Walt Disney World

Magic Kingdom

• The Space Mountain exit at Magic Kingdom has been restored! Guests now exit the roller-coaster through Tomorrowland Launch Depot, which was the ride’s exit before it closed for a TRON makeover.
• A cat decided to take a scenic stroll on the empty rivers of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure as construction continues around the site.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

• A platinum 100 decoration has been erected near the entrance to Disney’s Animal Kingdom in honor of the Disney100 celebration.

Disney Springs

• Disney Springs is ready to celebrate Mother’s Day 2023 with a new “Mom!” photo op sign.
• A platinum 100 is now on display at Disney Springs, near the exit of Orange Garage, as part of the Disney100 celebration.

New Merchandise

• The newest Disney100 Decades 1940s Collection featuring “Pinocchio”, “Fantasia”, and more is now available at Big Top Souvenirs at Magic Kingdom.
• New Disney100 collectible medallions featuring Marvel, Star Wars, and animated Disney characters are available at Pin Traders and World of Disney in Disney Springs, and at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort.

Other Walt Disney World News

• The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Board of Supervisors, appointed by Governor DeSantis to take over Reedy Creek Improvement District, unanimously voted to terminate the Planning and Zoning Board members and appoint themselves as the local planning agency.
• Chair Martin Garcia also said that the district would be looking into monetizing the district’s land assets, including creating new zoning for affordable workforce housing. 
• One of the lawyers for the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District’s Board of Supervisors claims Disney’s deal with the previous Reedy Creek Improvement District board violates state law.
• Amidst the rising and continued tension between Walt Disney World and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, North Carolina state senator Michael Garrett has introduced Senate Bill 594, “Mickey’s Freedom Restoration Act,” which invites Disney to the Tar Heel State.
• Representatives of the Walt Disney Company have announced that groundbreaking on a new affordable and attainable housing development is set to take place next year, with the first units anticipated to be completed in 2026.

Disneyland Resort

• The first Disney Vacation Club Member Lounge at Disneyland Resort opened to guests today and we got our first look at the new Star View Station in Tomorrowland at Disneyland Park.
• New Disney Vacation Club owners of The Villas at Disneyland Hotel will be able to book their first stays beginning May 16, 2023.

Entertainment and Media

• More alleged abuse victims have come forward accusing Marvel Actor Jonathan Majors of wrongdoing.

Disney+

• A new music video from “The Muppets Mayhem” titled “Rock On” starring Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem has been released on Disney Music Vevo’s YouTube page.

The Walt Disney Company

• In their next round of layoffs, The Walt Disney Company will eliminate about 15% of the staff of their entertainment division.

WDW News Today

A State Prison at Disney World? Reedy Creek Board Fired

That’s it for today; we hope you enjoyed this Daily Recap. Thanks for stopping by, and we’ll see you tomorrow!

The post DeSantis’ Board Fires Reedy Creek Planning Board and Takes Over, Board’s Lawyer Says Disney’s Reedy Creek Agreement is Illegal, ‘Caper Worthy of Scrooge McDuck,’ & More: Daily Recap (4/19/23) appeared first on WDW News Today.

Full Tour of the New Star View Station Disney Vacation Club Lounge at Disneyland Park

Star View Station DVC Lounge

Inspired by Walt Disney’s Walt Disney’s optimistic vision for the future, the brand-new “space” named “Disney Vacation Club Star View Station – a Member Lounge” opened to DVC members for the first time today in Tomorrowland at Disneyland Park.

The new Star View Station lounge is located in the space on the second floor of the Star Wars: Launch Bay building. A sandwich board outside welcomes eligible Disney Vacation Club members inside for the grand opening.

This futuristic directional sign points the way toward the new DVC lounge.

Walls of LED stars line the wall, giving the first look at the new Star View Station.

The spiral staircase leads the way to the lounge, where members can find amenities, including a dedicated Disney Vacation Club Member Services team, seating, complimentary Wi-Fi, device-charging stations, and complimentary soft drinks.

When you get to the second floor, a large curved mural features galactic artwork featuring the Star View Station. A rocket in the foreground features the DVC logo on its wing.

Above the Disney Vacation Club kiosk, where DVC guides wait to assist guests, the Disney Vacation Club mantra, “Welcome Home” lines the wall in a futuristic font. Pink guides the way on the geometric carpeting, aiding guests as they “proceed to airlock.”

Seven posters highlight Disney experiences across the globe. Number seven invites guests to discover Iceland with a trip through Adventures by Disney.

Poster six proposes a safari with National Geographic Expeditions.

Sail the open seas aboard a Disney Cruise Line vessel suggests poster five.

Poster four recommends a visit to the DVC Resort on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina.

If you’re looking to use your Disney Vacation Club points outside of the parks, poster three suggests Aulani Resort and Spa in Hawaii.

Poster two suggests booking a villa across the country at the Walt Disney World Resort. If you don’t have a home resort on the east coast, it might be time to check out what’s available at the seven-month booking window!

Of course, poster one invites Disney Vacation Club Members home to the “Happiest Place on Earth.”

More LED stars line these curtains, blocking a balcony view of the floor below. This spot used to provide a look into Innoventions below.

Modern partition walls and futuristic decor add to the theme.

The new “space” is available for all eligible Disney Vacation Club members with valid theme park tickets and reservations to Disneyland Park. “Eligible,” in this case, means those who bought their DVC contracts directly through Disney or who purchased resale contracts prior to 2016.

Mary Blair-inspired artwork decorates the wall above.

Conceptual art for EPCOT and Adventure Through Inner Space flank either side of a television in the lounge.

