Disney suspends some fire effects worldwide after dragon prop burns during show at Disneyland
Disney has paused the use of some fire effects at its theme parks and entertainment experiences around the world after the dragon prop used in performances of Fantasmic! at Disneyland caught fire during a show Saturday evening, according to Disneyland officials.
Disney’s Contemporary Resort provides complete vacation with futuristic feel
Walt Disney World opened as the “The Vacation Kingdom of the World” on Oct. 1, 1971, and Walt Disney’s vision to have a world full of resorts, sports, recreation and entertainment is what we’ve inherited today — Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park announce reopening date
– The Walt Disney Company announced Wednesday that Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park will reopen to guests on April 30. “The day all of us have long been waiting for is almost here,” said Ken Potrock, president of the Disneyland Resort. Magic returns to Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, as the theme parks plan to reopen April 30, 2021. The hotels of the Disneyland Resort plan to welcome guests once again, with a phased reopening. Use the form below to sign up for the ClickOrlando.com In the Loop: Theme Park Scoops newsletter, sent every Friday morning.
The Latest: Ireland reaches half million vaccinations
(AP Photo/Christophe Ena)LONDON — Ireland has given out half a million coronavirus vaccinations about two months after the first inoculation. Evidence suggests this variant can spread more easily than most currently circulating strains of the coronavirus, health officials say. State health officials urge people to maintain precautions, particularly during spring break and Easter gatherings, as the state tries to ramp up vaccinations. Sri Lanka has so far received 1 million doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines manufactured in neighboring India, which donated half of the doses. The Missoulian reported Friday that in Missoula County, Granite Pharmacy has enough vaccine doses to vaccinate all 2,000 county teachers.
California OKs reopening of ball parks, Disneyland
Amusement parks also will be permitted to reopen in counties that have fallen from the state's purple tier — the most restrictive — to the red tier. The move followed a week of milestones, with California ramping up vaccinations for the poorest neighborhoods, counties reopening more businesses and Gov. Outdoor sports will be limited to 100 people in the purple tier but will increase up to 67% in the yellow tier. Teams and event organizers can only sell tickets regionally in the purple tier. No concessions will be allowed in the purple tier, while in others, concession sales will only be available at seats.
California to let Disneyland, Major League Baseball reopen
Teams and event organizers can only sell tickets regionally in the purple tier. In the other tiers, teams and organizers can sell tickets to anyone living in California. Theme parks can open in the red tier at 15% capacity and boost attendance limits as virus rates decrease. King, 38, and his family, who live in Pleasant Hill, last went to Disneyland in February 2020 for his birthday. “We’ll sit there at the house sometimes and we’ll be like man, I just miss Disneyland,” King said.
Disney theme parks will likely require masks through 2021
Disney CEO Bob Chapek said he expects the strict safety precautions at the parks to last through the end of the year. He hopes there are vaccines for everyone who wants them by April, Chapek said that could be a ‘gamechanger’ for the theme parks. “But do we think we will be in the same state of 6-foot social distancing and mask-wearing in 2022? Absolutely not.”Disney parks in Central Florida are also expected to stay at some level of limited capacity. The battered cruise industry continues to rock Disney’s business plan, and the parks division alone reported a $119 million loss last quarter.
Expect more monkey business with Disney’s new Jungle Cruise storyline
ORLANDO, Fla – Things are going to get even wilder on Walt Disney World’s Jungle Cruise. Theme park officials said on Monday that the iconic Jungle Cruise attraction at Walt Disney World and Disneyland is getting an update very soon. Disney's Jungle Cruise (Disney Parks Blog)“As Imagineers, it is our responsibility to ensure experiences we create and stories we share reflect the voices and perspectives of the world around us. With Jungle Cruise, we’re bringing to life more of what people love- the humor and wit of our incredible skippers, while making needed updates,” said Carmen Smith, a creative development executive with Walt Disney Imagineering. Stay in the loop with the latest theme park scoops with our newsletter bringing you the best of Central Florida’s attractions.
Disney World not selling any new annual passes
ORLANDO, Fla. – Looking to buy an annual pass at Disneyland Resort? The California theme park resort said last week that it’s ending its passholder program. Disneyland Resort in California made the announcement last week after it allowed county health officials to use its parking lot for a large-scale coronavirus vaccination site. Disney officials would not say how many people hold these passes or how much the move will cost the company, adding it would begin issuing pro-rated refunds to eligible passholders. The Florida resort implemented a moratorium on new annual passes last summer, though it will honor those from existing passholders.
