Author: Nate

  • Castaway Cay Named the Best Cruise Line Private Island for the Third Year in a Row

    Castaway Cay Named the Best Cruise Line Private Island for the Third Year in a Row

    For the third year in a row Cruise Critic members have recognized Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay, as the “Best Cruise Line Private Island” for its 2018 Cruisers’ Choice Destination Awards.

    Cruise Critic’s Cruisers’ Choice Destination Awards are given based exclusively on consumer ratings and reviews posted to the Cruise Critic website over the past year. Castaway Cay was also voted the Top Rated Overall island in all of the Caribbean.

    One Cruise Critic member said: “They have done such a nice job of making the island a special place for everyone. It was our first time over at the adult-only beach, and that was even more awesome.”

    Castaway Cay is a tropical island paradise exclusively reserved for Disney Cruise Line guests. With activities for everyone in the family, from animal encounters and snorkeling, to bike rentals and private cabanas, your family will have countless ways to create amazing vacation memories. Luckily, the year-round Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy sailings from Port Canaveral, Florida, all include a full day at Castaway Cay!

  • Disneyland Agrees To Pay Its Workers $15 an Hour

    Disneyland Agrees To Pay Its Workers $15 an Hour

    Disneyland has agreed to raise the minimum wage for employees at its California theme park to $15 an hour.

    A lengthy labor battle over pay at Disney’s Anaheim resort is ended with the agreement. Unions representing nearly 10,000 Disneyland workers accepted Disney’s three-year contract to raise starting hourly wages to $15 an hour beginning next year.

    Disneyland Resort announced the 40 percent increase last Thursday and says it will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2019. As part of a deal with labor unions, the resort says it will immediately increase the current minimum of $11 an hour to $13.25. It’ll be at $15.45 in 2020.

    The deal affects more than 9,700 employees, including those working in attractions, store operations and costuming, among others. Disney said an employee making $11 today would earn an additional $8,000 a year.

    Disneyland President Josh D’Amaro says in a statement that the resort is paying workers $15 an hour three years ahead of a new California law requiring workers be paid that amount. He says that shows the resort’s “commitment and care” for its employees.

  • ‘Incredibles 2’ Crosses $1 Billion Worldwide

    ‘Incredibles 2’ Crosses $1 Billion Worldwide

    Incredibles 2 hit the $1 billion mark globally on Monday, making it the seventh animated film to cross this threshold at the global box office.

    It is Disney’s fifth animated and 18th-ever billion-dollar release and joins Black Panther and Avengers: Infinity War as Disney’s third release to reach the $1 billion milestone this year.

    The film, which holds an A+ CinemaScore and a 93% Certified Fresh on RottenTomatoes, has earned $574.0M domestically and $430.9M internationally for a global total of $1.005 billion through July 30.

    After setting a domestic box office record for biggest animated debut ever with $182.7 million (June 15–17), Incredibles 2 became the first animated film ever to surpass the $500 million mark in North America and now stands as the ninth biggest overall release in U.S. history. With Toy Story 3, Finding Dory and Incredibles 2, Pixar is the first and only animated studio to have released three billion-dollar films.

    Incredibles 2 continues its global rollout this week, opening in Japan tomorrow and in Spain on Friday, followed by Italy and Germany in September.

  • Disney, 21st Century Fox Shareholders Vote to Approve $71.3 Billion Merger

    Disney, 21st Century Fox Shareholders Vote to Approve $71.3 Billion Merger

    Disney’s acquisition of fox is nearly complete. Friday, shareholders approve Disney’s $71.3 billion acquisition of Fox entertainment assets.

    The tie-up brings together Marvel’s X-Men and Avengers franchises and creates an entertainment behemoth in the digital streaming era. The shareholder vote caps a saga that began in December 2017, when Disney made its first offer for part of Rupert Murdoch’s media conglomerate. It kicked off a bidding war with Comcast, which dropped out last week focus on attempted buyout of the European pay-TV operator Sky.

    The Fox deal will help Disney compete with technology players like Amazon and Netflix. The agreement is not expected to close for several months and still requires regulatory approvals.

    Source: AP

  • Disney Plans to Eliminate Plastic Straws From Theme Parks By 2019

    Disney Plans to Eliminate Plastic Straws From Theme Parks By 2019

    Disney is sharing another important step in their journey of environmental stewardship. By mid-2019, The Walt Disney Company announced today they will eliminate single-use plastic straws and plastic stirrers at all owned and operated locations across the globe, amounting to a reduction of more than 175 million straws and 13 million stirrers annually.