The lounge doubles as an exhibit space for historic Disney items, including the K7 Space Suit worn by the Tomorrowland Astronauts during the early years of Disneyland. The piece is on display courtesy of the Walt Disney Imagineering Center.

From the opening of Disneyland Park in 1966 until the land was reimagined in 1967, Tomorrowland was home to its own pair of intrepid space travelers. Guests from around the globe enjoyed the opportunity to meet and greet these explorers, who played dual roles as icons of Tomorrowland and ambassadors for Walt Disney’s optimistic vision of the future.

The Space Station S-1 Model from the “Disneyland” television series is also on display, suspended from the rafters above.

Created by artist, sculptor, and Disney Legend Wathel Rogers. this model was built for two episodes of the “Disneyland” television series that aired in I955. The first, “Man in Space,” was a look at how America was preparing for the challenge of space exploration. The second episode, “Man and the Moon,” featured it in a key role, speculating it would serve as the base of operations for a crewed flight around the moon. The model has previously been on display at the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum in Washington, D.C.

The futuristic decor of the new DVC Star View Station Lounge at Disneyland even extends to its restrooms.

Coca-Cola Freestyle machines, a coffee and espresso maker, and snacks are available to DVC members visiting the new lounge at Disneyland.

A variety of seating areas are scattered throughout the room, allowing visiting families the chance to spread out throughout the new DVC space.

This is an exciting time to be a Disney Vacation Club Member, especially if your home resort is at Disneyland. The Disney Vacation Club points charts have been released for the Villas at Disneyland Hotel, which is opening on September 28. Cash rates were revealed last month when bookings opened. Disney also announced the sales date for the Villas, which is in May.

The new tower at Disneyland Hotel has been under construction for several months. This addition to Disney Vacation Club offerings includes rooms and villas with Disney-inspired décor and themed touches for the whole family.

Disney says, “The Villas at Disneyland Hotel will blend timeless Walt Disney Animation Studios classics with contemporary designs, delicately curating a celebration of Disney history in the place where it all started—the Disneyland Resort.” The 12-story Disney Vacation Club tower will “immerse you in discovering the creative storytelling process, bringing some of your favorite Disney stories to life like never before in a variety of themed accommodations.”

What do you think of the Star View Station DVC Lounge in Tomorrowland at Disneyland? If you’re a Disney Vacation Club Member, let us know if you plan to stop by in the comments below!

For more Disneyland Resort news and info, follow Disneyland News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news worldwide, visit WDWNT.

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In a proposed amendment, Florida’s Senate Committee on Fiscal Policy has recommended that the Give Kids The World specialty license plate would instead feature artwork for Universal Orlando Resort. The proceeds from the sales of the license plates would still benefit the Give Kids The World Village, but the change would hopefully drum up more interest for the specialty plates.

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles requires a minimum of 3,000 presale vouchers to be purchased before minting the specialty plates. As of March 13, 2023, the proposed Give Kids The World specialty plate has only sold 107 presale vouchers to Florida drivers. According to the DHSMV, the plate has until October 15, 2024, to meet the presale requirement. The presale vouchers are available to Florida residents for $35 each.

In 2020, the DHSMV was authorized to create a “Give Kids the World” specialty license plate. Above, the conceptual Give Kids The World license plate features the Give Kids The World Village logo on the left third. In hopes of raising interest, the plate will be rethemed to feature Universal Orlando Resort instead.

The annual use fees from the sale of the plate are distributed to Give Kids the World, which may use up to ten percent of proceeds to promote and market the plate. The remainder of the proceeds must be used to support the organization’s mission of providing week-long, cost-free vacations to children with critical illnesses and their families.

Here’s a full look at the mark-up of the proposed amendment that will retheme the GKTW specialty license plate to Universal Orlando Resort:

(107) UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT GIVE KIDS THE WORLD LICENSE PLATES.—

(a) The department shall develop a Universal Orlando Resort Give Kids The World license plate as provided in this section and s. 320.08053. The plate must bear the colors and design approved by the department. The word “Florida” must appear at the top of the plate, and the words “Universal Orlando Resort” “Give Kids The World” must appear at the bottom of the plate.

(b)The annual use fees from the sale of the plate must shall be distributed to Give Kids The World, Inc., a nonprofit organization under s. 501(c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code. Up to 10 percent of the proceeds may be used for the promotion and marketing of the plate. The remainder of the proceeds must shall be used by Give Kids The World, Inc., to support the organization’s mission their mission of providing week-long, cost-free vacations to children with critical illnesses and their families.

Representatives from Give Kids The World welcome the change to the specialty license plates and hope that the Universal Orlando Resort retheme will help to gather enough support for the specialty license plates to meet the required threshold. The organization, of course, cannot benefit until at least 3,000 presale vouchers have been sold.

Give Kids The World Village was established in 1986 as a place for terminally ill children and their families to stay and play when visiting Walt Disney World Resort and other Orlando destinations. They provide week-long stays to families of critically ill children at no cost and are run entirely non-profit. Everything from meals, to transportation, to theme park tickets are included during their stay at one of their villas.

Florida car owners can purchase a voucher for the specialty plates through their local County Tax Collector’s Offices (in person or online) or license plate agencies (DMVs) across the State of Florida. 

Walt Disney World Make-A-Wish License Plates

In addition to the Give Kids The World Specialty License Plates, Walt Disney World Specialty License Plates are also in production for Florida drivers, with 100 percent of their proceeds benefitting the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Through the sale of limited-edition commemorative 50th Anniversary license plates, the Walt Disney World Resort has been able to raise more than $1.5 million for Make-A-Wish of Central and Northern Florida.

