Two Maryland women, ages 73 and 64, were in line for the popular Magic Kingdom roller coaster when they said Eboni McFarley, 31, pushed past them to join the rest of her party. McFarley was accompanied by four children. The incident happened in February, and the sheriff’s department released the arrest report months later.

The Maryland women held their places and refused to move, telling McFarley to wait in line like everybody else, the arrest report said.

McFarley “became agitated” and pushed her way past the two women, the arrest report said.

As she forced her way past them, McFarley scratched the 73-year-old woman’s right arm with her fingernails, causing her to bleed, the arrest report said.

“Both were adamant that there was nothing haphazard or incidental about the contact Eboni made with them,” the two Maryland women told the sheriff’s department, the arrest report said. They said they were willing to testify in court and prosecute McFarley.

There were multiple people in line who witnessed the altercation and then found themselves getting pushed by McFarley, too, when they intervened, the arrest report said.

A large family from Illinois saw what happened, and a 52-year-old woman confronted McFarley, telling her not to touch anyone.

McFarley got physical again, pushing a 23-year-old Illinois woman into a wall and pushing past three males — ages 17, 22, and 72 — as she advanced in the queue, the arrest report said. The Illinois family was not hurt and did not want to prosecute.

The 52-year-old took three photos on her phone, capturing snippets of the altercation as it unfolded.

McFarley had a different take on the situation. McFarley claimed she was the victim and had done nothing wrong when investigators interviewed her and two others in her group.

“They maintained that they felt they were being victimized and profiled because they are African-(American). Eboni maintained she did not batter or push anyone. She did express a concern that her children were touched during the incident, however my investigation did not reveal any information to support this,” a deputy wrote in the arrest report, noting he did not interview the children.

Law enforcement believed McFarley had committed a battery, and she was arrested and taken to Orange County jail, where she was transferred into the custody of the Orange County Corrections Department, the arrest report said.

Disney also trespassed her from Walt Disney World property.

A battery charge was filed, but the assistant state attorney’s office decided this spring the case was” not suitable for prosecution,” according to Orange Circuit Court records.

This is the just the latest in a series of squabbles and physical altercations over perceived line cutting at Walt Disney World. Last fall, a brawl broke out in Fantasyland after guests were accused of line cutting at Mickey’s PhilharMagic. A fight also broke out earlier this year over fireworks viewing spots at EPCOT.

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

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Cinco de Oh-My-O Donut – $6.50

The donut is made with croissant dough (a “cronut,” if you will) and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar.

A generous amount of buttercream is topped with crushed Heath bar pieces. The churro on top was crumbly but good. Unfortunately, our churro was hard in the center.

The whole donut is drizzled with caramel and chocolate frosting, but the flavors are lost under all the buttercream and cinnamon sugar.

The confection is topped with a tiny Mexican flag.

The flaky layers of the croissant donut are soft and balance the sweetness of the buttercream.

If it looks like the frosting multiplied, that’s because they punch a hole in the center before adding the topping, so you get some buttercream in the middle! It’s not a traditionally filled donut, but the extra buttercream was a fun surprise.

Of the specialty donuts from Everglazed, this is one of our favorites. Despite all the toppings, it isn’t sickeningly sweet. The flavor palate was well-balanced, and we would definitely order this again.

Will you try the “Cinco de Oh-My-O” croissant donut from Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brews today? Let us know in the comments!

Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo (5th of May) is an annual celebration commemorating the anniversary of Mexico’s victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. That year, Mexico’s President Juárez declared it a national holiday.

Cinco de Mayo remains an official holiday in the State of Puebla and continues to be celebrated nationwide in Mexico and in the United States. Puebla hosts historical reenactments and parades.

More Disney Springs News

Special “Star Wars” treats are currently available throughout Disney Springs for May the 4th, including the Queen Amidala Chocolate Piñata, Ahsoka Pop, Millennium Falcon Pop, and Loyal Astromech Swirl.

With Mother’s Day around the corner, Disney Springs will celebrate with mom-inspired food, plus a Mother’s Day photo op.

Gideon’s Bakehouse at Disney Springs has brought the White Chocolate Caramel Macadamia Nut Cookie back to their special menu for May.

There are several limited-time dishes available at Disney Springs for Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. There are also photo ops inspired by AAPI Disney characters.

Celebrate Disney100 with a vanilla and berry petit cake from Amorette’s Patisserie. A platinum Disney100 sign is also up at Disney Springs.

