Disney News

Author: Nate

  • BREAKING: Actors Back at Disney World After Deal Reached With Union

    BREAKING: Actors Back at Disney World After Deal Reached With Union

    Walt Disney World and the union for its actors and singers reached an agreement on Wednesday that will allow them to return to work.

    The union, which represents more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers nationwide, had been locked in a dispute with Disney over performer safety fore more than a month. Other unions, including those representing musicians, had previously signed memorandums with Disney agreeing to their safety protocols.

    “We have been consistent that testing is an important part of ensuring a safe workplace for Equity performers, and today, I’m pleased to see that Disney World has agreed,” said Kate Shindle, President of Actors’ Equity Association. “With the news that Disney will make testing available for Equity performers and others in the park, I’m happy to announce that Equity’s executive committee has signed a memorandum of understanding with Disney for Equity performers to return.”

    Actors’ Equity Association signed a memorandum of understanding allowing the actors, singers and stage managers to return to their jobs after Disney agreed to have a state-run drive-thru COVID-19 testing site for workers and others at the Florida theme park resort, according to the union, which represents 750 Disney World workers.

  • You Can Live at Disney World Now That This Golden Oaks Home is For Sale

    You Can Live at Disney World Now That This Golden Oaks Home is For Sale

    You may already know that you can actually live in Disney World and now a new home is up for sale in Disney World’s luxury gated community if you’re looking to be neighbors with The Most Magical Place on Earth.

    Dubbed Golden Oak and built on a huge tract of Lake Buena Vista land adjacent to the parks, the gated community has been open to since 2011. The community spans nearly 1000 acres consists of five different neighborhoods with homes ranging from 3,000 – 12,000 square feet.

    This 9,056-square-foot listing in Disney’s Golden Oak resort hit the market on July 23. Its $8.45 million price tag makes it the most expensive new listing in Orlando, according to the most recent data from the Orlando Regional Realtor Association.  Take a look at the images below:

    The residence, named Beauvoir, was built in 2015 in a French Eclectic style. The six-bedroom, 7.5-bathroom home sports formal dining and living rooms as well as a spacious kitchen. The backyard features a pool and spa surrounded by a lawn and covered patio. 

    As part of Golden Oak, the home is close to the amenities and attractions offered by The Walt Disney Co. at Walt Disney World Resort. That includes theme parks, restaurants and Golden Oak’s private clubhouse Summerhouse. The clubhouse serves food in its dining room and offers fitness facilities and a family room. 

  • New 10-Foot Tall Oogie Boogie Inflatable for Halloween Now Available from Home Depot

    New 10-Foot Tall Oogie Boogie Inflatable for Halloween Now Available from Home Depot

    Halloween is right around the corner and “you won’t believe your eyes” when you see some of the awesome decorations coming from Home Depot. The company is now is selling a 10.5 foot Oogie Boogie Halloween Inflatable.

    The Oogie Boogie inflatable lights up with bright, energy-efficient LEDs. It also self-inflates in seconds for easy setup. Luckily, it also deflates and it stores easily at home.

    Take a closer look below at the massive decoration that will be filling your dreams to the brim with fright:

    The Oogie Boogie Halloween Inflatable retails for $149 at Home Depot.

  • New Iridescent ‘Hocus Pocus’ Mug, Complete With a Broom Spoon now on shopDisney

    New Iridescent ‘Hocus Pocus’ Mug, Complete With a Broom Spoon now on shopDisney

    The halloween season is nearly upon us and Disney has released a new Hocus Pocus Mug and Spoon Set that will have you running amok amok amok!

    The Sanderson sister-inspried might is in the shape of a cauldron and has an iridescent design with gold lettering that says “Hocus Pocus” with a high-gloss finish.

    To complete the set, the mug comes with a wooden broomstick-inspired spoon so you can stir up trouble (and your pumpkin coffee or tea) in style.

    The Hocus Pocus Mug and Spoon Set is available on shopDisney for $19.99. The mug holds 12 ounces, and even with the detailing, is dishwasher- and microwave-safe.