The specialty EARidescent license plates were first announced as Walt Disney World’s first-ever specialty license plate in March 2021. The commemorative design features the “EARidescent” 50th-anniversary castle logo on a majestic royal blue background. Inspired by the color scheme of Cinderella Castle, this magical plate features the Walt Disney World logo displayed at the bottom of the plate and “Florida” printed at the top in gold.

More than 3,500 of the 50th Anniversary License Plates were sold in less than a week of presales. Since sales of the commemorative plate went live, more than 30,000 Florida drivers have begun sporting the 50th Anniversary license plate. Disney has donated 100% of the $1.5 million in proceeds to date to Make-A-Wish of Central and Northern Florida.

Florida car owners still have a chance to get the specialty 50th Anniversary plates through their local County Tax Collector’s Offices (in person or online) or license plate agencies (DMVs) across the State of Florida.   A fresh, new design featuring Cinderella Castle is expected to replace the 50th Anniversary edition this summer, but Walt Disney World will continue to donate all proceeds to Make-A-Wish.

Will you be sporting a new “Universal Orlando Resort” license plate to support Give Kids The World? Let us know what you think about these in the comments below!

For more Universal Studios news from around the world, follow Universal Parks News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news, visit WDWNT.

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The Walt Disney World Resort provided nearly 80 acres of land in Orange County to The Michaels Organization to build, own and operate an attainable housing development with 1,300 units, offering affordable options for qualifying applicants within certain income levels.  Today, representatives have also shared that they now anticipate building 1,400 units.

“We’ve been making more and more progress on this initiative every day, and now, we’re thrilled to share that groundbreaking on this development is targeted for next year, with the first units anticipated to be completed in 2026,” said Rena Langley, Senior Vice President, Walt Disney World Communications and Public Affairs.

“We are also expanding our vision to now include approximately 1,400 total units – over 100 higher than we had initially announced. We hope to make a positive impact wherever we can in our community, so to be able to offer more units means even more Florida families will get access to attainable housing, in addition to creating new Florida jobs as part of the construction and operation.”

The land is located west of State Road 429, just a few miles away from the Magic Kingdom and near schools and shopping centers, including the Flamingo Crossings Town Center. Concept art was released last year.

The Michaels Organization, a nationally recognized developer, will build and operate the property. The development, which is planned to be privately financed, will be limited to applicants within a certain income range.  

“Walt Disney World has played an active role in building a stronger community for more than 50 years, and we will continue to find and support creative solutions that make a meaningful impact,” Disney representatives shared.

Walt Disney World has also recently joined the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, an organization that cast members support year-round through the Disney VoluntEARS program, for the grand opening of its newly renovated youth center, which was built with the help of a $100,000 Disney grant. Late last year, Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort announced significant donations to local community food banks to support families in need, totaling more than $300,000.

For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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According to Variety, sources with insider information have shared that multiple alleged abuse victims of Majors have now come forward following his March arrest and are cooperating with the Manhattan district attorney’s office. Currently starring in “Creed III” and “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania”, In March, Johnathan Majors was originally arrested in New York City on domestic violence charges and is currently awaiting a May 8 trial.

Majors has been dropped by his management team, Entertainment 360, after the domestic violence allegations. Prior to his arrest, PR firm The Lede Company also initiated a break with Majors and fashion company Valentino has announced that Majors would not be invited to the Met Gala this year.

He is expected to appear before a judge on May 8 as he faces multiple counts of harassment and assault. Evidence, including video footage and witness testimony, allegedly points to Majors, a rising star within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, involved in a domestic dispute with a 30-year-old woman. The woman was taken to the hospital to be treated for minor head and neck injuries. Now more victims have come forward alleging that Majors’ abusive tendencies might be a troublesome pattern.

Obviously, such actions would have major implications on the future of the Marvel Cinematic universe as Majors is playing the main villain of the ongoing Multiverse Saga, most recently appearing in “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” and is set to appear in season 2 of Loki on Disney+, Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, and Avengers: Secret Wars, among other projects.

Jonathan Majors has already shot the second season of the Disney + series “Loki” where he reprises his role as Kang the Conqueror. He is also set to reprise his role as Kang the Conqueror in “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty,” but that won’t begin filming for a while.

At this time Disney and Marvel have not dropped Majors from the MCU or commented publicly on the allegations he faces. The District Attorney’s office and representatives for Majors have also declined to comment on the newest allegations surrounding the rising Marvel Cinematic Universe star.

Do you think Majors will ultimately be dropped from the MCU following these allegations? Let us know in the comments.

For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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Walt Disney World

EPCOT

• The large, circular “Stargate” barge has been removed from the center of the World Showcase Lagoon at EPCOT.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

• A rare character meet-and-greet opportunity featuring Terk and Jane from “Tarzan” has popped up today at Disney’s Animal Kingdom as part of the 25th Anniversary Earth Day Celebration.

New Merchandise

• A Three Caballeros Minnie ear headband has arrived at Walt Disney World as part of the Disney100 Decades 1940s Collection. 
• A new Minnie Ear Headband inspired by Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room is now available at Uptown Jewelers inside Magic Kingdom.
• A new popcorn bucket shaped like a Disney Skyliner gondola featuring “Guardians of the Galaxy” characters is available at EPCOT.
• A Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Stitch succulent planter, a Disney Munchlings water bottle, and a variety of Disney Munchlings ornaments are the latest new Disney Munchlings-inspired offerings to reimagine iconic Disney characters as tasty treats at Walt Disney World.
• To help celebrate this year’s graduates, a new Class of 2023 Stitch plush is now available at Walt Disney World.
• shopDisney has released a first look at the newest Cinderella-inspired 1950s Disney Decades Collection coming soon to Disney Parks.

