DISNEY WORLD
Disney addresses new legislation that would fine companies for enforcing vaccine mandates
Disney World's 50-year employees Guests stroll along Main Street at the Magic Kingdom theme park at Walt Disney World Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (John Raoux/AP)ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Disney addresses reports and social media blogs about ending the vaccine mandates at their Florida properties. In October, Disney announced unionized employees must be fully vaccinated by Oct. 22. Read: Disney cast members protest company’s vaccine mandateRecent legislation signed by Gov. The legislation will also prevent employers from firing workers over COVID-19 vaccination mandates and allow parents to decide whether to vaccinate their children.
wftv.comLookin’ sharp: Dapper Day outings return to Disney World this weekend
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — If you’re at Walt Disney World this weekend, don’t be surprised if you see people trading in their touristy best for slacks, suspenders, dresses and bowties. Dapper Day outings officially return to Disney World this weekend, celebrating its 10th year. Dapper Days takes place Saturday at Epcot, and at Magic Kingdom on Sunday. Click here to make a reservation. READ: Coronavirus: Disneyland’s Dapper Dans bring songs to fans at homeClick here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
wftv.comDisney returns to profit in 4Q, helped by reopened parks
The Walt Disney Co. returned to a quarterly profit as it once again got a bump from reopened parks. Disney has closed or limited capacity at its theme parks during the pandemic, weighing on revenue. The company ended its fiscal year with 118.1 million Disney+ subscribers, up 60% from the previous year but less than analysts' forecast of 126.2 million. It expects 230 to 260 million subscribers by 2024, and some analysts have warned that growth is lagging and Disney could miss that target. The company has about 179 million total streaming subscribers including Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu, and Disney says its streaming business is its top priority as cord-cutting reduces the viewing universe for traditional TV networks.
wftv.comMild temps with slight chance of storms on Saturday
ORLANDO, Fla. — Temperatures will be slightly cooler Saturday morning and into the afternoon as well. Daytime highs are expected to reach the mid-to-upper 80s on Saturday. Read: Your guide to Orlando Come Out With Pride 2021Most of Central Florida will see mainly dry skies on Saturday. Read: Doctors use smell training exercises to help some COVID-19 patients recover their lost sensesAreas of Southern Brevard and Osceola counties will have the best chances of afternoon showers and storms. Read: Disney World at 50, and the city that rose around itChief meteorologist Tom TerryClick here to download the WFTV weather app for live updates to your phone, and click here to stream weather coverage on the WFTV now app.
wftv.comThe Latest: Big Florida school district imposes mask mandate
That’s while Mississippi is facing a record number of people hospitalized with the virus — 1,633 on Tuesday, according to the state Department of Health. More than 250 people were waiting in Mississippi emergency rooms for beds Wednesday morning, according to health officials. State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs said that is one reason why healthcare workers have left. The order also includes businesses such as retail shops, grocery stores and laundries, Shelby County Health Department spokeswoman Joan Carr said. Last spring, Disney World officials started allowing visitors to go without masks in outdoor common areas.
wftv.comThe Latest: Los Angeles to require city worker vaccinations
(AP Photo/Susan Walsh) (Susan Walsh)LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to require city workers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless they have a medical or religious exemption. “We are the largest employer in the City of Los Angeles and we need to set an example,” Martinez said. Last spring, Disney World officials started allowing visitors to go without masks in outdoor common areas. ___ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The intensive care unit system in Alaska’s largest city is near capacity, amid a rise in COVID-19 cases during what is typically a busy season for hospitals. Figures reported Tuesday by the state health department showed six available adult ICU beds in Anchorage and 35 available adult non-ICU beds.
wftv.com“I’m going to Disney World”: How the iconic phrase came to be
In his memoir “Work in Progress,” former Disney CEO Michel Eisner credits his wife, Jane Eisner, for coming up with the idea. At the dinner, Jane Eisner asked Rutan and Yeager what they could possibly to do next, to which Rutan said, “I’m going to Disneyland.”Jane Eisner told Michael Eisner that the phrase would make a great marketing campaign. At the end of that month, Super Bowl XXI was set to be played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. When Simms was awarded MVP, he looked into the camera and said, “I’m going to Disney World.”In fact, he said it six times -- three for Disneyland and three for Disney World. Since that day in January 1987, the ad has been featured as part of sporting events more than 50 times, with Tom Brady holding the record, having uttered the line publicly after four different Super Bowl wins.
