Tag: news

  • New Holiday Decor Coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom

    New Holiday Decor Coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom

    The magic of the holidays meets the magic of nature in a whole new way this year at Disney’s Animal Kingdom with festive new entertainment and holiday décor in every land!

    It all begins when you cross the bridge to Discovery Island, finding yourself in the midst of a celebration of winter, hand-crafted by the eclectic community of artists who make the island their home. The village is filled with sparkling white holiday decorations. Colorful, animal-inspired luminaries line the rooftops, and wireframe lanterns in the shape of beautiful birds can be found perched throughout the area. And during the day, Discovery Island springs to life with a holiday gathering of winter animals, realized in the form of life-size, artisan-sculpted puppets. Reindeer, foxes, polar bears, penguins and more interact with guests, accompanied by serenading musicians as they create a playful atmosphere of festive fun.

    As day becomes night, the rooftop luminaries and bird lanterns all around Discovery Island bring a warm and festive glow to the entire village. At the center of everything, the Tree of Life awakens with a series of wintry tales, complemented by a familiar and heartwarming holiday-inspired musical score. Between awakening moments, the Tree of Life continues to shimmer and sparkle throughout the night, alive with the magic of nature and the spirit of the holidays.

    Over in Dinoland, U.S.A., all the Disney character friends gathered for Donald’s Dino-Bash! get into the spirit with colorful holiday decorations in the style of Donald Duck and each of his pals, and at night, you’re invited to gather ‘round Truck-O-Saurus for the Holiday Hoopla Dance Party with Chip ‘n Dale and plenty of interactive fun and games.

    In Asia, the residents of Anandapur have decorated the theatre district in celebration of Diwali, the holiday festival of lights in India. Glowing flowers, lanterns and more illuminate the square between Anandapur Theater and the waterfront stage, home to authentic cultural performances.

    The village of Harambe in Africa welcomes visitors with a unique holiday presentation, blending the inspiration and style of western traditions with the colors and textiles of authentic African celebrations. The various groups appearing throughout Harambe introduce holiday-inspired enhancements, including costume additions and new music, to their performances. The holiday fun continues inside Tusker House for dining with Disney friends, where Mickey and his pals spread holiday cheer throughout the meal.

    The holiday spirit even reaches Pandora – The World of Avatar, where the ex-pats living and working on the moon of Pandora bring a little Christmastime fun to their alien home, with a display at Pongu Pongu of kitschy holiday décor, combining vintage pieces from Earth with items handcrafted from materials indigenous to Pandora.

    It’s going to be an extra magical holiday season at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and across Walt Disney World Resort, filled with wonder and delight in all four parks! The festivities begin November 8, 2019.

  • New ‘Toy Story 4′ Trailer Reveals Keanu Reeves’ Character, Duke Caboom

    New ‘Toy Story 4′ Trailer Reveals Keanu Reeves’ Character, Duke Caboom

    The newest trailer for ‘Toy Story 4” was released today and Sporky isn’t the only new face in the movie. The movie also introduces Duke Caboom, Canada’s greatest stuntman, voice by Keanu Reeves.

    Duke Caboom is a real “poser,” according to Bo Peep, but he’s the perfect toy to help track down a missing toy.

    Take a look at the trailer below:

    “Toy Story 4”, written by Stephany Folsom and Andrew Stanton and directed by Josh Cooley, opens June 21, 2019.

  • Tinker Bell ‘Glow’ Wings Now Available at Disney Parks

    Tinker Bell ‘Glow’ Wings Now Available at Disney Parks

    New glow wings inspired by your favorite pixie fairy, Tinker Bell, are now available at select locations at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts.

    Light up the night during your favorite nighttime spectacular or add a touch of pixie dust for a day in the parks.

    Find these fairy special wings now at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Elias & Co., and World of Disney at Disneyland Resort and Emporium Complex, Mouse Gear, Discovery Trading Co. and Fantasmic Cart at the Walt Disney World Resort.

    Get your Glow Tinker Bell Wings now and set your course to the second star on the right, and light up the night!

    Want to share your new wings with Tinker Bell herself? Find her in her enchanted forest hideaway, Pixie Hollow, at Disneyland park. And meet Tink at Town Square Theater at Magic Kingdom Park.