The first-ever Corkcicle retail location recently opened on The Landing at Disney Springs. They released an Ahsoka Tano tumbler for May the 4th.

With the release of “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” Guardians-themed decorations adorn the AMC.

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

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Andrew Ticknor, 36, a Sioux Falls resident who runs Jersey Mikes franchises, was arrested for battery on a uniformed security guard and trespass on property after a warning, records showed.

Ticknor’s arrest happened in March following an incident at the Three Bridges Bar and Grill at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, according to an Orange County Sheriff’s arrest report released months later.

The security guard, who was not identified in the arrest report, told authorities Ticknor “open hand slapped her left buttock at one point,” the arrest report said.

At first, she did not want to prosecute Ticknor as long as he was trespassed, but she changed her mind after speaking to her manager.

Ticknor would have known without a doubt the woman worked as a security officer. The arrest report noted she wore the proper uniform with security patches on both shoulders and had a large security badge on the front of her shirt.

No surveillance video existed of the incident.

When he was called to the scene, Orange County sheriff’s deputy Justin Pickle described seeing Ticknor “intoxicated and stumbling around near the entrance of the restaurant,” the arrest report said.

Disney wanted Ticknor, who was visiting Disney with his wife and family, trespassed.

Ticknor left the hotel in an Uber with his father, and the Orange County Sheriff’s office planned to forward charges to the state attorney’s office.

However, Ticknor didn’t stay away, and that’s what led to Ticknor’s arrest. He returned to Coronado and went back to his hotel room, so the resort manager contacted law enforcement.

Law enforcement returned to arrest Ticknor, who was also issued a second trespass from Disney.

Ticknor has since pleaded not guilty to the two first-degree misdemeanor charges, according to Orange Circuit Court records. A trial date has been set for June 26.

Ticknor’s attorney declined to comment for this story.

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Cast Members will begin receiving the new design soon, but won’t wear them in the parks until May 16.

Cast Members with special themed nametags, such as Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, will receive the new designs but will continue to wear the themed ones in the parks.

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

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Our onsite reporter witnessed the parade in its entirety, including the 15-minute period stop before the end. The performance was halted before the Cast Members on the Sleeping Beauty Castle float were evacuated and asked to walk the rest of the route, which you can see in our video below.

After the parade cleared, it became apparent that the Sleeping Beauty Castle float was not following backstage. Rather, Cast Members began to block the area around the float and funnel guests past on the sides.

A cause for the float’s predicament has not been confirmed at this time. This float also broke down during a performance last week as well and had to be towed backstage. As an isolated incident, a breakdown is not too unusual, but a repeat occurrence may suggest an ongoing issue.

It remained stuck in place as of 7:53 p.m. CT.

This is a developing story; stay tuned for more information.

Magic Happens

“Magic Happens” debuted in early 2020 but was only performed for two weeks before the resort closed due to COVID-19. Created as part of the 65^th Anniversary celebration, the daytime parade lined Main Street, U.S.A., for a mere two weeks before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic forced a hiatus that lasted for nearly three years.

When parks reopened, “Magic Happens” was noticeably missing from the lineup. The procession’s highly-anticipated return was announced at D23 Expo 2022 last year after a year of speculation. The parade was scheduled to return on Friday, February 24, but the first public performance was canceled due to inclement weather. Unfavorable weather conditions led to “Magic Happens” performances being canceled on Saturday, as well, but it finally returned on Sunday, February 26.

It features modern films like “Frozen,” “Moana,” and “Coco,” combined with classics like “Cinderella.” And, of course, Mickey kicks off the parade.

The parade is back now, performing in the afternoon and at night, for two unique experiences. Click here for our coverage of the daytime version and here for a look at the nighttime “Magic Happens.”

The line, “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah,” which is also the title of the song originally composed for the controversial Disney film, “Song of the South,” was perhaps most widely recognized as part of the Splash Mountain attraction based on the film. The phrase has been replaced at the end of the “Magic Happens” parade with the line, “think of the happiest things,” from the song “You Can Fly” featured in Disney’s “Peter Pan”.

In Disney’s continued effort to be inclusive, the “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” song was also removed from the soundtrack of King Arthur Carrousel at Disneyland in 2021. The first signs of the song’s erasure from Disney Parks were noticed in 2020 and then was quietly removed from Disneyland Resort music loops across the Esplanade and Downtown Disney.