wftv.comFlorida man threatened to blow up homes of Disney World execs, investigators say
Florida man threatened to blow up homes of Disney World execs Steven Jordan, 31, used social media to make threats including to blow up the homes of Disney executives with C-4 and a hand grenade, investigators said. (Pinellas County Sheriff's Office/Pinellas County Sheriff's Office)PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — A Florida man used social media to make threats including to blow up the homes of Disney executives with C-4 and a hand grenade, investigators said. A couple of the tweets were threats directed toward Walt Disney World. “@Disney or we will blow up all of your execs houses with C4,” one tweet read. Detectives Arrest Man for Threats Made Against Walt Disney World: https://t.co/lsU3iO3iv2 pic.twitter.com/Sx30acNz8C — Pinellas SO (@SheriffPinellas) August 13, 2021©2021 Cox Media Group
wftv.comThese shows are returning to Walt Disney World this summer
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — More entertainment is heading back to Walt Disney World, the resort announced this week. Four favorites are expected to return soon:READ: Disney World resorts back to pre-pandemic employment, executive saysStarting Aug. 1, The Wonderful World of Animation will again light up the night at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Disney shows returning (wftv.com/Walt Disney World)On Aug. 15, Beauty and the Beast -- Live on Stage returns to the Theater of the Stars on Sunset Boulevard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Disney shows returning Four popular shows are returning to Walt Disney World this summer (wftv.com/Walt Disney World)READ: Disney World announces Summer Fun Ticket for Florida residentsDisney also announced that this summer would be the last time to catch two nighttime fireworks shows. Disney shows returning (wftv.com/Walt Disney World)READ: Disney confirms plans to build campus in Lake Nona, relocate 2K jobs hereExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 8 Disney’s Polynesian Village resort and Citricos Restaurant re-openings On Tuesday, Walt Disney World celebrated the reopening of some of their resorts that have been closed for more than a year.
wftv.comFirst African American spelling bee champ breezes to win
Now she has become the first African American winner in the 96-year history of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The only previous Black winner was also the only champ from outside the United States: Jody-Anne Maxwell of Jamaica in 1998. Zaila has described spelling as a side hobby, although she routinely practiced for seven hours a day. Zaila twirled and leaped with excitement after spelling the winning word “murraya,” a genus of tropical Asiatic and Australian trees. In 2019, Scripps' word list was no match for the deep and talented field, and the bee ended in an eight-way tie.
wftv.comZaila Avant-garde breezes to National Spelling Bee win
Spelling Bee Zaila Avant-garde, 14, from Harvey, Louisiana reacts after correctly spelling a word during the finals of the 2021 Scripps National Spelling Bee at Disney World Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (John Raoux)LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — (AP) — Whether dribbling a basketball or identifying obscure Latin or Greek roots, Zaila Avant-garde doesn't show much stress. The 14-year-old from Harvey, Louisiana, breezed to the championship at the Scripps National Spelling Bee on Thursday night, becoming the first African American winner and only the second Black champion in the bee's 96-year history. Zaila has described spelling as a side hobby, although she routinely practiced for seven hours a day. Zaila twirled and leaped with excitement after spelling the winning word, “murraya,” a genus of tropical Asiatic and Australian trees. Both Zaila and Chaitra are coached by Cole Shafer-Ray, a 20-year-old Yale student who was the 2015 Scripps runner-up.
wftv.comScattered thunderstorms to move through Central Florida, summertime pattern sticks around
ORLANDO, Fla. — Scattered thunderstorms will move through Central Florida on Tuesday afternoon. There’s a 50% chance of showers, with the rain starting in some areas around lunchtime. READ: Central Florida’s ‘most highly trained’ first responders working to save lives in SurfsideSpotty showers will continue in through the evening hours. Tuesday’s high is 89. READ: Viral video captures Disney World gorillas vexed by snake intruderMeteorologist Brian Shields said it’s going to get a little wetter over the next couple of days.
wftv.comLeslye Gale's O-Town Lowdown on Magic 107.7 for Thursday, March 25, 2021
click to enlarge Leslye Gale photo via Magic 107.7Earlier this month we learned Disney World would be phasing out their state-of-the-art "magic band" program and introducing a new cutting-edge ticketing system. Now we've learned, over the next couple of weeks they'll be testing out their new facial recognition program on anyone willing to give it a try. – LINK Size matters, right? At least in the world of signs it does, which is why everyone is asking themselves, "Why does the biggest White Castle in the world appear to have the smallest sign?" – LINK Orlando's first-ever "weed-themed" sub shop will open its doors to the City Beautiful next week!
