Longtime Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde, who was instrumental in the development of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, is retiring from Walt Disney Imagineering.
Rohde oversaw a trio of major projects in recent years, including Pandora — the World of Avatar at Animal Kingdom; the Guardians of the Galaxy-themed update of Tower of Terror at Disney California Adventure; and the Villages Nature Eco-Resort next to Disneyland Paris.
Rohde, who will retire in January, reflected on his career in an Instagram post as you can see below:
Given his multi-decade-long tenure, he said the “strange quiet time” of the pandemic affords him the opportunity to step back.
“It has been 40 years since I stepped foot in the door at age 25, not knowing anything about theme parks, Disney, or what it meant to work for a big company,” Rohde wrote. “Every day of my life since then has been a learning experience. I’m very glad to have had that opportunity, and proud of the work that has been done, not just by me, but by all my fellow Imagineers, and especially those who worked by my side over the decades.
Early in his tenure he worked as a model designer for Epcot Center, which opened in Florida in 1982. He went on to supervise design work for Animal Kingdom, which opened in 1998 just outside of Orlando. One signature, fan-favorite attraction at the latter park is Expedition Everest, which boasted a lifelike, animatronic yeti that Rohde had been pledging to refurbish in recent years.
“I’m not that old yet and there are things I want to do that cannot be done here,” Rohde wrote.
Rohde’s last day with Disney will be January 4, 2021.
If there is one thing that is synonymous with Disney it’s trains and now you can take a train straight to Disney World.
Brightline and Walt Disney World Resort announced Monday that they have entered into an agreement to build a train station at Disney Springs.
With this station, there will be a convenient travel option between Walt Disney World Resort, the Orlando International Airport and several stops in South Florida.
The station at Disney Springs will include a lobby on the ground level, passenger facilities and an upper-level train platform. It will reportedly be close to Walt Disney World Resort’s four theme parks, two water parks and more than 25 hotels. An exact location has not been disclosed.
Brightline currently has stops in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. It will eventually connect South Florida to Orlando and Tampa.
“We’re excited to work with Brightline as they pursue the potential development of a train station at Walt Disney World Resort, a project that would support our local economy and offer a bold, forward-looking transportation solution for our community and guests,” Walt Disney World president Jeff Vahle said.
Other future South Florida stops include Boca Raton, Aventura and PortMiami.
Brightline, which suspended operations in March because of the coronavirus pandemic, is on track to complete its expansion to Orlando International Airport in 2022.
Disney Parks revealed earlier this year that a plan was in place to re-theme Splash Mountain from its current Song of the South incarnation to something designed after The Princess and the Frog, and now Disney has announced there are more inclusion changes coming to the Parks in the future.
Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro revealed durring a virtual conference by the IAAPA that the redesign of Splash Mountain is now being put on the fast track.
Not only that, more changes or additions to the park are planned that will foster inclusion. D’Amaro said the Princess and the Frog update “isn’t the last. There will be more to come”
For decades the Disney company has based its employee training around the “four keys.” Those have been safety, courtesy, show, and efficiency. Earlier this year, a fifth key was added, inclusion.
The transition of Splash Mountain is one element of this new focus on inclusion. The ride’s current theme, while not explicitly…problematic, from a race perspective, is related to a movie that has some serious problems in that regard, and the redesign to The Princess and the Frog was clearly chosen not only because it works thematically, but because that film features Disney’s only African-American Princess character.
As the phased reopening of Walt Disney World Resort continues, Disney World is nearing another exciting milestone as the Park Hopper option returns starting Jan. 1, 2021.
Guests who purchased a ticket or annual pass with Park Hopper benefits will be able to visit more than one park per day, with some new modifications as part of Disney’s ongoing focus on health and safety.
With the updated Park Hopper experience, guests must make a Disney Park Pass reservation for the first park they plan to visit AND enter that first park prior to visiting another. At this time, a park reservation is not required after the first park, however, reservation requirements are subject to change. Take a quick look at the steps below:
Additionally, Disney will set specific Park Hopper hours during which this option will be available. Park Hopper hours will start at 2 p.m. each day and end at the park’s scheduled close time. Guests will soon be able to check DisneyWorld.com/ParkHours and the My Disney Experience app for the most up-to-date Park Hopper hours, as they could start earlier at a later date, depending on the day and park.