Other Walt Disney World News

• The Florida Senate has now filed legislation to void “eleventh-hour” Disney & Reedy Creek Agreements.
• Walt Disney World Annual Passes will resume sales this Thursday and will be available “no earlier than 6:00 a.m. ET.”
• Florida residents can visit Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park with a 2-Day Disney Water Park Ticket for the price of a 1-day ticket.
• The theme of this year’s runDisney virtual series is Disney100 featuring Mickey Through the Years and runDisney has revealed the four Mickey-inspired medals that will be available.
• Starting today, April 18, Walt Disney World Annual Passholders can visit the theme parks after 2:00 p.m. on most days without a park pass reservation.

Disneyland Resort

• Disney Vacation Club has announced the sales date for the new Villas at Disneyland Hotel, which is opening on September 28.
• The Disney Vacation Club 2023 points charts have also been released for the Villas at Disneyland Hotel.
• Disneyland Resort Security Cast Members are set to receive an $8 per hour raise in phases over the next two years.
• Two shopping destinations, WonderGround Gallery and Disney Home, have reopened in their original locations in the Downtown Disney District.
• The Disney100 Decades 1940s Collection has arrived at Disneyland Resort, featuring items inspired by the Three Caballeros, Pinocchio, “Fantasia,” and Scrooge McDuck.

Tokyo Disney Resort

• Walt Disney Imagineering has once again partnered with renowned Disney artist Eric Robison for a new painting to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Tokyo Disney Resort.

Entertainment and Media

• MCU “Kang the Conqueror” Actor Jonathan Majors has been dropped by his management team, Entertainment 360, after domestic violence allegations.

WDW News Today

Sonny Eclipse Has a Meltdown, Finger Food is on the Menu in EPCOT Brawl

That’s it for today; we hope you enjoyed this Daily Recap. Thanks for stopping by, and we’ll see you tomorrow!

The post Florida Senate Files Legislation to Void Disney & Reedy Creek Agreements, Timing Announced for Resumption of Walt Disney World Annual Pass Sales, & More: Daily Recap (4/18/23) appeared first on WDW News Today.

Class of 2023 Stitch Plush – $24.99

We found this excited graduate at the Creations Shop in EPCOT. Stitch is taking on a number of new endeavors lately. Nearby inside the Creations Shop, we found a number of new products that reimagine Experiment 626 as a Pineapple Upside-Down Cake.

Stitch is wearing a bright red graduation robe to match his shorts and graduation cap.

A white hibiscus floral pattern decorates his shorts.

“Class of 2023” is printed on the top of the graduation cap. It is finished with a golden graduation tassle.

Only one set of arms extend out from Stitch’s open graduation gown. His lighter blue stomach extends up to the bottom portion of his face, where it is met with a fuller plush in a darker blue.

On the back, its easier to see Stitch’s spots, matching his dark blue claws and the tips of his extended ears.

Claws also extend out from the feet of this Stitch plush, with little round bases embroidered in the middle.

“Lilo & Stitch” Live-Action Remake

The live-action remake of “Lilo & Stitch” is being produced for Disney+ exclusively and will be directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, who received an Oscar nomination for “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On,” written by Chris Kekaniokalani Bright, and produced by Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich. The upcoming remake has no release date but is based on the 2002 Walt Disney Animation Studios film of the same name starring Daveigh Chase and Chris Sanders.

“Lilo and Stitch” follows a young Hawaiian girl who adopts a “dog” from the local pound, completely unaware that it’s a dangerous scientific experiment taking refuge on Earth, hiding from its creator and those who see it as a menace and a criminal. Maia Kealoha will make her film debut as Lilo, the titular character in “Lilo & Stitch”. As a young Hawaiian actress, Kealoha won the role after Disney’s open call.

Billy Magnussen has been cast in the live-action “Lilo & Stitch” remake directed by Dean Fleischer Camp. Like new co-star, Zach Galifinakas, Magnussen’s role has not yet been revealed.

Are you or someone you know graduating this year and hoping to add this plush to your memorabilia for the occasion? We’d love to hear about your graduation celebrations at Walt Disney World in the comments below.

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On their official Instagram page, Walt Disney Imagineering gave the first look at the original, hand-painted work. This one-of-a-kind artwork is meant to capture “all the magic that has been created over the last 40 years.”

The painting draws heavy inspiration from iconic concept art created by legendary Imagineer Herb Ryman during the conception of Tokyo Disneyland in the 1970s and 80s, shown below.

The concept art depicts Cinderella Castle and the hub area around it. To the far left is World Bazaar, complete with its distinct canopy. In the distance, we see Space Mountain and the spires of Tomorrowland, and, of course, on the right is Cinderella Castle itself, cloned from its original Walt Disney World home for the Japanese park.

In Robison’s 40th anniversary reimagining, many of the same features can be seen. Set under a pink and purple sunset, the Partners statue can be seen in a bed of wildflowers at the center as Walt Disney seemingly points to the fireworks above Cinderella Castle inside Tokyo Disneyland.

To the left of the castle, in place of World Bazaar, Tokyo DisneySea is framed underneath a cherry blossom tree. We see Mount Prometheus and the Fortress Explorations, home of S.E.A., in its depiction. At the bottom of the painting, a descriptor reads, “Tokyo Disneyland Resort 40th Anniversary 2023.” In the bottom right, Robison’s signature has been painted by the renowned Disney artist in the same lime green.