orlandoweekly.comDisney hints at how they plan to update Jungle Cruise ride
click to enlarge Concept art via Disneyclick to enlarge Concept art via DisneyBy theme park standards, the Jungle Cruise rides at Disney World and Disneyland are positively ancient. The original ride in California has been in operation since 1955 and the version at Disney World was an inaugural ride when the park opened in 1971.Both versions are overdue for an update, and that's what the park Imagineers have been working on while the ride remains closed. The update appears to center around an explorer named Alberta Falls , will remove some of the negative depictions of native people that were found around the original ride and contains a more diverse cast of characters than the mid-century version.The new ride will dive deeper into established lore, while providing a new story for old hands. The park has promised little details that will show the fates of other cruising vessels mentioned in the original ride.
orlandoweekly.comSeaWorld to host Grad Nite after-hours events for Orlando-area students
click image Photo courtesy SeaWorld/FacebookThe calm before the Grad Nite storm …SeaWorld Orlando has announced a couple of after-hours Grad Nite events set for April and May of this year for Central Florida middle and high school students. What could go wrong?On April 23 (high school) and May 7 (middle school), groups of students from local schools will be let loose on the grounds of SeaWorld for an all-night shindig featuring live entertainment, "DJ party zones," animal encounters and access to a number of the park's coasters and thrill rides.This will be SeaWorld's first foray into hosting school-sanctioned Grad Nite getdowns in years. Disney World pulled the plug on their Grad Nites back in 2011, and Universal Orlando made the decision to postpone their own " Grad Bash " until 2022.Safety measures — and a dress code — will be in place during these Nites. Good luck trying to corral teenagers, though.Busch Gardens Tampa will also be hosting Grad Nite events in April.Possibly unrelated thought: Now might be an opportune time to hustle up and get theme park employees vaccinated
orlandoweekly.comCPS schools reopen — again — with celebration and contention, as alderman calls CTU fight a ‘hostage takeover of our children’
The parents say they want to be recognized as stakeholders and get greater transparency from CPS. They want a renewed urgency to improving remote learning, since most students still be receiving lessons online at least part time. And group said it wants a focus on mental health and social-emotional needs, as well as improved technology and as much as a $100-per-month stipend for families who are spending more on internet service because the district-provided hotspots can be unreliable.
chicagotribune.comNighttime entertainment still likely far off, even as fireworks are seen at Disney World
Physical distancing and decreased capacity have meant many of the entertainment offerings that make Disney World magical are now on indefinite hold. Parades, nighttime spectaculars, and other entertainment that causes crowds to gather didn’t return when the Florida resort reopened this summer. To help bring attention, a small pop of fireworks occurs as each one rotates onto the castle, roughly every 15 minutes.Twice in recent months, Disney has also shot off fireworks after hours at both Magic Kingdom and Epcot. It’s less clear why the firework testing took place at Magic Kingdom, but it may be due to storage concerns. That being said, budget cuts have made any entertainment, especially that which requires production labor, unlikely to return until Disney leadership is willing to ramp up spending again.
orlandoweekly.comHong Kong Disneyland set to reopen for a second time while California parks remain shuttered
A locked gate is seen after the Hong Kong Disneyland theme park has been closed, following the coronavirus outbreak in Hong Kong, China January 26, 2020. Hong Kong relaxed a number of Covid-19 restrictions last week after testing of nearly 2 million people in the region, and finding only 42 cases of the virus. Walt Disney only holds a minority stake in the park, while Hong Kong holds the majority stake. Disney's theme parks are part of a broader segment called parks, experiences and consumer products, which also includes its hotels, cruise lines and merchandise. Head of Parks Josh D'Amaro was quick to note that more than 80,000 people rely on the company for employment in the area, during a Disney Parks update with media on Tuesday.
cnbc.comUniversal Orlando seeks to reopen theme parks in early June
ORLANDO, Fla. Universal Orlando is aiming to reopen its theme parks in early June, a resort official said Thursday, more than two months after the company joined crosstown rivals Disney World and SeaWorld in closing their gates to stop the spread of the new coronavirus. Universal Orlando executive John Sprouls asked Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings for approval to open the companys theme parks as early as June 5, the Orlando Sentinel reported. Universal, Disney World and SeaWorld have been closed since mid-March in an effort to stop the virus's spread. Officials with Disney World havent said when they plan to reopen. Many of those same protocols will be implemented at the theme parks.
