Disney News

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  • Disney to Close Resorts and All Retail Stores Due to Coronavirus Concerns

    Disney to Close Resorts and All Retail Stores Due to Coronavirus Concerns

    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.

  • Disneyland and Disney World Donating Excess Food During Temporary Closure

    Disneyland and Disney World Donating Excess Food During Temporary Closure

    Disney Parks has an ongoing commitment to reducing food waste, and during the temporary closure of Disneyland and Disney World will be donating excess food inventory to Second Harvest Food Bank.

    While closely following food safety guidelines, excess inventory of dairy, fruit, vegetables, packaged goods and banquet meals is being donated to Second Harvest Food Bank, whose mission is to end hunger.

    Since 2014, the Disneyland Resort has operated a food donation program through which prepared, unserved food from select locations is regularly donated to support those in need within the local community. This program is in addition to the food scraps diversion program, which also supports our environmental efforts in reducing food waste.

    Last year, the Disneyland Resort donated over 20,000 meals to Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County through the food donation program, and Disney VoluntEARS regularly volunteer there, supporting the mission of ending hunger.

    Launched in 1991, Disney Harvest collects excess and unserved food from locations throughout Walt Disney World, delivering it to feeding programs across Central Florida.  

    What you might not know…the Disney Harvest Program at Walt Disney World Resort collects and distributes more than 823,000 pounds of prepared, unserved food annually and supports Second Harvest’s work serving more than 40 Orlando-area nonprofits.  In the last year alone, these donations provided one million meals to people in need.

  • Disney World To Extend Annual Passes Due to Coronavirus Closure

    Disney World To Extend Annual Passes Due to Coronavirus Closure

    Thursday, Disney World announced it is closing its four theme parks starting Sunday night due to the spread of the coronavirus and they have now decided to extend Annual Passes to make up for the missed time.

    The theme park closure will last until the end of March, Disney officials said, leaving many passholders wondering how that would affect their passes.

    Disney officials said on its website, “Walt Disney World annual passes will be extended by the number of days the parks are closed, March 16, 2020 through March 31, 2020,” as you can see below:

    For Disney guests that purchased Disney After Hours, Disney Villains After Hours and Disney Early Morning Magic between the closure dates will receive a refund, officials said. You can find more information on thie roffical website here.

  • BREAKING: Disney World to Shutting Down Due to Coronavirus Outbreak

    BREAKING: Disney World to Shutting Down Due to Coronavirus Outbreak

    Disney is closing Walt Disney World, its flagship theme park resort in Orlando, Florida, because of the coronavirus pandemic.

    The closure announcement comes on the heels of a similar announcement from the park’s California counterpart, Disneyland.

    Disney World will close on Sunday, March 15, and stay closed through the end of the month.

    Disney Cruise Line will also suspend all new departures beginning on Saturday through the end of the month.

    Throughout its nearly 50-year history, Walt Disney World has closed briefly a handful of times from looming hurricanes and the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

    The hotels at Walt Disney World will remain open, as well as retail and dining complexes until further notices.

    Those who work domestically for Walt Disney Company who are able to work from home are being asked to do so, including those at The Walt Disney Studios, Walt Disney Television, ESPN, Direct-to-Consumer, and Parks, Experiences and Products, officials said.

    “In an abundance of caution and in the best interest of our guests and employees, we are proceeding with the closure of our theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Paris Resort, beginning at the close of business on Sunday, March 15, through the end of the month,” the Walt Disney Company said in a release.

    In the same release, the Walt Disney Company also announce that Disneyland Paris will close on Sunday, as well.

  • BREAKING: Disneyland to Shut Down Due to Coronavirus Outbreak

    BREAKING: Disneyland to Shut Down Due to Coronavirus Outbreak

    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 Parks is ‘Carefully Monitoring’ Coronavirus Outbreak

    Disney Parks is ‘Carefully Monitoring’ Coronavirus Outbreak

    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.

  • ‘Beauty and the Beast’ Prequel Series With Josh Gad, Luke Evans in the works at Disney+

    ‘Beauty and the Beast’ Prequel Series With Josh Gad, Luke Evans in the works at Disney+

    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.

    The Hollywood Reporter first reported the news.

  • New Plant-Based Cookie Fries Available at Disney World

    New Plant-Based Cookie Fries Available at Disney World

    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

    1. Combine flour, powdered sugar, and plant-based margarine in bowl of electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed until smooth. 
    2. In small bowl, combine warm water and egg substitute. Add egg substitute and molasses to mixer. Mix on medium speed until smooth. 
    3. Fold in chocolate chips. 
    4. Place in an 8×8-inch pan and refrigerate for 30 minutes. 
    5. Preheat oven to 325°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. 
    6. Cut into 32 strips that are 1/4-inch wide and 4 inches long. Place 16 strips on each baking sheet. 
    7. 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.

  • Woman Jumps to Her Death from Disney World Resort in Suspected Suicide

    Woman Jumps to Her Death from Disney World Resort in Suspected Suicide

    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.

  • New Mickey Mouse Attraction Now Open at Disney World

    New Mickey Mouse Attraction Now Open at Disney World

    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.