As seen above, Robison has put the finishing touches on the Cinderella Castle in Tokyo Disneyland. Robison’s 40th Anniversary commemorative painting of Tokyo Disneyland was inspired by Herb Ryman’s original painting of the Tokyo Disneyland hub. A long-respected artist and Imagineer, Ryman was originally hired by Walt Disney in 1954 to create the original concept drawings for Disneyland in California. 

Disney Artist Eric Robison

Robison was discovered by Walt Disney Imagineering President Marty Sklar, who liked the artist’s unique portrayal of Disney characters and helped to launch his art career with a position among the highly-esteemed Walt Disney Imagineers. As a concept designer, he worked on projects associated with Disneyland Paris, Tokyo Disney Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, and Disneyland Resort in California.

Among his repertoire, Robison has become a renowned and best-selling artist with original Disney art including the 30th Anniversary of the Haunted Mansion, Disney Decades for Disneyland’s 50th Anniversary, The Pirates of the Caribbean, The Matterhorn painting [tribute to Herbie Ryman], and the original Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

Tokyo Disney Resort “Dream-Go-Round” 40th Anniversary Celebration

Tokyo Disney Resort is now celebrating its 40th Anniversary, dubbed “Dream-Go-Round” after officially debuting on April 15th. The celebration is set to take place until March 31, 2024, and will feature decorations across both parks, special food, merchandise, and entertainment. The biggest addition by far is the new “Disney Harmony in Color” daytime parade, as is tradition with a Tokyo anniversary celebration.

Decor has also been added to Cinderella Castle for the first time in ten years along with decorations at World Bazaar and around the Tokyo DisneySea entrance. Take a look at the new decor that dons Cinderella Castle at the center of Tokyo Disneyland.

What do you think of the new painting commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Tokyo Disney Resort? Let us know if you’ll be looking out for prints of this new Eric Robison artwork or if you plan to visit Tokyo Disneyland for the 40th Anniversary celebration in the comments below!

For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Stitch Faux Succulent Planter – $24.99

Stitch has taken on the form of a pineapple upside-down cake as the basis for this Disney Munchlings faux succulent planter.

Fittingly, the included fake succulent mimics the leafy top of a pineapple, above the pot’s pineapple ring used as part of Stitch’s reimagined look. The ears and feet of Experiment 626 protrude from the planter’s base.

The topping oozes down the smiling face of this spotted and spongy caked Stitch.

Disney Munchlings Stainless Steel Water Bottle – $39.99

This 17-ounce stainless steel water bottle features an allover pattern of a collection of Disney Munchlings.

A winking Mickey Mouse has been reimagined as a Cinnamon Swirl Bun, featured as the large screw top lid of this new Disney Munchlings stainless steel water bottle.

The Maleficent Double Chocolate Mint Chip Cone, Winnie the Pooh Honey Cake, and Dark Chocolate Ganache Truffle Chip are just some of the Disney Munchlings to line the outside of this new water bottle.

Wild Blueberry Muffin Eeyore, Wild Strawberry Cupcake Minnie Mouse, and Dark Chocolate Ganache Truffle Dale line the next section.

The Pluto Peanut Butter Chocolate Swirl Cup, Toasted S’more Baymax, and Hades Blueberry Jam Ice Cream Cone are also featured.

Cinnamon Swirl Bun Mickey Mouse, Oogie Boogie Watermelon Gelato, and Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Stitch round out the collection of Disney Munchlings found along the white exterior of this new stainless steel water bottle.

Cinnamon Swirl Bun Mickey Mouse Ornament – $22.99

If you’re not a fan of the Disney Munchlings water bottle, perhaps you’ll want to pick up Cinnamon Swirl Bun Mickey Mouse in the form of this new Disney Munchlings ornament, instead.

Mickey’s three-tiered layers are covered in the icing as they extend up toward his icing-covered ears.

Mickey’s cinnamon bun icing extends to his hands and around the back of this new Disney Munchlings ornament.

Wild Blueberry Muffin Eeyore Ornament – $22.99

Eeyore is looking a little down as a wild blueberry muffin Munchling. Blueberries are baked into blue body, while his two legs protrude from a purple muffin wrapper.

Two wild blueberries adorn the top of the Eeyore ornament, while the beloved “Winnie the Pooh” character’s feet dangle from a purple muffin wrapper.

A pink ribbon for hanging matches the signature pink ribbon on Eeyore’s tail.

Wild Strawberry Cupcake Minnie Mouse Ornament – $22.99

A Wild Strawberry Cupcake Minnie Mouse is topped with a pink, polka-dot bow featuring a wild strawberry centerpiece. Her signature bow sits in a bed of pink icing swirled on top.

Pink sprinkles add a bit more to the wild strawberry Minnie Mouse cupcake. Minnie sits in a matching red and pink cupcake wrapper.

Honey Cake Winnie the Pooh Ornament – $22.99

Honey Cake Winnie the Pooh extends his icing-covered arms out as part of this Disney Munchlings ornament.

Pooh’s smiling face is covered with an icing swirl that is repeated on the back of the ornament.

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Stitch Ornament – $22.99

If even fake plants are too much to handle, fans of “Lilo and Stitch” can pick up Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Stitch in the form of this new Disney Munchlings ornament, instead.

The Disney Munchlings ornament features a similar Stitch, but this collectible is topped with a stemmed maraschino cherry sitting in the center of the signature pineapple ring.