    The Walt Disney Company’s commitment to environmental stewardship goes back to our founding more than 60 years ago. Walt himself said that “conservation isn’t just the business of a few people. It’s a matter that concerns all of us.” Disney taken that message to heart and is acting on that commitment in big and small ways around the world.

    In fact, since 1995, the Disney Conservation Fund has directed more than $70 million to reverse the decline of wildlife around the world. We’ve also reduced our net greenhouse gas emissions by 41 percent in 2017 and diverted nearly 50 percent of waste from landfills and incineration in 2017, making significant progress on our long-term goal of attaining a net zero greenhouse gas emissions and zero waste, while conserving water resources.

    In addition, over the next few years Disney Parks will be transitioning to refillable in-room amenities in their hotels and on their cruise ships, reducing plastics in guest rooms by 80 percent. They will also reduce the number of plastic shopping bags in their owned and operated parks and on Disney Cruise Line, offering guests the option to purchase reusable bags at a nominal price. Finally, Disney will complete their work to eliminate polystyrene cups across their global owned and operated business.

    “These steps are part of our long-term effort to reduce single-use plastics, and we will continue recycling and responsibly disposing single-use waste that cannot be eliminated,” according to Disney.

    “Eliminating plastic straws and other plastic items are meaningful steps in our long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship,” said Bob Chapek, Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences, and Consumer Products. “These new global efforts help reduce our environmental footprint, and advance our long-term sustainability goals.”

    “Disney has always been inspired by nature – and it is a uniquely powerful brand that inspires, educates, and entertains, all at the same time,” said Dr. M. Sanjayan, CEO of Conservation International. “Today’s announcement is more than about reducing single-use plastic waste, it’s also about showing millions of kids and adults from around the world the many ways we can change our daily habits to care for the oceans and protect nature that sustains us all. It also builds on Disney’s longstanding commitment to conservation and environmental stewardship, a legacy that stretches from the highlands of Peru to the islands of the South Pacific.”

  • New Design and Enhanced Features For Disney Cruise Line Onboard Mobile App

    New Design and Enhanced Features For Disney Cruise Line Onboard Mobile App

    If you’re going on a Disney Cruise, you’re going to want to keep your smartphone handy for selfies and countless family photos, but also for the The Disney Cruise Line Navigator app.  The app keeps you informed of the fun happening all cruise long and lets you stay in touch with family and friends onboard and it just got a major upgrade!

    Now, you can enjoy a brand-new design and enhanced features of this incredibly handy mobile app, making it more convenient and even easier to use. Here are some highlights:

    • Horizontal Scrollable Menu – This new design gives you quicker access to learn what’s happening when and where each day. You can view the day’s activities all at once or filter to narrow down what you want to see.
    • Quick Access to Cruise Details – The Disney Cruise Line button at the bottom of the screen instantly takes you to your personalized plans and other important cruise information.
    • My Plans – Once you link your cruise reservation, your dining schedule, Port Adventures and onboard reservations (Palo, Senses Spa & Salon, beverage tastings, etc.), plus activities you “favorite” in the app, will magically appear.
    • Ship Tips – Get helpful tips for your voyage, like safety reminders and information for guests with disabilities.
    • Spotlight at Sea – This section includes information about offerings such as Senses Spa & Salon, Palo, Remy, Shutters photo packages, onboard merchandise and more.

    All these new features are in addition to what you already love about the app: individual and group chats with friends and family onboard, deck plans of the ship, a map of Castaway Cay, plus information about dining, entertainment, shopping, youth clubs, character experiences, ports of call and more.

    Our printed Personal Navigator, a quick glance at the day’s activities, has always been a great way to plan your family’s cruise agenda. We raised that to a new level when we introduced our mobile app, the electronic version of the Navigator, giving you the chance to see what’s happening during the entire cruise at once. I love how you can save your favorites to one convenient list and receive notifications when your selected activities are about to begin. Now, we’re excited to bring you even more great features!

    The Disney Cruise Line Navigator app is available for Apple and Android smartphones and is free to download and use. Be sure to download the latest update before you leave home, and stay tuned for even more enhancements coming soon.

  • Applications Now Open for Disney Dreamers Academy at Walt Disney World Resort

    Applications Now Open for Disney Dreamers Academy at Walt Disney World Resort

    Applications are being accepted now through Oct. 31, 2018, for the Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence magazine. This annual outside-the-classroom mentoring program is scheduled for March 21-24, 2019, at the Walt Disney Resort in Florida. The program helps 100 select high school students, ages 13-19, from across the United States jump-start their life goals and pursue their dreams.

