A 34-year-old man has died in California after testing positive of coronavirus just days ago, and 2 weeks after visiting Walt Disney World and Universal Studios in Florida
In a Facebook post, family members of Jeffrey Ghazarian, said he died Thursday morning at a Pasadena hospital after being hospitalized for several days, according to TMZ.
His family stated he had a history of asthma and frequent bronchitis as a child. He also had beat testicular cancer back in 2016, which made him a higher risk for contracting coronavirus.
According to TMZ, his sister stated, “He suffered a lot and put up a good fight. We will miss our Jeff every day but we are thankful for all the fun happy memories of the times we had together.”
According to his family, Ghazarian flew from Los Angeles to Orlando on March 2 for a work conference. During his time in Orlando, he went to Disney World and Universal theme parks with friends.
TMZ reported that Ghazarian began to develop a cough on March 7 and the next day he coughed up blood.
He returned to Los Angeles International Airport on March 9 and immediately went to the emergency room, where he also had a high fever.
TMZ reports that medical personnel performed a chest x-ray and confirmed that Ghazarian had pneumonia. He was reportedly tested for COVID-19 before he was sent home with antibiotics and fluids and was instructed to self-quarantine while he awaited the results.
He found out he tested positive for coronavirus on March 13, TMZ reported. The next day he was taken to the hospital by ambulance and quickly transferred to the ICU. At which point, doctors discovered that his lungs were 60-70 percent blocked with pneumonia.
Doctors chose to sedate and intubate him in hopes that using a ventilator would help his lungs heal.
Walt Disney World will close all of its hotels in Florida due to growing concern over the new coronavirus, the company announced early Monday.
In a tweet, the company said the hotels would not close until 5 p.m. on Friday to give guests time to arrange other accommodations.
The company also said all Disney stores nationwide will close on Tuesday, including in Disney Springs in Orlando, Florida, and Downtown Disney in Anaheim, California. To help contain the spread of the disease, Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld and Busch Gardens closed on Sunday night for at least two weeks. Take a look at the tweet below:
The move was announced as cases of COVID-19 increased to more than 130 cases in Florida on Sunday. On Friday, officials had said there were more than 60 cases and by Saturday, about 100. Three people have died from the novel coronavirus in Florida.
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Sunday evening announced that a drive-thru testing facility would soon open at a hospital in South Florida’s Broward County, the hardest-hit county from the coronavirus, as the state seeks to boost testing capacity.
DeSantis said Florida should brace for even more infections and he again urged residents — particularly younger people on spring break — to exercise caution and refrain from gathering in crowds.
Disney is closing Disneyland, its flagship theme park in Anaheim, California, due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The closure of Disneyland follows the company shuttering some of its parks overseas because of the virus. Disney’s theme parks in Shanghai and Hong Kong, for example, were closed earlier this year due to the outbreak.
It’s only the fourth time in history that Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., has fully suspended operations. The other instances were Sept. 11 attacks, the morning after JFK’s assassination and the Northridge earthquake.
It’s unclear if Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., will remain open.
Disney said in a statement, “While there have been no reported cases of COVID-19 at Disneyland Resort, after carefully reviewing the guidelines of the Governor of California’s executive order and in the best interest of our guests and employees, we are proceeding with the closure of Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure, beginning the morning of March 14 through the end of the month. The Hotels of Disneyland Resort will remain open until Monday, March 16 to give guests the ability to make necessary travel arrangements; Downtown Disney will remain open. We will monitor the ongoing situation and follow the advice and guidance of federal and state officials and health agencies. Disney will continue to pay cast members during this time.”
Disney has just announced that Avengers Campus—an entirely new land dedicated to discovering, recruiting and training the next generation of heroes—will open July 18, 2020 at the Disneyland Resort!
And that’s only the beginning… today they are also unveiling their new attraction’s name, exciting casting news, rich details about the land itself and brand-new artist concept renderings.
Avengers Campus invites you to team up with the Avengers and their allies in a fully immersive land at Disney California Adventure park. Avengers Campus is comprised of several heroic locations—each hosted by a different Super Hero or their ally—to share their unique powers, technology and knowledge with recruits. Take a look below at all the details:
Sling webs with Spider-Man
The first key location, the Worldwide Engineering Brigade—also known as WEB—is home to the first Disney ride-through attraction to feature a favorite neighborhood her: Spider-Man. This new family-friendly attraction, WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure, invites guests to put their web-slinging skills to the test.