We also spotted new Disney Munchlings plushes, including Chip ‘n’ Dale, Squirt from “Finding Nemo,” and a Mystery Pack, available now at the Emporium in Magic Kingdom. New Orange Bird Munchlings have also been released as part of the 2023 Flower & Garden Festival.

Which of these new Disney Munchlings offerings looks the tastiest to you? Let us know how you feel about your favorite Disney characters being reimagined as treats in the comments below!

For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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Walt Disney World

EPCOT

• The EPCOT Monorail lost power this morning, stranding guests for over an hour before being towed into the station.
• Disney Vacation Club members were invited to a Guardians of the Galaxy ‘Screen & Scream’ event on May the Fourth, with an exclusive after-hours event at EPCOT.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• The Fantasmic! nighttime spectacular at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is reducing its showtimes to just once per night later this month before closing briefly for refurbishment.

Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

• Trail’s End Restaurant at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground has officially closed for refurbishment, marking the end of its current life as a table service outlet.

New Merchandise

• We found a new collection for “Moana” fans by Dooney & Bourke at Uptown Jewelers in Magic Kingdom.

Other Walt Disney World News

• In a press conference today, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced a variety of potential changes coming down the pipeline for Walt Disney World, including new regulations requiring safety inspections for attractions by the Florida Department of Agriculture and the potential development of a state-run facility. DeSantis suggested a state park, a competing theme park, or a new state prison as potential ideas.
• While the company has yet to respond publicly, Disney has issued an email to media partners, quietly fact-checking the comments made at this afternoon’s press conference.
• Ahead of today’s press conference, details emerged surrounding Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ plan to void a contract between the Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board and Walt Disney World. 
• Halfway to Halloween is now officially underway at Disney Parks and limited-time specialty food and beverages will be available at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort.
• Check out the full guide to specialty treats available at Walt Disney World Resort for Halfway to Halloween.
• As part of the Halfway to Halloween offerings, Disney PhotoPass has released a “spirited” new Lens for guests to enjoy.

Disneyland Resort

• Disney has also announced the list of specialty treats available at Disneyland Resort for Halfway to Halloween.

Entertainment and Media

• Members of the Writers Guild of America have overwhelmingly authorized a motion to strike as negotiations surrounding royalties and residual payments from streaming content have reached a stalemate.
• Disney has released a new teaser trailer, showcasing more scenes from the upcoming live-action remake of “The Little Mermaid.”

That’s it for today; we hope you enjoyed this Daily Recap. Thanks for stopping by, and we’ll see you tomorrow!

The post DeSantis Holds Press Conference Announcing Impending State Inspections of Walt Disney World Attractions, Disney Quietly Fires Back with Fact-Check of Governor’s Claims, & More: Daily Recap (4/17/23) appeared first on WDW News Today.

In a record-setting vote earlier today, nearly 98 percent of eligible members of the Writers Guild West and East voted to authorize a strike. A total of 9,218 writers participated in the vote, or nearly 79 percent of members eligible to take part. The vote was 9,020 in favor and 198 opposed.

“These results set a new record for both participation and the percentage of support in a strike authorization vote,” the guild shared in an email to members. “Our membership has spoken. You have expressed your collective strength, solidarity, and the demand for meaningful change in overwhelming numbers. Armed with this demonstration of unity and resolve, we will continue to work at the negotiating table to achieve a fair contract for all writers.”

These results do not ensure a work stoppage will happen, but instead, give the union the option to strike if labor leaders decide it becomes necessary throughout the ongoing contract negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. Until the existing contract expires, the vote to strike is largely a sign of unity among members, serving as leverage during the negotiation period.

The WGA and major studios must reach an agreement before their existing contract expires on May 1, or the risk of a strike becomes a very real threat. If the guild does strike, it would mark the first work stoppage in fifteen years. Union leaders have indicated that they’re seeking an increase in royalties and residual payments for streaming content that more closely resembles the figures for network television. The Writers Guild points to the obvious rise of such streaming content and contends that wages have not yet caught up to its hold on the industry.

The Writers Guild is also seeking an increase to compensation, more generally, and wants to see regulations implemented that will ensure a particular number of writers are actively involved with projects and that writers are employed for at least a minimum amount of time.

In 2017, the guild also voted in favor of a strike authorization, but negotiations ultimately led to an eleventh-hour compromise. In 2007, a compromise was not reached in time, leading to a 100-day strike that shut down the industry. The latest vote comes as Disney’s own writers face instability in the midst of company-wide layoffs and C-suite shakeups.

Joe Earley, who was President of Hulu, has been promoted to President of Direct-to-Consumer for Disney Entertainment placing him in charge of all streaming content for the company. The move comes after Bob Iger announced the reorganization of the Walt Disney Company into three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products.

Layoffs will impact about 4,000 existing employees and departments are expected to freeze the search for many unfilled positions, as well. Senior Vice President of Production for Hulu, Mark Levenstein, and Jayne Bieber, senior vice president of Production Management & Operations for Freeform, were among the first executives to be let go in a series of layoffs in March. Former VP of Corporate Communications for The Walt Disney Company, Jeffrey R. Epstein, soon followed. Among the latest executives to be cut in the first round of Disney layoffs is Marvel Entertainment Chairman Isaac “Ike” Perlmutter, who had a lot to say about his firing. Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer Alicia Schwarz has also been let go.

For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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Taxes and Contributions to the State

At today’s press conference, Governor Ron DeSantis and those that joined him made multiple demands of Disney to pay their “fair share” of taxes. Disney has quietly reminded media outlets that they have, in fact, paid more than $1 billion in state and local taxes making the company the largest single taxpayer in central Florida.