Pending any global pandemics, weather delays, or cancellations, “Magic Happens” will be performed twice each day at 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

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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Walt Disney World

EPCOT

• The EPCOT popcorn stand near MISSION: Space has been refurbished to match World Discovery.
• We are finally starting to see some of the work that has been undercover at the Morocco Pavilion in World Showcase at EPCOT.
• More updates have been made to CommuniCore Hall and Plaza at World Celebration, including more bright yellow sheathing.

Disney Springs

• New “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” decorations and posters have appeared at AMC Disney Springs Movie Theater.

Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

• Learn everything you need to know about D3-O9, the protocol droid trained to help guests aboard the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. 

New Merchandise

• King Charles Coronation mugs are now available at EPCOT.

Disneyland Resort

• New Munchlings merchandise has arrived at World of Disney in the Downtown Disney District.
• We found a full line of merchandise for the live-action version of “The Little Mermaid” at World of Disney in Downtown Disney District. 

Disney Cruise Line

• Guests aboard the Disney Wish were set to leave Nassau yesterday, but remained there overnight due to technical issues with the ship followed by unfavorable weather conditions.

Entertainment and Media

Disney+

• MOVIE REVIEW: ‘Peter Pan and Wendy’ — A Very Different Story

WDW News Today

• WATCH PARKSCENTER — Halfway to Halloween, An Update on Fantasmic and the Best Character Dining at Disney World!

Video Title

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

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Walt Disney World

Magic Kingdom

• New Lightning Lane signage has been installed outside of Peter Pan’s Flight at Magic Kingdom, closer to where guests will actually enter the often overflowing queue.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• The live-action Ariel from the upcoming “The Little Mermaid” remake will appear at Disney’s Hollywood Studios this summer.

Other Walt Disney World News

• Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has responded to Disney Parks & Resorts suing him and his Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Board of Supervisors over their voiding Disney’s Development Agreement with the old Reedy Creek Improvement District Board.
• Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is “puzzled” by Disney Parks & Resorts naming Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in their new lawsuit.
• The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Board of Supervisors has scheduled an extra meeting for Monday, May 1 at 9:30 a.m.

Disneyland Resort

• Disney Destinations sent an email to those who held Fantasmic dining packages for this weekend to inform them that their reservations have been canceled.
• After a brief hiatus, “Fantasmic!” may be returning to Disneyland as early as May 14.
• The live-action Ariel from the upcoming “The Little Mermaid” remake will appear at Disneyland park this summer.
• New renderings shared by Disney of the upcoming The Villas at Disneyland Hotel complex have shown a new set of “deluxe studio” rooms located poolside and detached from the main tower of the hotel expansion.

Tokyo Disney Resort

• If you miss the Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show at Walt Disney World, the “Mickey’s Rainbow Luau” show will return to Tokyo Disneyland this September.
• Although many non-locals might not take much pleasure in the Tokyo Disney Resort: Encore the Moments exhibit in Ikspiari, given its focus on mostly seasonal events through the years, a new addition to the museum shows off the making of their latest parade, “Disney Harmony in Color!”

Disneyland Paris

• The live-action Ariel from the upcoming “The Little Mermaid” remake will appear at Disneyland Paris this summer.

Entertainment and Media

• Walt Disney Animation Studios has released the first teaser trailer and poster for “Wish,” which opens in theaters on November 22, 2023.
• The latest rumor regarding the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s “Fantastic Four” film is that Antonio Banderas is in talks to play Galactus.

Disney+

• “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” will begin streaming on Disney+ on May 17, 2023.

The Walt Disney Company

• Citizen is partnering with the Walt Disney Hometown Museum to host a special event commemorating 100 years of Disney in Walt’s hometown of Marceline, Missouri, this June.

WDW News Today

Lastest on Fantasmic Dragon Fire, New Star Wars Offerings at Disneyland – News Today

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

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Last year, this same space was utilized for The Horrors of Blumhouse house anthology, which was divided into themed sections for “Freaky” and “The Black Phone.” A section of the queue starting below a “NAPA Auto Parts” banner was seen curtained off from the public this morning. This will be the connection between the entrance and the house when the popular event kicks off in just a few months.

Letty’s turbo truck has also been relocated to sit beside the Vision Beats pickup truck.