Disneyland ends annual passes 10 months after virus closure
(AP Photo/Chris Carlson, File)ANAHEIM, Calif. – Disneyland is ending its annual pass program 10 months after the theme park shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic, the theme park said Thursday. The park in Anaheim, California, said it would begin issuing pro-rated refunds to eligible passholders. “Due to the continued uncertainty of the pandemic and limitations around the reopening of our California theme parks, we will be issuing appropriate refunds for eligible Disneyland Resort Annual Passports and sunsetting the current program,” Ken Potrock, president of Disneyland Resort, said in a statement. Disney officials would not say how many people hold these passes or how much the move will cost the company. The announcement comes the same week that Disneyland allowed county health officials to use its parking lot for a large-scale coronavirus vaccination site.
The Latest: China says COVID-19 hospitalizations above 1,000
(AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)BEIJING — China says it is now treating more than 1,000 people for COVID-19 as numbers of cases continue to surge in the country’s north. ___AUSTIN, Texas — Texas has distributed more than 1 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, Gov. State health officials say Texas had more than 14,000 COVID-19 patients in hospitals and its death toll has passed 30,000. ___COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina will now allow medical students, retired nurses and other qualified professionals to administer the COVID-19 vaccine. ___MADRID — Spain reported 35,878 confirmed coronavirus cases and 201 new deaths from the coronavirus.
Disneyland opens mass vaccination site, could Disney World be next?
Disneyland will be used as a COVID-19 vaccination super site - among the first in California's populous Orange County. pic.twitter.com/VqdZajbgL6 — CBS News (@CBSNews) January 12, 2021The vaccination site is expected to open later this week to first responders in high-risk areas. The Disneyland Resort has been closed since March and was the only Disney theme park unable to reopen last summer. The shopping area offers families a chance to experience a slice of the Disney magic while the theme park is shut down. News 6 reached out to Walt Disney World to see if it had any plans to introduce a site similar to their sister park.
Deli meat causes listeria outbreak, 1 person dies in Florida
Several people were hospitalized after eating Italian-style meats like salami because of a possible listeria outbreak. At least 10 people have been hospitalized in Florida, Massachusetts and New York. One person in Florida died. “A specific type of deli meat and common supplier have not yet been identified,” the CDC’s website noted. The CDC is warning people to avoid eating deli-meats unless it’s thoroughly heated.
Oh my gourd: It’s National Pumpkin Day
Whether it’s in your latte or sitting out on your front porch, Monday’s the day to celebrate everyone’s favorite gourd. Oct. 26 marks National Pumpkin Day. The name comes from the Greek word “pepon,” which translates to “large melon.”Of course, pumpkins come in all shapes and sizes. [TRENDING: Vote for Trump or else | Woman on Delta flight punches attendant over mask | Disneyland blasts state’s guidance over closure]And while they’re fun to decorate and carve for Halloween, pumpkins are also packed with nutrients, like Vitamin C, making them the perfect treat for the fall season. If you were wondering, the Guinness World Record for the heaviest pumpkin is just over 2,600 pounds.
21-year-old killed in double shooting in Marion County
MARION COUNTY, Fla. – A 21-year-old man was killed and another person was wounded Wednesday in a double shooting in Marion County, according to sheriff’s officals. Both victims were rushed to a hospital, where Williams died, officials said. The other victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries, according to deputies. Investigators said they believe the shooting was an isolated incident, but no other details, including information about the suspected shooter, have been released. An investigation is ongoing.
Date set for 2021 Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts
ORLANDO, Fla – Walt Disney World said Wednesday that the Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts will begin on Jan. 8. Disney officials called the festival a global celebration of the visual, culinary and performing arts. Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts (Disney Parks Blog)The festival is included with regular Epcot admission. Disney said on its blog that it plans to release more details about the festival in the coming weeks. The festival will end on Feb. 22.
Disneyland blasts state’s guidance as theme park to remain closed amid coronavirus
Disneyland is likely to be closed for several more weeks, following long-awaited pandemic guidance released Tuesday by the state of California. Theme parks are allowed to reopen only when the county in which they are located is outside the red tier of the state’s four-tier opening system. Because of the outbreak in Orange County, where Disneyland is based, it could be weeks or months before the coronavirus criteria is met. A statement from Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock said, “We have proven that we can responsibly reopen, with science-based health and safety protocols strictly enforced at our theme park properties around the world. Prior to the extended closure, the original Disney theme park had only closed for JFK’s assassination and the Sept. 11 terror attacks.