Representatives of Walt Disney World were also quick to remind their media contacts that Disney is the largest single-site employer throughout the entire United States, employing more than 75,000 Cast Members. More than 200 ancillary businesses also operate throughout the Walt Disney World Resort, with a combined total of an additional 16,000 employees.

The company also calls attention to the hundreds of millions of dollars that they’ve contributed to community groups and nonprofits throughout the state of Florida and the 233,000 volunteer hours logged by Cast Members in 2022 alone throughout central Florida.

Land Appraisals

Governor DeSantis also made a claim that Disney appraises its own property to determine its value. The Governor had suggested that most people facing that scenario would significantly undervalue the property to improve their tax situation and indicated that his Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board would be looking into this.

Representatives from the Walt Disney Company have also indirectly responded to these comments, making it clear that Disney does not assess its own property. The company elaborated, stating that “all property in the district, including all Disney property is assessed annually by the Orange County tax assessor or the Osceola County tax assessor, as applicable.”

“The Orange County tax assessor assesses all property in Orange County including Disney, Sea World, and Universal,” Disney reps explained in their e-mail. “In other words, the same government official that assesses Universal and Sea World also assesses Walt Disney World.”

Safety Concerns and Inspections

At the press conference earlier today, DeSantis claimed that Walt Disney World Resort is no longer “above the law,” and would be subject to state inspections of the Monorail and the attractions within the parks.

The Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson stated: “This legislation will allow my department to conduct inspections when someone is seriously injured on an amusement ride. Thankfully it doesn’t happen that often in Florida, but when it does we have the right to inspect and decide when it can safely reopen.”

While “all major theme parks” were mentioned during this discussion, they did not clarify if these measures would extend to other currently exempted properties, including Universal Orlando Resort or SeaWorld Orlando.

Disney’s response highlights a memorandum of understanding that was enacted decades ago to ensure transparency regarding on-site injuries and governmental reviews of safety procedures.

“In 2001, Walt Disney World, along with other industry leaders, was instrumental in helping lead efforts with the State of Florida to develop a Memorandum of Understanding,” the statement says. “[The memorandum requires] quarterly reporting of any serious guest injuries occurring on amusement rides and immediate reporting of those resulting in fatalities. The MOU also provides for biannual site visits, consultations, and reviews of the safety programs at Florida’s permanent amusement facilities.”

Affordable Housing

Among ideas proposed by DeSantis for unoccupied land within the district, including the development of a state park, competing theme park, or state prison, the Florida Governor had also made reference to the need for affordable housing options within the region. Representatives from Disney have agreed, sharing that the company has already contributed 80 acres of land for an affordable housing complex in Central Florida.

“Walt Disney World has played an active role in building a stronger community for more than 50 years, and we will continue to find and support creative solutions that make a meaningful impact,” Disney representatives shared.

The Walt Disney World Resort provided nearly 80 acres of land in Orange County to The Michaels Organization to build, own and operate an attainable housing development with 1,300 units, offering affordable options for qualifying applicants within certain income levels.  The land is located west of State Road 429, just a few miles away from the Magic Kingdom and near schools and shopping centers, including the Flamingo Crossings Town Center. Concept art was released last year.

Other News From Today’s DeSantis Press Conference

State House District 45 Representative Carolina Amesty also took to the podium to share her opinions and concerns. She greeted the audience with a proclamation to “let it be known, in this great nation, here, in the free state of Florida, it is ‘We the People,’ not ‘woke’ corporations.”

She went on to make the following comment regarding Disney’s leadership and recent business practices:

We all love Disney; however, you cannot indoctrinate our childrens [sic]. Instead, they have turned Disney into this corporate PR arm of a small group of extremists who want to indoctrinate our children with radical gender ideologies that have no basis in science, common sense, or basic human decency. They have pushed far-left narratives and lies about our great state and now they think that the rules don’t apply to them.

Carolina Amesty

In addition to Amesty, several other local figures spoke in support of DeSantis’ plans and potential resolutions during the press conference.

DeSantis and The Walt Disney Company have been embroiled in a public feud now for over a year. DeSantis started this lengthy fight against the Walt Disney World Resort after the company’s previous CEO, Bob Chapek, spoke out against Florida’s controversial Parental Rights in Education bill, colloquially known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

Starting with the takeover and renaming of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board is now staffed with members handpicked by DeSantis and aims to control how Walt Disney World Resort functions, builds, and maintains its infrastructure. One of these members is Ron Peri, known for calling homosexuality evil and claiming it is caused by drinking contaminated tap water.

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Walt Disney World

Magic Kingdom

• The iconic Sonny Eclipse audio-animatronic began to emanate smoke and discharge fluid last night before slumping over his keyboard entirely at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café in Magic Kingdom.

EPCOT

• A California woman was hospitalized in December after another Disney-goer bit off part of her middle finger during a brawl at EPCOT, according to a sheriff’s report.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

• The verdant, wandering DiVine was recently sighted flaunting a new springtime look — decorated from head to toe in blooming flowers. 
• As part of the Earth Day and 25th Anniversary offerings, Koda and Kenai from the film “Brother Bear” have joined the Earth Day flotilla of the Discovery River Character Cruise.
• Tinker Bell, Fawn, King Louie, and Baloo are all greeting guests as part of exclusive anniversary meet-and-greet opportunities.

Disney Springs

• After nearly a year and a half of performances, Cirque du Soleil has announced updates to performances of “Drawn to Life,” performed each night exclusively in Disney Springs in partnership with the Walt Disney Animation Studios.

Disneyland Resort

• Pens, blankets, water bottles, planters, and ornaments are the latest new Disney Munchlings offerings to reimagine iconic Disney characters as tasty treats. 

