Disney News

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  • Accused Disney Stroller Thief Caught Thanks to Social Media

    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.”

  • VIDEO: Union Workers Reject Disney’s Latest Wage Proposal

    VIDEO: Union Workers Reject Disney’s Latest Wage Proposal

    Chanting turned to cheering Wednesday as Walt Disney World union members overwhelmingly voted ‘No’ on a contract that would have given employees a raise of at least 50 cents an hour. Disney says “they are disappointed”, and they believe the 6 to 10 percent wage increase was fair but they will continue to work with the union on negotiations.

    New Disney employees earn $10 an hour currently, but the union wants to raise average worker pay to $15 an hour in an effort to reduce poverty among their represented members.

    Almost 10,000 votes were cast, the highest turnout ever for the Service Trades Council Union and approximately 93 percent of dues-paying members voted to turned down the two-year contract. The STCU has been negotiating wages with Disney and is a coalition of six unions representing nearly 36,000 Walt Disney World cast members.

    The rejected offer would have seen full and part-time cast members receive a 50 cent or 3 percent raise per year for two years, whichever was higher for the cast member, retroactive to Sept. 24. They also would have seen a $200 bonus. Cast members who receive tips would not be eligible for the wage increase, but would qualify for the $200 payout.

    Disney says they already pay $2-per-hour more than the federally required minimum wage and it seems unlikely the workers will actually see $15 an hour. The final outcome effects employers throughout the Orlando area as their employee wages usually follow Disney’s very closely. In 2014 Disney agreed to raise the minimum wage to $10-per-hour by 2016 and other unionized and non-unionized companies followed suit, including Universal Orlando.

    The next step for the unions appears to be in February, where they will regroup for further negotiations.

  • Celebrities Katy Perry and Matthew McConaughey Spotted at Walt Disney World

    Celebrities Katy Perry and Matthew McConaughey Spotted at Walt Disney World

    Monday was a Star Studded day for Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.  Both Katy Perry and Matthew McConaughey spent the day at the park enjoying the magic.

    Superstar Katy Perry dons her finest Disney couture for a ride aboard the Prince Charming Regal Carrousel at Magic Kingdom Park Monday.

    Katy Perry Disney World
    David Roark

    The “Chained to the Rhythm” artist enjoyed Walt Disney World Resort with her “Witness” tour cast the day after performing in Orlando. In March, Perry will join Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie at the judges’ table for ABC’s first season of the iconic music competition series, “American Idol.”

    Actor Matthew McConaughey, his wife Camila and their family share a special moment with Mickey Mouse and his Toy Soldier pals at Magic Kingdom Park. McConaughey is spending time at Walt Disney World Resort during the holidays while on break from filming.

    Matthew McConaughey disney world
    Steven Diaz

    Actor Matthew McConaughey shares a special moment with Mickey Mouse and his Toy Soldier pals. McConaughey is spending time at Walt Disney World Resort during the holidays while on break from filming.

    Matthew McConaughey disney world
    Steven Diaz
  • Hot New Rose Gold Shirts Are The Next Disney Parks Must Have

    Hot New Rose Gold Shirts Are The Next Disney Parks Must Have

    Disney has rose gold fever and with the success of the Rose Minnie Mouse Gold Ears it’s no wonder. Disney fans got a first look at the Rose Gold Shirts this week, which will retail at Disneyland and Walt Disney World resorts very soon.

    On Instagram last week, Disney uploaded a sneak peek of the jersey-style tops, and they are totes adorbs. The first look video below shows a comfy, long-sleeved tee in Millennial Pink fabric sprinkled with rose-gold glitter.

    Disneyland Resorts or Walt Disney World Resorts on the back are spelled out in glittery words, while a cute “D” or Walt Disney World logo lends a touch of Disney Magic to the front. According to the video, which shows off a couple different ways to style the jerseys—it looks just as great tied around your waist, by the way—the shirts will be available at select stores some time in December.

  • New Ray-Ban Sunglasses Featuring Mickey Mouse Now Available

    New Ray-Ban Sunglasses Featuring Mickey Mouse Now Available

    About a year ago Mickey Mouse started throwing some shade.  Shading your eyes from the sun that is.  Ray-Ban introduced a new sunglass design, inspired by the one-and-only Mickey Mouse and to no one’s surprise, the glasses were a huge hit!

    Back by popular demand, guests can soon discover a fresh take on the popular product which will now feature polarized grey gradient lenses with that classic black and white Mickey Mouse pattern you loved so much. If you’re still looking for the perfect gift for that hard-to-shop-for friend, I think you may have just found it!