This development follows a report from last week, in which we reported the top of a tent being visible from the outside area of the ride building, between Supercharged and the Ghirardelli Square San Francisco façade.

Behind another gate in the vicinity of this attraction, pipes and other construction materials can be seen around the tent area, possibly to support the structure or layout of the various scenes. Markings are also drawn on the pavement.

HHN 2023 at Universal Studios Florida

In February, Horror Night Nightmares released their first speculation map for HHN 32, with Chucky and Dracula making appearances, along with various originals and a marquee house based on the video game and major HBO Max series “The Last of Us.”

Chucky is currently the only house that has been confirmed. A frequent flier at HHN, Chucky hasn’t had his own house since 2009 (though he did have a scare zone at HHN 28). He’s made many appearances in between, including a photo op for the past two years.

Each speculation map released is based on current rumors and available information — all of these predictions are subject to change. Based on this current version, the tent behind Fast & Furious may be a Blumhouse excursion yet again, this time representing the films “M3GAN” and “Insidious.”

“Insidious” is an older production from 2011 about dark spirits possessing a family and placing their son in a demented coma. It’s a creation of James Wan, famous in the horror world for his leadership of the “Saw” and “Conjuring” franchises, as well as directing the “Aquaman” films based on the DC comics.

“M3GAN” is a brand-new film from the beginning of this year, produced by Wan and Jason Blum — CEO of Blumhouse Productions. Released to acclaim for its self-aware sense of humor to match its chills, the story revolves around an artificially intelligent doll that innocently befriends a grieving girl, before the extent of its autonomy and willingness to “protect” its user at any cost becomes realized.

Both films offer a potentially exciting opportunity for immersive, guest-focused dread.

Universal made their own official announcement for the event in March, releasing a teaser trailer on Twitter:

The specific dates for HHN 32 are now available, running select nights in September and October. These are the available days:

• September: 1-3, 6-10, 13-17, 20-24, & 27-30
• October: 1, 4-8, 11-15, 18-22, 25-29, & 31

Tickets are on sale now in the Universal Orlando Resort website. Regular admission rates vary by night, and range between $79.99 at the lowest, or $119.99 at the highest. Express Passes are available starting at $109.99 per person, with variable date-based pricing as well. The RIP Tour will also return, with prices starting at $299.99. Additionally, Unmasking the Horror Tours start at $119.99 for the 3-house tour and $169.99 for the 6-house tour.

All nights are relatively set in stone, but it is worth mentioning two nights were cancelled and then replaced last year due to the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Ian across Florida.

Are you excited for Halloween Horror Nights 32? Which potential house are you most hyped for? Let us know in the comments.

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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Navy blue walls surround the snacks kiosk beside Universal Music Plaza, with construction site minions and the emblem of kindhearted supervillain Gru depicted. A large portion of Production Central will become part of the upcoming Illumination Avenue, with the new Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast joining Despicable Me Minion Mayhem in the array of attractions.

This area at the entrance of the park is also home to Transformers: The Ride 3D and Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. The exact layout of Illumination Avenue is currently unclear, considering the two main attractions of Production Central are separated from each other by experiences connected to “Despicable Me.”

The location of this kiosk, and its apparent absorption into the Illumination theme, suggest more of Production Central may disappear than originally thought — as this encroaches on the music plaza space that was thought to be separate from Minions, and almost reaches the area’s boundary with New York.

Villain-Con Minion Blast and Minion Café are scheduled to open this summer.

Demolition Begins on Snack Stand

We also spotted demolition work has begun on this snack stand.

Part of the pale yellow façade has been removed.

Concrete has been revealed beneath the exterior. Yellow scaffolding is also in place to assist the Team Members.

While we aren’t entirely sure what the plans are for this snack stand, the trend as of late has been to completely demolish structures. We’re not sure if it will be replaced or simply gone forever at this point in time.

Illumination Avenue

The Silver Screen Snacks stand near the front of Production Central was removed earlier this year, and a new venue was recently spotted taking its place. So far, only the roof of this future kiosk is visible.

The adjacent Silver Screen store has also been caught up in an overhaul, with all of the prominently featured Betty Boop signage disappearing. No official announcements have been made for its future, though the entirety of this area seems to be preparing for the arrival of the Minions. The Hello Kitty Store in this area is also gradually becoming un-themed while it remains open.

