Judge invites Walt Disney Co. to bring Disney World to Texas amid new passed law
Those who have been to Disney World know it’s the “happiest place on earth,” but what if the giant amusement park called Texas home? Well, one Texas judge has invited the Disney CEO to move the amusement park to Fort Bend County, just outside of Houston, amid a battle over self-government in Florida, according to KPRC, KSAT’s sister station.
4 springtime activities we love at Walt Disney World
The resort is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary celebration, and now is the perfect time to celebrate the season and upcoming Easter holiday. If you plan on visiting, we have uncovered a number of fun activities for families to experience while out exploring the theme parks and nearby resort hotels.
CPS 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.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.comWoman had guns in diaper bag at Walt Disney World, deputies say
All rights reserved)ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) – A Georgia woman was arrested at Walt Disney World after security for the Florida resort found two guns and some marijuana in her child’s diaper bag, according to court documents. Yunique Smith, 27, of Stone Mountain, Georgia, was arrested July 18 on misdemeanor counts of carrying a concealed weapon and marijuana possession, the Orlando Sentinel reported. Smith was going through the Epcot security line with an adult man, their 7-month-old daughter and her 7-year-old son when the guard spotted a 9mm handgun and a plastic bag containing marijuana, an arrest report said. A search of the diaper bag revealed a .45 caliber handgun on the bottom, deputies said. Park rules state no weapons are allowed on Disney property.
What could Disney crowds look like when the park reopens? We take a guess at the numbers
ORLANDO, Fla. – Walt Disney World is set to once again open its gates to the Magic Kingdom following a lengthy closure due to the coronavirus pandemic. But with most families staying inside and not traveling, how crowded will the theme parks really be when they reopen? Park Capacity Capacity at 25% Magic Kingdom 57,000 people 14,250 people Epcot 34,093 people 8,523 people Hollywood Studios 30,843 people 7,710 people Animal Kingdom 37,671 people 9,417 peopleA park at 25% capacity would mean very minimal wait times. As we can all imagine, visiting a Disney theme park when it reopens will be a new experience for all -- no matter how many times you’ve visited. The Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom parks will open first July 11, with Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios reopening July 15.
Here’s everything you should know before heading to Walt Disney World’s phased reopening
According to Disney, buses and monorails will implement a combination of physical distancing and physical barriers to provide separation between guest parties. Ground markings will help promote proper physical distancing in attraction queues at Walt Disney World Resort theme parks in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)In order to provide appropriate social distancing, Walt Disney World is only allowing a limited number of guests to visit each theme park per day. “Ground markings will help promote proper physical distancing throughout the parks, including attraction queues,” Disney said. Guests at Walt Disney World Resort theme parks in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., are encouraged to use cashless payment options whenever possible when making purchases as the parks begin their phased reopening July 11, 2020.
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.
Universal 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.
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.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.comHow well do you know Epcot's World Showcase?
But when you visit Epcot's World Showcase at Walt Disney World in Florida, you can do just that. Related: 6 free things to do on your next Disney World vacation -- yes, really | Are you getting the most out of your Disney FastPass? | The Wonderful Walls of Disney: A trend that was never meant to beSome may say this is one of the more relaxing and scenic areas around Walt Disney World. Name a better morning routine than sipping a Joffrey's coffee on the banks of World Showcase Lagoon. This story is for those who think they know everything there is to know about World Showcase.
Disney names new leadership for Disneyland and Walt Disney World
Fireworks explode over the Cinderella Castle at The Magic Kingdom, part of Disney World on January 20, 2017 in Orlando, Florida, US. Powell's position at Disney included overseeing Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Paris. Walt Disney World Resort will be led by Josh D'Amaro, who previously was president of Disneyland Resorts. In addition, Disney has promoted George Kalogridis, who has led Walt Disney World Resort since 2013, to the role of president of Disney segment development and enrichment. Kalogridis started his career at Disney as an original cast member from Walt Disney World's opening in 1971.
cnbc.comMom's angry rant against childless millennials at Disney World sparks heated debate
She ranted about her hatred of "immature millennials" and childless couples visiting Disney World in a Facebook post, which resurfaced on Twitter and has since gone viral. The viral Twitter post, originally intended to mock the woman's hostile message, has brought lots of attention to it. [sic]"She continues, "I f****** hate childless women with a BURNING PASSION!!!" Her words have sparked a lot of conversation online, including an op-ed post from the New York Post. Sorry, childless millennials going to Disney World is weird https://t.co/jMi5S2IRmK pic.twitter.com/3bSclNnRL9 New York Post (@nypost) July 26, 2019Copyright 2019 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved.
Is Disney legally liable for deadly alligator attack?
The 2-year-old boy killed in an alligator attack at a Disney World resort will be buried Tuesday in Nebraska. Lane Graves was grabbed by the predator in a lagoon, and divers found his body after a 16-hour search. Now there are growing questions about how much Disney could be held responsible for the attack. CBS News legal expert Rikki Klieman joins "CBS This Morning" to discuss the case.
cbsnews.comPrevious visitors say they warned Disney about alligators
It appears the alligator attack that killed Lane Graves isn't the first time park visitors have encountered the predators at Disney World. One family told Mark Strassmann they alerted officials after a gator almost snatched their son in April of 2015.
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