  • Ex-Disney Employee Accused of Stealing $14,000 Worth of Costumes From Parks

    Ex-Disney Employee Accused of Stealing $14,000 Worth of Costumes From Parks

    A former Disney employee is accused of stealing $14,000 worth of costumes and props from two theme parks, according to an arrest affidavit.

    Patrick Spikes is facing several charges, including grand theft according to court documents.

    Orange County deputies began investigating in August when clothing went missing from an animatronic at the closed Cranium Command attraction at Epcot.

    Spikes became a suspect when he started posting pictures of Buzzy on his Twitter account @backdoordisney, the affidavit said.

    When Spikes was confronted and questioned about the missing clothes by detectives in December 2018, he became combative and was charged with a misdemeanor for resisting arrest.

    With a search warrant, police found “numerous pieces of Disney property” on Spikes’ phone and said almost all of it was “later determined to be stolen.”

    Investigators found that Spikes received almost $30,000 via Paypal from two people between late July and early September 2018. One of the buyers sent a total of $8,800 to Spikes for 18 stolen items. He told police Spikes claimed they were his belongings obtained legitimately from Disney.

    Detectives are still investigating and trying to track down all the stolen items.

  • Reedy Creek Firefighters Voice Saftey Concerns with Disney World Expansion

    Reedy Creek Firefighters Voice Saftey Concerns with Disney World Expansion

    Disney World is under the largest expansion in resort history and with Disney’s new Skyliner Gondola system opening Fall of 2019, Firefighters working at Disney are starting to voice saftey concerns.

    The union representing firefighters who protect Disney property say they’re understaffed at a time when they need to be hiring and are concerned about what will happen if the Skyliner ever goes down.

    With 10 people to a pod, about 2,000 people could be up to 90 feet in the air at a time and over water in some spots.

    Firefighters said they were already stretched to the max even before all the new growth started, according to WFTV. They say more people should mean more firefighters at a place that can have a population of up to 350,000 people on its busiest days.

    “We’re at the max now,” said Tim Stromsnes, with Reedy Creek Professional Firefighters. “We’re just worried that with all this expansion, we’re not going to have enough firefighters.”

    Stromsnes said 32 Reedy Creek firefighters work each shift. He said the fire chief recently requested to hire about 40 more but was only approved for two administrative positions.

    “And we got no boots on the ground,” Stromsnes said. “Nobody that could do a gondola rescue or be on the tower truck or on the special ops team. None of those people were hired.”

    Disney spokeswoman Andrea Finger and Reedy Creek Improvement District administrator John Classe disagree, saying safety for Disney guests is their biggest concern.

    “The safety of our guests and cast is, and always will be, our core focus in operating our parks and resorts,” Finger said in a statement.

  • Sneak Peek of ‘Toy Story 4’ Coming Soon to Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line

    Sneak Peek of ‘Toy Story 4’ Coming Soon to Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line

    For a limited time this summer, a preview of scenes from Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 4” will be presented in sneak peeks coming to Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line.

    At Disneyland park, the preview of “Toy Story 4” will be presented at the Tomorrowland Theater beginning May 24, and starting the same day Disney’s Hollywood Studios will include this advance look at a portion of the film as part of the Walt Disney Presents attraction. Guests aboard Disney Cruise Line can catch the sneak peek during sailings between May 24 and June 20, and Disneyland Paris will offer this unique opportunity in the Studio Theater at Walt Disney Studios Park from June 18 – 28.

    Here’s Tony Hale, who provides the voice of Forky in the film, to tell you more below:

    When we catch up with him in Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 4,” Woody (voice of Tom Hanks) has always been confident about his place in the world, and that his priority is taking care of his kid, whether that’s Andy or Bonnie. So when Bonnie’s beloved new craft-project-turned-toy, Forky (voice of Tony Hale), declares himself “trash” and not a toy, Woody takes it upon himself to show Forky why he should embrace being a toy. But when Bonnie takes the whole gang on her family’s road trip excursion, Woody ends up on an unexpected detour that includes a reunion with his long-lost friend Bo Peep (voice of Annie Potts). After years of being on her own, Bo’s adventurous spirit and life on the road belie her delicate porcelain exterior. As Woody and Bo realize they’re worlds apart when it comes to life as a toy, they soon come to find that’s the least of their worries.

  • VIDEO: TRON Roller Coaster Steel Support Columns Now Installed at Disney World

    VIDEO: TRON Roller Coaster Steel Support Columns Now Installed at Disney World

    Disney is now celebrating another major construction milestone for the much-anticipated TRON Roller Coaster coming to Magic Kingdom Park at the Walt Disney World Resort as the first steel support columns are now being installed! 