While construction continues on the Minion Blast attraction and Minion Café, the façade of Despicable Me Minion Mayhem is also undergoing a refurbishment. The ride remains open, but construction walls, scrim, and scaffolding are up around the entrance. The refurbishment is likely because of concerns about falling debris. A noticeable missing brick was spotted just above the attraction’s entryway in late January. At that time, a large covered purple entryway was installed, seemingly out of an abundance of caution. That covered entryway remains in place.

The exterior wall of the Transformers: The Ride 3D show building behind Minion Café was recently painted bright blue and will reportedly have “Illumination” painted on it next.

Universal Studios Florida is inundated with various revamps, re-themes, and refurbishments at the moment. Across the lagoon, Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone is boarded up with a hefty DreamWorks land underway. The lagoon itself is partially drained whilst work commences on a new nighttime spectacular to replace “Universal Orlando’s Cinematic Celebration.” The various haunted houses for Halloween Horror Nights 32 are also materializing, especially behind Fast and Furious — Supercharged.

What are you most excited to see on the upcoming Illumination Avenue? What do you think the future of Production Central will be? Let us know in the comments.

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 maintenance began at midnight this morning. Guests reported that Genie, Genie+, and Lightning Lane were unavailable. Guests also reported issues with park pass reservations. As of 9:00 a.m., everything seems to be available and working fine.

Did the downtime affect you? Let us know in the comments.

Disney Genie, Genie+, and Lightning Lane

Disney Genie is a free feature that launched in October 2021 at Walt Disney World. Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lane are the paid program that replaced FastPass+.

When Genie+ first launched, the service was available at a flat rate of $15 per person, per day. Last year’s switch to date-based pricing saw a new high price of $22 — which Disney noted was the highest it would go in October, implying the even higher rates that have now come to pass.

Individual Lightning Lane prices have always been on a date-based basis, but the maximum was formerly $20. Since the update to the pricing scale for Genie+, rates for Individual Lightning Lane have been rising as well.

Check out our full guide to Disney Genie at Walt Disney World, our general guide for Genie+ and Lightning Lane, and our guide to Lightning Lane selection specifically. Also, read our guide to purchasing individual Lightning Lane selections. 

Genie+ Lightning Lane Attractions

Select attractions offer Lightning Lane access that you can book through Genie+. Check out the current full list below.

Magic Kingdom

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
• Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• Enchanted Tales with Belle
• Haunted Mansion
• “it’s a small world”
• Jungle Cruise
• Mad Tea Party
• Meet Ariel at Her Grotto
• Meet Cinderella and a Visiting Princess at Princess Fairytale Hall
• Meet Mickey at Town Square Theater
• Meet Princess Tiana and a Visiting Princess at Princess Fairytale Hall
• Mickey’s PhilharMagic
• Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Space Mountain
• The Barnstormer
• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Tomorrowland Speedway
• Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid

EPCOT

• Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival
• Frozen Ever After
• Journey into Imagination with Figment
• Living with the Land
• Mission: SPACE – Green
• Mission: SPACE – Orange
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
• Soarin’ Around the World
• Spaceship Earth
• Test Track
• The Seas with Nemo & Friends
• Turtle Talk with Crush

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Alien Swirling Saucers
• Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage
• Disney Junior Play & Dance!
• For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
• Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
• Meet Olaf at Celebrity Spotlight
• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
• Muppet*Vision 3D
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
• Slinky Dog Dash
• Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
• Toy Story Mania!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

• Festival of the Lion King
• DINOSAUR
• Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
• Feathered Friends in Flight!
• Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!
• It’s Tough to Be a Bug!
• Kali River Rapids
• Kilimanjaro Safaris
• Meet Favorite Disney Pals at Adventurers Outpost
• Naʻvi River Journey
• The Animation Experience at Conservation Station

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

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Robert Fitzpatrick, 36, was arrested and has been charged with a misdemeanor charge of exposing his sex organs, according to Orange Circuit Court records.

He turned out to already be a wanted man.

There were warrants out for Fitzpatrick’s arrest for sex crimes in both California and New Jersey, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s arrest report. Further details on those out-of-state charges were not included in the Orange County report.

Disney Cast Members were first leery of Fitzpatrick when he wanted to sit alone in a “rat,” or the ride cart on March 29, according to the arrest report.

“… Generally, guests share the cart with other people, and it was suspicious that the guest was in the cart alone,” the arrest report said.

Several Cast Members monitoring the attraction in the surveillance room saw Fitzpatrick smoke and touch himself.

