popular pineapple Lumpia, and a Wolf Paw, which is a cinnamon bun topped with almonds!

Creature Comforts now offers two all-new sandwiches. The first is a roast beef sandwich with rosemary mayonnaise, Comté cheese, lettuce and tomato on a ciabatta bread. The second is a delicious chicken salad sandwich with apples, dried cherries, lettuce and tomato on a split croissant.

Over at Epcot, the Rose & Crown Pub in the United Kingdom Pavilion now offers British Butty. This unique offering from across the pond consists of your choice of chips (fries), bacon or banger (sausage) served on a brioche roll with crisps and house-made pickled onions.

Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen in Magic Kingdom Park has recently added a few new items to the menu. The first dish is a favorite of our friend Pamela Perkins, the President of the Adventurers Club. The Perkins Thai Noodles consist of chicken, tofu, seasonal vegetables and rice noodles tossed in a spicy soy-chili-garlic sauce.

You’ll be betting it all on the next dish, the “A Lot At Steak” Salad! This leafy dish comes with grilled steak, romaine lettuce, Spring mix, pickled jalapeños, red onion, queso fresco and pumpkin seeds tossed in a chimichurri vinaigrette. The last dish is the Baa Baa Berber Lamb Chops. These berbere-spiced lambchops come with roasted carrot purée and arugula-cauliflower salad tossed in a citrus vinaigrette.

In Frontierland, Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe now offers a taco trio. Choose from seasoned ground beef, seasoned chicken, spicy beef or the new spicy cauliflower! This new lightly-breaded cauliflower comes with pineapple salsa and a five-spice yogurt. All these tacos are served in flour tortillas and include a trip to the toppings bar.

For the holiday season, Magic Kingdom Park has also added a few special offerings, like December’s Hot Dog of the Month at Casey’s Corner – the Hot Diggity Holiday Hot Dog with cranberry cole slaw and pulled pork. Columbia Harbour House now offers a holiday salad with turkey, bacon bits, cheese, cranberries, onions, tomatoes and a cranberry vinaigrette as well as Fa La La Fondant Fries – fries topped with cinnamon sugar and red and green fondant. At Pinocchio Village Haus you’ll find a holiday flatbread with roasted turkey, cheese, stuffing, cranberry BBQ sauce and gravy. And lastly, Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café now has a Bahumburger with angus beef, cornbread stuffing and a special Scrooge Sauce cranberry aioli.

Trattoria Al Forno at Disney’s BoardWalk has extended the hours of its popular Bon Voyage Adventure Breakfast. Starting December 17th, this experience will be from 7:30am-12:00 p.m. daily. Reservations for these extended hours are available now. Meet Ariel with Prince Eric and Rapunzel with Flynn Rider while you dine on a variety of breakfast entrées like the Tower of Pancakes or Tangled Eggs!

December 20, 2017
Stan Lee Battles Hydra at Hong Kong Disneyland

Marvel legend Stan Lee stopped by Hong Kong Disneyland recently to join forces with Iron Man in a battle against the evil forces of Hydra across the city of Hong Kong in Iron Man Experience – Presented by AIA.

The attraction is estimated to have a cost of $100 million and employs a newer generation model of the Advanced Technology Leisure Application Simulator, currently used in Star Tours–The Adventures Continue. The attraction is located at the park’s Tomorrowland section, in an area named “Stark Expo”. Set a few years after the 2010 New York Stark Expo, Tony invites the visitors aboard the Iron Wing for a tour of Hong Kong, including the newly constructed Stark Tower. However, Hydra launches an attack on the city, forcing Tony to don the Iron Man armor and fight the menace alongside the Iron Wing.

Arriving visitors enter the Stark Expo, where they can learn the history of Howard Stark, the founder of Stark Industries, before meeting current president Tony Stark, who is introducing a new invention known as the “Iron Wing”. At the expo, guests can experience the history of Stark Industries through inventions by Howard Stark, and into the present day, where Tony Stark is inspiring his team of scientists and engineers to make our lives better, more convenient and safer through technology. At the back of the area, guests can enter the simulator attraction.

The Marvel-themed area also includes an interactive “Become Iron Man” experience in Expo Shop, themed merchandise and a character greeting with Iron Man.

Stan was the clear winner in the confrontation. With his feet firmly on the ground again, he spent some time in the park and served as honorary Grand Marshal of Disney Paint the Night Parade. He left Iron Man in charge after his departure.

December 20, 2017