    The TRON attraction is based on the guest-favorite attraction TRON Lightcycle Power Run at Shanghai Disneyland.  This coaster-style attraction will allow riders to board a train of two-wheeled Lightcycles for a thrilling race through the digital frontier.

    The steel columns will serve as the framework that’ll support the coaster’s track in Tomorrowland.  And today, Disney gave a special look at the columns and the progress Walt Disney Imagineers, Disney cast members and project teams have made in bringing the attraction to life. Take a look at the video below:

    Another major milestone was recently celebrated as cast members and the project teams responsible for bringing the new TRON attraction to life at Magic Kingdom Park signed their names on one of the first steel support columns for the new attraction. 

    The TRON attraction is set to open at Magic Kingdom Park in time for Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary in 2021.

  • New MagicBand Inspired by Forky from ‘Toy Story 4’ Debuts at Disney World

    New MagicBand Inspired by Forky from ‘Toy Story 4’ Debuts at Disney World

    “Toy Story 4” hits theaters in just over a month and today Disney Parks announced the release of a new MagicBand inspired by the adorable disposable spork, from the film, named “Forky”.

    The new Limited Edition MagicBand has an edition size of 3500 and retails for $34.99. 

    The new merch doesn’t end with the MagicBand. There is plenty more Forky inspired merchandise now available at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, including a special plush, apparel and more (none of which is disposable)!

    FORKY (voiced by Tony Hale) is not a toy! At least that’s what he thinks. An actual spork-turned-craft-project, Forky is pretty sure that he doesn’t belong in Bonnie’s room. Unfortunately, every time he tries to get away, someone yanks him back into an adventure he’d rather skip.

    For Disneyland, merchandise can be found in Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure park and World of Disney at Downtown Disney District. For Walt Disney World, merchandise can be found in Beverly Sunset Boutique or Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and World of Disney at Disney Springs.

    Look out for Forky in Disney·Pixar’s “Toy Story 4” in theaters on June 21, 2019.

  • Man Arrested After Handgun Found at Disney World Entrance

    Man Arrested After Handgun Found at Disney World Entrance

    A Florida man was arrested last week after Walt Disney World security found a gun in his bag at the bag check area at the Ticket and Transportation Center.

    A pistol was secured in a holster with two magazines secured to it inside the bag. He told deputies he “completely forgot it was in his bag.”

    The man, identified as Terry Bruce of Daytona Beach, said he normally keeps the weapon in his car, but he was switching cars and always takes it with him.

    Records indicate he is not licensed to carry a concealed firearm. He was placed under arrest for carrying a concealed firearm without a license.

  • Disney Gains Full Control Of Hulu In Deal With Comcast

    Disney Gains Full Control Of Hulu In Deal With Comcast

    Disney and Comcast announced today that, effective immediately, Disney will assume full operational control of Hulu.

    NBCUniversal owns 33% of Hulu right now. According to the agreement, Disney can demand Comcast, which owns NBCUniversal, sell the remaining stake to Disney for its fair market value in the future. Disney has guaranteed a sale price that represents a minimum total equity value of $27.5 billion.

    And Comcast can require Disney to buy its stake in early 2024.

    Walt Disney Co. and Comcast Corp. also agreed to fund Hulu’s recent purchase of AT&T Inc.’s 9.5% interest in Hulu. When Hulu make that deal in April, it was rumored that Comcast would allow Disney to acquire whatever part of Hulu it still owned.

    Disney may bundle Hulu with its upcoming kids-focused streaming service, Disney Plus, and its sports service, ESPN Plus, executives said last week.

    Hulu’s $6-a-month service lets users watch original series and network TV episodes after they air on TV. It has a newer live-TV service that costs $45 a month.

    AT&T came by its Hulu stake after buying Time Warner, which invested $583 million in Hulu in 2016. Now the company, known as WarnerMedia, is launching its own streaming service this year, which will focus on HBO and other shows and movies owned by the company.

    NBCUniversal, too, will debut a streaming service in 2020.

    Comcast, as part of the deal announced Tuesday, will extend the Hulu license of NBCUniversal content and the Hulu Live carriage agreement for NBCUniversal channels until late 2024. NBCUniversal can cut off its content for Hulu within three years, if no new agreement exists.