Twice, they stopped the attraction and made a loudspeaker announcement that smoking was not permitted.

The ride continued on, and Fitzpatrick began looking at porn on his cell phone and put his hand down his pants, the arrest report said. Fitzpatrick then pulled his penis out in the open and continued masturbating inside the ride cart. One Cast Member said he ejaculated before leaving the ride vehicle.

The sheriff’s investigator obtained the Disney surveillance video that shows the incident.

“It should be noted, although Robert was alone inside his cart, the cart has vents open to the public and is constantly being recorded while the ride is in motion,” the arrest report said.

The following day, Disney and law enforcement dealt with a second incident at EPCOT, where another man was arrested for exposing himself.

A sheriff’s deputy was back at Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure on March 30, where a Disney manager reported Sherwin Shayegan was “constantly causing issues inside the park,” the arrest report said.

He threw items on the ground when authorities escorted him out of Epcot.  

Shayegan waited for a taxi to take him back to his hotel, and the deputy was writing the trespass paperwork when Shayegan pulled down his clothes, exposing his penis “to those present,” the arrest report said.

He has also been charged with exposing his sexual organs, a misdemeanor, according to Orange Circuit Court records.

The Public Defender’s Office, which is listed as the attorney representing both Fitzpatrick and Shayegan, could not be reached for comment.

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure opened as part of the France pavilion expansion in 2021. A version of the ride was already in operation at Disneyland Paris.

The attraction mirrors its counterpart in Disneyland Paris, leading guests through an enchanting queue through a whimsical version of France, even leading to an ethereal rooftop view of Gusteau’s, who adds character to the ambiance by greeting guests coming through.

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is one of the attractions available during early entry and extended evening hours, which are perks offered to guests of select Walt Disney World Resort Hotels.

See a full tour of the France pavilion expansion here and check out our full POV video here.

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

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Halloween Horror Nights House Behind Fast & Furious Building

Not much in the realm of the terrifying or creepy is visible just yet, but a white tent can be seen directly behind this service gate at the Fast & Furious attraction. Last year, this same area was utilized for an iteration of The Horrors of Blumhouse house anthology, which was divided into sections for “Freaky” and “The Black Phone.”

Behind this particular gate, pipes and other construction materials can be seen around the tent area, possibly to support the structure or layout of the various scenes. Markings are also drawn on the pavement.

HHN 2023 at Universal Studios Florida

In February, Horror Night Nightmares released their first speculation map for HHN 32, with Chucky and Dracula making appearances, along with various originals and a marquee house based on the video game and major HBO Max series “The Last of Us.”

Chucky is currently the only house that has been confirmed. A frequent flier at HHN, Chucky hasn’t had his own house since 2009 (though he did have a scare zone at HHN 28). He’s made many appearances in between, including a photo op for the past two years.

Each speculation map released is based on current rumors and available information — all of these predictions are subject to change. Based on this current version, the tent behind Fast & Furious may be a Blumhouse excursion yet again, this time representing the films “M3GAN” and “Insidious.”

“Insidious” is an older production from 2011 about dark spirits possessing a family and placing their son in a demented coma. It’s a creation of James Wan, famous in the horror world for his leadership of the “Saw” and “Conjuring” franchises, as well as directing the “Aquaman” films based on the DC comics.

“M3GAN” is a brand-new film from the beginning of this year, produced by Wan and Jason Blum — CEO of Blumhouse Productions. Released to acclaim for its self-aware sense of humor to match its chills, the story revolves around an artificially intelligent doll that innocently befriends a grieving girl, before the extent of its autonomy and willingness to “protect” its user at any cost becomes realized.

Both films offer a potentially exciting opportunity for immersive, guest-focused dread.

Universal made their own official announcement for the event in March, releasing a teaser trailer on Twitter:

The specific dates for HHN 32 are now available, running select nights in September and October. These are the available days:

• September: 1-3, 6-10, 13-17, 20-24, & 27-30
• October: 1, 4-8, 11-15, 18-22, 25-29, & 31

Tickets are on sale now in the Universal Orlando Resort website. Regular admission rates vary by night, and range between $79.99 at the lowest, or $119.99 at the highest. Express Passes are available starting at $109.99 per person, with variable date-based pricing as well. The RIP Tour will also return, with prices starting at $299.99. Additionally, Unmasking the Horror Tours start at $119.99 for the 3-house tour and $169.99 for the 6-house tour.