    Since it’s available to ship right away, you can order it now so you’re guaranteed to have it in your hands when Hocus Pocus airs on TV for the first time in the fall season.

  • Magic Kingdom Ranked Best Theme Park in the World Surpassing Islands of Adventure in Tripadvisor Awards

    Universal Studios’ Islands of Adventure has held the #1 ranking among the “best theme parks in the world,” in Tripadvisor’s annual Travelers’ Choice Awards for the past five years, but this year Magic Kingdom at Disney World has won the top spot.

    To determine the rankings, Tripadvisor said it pulled together “all the reviews, ratings and saves that travelers share from across the globe.”

    Islands of Adventure slid to the third spot for 2020. Rounding out the top five were Puy du Frous of France at No. 2, Disney’s Animal Kingdom at No. 4 and Universal’s Studios Florida at No. 5.

    “Every year, we pull together all the reviews, ratings, and saves that travelers share from across the globe — and use that info to spotlight the very best,” the Tripadvisor website says. Tripadvisor’s site features user-generated content, comparison guides and reservations for travel experiences, including hotels.

    Other Florida theme parks to make the list include Disney’s Hollywood Studios at No. 12 and Fun Spot’s Kissimmee park at No. 23. As far as water parks go, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon ranked sixth in the world, while Disney’s Blizzard Beach ranked 19th.

    For the complete list of Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards, visit tripadvisor.com/travelerschoice.

  • Baby Mandrill Was Born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

    Baby Mandrill Was Born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

    Walt Disney World has been welcoming guests back during the phased reopening and now they are welcoming a new baby mandrrill to Animal Kingdom.

    On Saturday, July 25, the animal care team at the park welcomed a “colorful” mandrill infant, born to first-time father, Linus, and mother, Scarlett.

    Scarlett and baby have already begun making short appearances in their habitat on the Kilimanjaro Safari, joining the other members of their mandrill troop. Take a look at the video below:

    Mom and baby are doing well and spending lots of time bonding. In fact, their bond is so close that at the baby’s neonatal exam, our veterinary team wasn’t able to determine if the baby is a boy or a girl just yet, because mom is keeping the infant so close to her belly.

    While this little one is pretty tiny now, mandrills are actually the largest species of monkey in the world. They’re a vulnerable species found in African rainforests along the equator, where their habitat is disappearing because of deforestation and poaching. This birth is an example of how our dedicated and highly trained team of Disney animal care experts works with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) on Species Survival Plans (SSPs). The SSP assures responsible breeding for endangered species, such as mandrill monkeys, allowing for a healthy and genetically diverse population of such animals for years to come.

  • Disney Releases Recipe for Fried Pickles from Carnation Café at Disneyland

    Disney Releases Recipe for Fried Pickles from Carnation Café at Disneyland

    Carnation Café in Disneyland has been serving up their signature deep-fried bites of tart, salty, crunchy pickles since 2012 and now Disney has released the recipe.

    Located right on Main Street, U.S.A, the classic fried pickle recipe from Carnation Café makes the perfect DIY recipe.

    Take a look at the ingredients and instructions below which includes their delicious house-made zesty dipping sauce:

    Fried Pickles from Carnation Café from Disneyland Park
    Makes 1 dozen

    Zesty House Sauce

    • 1 1/2 teaspoons favorite Sriracha sauce
    • 1/2 cup favorite ranch dressing
    • 1 1/2 teaspoons lime juice
    • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
    • 1/8 teaspoon coarse salt
    • 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper

    Fried Pickles

    • 2 cups canola oil
    • 1/2 cup flour
    • 3 large eggs
    • 1 cup panko bread crumbs
    • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
    • 16-ounce jar of dill pickle spears, about 12 pickles (should be uniform in size; cut in half widthwise, if necessary)

    For Zesty House Sauce:

    1. Combine all ingredients in small mixing bowl, whisking well.
    2. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving.