The innovative technology adapted specifically for this attraction includes a seamless blend of 3D and new interface, which allows guests to go on a mission and experience what it’s like to have super powers and sling webs alongside Spider-Man.
WEB is all about how bright young innovators like Peter Parker are inventing new technologies that let all of us become Super Heroes. Being able to authentically represent Peter’s character was a critical element to our story, and thanks to our Studio partners, I’m excited to share that Tom Holland will reprise his role as part of this attraction experience. It was an honor to get to work with Tom, and I can’t wait for guests to experience the amazing talent, humor, and heart he’s bringing to this attraction when it opens this summer.
“Suit up” with the latest gear, including Spider-Bots from WEB
The WEB Suppliers store is where you will find the latest WEB inventions, including interactive Spider-Bots much like the ones you will see in the new attraction, WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure. Each Spider-Bot has a remote control, and all eight articulated legs move forward and backward. Best of all, you can tap into your inner WEB inventor by customizing your Spider-Bot with tactical upgrades to harness the powers and styles of favorite Super Heroes, including Black Panther, Iron Man and Black Widow, as well as Ant-Man and The Wasp.
Other must-have items at WEB Suppliers include a specially-designed backpack to carry Spider-Bots when they are not in action, Spider-Man light goggles, a take-home spider web kit and Funko Pop! vinyl figurines of Spider-Man and Iron Man.
Nearby, the Campus Supply Pod is the place to power up with official Avengers Campus gear, including performance fleece hoodies and tees, headwear, drinkware and other Super Hero supplies.
Enjoy tiny treats and big bites
When it’s time to take a break from the heroics, three new dining spots at Avengers Campus will offer dishes that are rich in both flavor and storytelling.
Pym Test Kitchen is a food innovation science lab where the food and drinks tell a story. Just as Ant-Man and The Wasp use “Pym Particles” to grow and shrink just about anything, Pym Technologies applies this innovative science to the creation of shareable bites, inventive-sized entrees and sweet treats. You will be able to taste-test such items as the Impossible™ plant-based large and micro meatballs with pasta, or the “Pym-ini,” a panini served by the slice or as a long, multi-portion sandwich.
Adjacent to the Pym Test Kitchen, an oversized beer can overhead signals that grown-up beverage tastings are available at Pym Tasting Lab. Adults can order a craft beer, ranging from a blood orange hefeweizen to an amber lager or try one of the Pym Research Staff’s Pym Particle-infused cocktail experiments.
Next, the Avengers have invited the crew of their favorite “shawarma joint” in New York, the Shawarma Palace, to open a second location at the Campus. Enjoy favorite shawarma-inspired snacks at this food cart, which is decked out with memorabilia since the Shawarma Palace owners are huge Avenger fans. Lastly, Taneleer Tivan did not limit his collection to lovable misfits; he is also curating a weird and wonderful menu of intergalactic eats at the Terran Treats food cart near Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
Team up with the Guardians of the Galaxy
Speaking of, we will continue to celebrate Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!, the fan-favorite attraction that opened in 2017, as one of the anchor attractions of Avengers Campus. This rockin’ adventure blasts you straight into the “Guardians of the Galaxy” story, alongside characters from the blockbuster films and comics. As you help Rocket bust his pals out of the Collector’s Fortress, you will experience raucous mayhem, music inspired by the soundtracks from the movies and thrilling free-fall drop sequences!
Encounter a formidable villain in a land full of heroes
Last but certainly not least, throughout Avengers Campus, Super Heroes will come to life in ways that are more exciting than ever. You may have heroic encounters with Iron Man, Captain Marvel, Black Widow, Doctor Strange, the Guardians of the Galaxy, Black Panther, the Dora Milaje, Thor and even villains like Loki. We’re excited to also share that Ant-Man and The Wasp will be making their first appearances in the park, and Iron Man himself will be debuting his new armor in Avengers Campus: the Mark 80.