These modifications are designed to help us continue managing attendance in a way that fosters physical distancing. Additionally, other enhanced health and safety measures remain in effect, including face coverings required for all guests ages two and up.
As a reminder, guests with a ticket or pass that includes Park Hopper benefits get the chance to see and do more during their visit, which could mean a morning on the savanna at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and an evening stroll by Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park or starting the day living your Star Wars adventure at Disney’s Hollywood Studios before an afternoon traveling around the world at EPCOT. Please note that the ability to visit another park will be subject to the park’s capacity limitations.
Disney is seeing high demand and strong attendance at the parks in Orlando, Disney CEO Bob Chapek told investors recently and that means park capacity is increasing.
Chapek said they are now allowing the parks to have up to 35 percent of total capacity each day, which is up from 25 percent.
Additionally, Thursday was the release of Disney’s fourth quarter and full fiscal year earnings.
The numbers are down year over year, Chapek did highlight some bright spots.
Disney’s quarter four revenues were over 14.7 billion, that’s down 23 percent from last year.
The report shows Disney’s fiscal year revenue was 65.3 billion, down about 6 percent from last year.
If you take a look at Disney’s parks, experiences, and products, the number is down 61 percent in quarter four and down 37 percent for the fiscal year.
But Chapek highlighted the success of their streaming service, Disney+, and said, “The real bright spot has been our direct-to-consumer business, which is key to the future of our company, and on this anniversary of the launch of Disney+ we’re pleased to report that, as of the end of the fourth quarter, the service had more than 73 million paid subscribers – far surpassing our expectations in just its first year.”
This holiday season, Disney Channel will transport the magic of Disney World during the holidays to viewers with a holiday special called Disney Holiday Magic Quest.
Disney Channel is celebrating the holidays for kids and families in some special ways this year, including bringing more holiday magic to Walt Disney World Resort! Disney Channel’s first of three holiday specials is “Disney Holiday Magic Quest,” a high-stakes challenge that navigates Magic Kingdom Park.
Raven-Symoné virtually hosts the challenge, which features “ZOMBIES 2” stars Milo Manheim, Kylee Russell, Ariel Martin, and Pearce Joza competing in a holiday adventure through Magic Kingdom Park.
After iconic Disney villains Maleficent and Evil Queen steal holiday magic, the stars must overcome obstacles and complete challenges to restore the joy of the season. The challenges take place throughout Magic Kingdom Park and include iconic attractions and locations like Haunted Mansion and Cinderella Castle.
The four stars are also competing for a grand prize that will benefit Toys for Tots, a nonprofit organization that delivers hope and the magic of the holidays to less fortunate children.
Tune in for the premiere of “Disney Holiday Magic Quest” on Disney Channel, Friday, Dec. 4 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT to see if the stars successfully restore the holiday magic throughout their Magic Kingdom Park adventure!
Here’s a list, with locations, to help you plan your next delicious trip.
Twice Upon a Cupcake – A confetti Christmas tree tops a vanilla cupcake with a red velvet hidden Mickey (Available at Main Street Bakery Nov. 6 – Dec. 30)
Let it Snow Taco – Sugar cookie “taco shell” filled with salted caramel and spiced chocolate mousse (Available at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe Nov. 6 – Dec. 30)
An Orange Bird Christmas– Orange–scented white chocolate mousse filled with orange curd (Available at Sunshine Tree Terrace Nov. 6 – Dec. 30)
Chip and Dale Christmas Churros – Gingerbread churros topped with apple pie filling and chocolate chips (Available at Westward Ho Nov. 6 – Dec. 30)
Pistachio Chai Tea Float – Pistachio soft–serve, spiced chai tea, and a red velvet cake pop ornament (Available at Aloha Isle Nov. 6 – Dec. 30)
I tried An Orange Bird Christmas. It was sitting on top of a little sponge cake, and tasted very citrusy. It wasn’t too sweet and I really liked it!
After a 50-year absence, White Castle will be opening its only Florida location near Walt Disney World and plans to break ground on Nov. 19, the company announced Thursday.