    For Pickles:

    1. Using caution, pour oil into large skillet and heat to 365°F.
    2. Place flour in shallow dish.
    3. Whisk eggs until smooth in small mixing bowl. Transfer to another shallow dish.
    4. Mix panko and Parmesan cheese together in another shallow dish.
    5. Lightly dredge each pickle spear in flour.
    6. Add pickle to whisked eggs, tossing gently to coat.
    7. Add pickle to bread crumb mixture to coat.
    8. Place breaded pickle on tray and repeat steps until all pickles are breaded.
    9. Carefully place breaded pickles in skillet and fry until golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes, turning occasionally.  Remove from skillet and drain on paper towels.  Serve immediately with zesty house sauce.
  • New ‘Hocus Pocus’ Spirit Jersey Coming to shopDisney is Wickedly Cute

    New ‘Hocus Pocus’ Spirit Jersey Coming to shopDisney is Wickedly Cute

    A new “Hocus Pocus” spirit jersey is coming soon to shopDisney.com and it’s going to have fans running amok, amok, amok!

    Yesterday marked the 27th anniversary of the release of Disney’s cult classic film making it the perfect time to debut this spellbinding shirt.

    The villainous new shirt is ombré dark and lime green and features the Hocus Pocus logo on the front and caricatures of the Sanderson Sisters on the back. Take a look below:

    Disney hasn’t given a release date or pricing information, but it will probably run near $69.99 as most spirit jersey’s do.

  • Disney World Postponing Mary Poppins Ride & ‘Spaceship Earth’ Update at Epcot Due to Coronavirus

    Disney World Postponing Mary Poppins Ride & ‘Spaceship Earth’ Update at Epcot Due to Coronavirus

    Although Disney World has reopened, Disney has confirmed that they will still be pausing work on the Mary Poppins-inspired attraction planned for Epcot’s World Showcase and the reimagining of Spaceship Earth.

    With guests once again visiting the parks it was noticed that mentions of the Mary Poppins ride and “Spaceship Earth” refurbishment had been removed from the ‘Epcot Experience preview center’ where guests can watch a video about the changes coming to the park.

    “As with most businesses during this period, we are further evaluating long-term project plans. The decision was made to postpone development of the “Mary Poppins”-inspired attraction and Spaceship Earth at this time,” Disney said in a statement.

    The new changes coming to Epcot were first announced in August 2019 at the D23 Expo, the company’s annual conference. “Every inch of every park should be magical, and that’s why I’m so excited about this transformation,” Bob Chapek, Chair of Parks, Experiences and Products, said at the time.

    During the event, Dick Van Dyke, who played chimney sweep Bert in the 1964 version of Mary Poppins, helped Chapek announce that the company’s first-ever attraction themed to the classic film would be built on Cherry Tree Lane, inside Epcot’s U.K. pavilion.

    Though the company had not yet announced an opening date for the two attractions, guests who attended Epcot’s reopening on Wednesday told the publication that the ride was still open in its previous form. 

    Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom  parks both reopened on July 11 after being closed since March due to the coronavirus pandemic, while Epcot and Hollywood Studios reopened on July 15. 

  • Disneyland Paris Begins Phased Reopening Today

    Disneyland Paris Begins Phased Reopening Today

    Today, Disneyland Paris has reopened their doors after being forced to close for four months amid the coronavirus pandemic.

    The phased reopening of Disneyland Paris begins with Disneyland Park, Walt Disney Studios Park, Disney Village and Disney’s Newport Bay Club Hotel, and includes enhanced health and safety measures in line with guidance from the French government and health authorities.

    Some experiences have been reimagined, some provide a new way for guests to be part of the magic, and some will be temporarily unavailable and return at a later date, but the timeless magic and unique storytelling for which the resort is known will remain.

    The reopening of Disneyland Paris is also a chance to continue the resort’s ongoing commitment to support the local communities. Together with Disney VoluntEARS, in August the resort will welcome 300 children from the Île-de-France region and their families to experience a day at Disneyland Park during their summer holidays. Additionally, the resort made several donations to the local community over the past few months, including food and medical-related supplies and the planting of thousands of flowers to recognize and honor local hospital staff.