You may even have the chance to witness Spider-Man swinging into action high above Avengers Campus with gravity-defying, acrobatic feats never seen before in a Disney theme park.
At a nearby ancient sanctum, Doctor Strange will train recruits in the mystic arts by bringing this ancient sanctum to life with powerful spells. At night, the area glows even more vividly with majestic colors and lights, pulsating with mystic energy.
Finally, every hero needs a formidable villain to fight… the villainous Taskmaster, who will have a role in the upcoming film “Black Widow,” will be seen for the first time at a Disney park at Avengers Campus. Taskmaster’s abilities include photographic reflexes. Taskmaster can replicate Super Hero moves, making this new villain a balanced foe for the Campus heroes.
Walt Disney World and Disneyland currently remain open for business, however; the chief medical officer for Disney Parks has confirmed that officials are “carefully monitoring” the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, commonly known as coronavirus.
Theme park authorities are closely following the viral outbreak and remain in communication with health agencies as COVID-19 becomes a more “widespread concern,” according to Dr. Pamela Hymel, Chief Medical Officer for Disney Parks’ Experiences and Products.
“As part of our commitment to the health and well-being of our cast, guests and the larger community, we are carefully monitoring the evolving coronavirus situation and are in regular contact with health agencies for information and guidance,” Hymel said in a statement shared by Disney Parks Blog. “Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort, are welcoming guests as usual and we continue to implement preventive measures in line with the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health agencies.”
Walt Disney World, Disneyland and their parks and resorts around the world have high standards of cleanliness, which assists with illness prevention, and they have health and safety protocols in place, such as:
Training for cast members, with ongoing reinforcement on a regular basis
Defined cycles for frequent cleaning and disinfection of targeted areas
Easy access to handwashing facilities and hand sanitizers
Quick response to spills, trash and other situations
End of day sanitation procedures for restroom, kitchen, and other facilities
Frequent cleaning and “wash down” of outdoor locations, including walkways and queues
In addition, onsite health teams and officials at various Disney properties will continue to keep cast members updated with the latest in illness prevention, per guidance from the CDC, Hymel said.
On Monday, the Associated Press reported that face masks will be distributed to both patient and paramedic if a Disney visitor appears symptomatic or a first responder suspects they have the flu, said Tim Stromsnes, president of the local union for firefighters at Disney World.
Moving forward, extra hand sanitizers are also being placed throughout Disney World’s four parks and two dozen-plus hotels, officials said.
No one’s got a swell cleft in his chin like Gaston and no one gets a new tv series like Gaston either. That’s right! A new Beauty & The Beast prequel series to the 2017 Disney live-action feature film, with stars Josh Gad and Luke Evans set to reprise their roles, could be coming to Disney+.
Streaming service Disney+ is teaming with Once Upon a Time creators Eddy Kitsis and Adam Horowitz as well as stars Josh Gad and Luke Evans for a Beauty and the Beast prequel limited series to the 2017 feature film in which the latter pair starred.
The untitled limited series will be a six-episode musical event, with composer Alan Menken in talks to return as well. Sources say the project, which is currently in the early development stage, will take place well before the events of the film and also expand the Beauty and the Beast universe. No other stars from the film — like Emma Watson and Dan Stevens — are currently attached, though sources say there is a possibility that they could pop in for a guest spot.
The 2017 Beauty and the Beast film, directed by Bill Condon, grossed more than $1 billion at the worldwide box office. Emma Watson, Dan Stevens and Kevin Kline also starred.
In the past few years, Walt Disney World Resort Chefs have been transforming their menus with more plant-based options now you can find the new plant-based cookie fries at the Beaches & Cream Soda Shop at Disney’s Beach Club Resort.
The plant-based cookie fries are unique and yummy treat to end your meal with. Similar to biscotti, these chocolate chip cookie sticks come with several plant-based dipping sauces: marshmallow cream, chocolate, and strawberry.
This recipe makes 32 cookie fries and is the perfect serving size for a small gathering of friends or a family dinner. They’re so good, you have to take a look at the recipe below:
INGREDIENTS
2 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
1/2 cup plus one tablespoon plant-based margarine, softened
7 tablespoons warm water
5 tablespoons liquid egg substitute
1 tablespoon molasses
1/2 cup dairy-free mini chocolate chips
DIRECTIONS
Combine flour, powdered sugar, and plant-based margarine in bowl of electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed until smooth.