Entertainment and Media

• Walt Disney Animation Studios’ animated comedy adventure “Strange World” has lost the company nearly $200M, marking its place as “the worst box office flop of 2022” according to Deadline.

WDW News Today

WDWNT ParksCenter: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Turning 25 This Week and What’s Next at Disney Parks!

That’s it for today; we hope you enjoyed this Daily Recap. Thanks for stopping by, and we’ll see you tomorrow!

The post Irate EPCOT Guest Bites Woman’s Middle Finger Over Fireworks View, Sonny Eclipse Collapses on His Keyboard, & More: Daily Recap (4/16/23) appeared first on WDW News Today.

“Strange World” debuted in movie theaters on Thanksgiving and was quickly transitioned to Disney+ before Christmas, less than a month later, following a lackluster premiere week. The film was initially previewed at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in early November. Recent reports show just how poorly the film performed following its full theatrical debut.

According to Deadline, Walt Disney Animation Studios raked in more than $317 million in expenses for the film and has only recouped $120 million. A mere $35M was brought in from its time in movie theaters worldwide, a figure that is significantly less than what was spent just on advertising the film.

A star-studded cast includes the likes of Jake Gyllenhaal, Dennis Quaid, and Jaboukie Young-White as the adventurous, multi-generational Clade family of explorers. Gabrielle Union and Lucy Liu also lend their voices to the animated Walt Disney Animation Studios film. The comedy adventure tackles the importance of saving the environment and the relationship between fathers and their sons. “Strange World” also introduces the first openly gay main character in a Disney animated movie.

The Clade Family, a world-renowned team of explorers, embark on a thrilling adventure into a mysterious and dangerous land inhabited by fantastical creatures. As they journey deeper into the unknown, the family must overcome their differences and work together to complete their most important mission yet. Along the way, they are joined by a mischievous blue blob, a three-legged dog, and other eccentric companions. But as they navigate the treacherous terrain, they must be careful not to let their disagreements jeopardize their mission and their lives.

Strange World Official Trailer

Check out our full review of “Strange World” to see what we thought of this underperforming Disney film.

The poor performance of “Strange World” may have played a role in Disney’s decision to shy away from original movie ideas, opting instead to spearhead a number of live-action remakes and sequels as of late. The upcoming Disney+ film “Peter Pan & Wendy” has a new official trailer ahead of its April 28 release. The live-action remake of the Disney classic “The Little Mermaid” is set to premiere next month.

Maia Kealoha will make her film debut as Lilo in the live-action remake of “Lilo & Stitch” which is currently being produced and will exclusively launch on Disney+. It was also recently announced that QuestLove will be directing a live-action hybrid remake of “The Aristocats.”

Did you get the chance to see “Strange World” during its limited time in movie theaters or catch it on Disney+ since its fall release? Let us know what you thought about the movie in the comments below!

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“Drawn to Life” is described as a “love letter to Disney animation.” The show is a first-ever collaboration among Cirque du Soleil, Walt Disney Animation Studios, and Walt Disney Imagineering. The show is a journey into a world where an animator’s desk becomes the stage and drawings come to life. “Drawn to Life” is a celebration of life told through Cirque du Soleil’s acrobatics.

“Drawn to Life” follows the story of Julie, a courageous and determined girl who discovers an unexpected gift left by her late father: an unfinished animation piece. Guided by a surprising pencil, she embarks on an inspiring quest sprinkled with her Disney childhood memories. Through this journey, she will learn to imagine new possibilities and animate the story of her future.

In a video shared by the WKMG News 6 team, the show’s Artistic Director Tim Bennett elaborated on the evolving nature of the production and the reasoning behind some of the major new changes.

“So, any Cirque show evolves over time, and especially usually within the first year, but we’re in a little bit of a protracted development phase,” said Bennett. “We’re making tons and tons of little and medium tweaks. And right now we’ve decided to change two acts in a major way. One change was a complete replacement of an old act – it was the stilts act before, and we decided to find something that really jumped up the acrobatic level earlier in the show. So, we brought in the Icarian Games act.”

The refreshed Cirque du Soleil show will also feature a new “flying” guitarist that will perform as acrobats soar and flip in the sky and a new aerial hoops routine that Bennett suspects will add to the intensity of the production.

“We realized that we didn’t have a whole lot of aerial stuff in the show, so we wanted to add more aerial acts,” said Bennett. “So, what we did is we’ve taken the paint and ink girls and made them into Ceraso artists, so now they fly on aerial hoops, and it brings the act forward.”

An original score was written for the show, but that, too, has received an update. Some existing songs have been updated to bring new life to the production and an entirely new song has been written for the new Icarian Games act.

Cirque du Soleil’s “Drawn to Life” at Disney Springs

“Drawn to Life” premiered in November 2021 and is performed at the Cirque du Soleil Theater in the West End of Disney Springs. Since opening night, the show has been performed more than 650 times and ushered more than 600,000 guests through its doors. The show replaced “La Nouba,” which closed at the end of 2017.

“Drawn to Life” has performances Wednesday through Sunday at 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Earlier this year, the show began to also offer Sunday matinee performances at 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Tickets start at $85 and are available from the official Cirque du Soleil website. To add to the experience, guests can also book a prix fixe meal at participating Disney Springs restaurants before or after their viewing of Cirque Du Soleil’s “Drawn to Life” as part of a special dining offer.

Have you seen the Cirque du Soleil and Disney collaborative production of “Drawn to Life” yet? Let us know what you think of this Walt Disney World exclusive show in the comments below!

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