All nights are relatively set in stone, but it is worth mentioning two nights were cancelled and then replaced last year due to the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Ian across Florida.

What are you most excited to see at HHN 32? Which house have you always wished for at Halloween Horror Nights? Let us know in the comments.

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According to the lore of Marvel Super Hero Island, the entire space was created by a meteor impact, and these pylons represent the spot in which contact was made — igniting a massive explosion that released various Marvel superheroes and supervillains. A smoke cloud can be seen emanating from the pylons on the ground, as pictured below.

The pylons themselves depict comic book art from various Marvel teams — notably the Avengers, X-Men, and Fantastic Four. It’s somewhat of a reminder of the characters unavailable to Disney for use or depiction in the Florida theme park arena.

The affected area stands across from The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, beside a newly constructed snack cart we spotted in March — replacing Chomp Hot Dogs.

Signs reading “Set Enhancement in Progress” encircle the work area.

It’s unclear what is being done to the area precisely, though it may merely be aesthetic enhancements and basic renovation. In recent months, multiple touch-ups or returns of long-lost set pieces have occurred throughout the Island.

Earlier this month, a statue of legendary and melodramatic journalist J. Jonah Jameson returned to the outdoor portion of the Spider-Man queue after a multi-year absence. While Spider-Man is the star of the ride, Jameson and the Daily Bugle newspaper headquarters are stars of the queue, prompting guests to ride in experimental SCOOP vehicles for some newsworthy footage as the Sinister Six (Doctor Octopus, Mysterio, Vulture, Sandman, Electro, and Kraven) attack New York City.

A new sign for the Island’s fruit stand was also installed at the end of March, replacing its more tired and sun-faded predecessor.

The Complicated Marvel Entanglement Between Universal and Disney

In a 1994 agreement, Universal secured the theme park rights to the Marvel brand east of the Mississippi River, and eventually opened Marvel Super Hero Island along with Universal’s Islands of Adventure in 1999. All of this happened before the Hollywood superhero box office boom we know today. Bryan Singer’s “X-Men” released in 2000 with great success, soon followed by Sam Raimi’s revolutionary 2002 iteration of “Spider-Man.” The latter became the highest-grossing film based on a comic book of all time upon release, and prompted major investment in a vast array of DC and Marvel film forays.

In 2008, Marvel Studios produced “Iron Man,” initially distributed by Paramount Pictures and foundational in the creation of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The Walt Disney Company acquired Marvel the following year, and this is where the theme park complications arise.

Since the MCU has ballooned to unparalleled notoriety, some guests may be abundantly confused to see Captain America or Wolverine at a Universal park, while nearby Walt Disney World seems to be missing them. Don’t these characters belong to Disney and in Disney Parks?

Yes, Disney owns Marvel, and yes, Disney is now involved with all of Marvel’s films; however, the 1994 agreement stands in full legality and respect, and Universal is under no obligation to forfeit their rights to the various characters and franchises. That being said, the interwoven nature of Marvel’s various partnerships from the past (Sony being a notable one) causes issues for both parties.

Universal is essentially trapped in the past — unable to create attractions that directly connect to the Marvel Cinematic Universe or its specific depictions. Disney is extremely limited, and forced to seek workarounds in order to have at least some Marvel presence in its American parks. At Walt Disney World, the Guardians of the Galaxy have made their debut at EPCOT with the recent Cosmic Rewind indoor coaster, but the use of “Marvel” itself is forbidden. At the Disneyland Resort, more characters are available for use, allowing Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure to exist.

At a recent Disney shareholders’ meeting, CEO Bob Iger was asked about these restrictions, and he responded:

We certainly would love to be able to do more with Marvel in our parks, but I’ll leave it at that.

Only time will tell how both companies wish to proceed, and if Marvel will have one specific home, or continue to be spread out in a creative diaspora.

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New Snack Stand

A portion of Production Central will become part of the upcoming Illumination Avenue, with the new Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast joining Despicable Me Minion Mayhem in the array of attractions. It’s possible the new cart replacing Silver Screen Snacks will have a theme coinciding with this new overriding Minions motif.

Whatever the new venue may be themed to or serving, what is presently visible is the only clue available. The exterior is green with a gold Art Deco stylized finish. Previously, Silver Screen Snacks was predominantly silver, with a film reel and various Coca-Cola bottles serving as decor.