    As Sunglass Hut is the official sunglass retailer of the Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts, these sunglasses will be available in limited quantities, while supplies last, at the following locations, beginning on December 8:

    Walt Disney World Resort:

    • Sunglass Icon at Disney Springs
    • Island Supply by Sunglass Hut at Magic Kingdom Park

    Disneyland Resort:

    • Sunglass Icon at Downtown Disney District
    • Disney California Adventure Kiosk

    With a retail price of $243, you can also expect a special gift with purchase – an exclusive Mickey Mouse cleaning cloth – when you purchase in-store. Discounts do not apply and there is a five-pair purchase limit per customer.

  • Disney on Broadway Line-Up Announced for 2018 Epcot International Festival of the Arts

    Disney on Broadway Line-Up Announced for 2018 Epcot International Festival of the Arts

    The Epcot International Festival of the Arts will returns for the second year in a row.  Celebrating all things art – performing, visual and culinary – from January 12 – February 19 – with festivities running seven days a week and Disney On Broadway performances happening each weekend (Fridays through Mondays) in 2018.

    Last year, the Disney On Broadway series was a highlight of the festival for many guests. We’re happy to share a first look at the lineup of Broadway artists set to take the America Gardens Theatre stage this year.

    • January 12-15 and 19-22: Kara Lindsay (NEW!) and Kevin Massey, who will perform songs from “Tarzan,” “Aladdin,” “Newsies” and “Frozen.”
    • January 26-29 and February 2-5: Kissy Simmons and Alton Fitzgerald White, who will perform songs from “Tarzan,” “The Lion King,” “Aida,” “Aladdin,” and “The Little Mermaid.”
    • February 9-12 and 16-19: Ashley Brown and Josh Strickland, who will perform songs from “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Tarzan,” “Mary Poppins,” “Newsies” and “Frozen.”

    All Disney on Broadway shows are included in theme park admission and will take place Fridays through Mondays at 5:30, 6:45 and 8 p.m.

    One of the best ways to experience Disney on Broadway is through a dining package. Guests can book a delicious breakfast, lunch or dinner, and later enjoy priority seating at the show.

    After a successful year one in 2017, the festival is coming back better than ever.

    In addition to the broadway line up the festival will have so much more.  This year guests will experience world-class cuisine, remarkable visual art and an extraordinary lineup of live entertainment. Introduce your inner aficionado to an exciting extravaganza brimming with phenomenal artists, gourmet fare, musical performances, stage productions and other amazing acts. We’ve rolled everything you love about the arts into one spectacular festival.

    The festival features:

    • Seminars and workshops from top Disney, local and nationally-renowned artists including classes on drawing animation, photography and the art of making topiaries – just to name a few
    • More than a half a dozen specially-created food studios offering a wealth of “artistic” culinary delights
    • A host of performing artists that build on Epcot’s already stellar lineup of authentic performers
    • And, my favorite, the Disney on Broadway series featuring performers from some of the best Disney Theatrical productions

    Dinner and a Show
    Another returning favorite is our Disney on Broadway Dining Packages, where you can maximize your experience at the Festival with a meal at one of the participating Epcot restaurants and priority seating for our Disney on Broadway concert series.

    Guests can book a delicious breakfast, lunch or dinner, and later be followed by a phenomenal Disney on Broadway inspired concert – select dates from January 12 – February 19, 2018. The concert series will feature pairings of Disney on Broadway stars, singing favorite songs from award-winning Broadway shows. When you reserve a Disney on Broadway Dining Package, you’ll be able to relax at your meal with friends and family and rest assured that your priority seats are waiting for you for the 5:30, 6:45 or 8 p.m. concert.

    If you need help booking your magical vacation, contact Travel Time with Vikki for help. My services are completely free and I will always find you the lowest rates. Let me do all the work so you don’t have to!

  • AERIAL PHOTOS: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Construction Update at Hollywood Studios

    AERIAL PHOTOS: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Construction Update at Hollywood Studios

    Construction is forcefully underway on Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in the Back Lot area of Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World. The now demolished area that used to make up the Streets of America, the Back Lot Tour, and the Lights, Motors, Action Extreme Stunt show which was closed to make way for Star Wars.

    Most of the construction can’t be seen by guests, so aerial pics really give some perspective on what progress is being made on the transformation of Batuu, a planet on the edge of the Star Wars galaxy.

    Cast members were excited to see the new land coming to life recently celebrated a major construction milestone with the signing of a support beam that’ll top out the new land. The beam that’ll eventually be part of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – a 14-acre remote outpost that will transport guests to a galaxy far, far away.

    Galaxy's Edge Construction
    Photo: @bioreconstruct

    Here we can see some rock forms at the new hillside isolating Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge. Note also dirt piled up and inside the section next to the concrete of the Grand Avenue tunnel.

    Galaxy's Edge Construction
    Photo: @bioreconstruct

    Here is the current state of the separation and tunnel between Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge and Grand Avenue. At right, note that construction walls are down at the new backstage gate.

    Galaxy's Edge Construction
    Photo: @bioreconstruct

    Peering into the Millennium Falcon ride. There are two more turntables under the roof at left.