The new White Castle will be the largest one for the chain and describes it as a “sleek, modern industrial-style architectural design” featuring the chain’s “iconic tower.”
Known for its tiny square-shaped hamburgers, the menu also includes a variety of sliders like sloppy joe sliders and chicken and waffle sliders. If you need a side to go with your main entree, you can choose from a variety of options like mac ‘n cheese nibblers, chicken rings, corn dog nibblers, and of course, french fries.
Its future 4,567-square foot restaurant will open at the O-Town West near Palm Parkway and Daryl Carter Boulevard. The location will have both indoor and outdoor seating and two drive-thru lanes.
The restaurant is expected to create over 100 jobs in the Central Florida area. Construction is expected to wrap up in 2021.
If you’re in need of some holiday cheer, look no further, because the Holiday Magic is alive at Disney’s Magic Kingdom this year! Decorations have been hung by the castle with care and you can now find Holiday character meet & greets, cavalcade and more.
This year the fun isn’t just at an after hours Christmas Party; the holiday entertainment happens all day long. It all starts on Main Street, with the Dapper Dans barbershop quartet delivering festive harmonies, while the Main Street Philharmonic marches along with life sized toy soldiers.
There are several locations throughout the park where characters appear to “Surprise and Delight” guests. You can interact with them and take socially distanced selfies as you can see below:
Rabbit and Piglet in their Holiday scarves at The Crystal Palace
Rabbit, Piglet, and Eeyore like to hang out on the porch of The Crystal Palace.
As you’re strolling through Frontierland you might catch some characters from the Country Bear Jamboree wearing peppermint striped scarves. They love to post for the camera!
To the left of the Country Bear Jamboree is a walkway connecting Frontierland to Adventureland. This is Chip and Dale’s favorite spot to goof around.
Santa Stitch can be found making mischief on the Tomorrowland stage. While he’s taking a break for some milk and cookies you might be able to see Buzz Lightyear!
The Muppets have returned to Liberty Square. They don’t have a holiday show, but they will interact with you and take socially distanced selfies if you ask them.
The last character is also the most rare! Jiminy Cricket can be found hanging out on the balcony above Pinocchio Haus in Fantasyland. He looks so Dapper in his Holiday outfit.
I found that these character interactions still aren’t well known, and the characters don’t arrive any any set schedule. Therefore, there aren’t really lines to see them and you can get some great photos and interactions!
There are also four Character Cavalcades that make their way from Splash Mountain in Frontierland to the Fire Station on Main St. Mickey’s Holiday Cavalcade is a holiday celebration with Mickey Mouse and his friends.
Goofy’s Scrumptious Cavalcade features Goofy cooking up some holiday fun from his gingerbread house and bake shop floats, joined by dancing gingerbread men. A Royal Christmas Processional heralds the arrival of Disney princesses on a crystal castle float. Santa’s Cavalcade has all the reindeer pulling his sleigh and some silly elves dancing along behind him with presents they forgot to pack. These mini parades only run until dusk, so make sure you get to the park early if you want to see them all.
When night falls at Magic Kingdom, projection effects transform Cinderella Castle with a kaleidoscope of designs. There are four designs including a whimsical Christmas sweater and a regal overlay of red, green and gold ornamentation. The iconic castle provides the perfect colorful background for guests seeking a magical holiday portrait.
I don’t know about you, but I am so happy the Holidays have arrived at Magic Kingdom! All of the decorations are out, I saw so many festive outfits on guests, and all the entertainment makes this such a festive time.
November 6th was the official kick-off of all things Holiday at Walt Disney World Resort, and we were invited to a special media preview when we spotted a new white Christmas tree popcorn bucket in Magic Kingdom!
Last years version was green and only featured Mickey with a present on the front. This year it features Mickey and Minnie holding candy canes in front of a creamy white Christmas tree.
The tree is decorated with tear drop shaped lights and popcorn garland as you can see below:
After you get over the cuteness of Mickey dressed as Santa you’ll notice that the tree also lights up! There are 4 modes: only the star, the whole tree, and star and the tree, and a flashing mode.
Who’s planning on adding this popcorn bucket to their collection? The straps are removable making it easy to add your Holiday display.