Heres a glimpse at Florida theme park reopening plans
ORLANDO, Fla. Florida theme park executives revealed hints of their reopening plans Wednesday in a roundtable discussion with Vice President Mike Pence. Ron DeSantis full phase one plan, hes asked theme parks to submit formal requests to reopen which are to include target date and protocols on how theme park officials will enforce state and CDC guidelines. Their requests have not been made public, executives with various Central Florida theme parks did offer pieces of their plans. Visitors have to also undergo temperature checks and cover their faces as part of the dining complexs phased reopening plans. Universal Studios is expected to present reopening plans to the Orange County Economic Recovery Full Task Force Thursday, according to county officials.
Behind the closed gates: Whats been happening at Central Florida theme parks during pandemic closures
Despite the tough times, theme parks in Central Florida have been hard at work inside, waiting for guests to return in the future. Walt Disney WorldThe Walt Disney Company was among the first theme parks to begin closing up on March 17. Universal theme parks have been closed since March 15, and according to the company website it will stay that way till at least May 31. Like most of the other Central Florida theme parks, SeaWorld Orlando was also forced to make the difficult decision to furlough 90 percent of its workforce. pic.twitter.com/jsQd0uXZAp SeaWorld (@SeaWorld) March 21, 2020On March 26, Sasha, one of SeaWorld Orlandos Atlantic bottlenose dolphins gave birth to a new calf.
Disney Springs reopening comes with a warning about risk
ORLANDO, Fla. As Walt Disney World prepares to allow some third-party shops and restaurants to open at its entertainment complex later this week, it's posting a warning. By visiting Disney Springs you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19." Next week, Disney World plans to open more shops and restaurants at Disney Springs, a high-end outdoor shopping area with restaurants, movie theaters, a bowling alley and a Cirque du Soleil theater. All workers and visitors over age 2 will be required to wear face masks at Disney Springs. Neither Disney World nor Univeral officials have said when they plan to reopen theme parks and hotels at their resorts.
What to expect when Disney and Universal theme parks reopen in Florida
The entrance to the Magic Kingdom at Disney World is seen on the first day of closure as theme parks in the Orlando area suspend operations for two weeks in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)New guidelines provided by a local government task force in Florida offer theme park fans a glimpse of what to expect when Disney and Universal are finally able to open to the public once the coronavirus pandemic eases. The Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force suggested a two-phase plan for allowing visitors back into theme parks that includes recommendations and mandates. Theme park staff will be required to wear face masks and regularly wipe down surfaces and railings throughout the park. The Florida task force that devised this plan is made up of 44 people, including Disney, Universal and SeaWorld executives and members of the local business community.
cnbc.comHistory shows now is the time to invest in tourism projects are Disney, Universal and SeaWorld listening?
click image Image via Bioreconstruct | TwitterInside the Magic Kingdom, the Tron construction site is paused, while just outside the park, Reedy Creek is doing roadwork. click image Image via Bioreconstruct | TwitterAt Islands of Adventure, construction remains active on the Jurassic Park roller coaster. With millions of jobs now furloughed indefinitely and billions in lost revenue , the tourism industry is currently grappling with the most significant challenge it has ever faced. Many of those Depression-era investments remain to this day.So far, the tourism industry has flashed mixed signals. At Universal, leaders have said projects around the world are continuing to move forward.
orlandoweekly.comDisney to furlough non-union employees at theme parks, waives annual pass fees
During the furlough, employees will receive full health-care benefits, with Disney paying the cost of employee and company premiums. The entire Disney Parks, Experiences and Products segment has around 177,000 cast members, this includes people who work in its theme parks and at retail locations like the Disney Store. "This reality has been sobering to all of us," executives from Disney Parks, Experiences and Products wrote in a letter to staff Thursday. Disney's theme parks across the globe are closed indefinitely since large gatherings have been restricted. It's unclear how the closure of the two California Disney parks will impact the opening of the Avengers Campus expansion at California Adventure.
cnbc.comCoronavirus: Florida orders Louisiana arrivals into quarantine
Ron DeSantis on Friday ordered anyone arriving from Louisiana to self-quarantine like those from New York in a bid to blunt the coronavirus pandemic. It is about a three-hour drive from New Orleans to Pensacola and DeSantis said the Florida Highway Patrol and sheriff's deputies will set up checkpoints to screen cars from Louisiana. The order requires anyone coming from Louisiana to isolate themselves for two weeks under threat of a 60-day jail sentence. Restrictions are tight in South Florida, central Florida and the Tampa Bay area, but relatively light in the sparsely populated Panhandle. The Zaandam was off Central America's Pacific Coast on Friday, awaiting permission to transit the Panama Canal in hopes of reaching Florida.
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