California wavers on theme park opening rules amid pressure
But following industry criticism of the proposed rules, state health officials said no announcement was coming Friday as negotiations continue. Amusement park leaders saw a draft of the new rules Thursday and urged state officials to change them, said Erin Guerrero, executive director of the California Attractions and Parks Association. A Disney official said there have been no major reported outbreaks in Florida associated with the company’s theme parks and declined to say whether any cases have occurred there. Ian Henderson, a spokesman for Steel’s office, said county health officials have worked closely with Disney to prepare for the reopening of its parks. —Taxin reported from Orange County, California.
The Latest: Honolulu to allow some activities to resume
(AP Photo/Audrey McAvoy)HONOLULU -- Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell says the city plans to allow some activities that were shut down last month to control the spread of the coronavirus to resume under new guidelines. Gary Herbert will increase pandemic restrictions in two Utah cities as COVID-19 cases continue to surge in the state. The county accounted for 42% of the state’s cases despite having only 20% of state’s population. Eric Holcomb’s statewide mask mandate and other coronavirus restrictions poses a possible disruption to his reelection campaign. But the real toll is thought to be much higher, in part because many COVID-19 deaths were probably ascribed to other causes, especially early on, before widespread testing.
Disney to roll out special face coverings exclusively for cast members
ORLANDO, Fla. – Walt Disney World cast members will soon be sporting new face coverings as part of the company’s efforts to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. Disney said Friday on its blog that the coverings were designed in a partnership with cast members across the Disneyland and Walt Disney World costuming teams. New face coverings were developed remotely through a bi-coastal effort between cast members at both resorts. The masks will be exclusive to Disney cast members and come in multiple sizes that will be offered as a pleated or contoured style. Disney is requiring all guests and cast members to wear a face covering while at its theme parks.
Tokyo Disney Resort reopens amid pandemic. Walt Disney World is next
TOKYO – Tokyo Disney Resort on Wednesday welcomed guests back for the first time in months after closing in early February. Both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea were forced to end the magic and fun due to concerns from the coronavirus pandemic. [READ NEXT: Disney parks around the world reopen. Shanghai Disneyland was the first Disney theme park to reopen. [MORE: Walt Disney World introduces new reservation system ahead of theme park’s opening]Walt Disney World in Orlando is expected to open its doors on July 11.
In case you missed it: Disney’s Splash Mountain to be re-themed to ‘Princess and the Frog’
It’s transformation central at Disney Parks in the U.S., as Disney officially announced that it has big plans for Splash Mountain at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. MORE: Petition calls for Disney Parks to change theme of Splash MountainIf you haven’t heard of the film, you’re not alone. If you’re unfamiliar with Splash Mountain, here’s a little background. Splash Mountain follows happy-go-lucky Br’er Rabbit as he looks for his “laughing place.” All the while, Br’er Bear and Br’er Fox are in hot pursuit of Br’er Rabbit. “Many adults and children ride this attraction because it brings back childhood memories,” the “Keep Splash Mountain” petition said.
Are you ready? Disney’s Splash Mountain to be re-themed to ‘Princess and the Frog’
It’s transformation central in Disney Parks in the U.S. as Disney officially announced that it has big plans for Splash Mountain at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. The popular water ride will soon be re-themed to Disney’s 2009 film about a frog prince wanting to be human again. If you’re unfamiliar with Splash Mountain, here’s a little background. Splash Mountain follows happy-go-lucky Br’er Rabbit as he looks for his “laughing place.” All the while, Br’er Bear and Br’er Fox are in hot pursuit Br’er Rabbit. “Many adults and children ride this attraction because it brings back childhood memories,” the “Keep Splash Mountain” petition said.
What does Hong Kong Disneyland reopening mean for Central Florida's local attractions?
What does Hong Kong Disneyland reopening mean for Central Florida's local attractions? Published: June 18, 2020, 12:36 pmHong Kong Disneyland officially reopened on Thursday after a major drop in coronavirus cases in the Chinese territory. Advance reservations will be required and only limited attendance will be allowed at the park, one of the pillars of Hong Kong’s crucial tourism industry.
Create Disney’s famous Dole Whip at home in less than 10 minutes
If you’re like us and are no longer following your quarantine diet, Disney’s favorite frozen snack can be yours to make at home. Dole Whip has become a must-eat for families and Disney fans alike. The theme parks remain closed, however, you can bring the park magic home by creating your own Dole Whip treats. There are two ways to create a Dole Whip: Dole’s recipe and Disney’s recipe. Share your Dole Whip creations with us in the comments below!