    The land will be split into two sections; one for the First Order and one for the Resistance/Rebels. The First Order side is the side closest to the newly renamed Grand Avenue area that many believe will be used as a holding area for those waiting to enter Galaxy’s Edge.

    After crossing through a tunnel into the new land guests will encounter the more urban decay style First Order area with a large, possibly multi-level restaurant, in the middle of it. The central feature of the First Order area will be a massive trackless ride, currently known as “Battle Escape.”

    Coming out of the merchant’s alley area guests enter into the Rebel side of the land. This more lushly landscaped area will feature the 100-foot wide Millennium Falcon that will be near the entrance of the Millennium Falcon ride where groups of six guests can pilot the Falcon in a simulator experience.

    Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will be opening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disneyland park in 2019. The new land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is just one element of the multi-year transformation of the park, which also includes Toy Story Land, set to open in the summer of 2018.

  • Walt Disney World Cast Members VoluntEAR with Toys for Tots

    Walt Disney World Cast Members VoluntEAR with Toys for Tots

    Walt Disney World doesn’t just provide entertainment to countless guests in the park and resorts, but they also give back to the community. Cast Members went to infinity and beyond to help some 26,000 children in the community this holiday season through the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots program.

    Saturday, they packed up a few distinctly Disney vehicles from their Minnie Van service and delivered THOUSANDS of toys to help pack the shelves of the Toys for Tots distribution warehouse. They brought donated games, dolls, plush animals and other surprises. During the past month, Cast Members have donated more than 25,000 toys—that’s more than three tons!—to this program.

    And in the coming weeks, Disney VoluntEARS will help the Marines sort and distribute the toys to deserving families, a continuation of nearly seven decades of support to the program that dates back to Walt Disney himself.

  • Details on Disney’s New Skyliner Gondolas

    Details on Disney’s New Skyliner Gondolas

    The new gondola system known as The Disney Skyliner isn’t running yet, but is still flying high today with some really exciting new details and visuals. Today Disney unveiled concept art and elaborated on new the gondolas that will connect A few of the theme parks and resorts at Walt Disney World.

    Guests will experience an unforgettable journey and a picturesque view of Walt Disney World Resort as they take to the sky to travel from select Disney resorts to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

    Select Disney Skyliner cabins will have iconic Disney characters incorporated into their exterior design to give the appearance that a Disney pal is riding along with guests, such as characters from the ‘Fab Five,’figures from Disney attractions, fan favorites from movies, and more.
    Disney Gondolas Skyliner

    The design of the Disney Skyliner station at International Gateway at Epcot will be inspired by the park’s nearby European Pavilions, and will be covered with metal and glass canopies, hand-painted murals and ornamental steel structures that harken back to the early 18th century Art Nouveau style. Guests traveling to Epcot via the Disney Skyliner will be welcomed to the park with a rare birds-eye view of World Showcase.

    Disney Gondolas Skyliner

    The Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort station will be the hub of activity for Disney Skyliner. This station is inspired by the open air village marketplaces of the Caribbean and will showcase the nearby resort’s architectural detailing and color schemes. At this station, passengers will be able to transfer gondola routes to reach their destination, or are invited to sit and admire the waterfront resort setting.

    Disney Gondolas Skyliner

    The design style of the station at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will fit with that of the park’s main entrance and bus stations. Passengers traveling here from the Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort station can expect a new aerial perspective of the park’s iconic attractions, like The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

    Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will share a Disney Skyliner station that feels whimsical and contextual with both resorts. Upon departing the gondola station, Skyliner passengers will ascend over Hourglass Lake and enjoy a panoramic view of these two colorful resorts.

    Finally, cabins will slow down at the Disney Skyliner turn-station along Buena Vista Drive, where guests can see the mechanical and aerial components that make up the Disney Skyliner.

  • Star Wars Themed Resort Coming to Walt Disney World

    Star Wars Themed Resort Coming to Walt Disney World

    At Disney the resort experience is out of this world, but they now have plans for a resort that comes from a galaxy far far way. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek announced to fans at D23 Expo last summer that a “Star Wars” hotel will be coming to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

    According to Bob, this revolutionary new vacation experience will be a living adventure that allows guests to immerse themselves in an entirely new form of Disney storytelling.

    Star Wars Resort

    “It’s unlike anything that exists today.” Bob said. “From the second you arrive, you will become a part of a Star Wars story! You’ll immediately become a citizen of the galaxy and experience all that entails, including dressing up in the proper attire. Once you leave Earth, you will discover a starship alive with characters, stories, and adventures that unfold all around you. It is 100% immersive, and the story will touch every single minute of your day, and it will culminate in a unique journey for every person who visits.”

    Star Wars Resort

    Chapek didn’t reveal a date for the opening of the “Star Wars” hotel, but with the new themed land coming to Disney World in 2018, it probably can’t be too far behind.