    Disney Dreamers Academy turns the entire magical setting of Walt Disney World into a vibrant classroom. Students participate in a series of sessions and workshops designed to help them imagine bright futures, make exciting discoveries and learn how to put their goals into action. Disney Dreamers engage in a wide variety of experiences at Walt Disney World while working side by side with celebrities, community and industry leaders and Disney cast members.

    For more than a decade, Disney Dreamers Academy has inspired young people from across the country by fueling their dreams and showing them a world of possibilities as they prepare for the future. Each year, students participate in hands-on, immersive career seminars in a wide range of disciplines found at Walt Disney World. Participants learn how to improve their communication skills, what it means to be a leader and networking strategies, among other skills. They are also inspired by celebrity speakers and other special guests who share their stories and provide insights on how to achieve their life goals.

    The second decade of Disney Dreamers Academy is focused on challenging young people to relentlessly pursue their dreams through the “Be 100” campaign. This promotional push is inspired by the powerful impact Disney Dreamers Academy has made on graduates, who have gone on to become doctors, nurses, engineers, pilots, journalists and more. Some have started their own public relations firms, while others have worked with national political leaders.

    Applicants must answer essay questions about their personal journeys and dreams for the future. Students are selected based on a combination of attributes, including strong character, positive attitude and determination to achieve their dreams. A parent or guardian accompanies each student on the trip.

    This four-day, all-expenses-paid experience at Walt Disney World will continue to help change the lives of young people in 2019. For more information or to apply, visit DisneyDreamersAcademy.com.

  • Capture Picture-Perfect Memories During Disney PhotoPass Day on August 19

    Capture Picture-Perfect Memories During Disney PhotoPass Day on August 19

    Disney PhotoPass Day is returning to Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts on Sunday, August 19!

    During this day-long celebration of photography in Disney Parks, you’ll discover creative, fun photo opportunities captured by a dedicated team of Disney PhotoPass Service photographers.

    Stay tuned for more details about all of the picture-perfect memories you can capture in the parks on August 19.

    And if you want to show off your favorite photos from previous Disney PhotoPass Day celebrations you can tag your images with #DisneyPhotoPassDay.

  • Disney Unveils First Image From Live-Action ‘Kim Possible’ Movie

    Disney Unveils First Image From Live-Action ‘Kim Possible’ Movie

    If you’re wondering “what’s the sitch” with the New live-action “Kim Possible” movie, then we have the details for you.

    The Disney Channel released promotional images for the forthcoming live-action motion picture this past weekend at San Diego Comic-Con showing Sadie Stanley, 16, in the titular role of the high schooler with an alter ego that has global implications.


    For those who don’t know, Kim Possible is a cheerleader and she saves the world, even on school nights. With her sidekick, Ron Stoppable and his naked mole rat Rufus they go through normal teenage life while saving the world.

    The original series which ran for 87 episodes was launched in 2002.  In 2003 it was nominated for an Emmy for outstanding animated program and it also inspired two animated Disney Channel movies.

    The “Kim Possible” movie also stars Sean Giambrone — who leads sibling network ABC’s The Goldbergs — as Kim’s loyal bestie Ron Stoppable. It’s executive produced by McCorkle, Schooley, and Zanne Devine, and co-directed and co-produced by Adam B. Stein and Zach Lipovsky.

  • Minnie Van Service Extending to Port Canaveral For Disney Cruise Line

    Minnie Van Service Extending to Port Canaveral For Disney Cruise Line

    The Minnie van service which transports guests to locations on Disney property is expanding yet again and will soon be offering guests transportation from Disney World to Port Canaveral.

    It was recently announced that Disney had expanded it’s Minnie Van service to Orlando International Airport and now they are looking expand it even further by giving guests who like to combine a cruise with their Disney trip an alternate and convenient way to get to Port Canaveral.

    Adding Minnie van service to the port has been rumored for months, but we now know Disney will begin transporting guests to the port starting September 1st. The service is only one way and will not offer return transportation.

    Through a collaboration with the rideshare service, Lyft, guests at select resorts can arrange their own private Disney vehicle right from the Lyft app on their smartphone. With Minnie Van service, Disney cast members will then pick you up and take you to wherever you want to be at Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando International Airport and now soon Port Canaveral.

    Currently point-to-point trips on Walt Disney World property cost $25, but Disney hasn’t released any info on price points for the trips to Port Canaveral.