Petition calls for Disney Parks to change theme of Splash Mountain
ORLANDO, Fla. – There are growing calls for Walt Disney World to change the theme of its popular log flume ride Splash Mountain. The attraction is based on the 1946 Disney film “Song of the South," which has been criticized for its stereotypes of black people. Splash Mountain follows happy-go-lucky Br’er Rabbit as he looks for his “laughing place.” All the while, Br’er Bear and Br’er Fox are in hot pursuit Br’er Rabbit. One idea bouncing around social media is a total theme change to the ride -- and fans are looking to Disney’s film “The Princess and the Frog”. Princess and the Frog Splash Mountain retheme for Disneyland thread.
Walt Disney World donates $5 million to aid nonprofits that help social justice
The Walt Disney Company has pledged $5 million to support nonprofit organizations that advance social justice. The donation will begin with a $2 million donation to The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. “This $5 million pledge will continue to support the efforts of nonprofit organizations such as the NAACP that have worked tirelessly to ensure equality and justice.”Disney’s pledge is part of its ongoing commitment to support organizations that advance social justice. This donation is nothing new for the Walt Disney Co. Previously, Disney provided millions of dollars in grants to help students from underrepresented groups make the dream of higher education a reality, including $2.5 million to the United Negro College Fund.
Helicopter pilot shares breathtaking view of Disneyland Resort during coronavirus closure
Disneyland has a temporary flight restriction that restricts pilots from flying anywhere near the park within 3,000 feet. However, our favorite sight was that of a closed Disneyland park without a single person to be seen. "Got the Matterhorn, got the Space Mountain -- Star Wars Land -- it's so cool," Muzio said while approaching the theme park. From 10,000 feet, you can really get a grasp of just how small the theme park is. While the view from above is great, I think we can all agree that nothing beats the view from the ground.
This Disney playlist will take any day and make it practically perfect
Disney tunes have a way of getting us out of the rut we’re in and putting a smile on our face. Each music provider has a Disney playlist filled with hundreds of songs from every Disney film known to man. Having the right playlist is an important task -- and choosing the right playlist shouldn’t be taken lightly. Everyone should have a Disney playlist saved, ready to be played at any moment. The playlist is a melting pot of classic Disney hits, Disney covers and songs you can hear when visiting a Disney theme park.
Coronavirus: Disney may take your temperature once parks reopen
Once Disney amusement parks re-open after the coronavirus outbreak subsides, new security measures may be put into effect to prevent guests from getting sick. Disney officials said that upon entering the parks, you may have your temperature taken at the security checkpoint. Disney executive Bob Iger spoke about the new normal for the amusement parks in an interview with Barron's Magazine. He said temperature screenings are a possibility to meet health guidelines and make visitors feel safe. Disneyland in California and Walt Disney World in Florida are closed indefinitely during the pandemic.
Disneyland to donate excess food during coronavirus closure
Disneyland Resort in California announced on Thursday it would be closed from Sunday until the end of March. The closure leaves a lot of excess food at the theme park, and theme park officials announced on its blog the leftover food would not go to waste. [Coronavirus: Walt Disney World theme parks to close through March]During the temporary closure, excess food inventory will be donated to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, the blog stated. [RELATED: This will be the longest closure ever for Disney World]In 2019, Disneyland donated more than 200,000 meals to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County through its food donation program, officials said. Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Orlando have also announced closures due to the coronavirus.
May the spork be with you: Disney is selling utensils for how much?
– Disney has brought back its popular metal sporks at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. But there’s a catch. The utensils were previously used at Disneyland California’s new Star Wars-themed restaurants, but company said so many people were stealing them, they now have to charge their guests. The metal sporks come with a souvenir bag and cost $11. May the spork be with you!
Disney Marathon brings in record number of runners; boosts economy
ORLANDO, Fla. – According to officials at Walt Disney World, this year's Marathon Weekend will bring the most runners ever, injecting Central Florida's economy with millions of tourism dollars in a typically slow time. Faron Kelley, of runDisney, says nearly 70,000 runners are participating in the 5K, 10K, half marathon and marathon this weekend. Marathon weekend at Disney World is almost triple the size in runners registered. 26,000 people are registered for the marathon, 25,000 for the half marathon and 10,000 each for the 5K and 10K. The half marathon takes place Saturday, while the marathon happens Sunday.