In small bowl, combine warm water and egg substitute. Add egg substitute and molasses to mixer. Mix on medium speed until smooth.
Fold in chocolate chips.
Place in an 8×8-inch pan and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 325°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
Cut into 32 strips that are 1/4-inch wide and 4 inches long. Place 16 strips on each baking sheet.
Bake for 20-22 minutes, until crunchy.
Currently, at Walt Disney World Resort, you can find these items by looking for the new green leaf menu icon during your visit.
A woman apparently died by suicide Wednesday after she jumped off Disney’s Contemporary Resort building, according to Orange County sheriff’s deputies.
Rumours on social media claimed a guest had been seen falling from an unknown floor – but deputies received reports at around 4pm EST that someone “may have jumped from the building”.
Deputies found the woman, who was unresponsive and pronounced dead on scene, a Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman said. No other details were released.
Last night, Disney’s Hollywood Studios threw a red-carpet premiere nearly a century in the making with a special dedication ceremony for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway and today the attraction has officially opened to the public at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is the first ride-through attraction in Disney history starring Mickey and Minnie. You’re invited inside the park’s re-creation of the Chinese Theatre to see the premiere of “Perfect Picnic,” a new “Mickey Mouse” cartoon short written by Walt Disney Imagineering and produced by Disney Television Animation.
With a little Disney magic, suddenly you’re taken through the movie screen and into the “Mickey Mouse” cartoon world, where “mouse rules apply” and anything can – and does! – happen. Engineer Goofy invites you aboard Runnamuck Railroad to join Mickey and Minnie on their search for the perfect picnic spot in Runnamuck Park. And with Goofy at the controls, what could possibly go wrong?
“Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is a crowning achievement in the multiyear transformation of Disney’s Hollywood Studios,” said Walt Disney World Resort President Josh D’Amaro, who participated in the ceremony along with Mickey, Minnie and lots of other Disney pals. “What was once a theme park that took you behind the scenes, now puts you in the center of your favorite stories.”
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is a vibrant, joyous adventure the whole family will enjoy – from grandparents to grandchildren and everyone in between. Tonight’s celebration featured song, dance, fireworks and a bit of Disney magic worthy of this historic new attraction.
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is opening on March 4 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney has announced the latest Mickey Ear hat will be themed to this all-new attraction as part of the Disney Parks Designer Collection.
Designed by Disney Imagineer Kevin Rafferty, Executive Creative Director for the attraction, this ear hat will be released on March 5 at Walt Disney World Resort and online at shopDisney.com.
This colorful ear hat features Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in the setting of “Perfect Picnic,” the cartoon featured in the finale of the attraction, and continues to delight as it lights up with bursting fireworks by the flip of a switch! Take a look below:
The back of the ear hat features the saying “Nothing Can Stop Us Now” from the attraction’s loveable theme song and displays a picturesque car ride inside the hat itself!
Want to add this zany ear hat to your collection? Be sure to visit shopDisney.com or purchase it at various locations at Walt Disney World Resort including:
Disney’s Hollywood Studios:
Stage 1 Company Store
Legends of Hollywood
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway kiosk
Disney Springs:
Ever After Jewelry Co. & Accessories
Disney’s Animal Kingdom (Available on March 6):
Discovery Trading Company
EPCOT (Available on March 6):
Art of Disney
MouseGear
Magic Kingdom Park (Available on March 6):
Uptown Jewelers
Celebrating the opening of his latest project, Kevin Rafferty will appear at Stage 1 Company Store in Disney’s Hollywood Studios to sign the newest ear hat and his book, Magic Journey: My Fantastical Walt Disney Imagineering Career, on March 5 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Opening March 4, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway will take guests of all ages on a whirlwind ride through a world where the rules of physics don’t apply! Inspired by the award-winning Mickey Mouse cartoon shorts, the ride-through attraction is the first at any Disney park to star Mickey, Minnie and their friends.
Get ready for even more releases in the Disney Parks Designer Collection coming throughout the year, including:
John Coulter – March 14, 2020 (Available Disneyland Resort & shopDisney.com)