Churros, pretzels, chips, Powerade, Sprite, Coca-Cola, and various other Coke products were on offer, and it’s relatively safe to assume snacks and beverages will continue to be the purpose of this location. Beyond that, the end result remains unclear.

The adjacent Silver Screen store has also been caught up in an overhaul, with all of the prominently featured Betty Boop signage disappearing. No official announcements have been made for its future, though the entirety of this area seems to be preparing for the arrival of the Minions. The Hello Kitty Store in this area is also gradually becoming un-themed while it remains open.

Minions Invade Universal Studios Florida

The aforementioned Minion Blast attraction will replace Shrek 4-D, which permanently closed in January 2022. Villain-Con itself was featured in the first “Minions” spinoff movie, and the ride will star various villains from the franchise, including the Vicious 6. It is an interactive shooting attraction with guests on a moving walkway.

Villain-Con Minion Blast and Minion Café are scheduled to open this summer.

While construction continues on the Minion Blast attraction and Minion Café, the façade of Despicable Me Minion Mayhem is also undergoing a refurbishment. The ride remains open, but construction walls, scrim, and scaffolding are up around the entrance. The refurbishment is likely because of concerns about falling debris. A noticeable missing brick was spotted just above the attraction’s entryway in late January. At that time, a large covered purple entryway was installed, seemingly out of an abundance of caution. That covered entryway remains in place.

Production Central is also home to Transformers: The Ride 3D and Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. At this time, the exact layout of Illumination Avenue is unclear in terms of dividing the area up as the Minions attractions currently sit between Transformers and Rip Ride Rockit.

The exterior wall of the Transformers: The Ride 3D show building behind Minion Café was recently painted bright blue and will reportedly have “Illumination” painted on it next.

With most Universal construction updates focused heavily on the Epic Universe site planned for a 2025 opening, it’s encouraging to see some attention still directed toward the original Florida park. Across the lagoon, Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone is also boarded up with a hefty DreamWorks revamp underway.

What are you most excited to see on the upcoming Illumination Avenue, or at Universal Studios Florida in general? Let us know in the comments.

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Universal Studios Florida Receiving New Nighttime Spectacular

“Universal Orlando’s Cinematic Celebration” concluded its roughly five-year run in March to clear the way for a new experience. The show debuted in 2018 as a successor to “Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular: 100 Years of Movie Memories,” offering a visual spectacle of water projections, music, limited fireworks, and footage from various popular film franchises. For a brief time, a preliminary segment promoted the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, broadcast by NBC.

In previous reports, workers could be seen on the exposed deck handling various special effects equipment for the previous Cinematic Celebration show, which primarily utilized water screens. As of this week, all of those rows of equipment, including all of the water spouts, are completely gone. Much of the deck is now laid bare. The equipment may have been relocated for refurbishment or re-theme. Otherwise, this new show could be starting off with a clean slate.

While no official opening date or description of the new show has been announced, it is widely speculated that drones will play a major role in any future lagoon spectacular, to add a sense of extra bombast. Unlike Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort is directly in the City of Orlando, which limits their ability to engage in excessive, loud, bright nighttime pyrotechnics. The fact that Universal is currently hiring a full-time Drone Operations Manager seems to support this theory.

Most of the theme park surrounds the lagoon, with Central Park being the primary viewing area for nighttime shows. The above photo is from the perspective across from Central Park, near Transformers: The Ride 3D.

While cats guard and assess construction over at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Magic Kingdom, it appears the ducks are staking their claim here at Universal Studios. This feathered friend was spotted along the Central Park rocks, perhaps yearning for the Starbucks Coffee across the water.

More Epic Shows to Come

Universal’s Epic Universe, the newest theme park under construction in Orlando, is racing toward a projected 2025 grand opening, with this above photo from January conveying the enormity of progress being made at a quick pace.

While details on nighttime spectaculars are not yet apparent here either, it’s very likely that the thin, protruding peninsula on the lake toward the far back of the picture will be utilized for fireworks launches. Elaborate special effects will have fewer restrictions farther out from the older and more clustered city neighborhoods, and while the primary campus for Universal Orlando Resort may be feeling a bit cramped these days, over at this site, Universal is playing with land larger than their Studios park, Islands of Adventure, and CityWalk combined.

What would you like to see in a new Universal nighttime show? Let us know in the comments.

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