In a post on LinkedIn, Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products announced that David Duffy will soon be stepping into the role of Vice President of Live Entertainment at the Walt Disney World Resort. Duffy has been with the company for more than 30 years in various roles, such as show director, writer, artistic director, and creative director. Most recently, he’s spent a few years at Disneyland Paris.
In his own LinkedIn post, Duffy says that he’s “humbled and excited” to come back to the place where his career with Disney began and where his love for themed entertainment started. Projects Duffy has worked on include Tale of The Lion King, Mickey’s Mix Magic Fireworks, and Frozen Live at the Hyperion, all at the Disneyland Resort.
Of course, we look forward to seeing what Duffy brings to Walt Disney World’s live entertainment realm. It’s been YEARS since we’ve had a nighttime parade, and some of the shows in the theme parks could use a refresh or a replacement.
The Magic Key Holder exclusive mirrored Mickey-shaped sipper is now available at Disneyland Resort. The sipper is available at various quick-service restaurants and outdoor vending carts in Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, while supplies last. We found ours at Galactic Grill in Disneyland.
According to the latest motion in that case, which followed an in-person mediation, both Disney and Janale Nielsen (who filed both individually and on behalf of other key holders) have agreed to settle the lawsuit. The grievance alleged limiting the number of park pass reservations available for Dream Keys in particular — which were advertised as having “no blockout dates” — when passes for regular tickets are still available is a violation of the program’s contract.
Under the previous annual pass program, reservations weren’t needed and passholders could generally visit as often as they wanted, as long as it wasn’t on a day marked as blocked.
In August 2022, language was added to the terms and conditions of the passes regarding class action lawsuits. Through the purchase, guests now waive their right to pursue litigation related to the pass.
The four Magic Key tiers are the Inspire Key, Believe Key, Enchant Key, and Imagine Key. The latter three are currently only available for renewal. The Inspire Key is the most expensive, for $1,599, and includes the following:
Reservation-based admission to one or both theme parks most days of the year, subject to availability of park reservations allocated to Magic Key passes, applicable pass blockout dates, and the Magic Key Terms and Conditions
Hold up to 6 theme park reservations at a time* 20% off the purchase of Disney Genie+ service on days when you use your pass for park admission.* Price and availability vary by date. View important information about Disney Genie+ service Unlimited Disney PhotoPass digital photo downloads
Up to 20% off select merchandiseϯ
Up to 15% off select dining
Standard theme park parking included (excluding blockout dates, at the Mickey & Friends Parking Structure, Pixar Pals Parking Structure and Toy Story Parking Area)
Will you be using the Magic Key mirrored Mickey-shaped sipper? Let us know in the comments.
For more Disneyland Resort news and info, follow Disneyland News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news worldwide, visit WDWNT.
Ahsoka Tano will soon be making her debut in the popular video game Fortnite. What’s Happening: Fortnite revealed on their official blog that Ahsoka Tano will be coming to the game “later in the season.” An exact date for her debut has not been revealed at this time. Ahsoka’s former Master, Anakin Skywalker, previously made his Fortnite debut back […]
Disneyland Resort teased the two villains with a video (above).
For Judge Doom, they showed a barrel marked “turpentine,” with a pair of shoelaces hanging out of the green goo inside — a reference to the traumatizing moment when Doom killed a cartoon shoe.
The video then cut to a glitchy clip of some San Fransokyo Square barrels, hinting at Yokai.
For more Disneyland Resort news and info, follow Disneyland News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news worldwide, visit WDWNT.
“It’s OK. Just come to me, princess.” Those were the chilling words said by a strange man to an EPCOT Cast Member in an attempted kidnapping after he grabbed her at the end of her shift last month, according to an Orange County Sheriff’s report released this week.
Authorities did not find the man to arrest him when the woman reported it to law enforcement the following morning. The woman did not appear to be injured and declined medical treatment.
The attempted kidnapping occurred on the night of July 3, 2023.
The sheriff’s report is heavily redacted and does not give the woman’s name or her age.
The attempted kidnapping took place in the Cast parking lot near Overpass Road and Backstage Lane — which is located off EPCOT Center Drive and across from Disney’s Old Key West Resort.
Here’s how the scary situation unfolded:
“As (the woman) made her way towards an area of the parking lot that is separated by a drainage ditch, she observed a white/hispanic male lean out the driver’s side window of his car. The white/hispanic male then grabbed around her waist with both of his arms and pulled her towards his driver’s side window,” the report said. “She began to scream loudly, she elbowed the white hispanic male in the head until he let go of her then she ran away.”
When the man released her, that’s when he said, “It’s OK. Just come to me, princess,” the woman reported.
He sped off toward the north side exit of the parking lot, and the woman ran to her car.
Terrified, the woman called her mother. Her mother urged her to report what happened, the sheriff’s report said.
The woman contacted Disney Security and then later spoke with the sheriff’s office the following morning on July 4.
She described the man as bald and possibly in his 40s or 50s. He drove a dark sedan, but she did not see the license plate.
“At this time, I am unable to locate or identify a suspect,” the sheriff’s deputy wrote in the report. “According to (the woman), a white/hispanic male did knowingly and intentionally grab around her waist, without her permission, and forcibly attempted to pull her into his vehicle. This case is pending further investigative leads.”
If the man was found, the woman said she wanted to press criminal charges.
Disney Parks has provided another look inside Tiana’s Palace ahead of its grand opening on September 7, 2023. The new restaurant, inspired by “The Princess and the Frog,” is a reimagining of French Market Restaurant at Disneyland Park.
There is also a vintage photograph of a jazz band.
The photo hangs above a coat rack. A green cloche hat, bright red cloche hat, and flat cap hang on the rack, along with a red scarf and brown trenchcoat. The green hat and coat look like ones worn by Tiana in the film, while the flat cap might belong to Naveen and the red accessories could belong to Tiana’s mother, Eudora.
Along with the Firefly Five drum are several more instruments like an accordion, banjo, and tuba.
The video also shows the restaurant’s mobile order pick up window. Tiana’s Palace will be quick service, not table service.
For more Disneyland Resort news and info, follow Disneyland News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news worldwide, visit WDWNT.
Of course, many Disney World visitors flock to the theme parks for all the fun, but there are so many great ways to stay entertained at your Disney World hotel.
Pool at Polynesian
From resort activities and events to eateries and merchandise shops, there are plenty of things to do if you’re hoping to take a break and rest up from the hustle and bustle of the busy parks. What we recommend doing above all else is enjoying the Florida sunshine and taking advantage of the uniquely-themed (and often massive) hotel pools!
It’s true — Disney World hotel pools have definitely swayed our decision on where to stay a few times in the past. While you don’t have to be staying at a Disney World hotel in order to walk around and experience many of its amenities, you DO have to be staying at a Disney World hotel in order to visit the pool. So, the pool can really impact your decision on where to stay! We ranked the Top 10 Walt Disney World hotel pools, and you can watch that video right here!
It’s also true that some Disney pools are a bit more iconic than others, whether based on theming or amenities.
Uzima Pool at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
One fan-favorite pool for many guests is Stormalong Bay, the pool area that Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club share, which features a sand-bottom pool as well as a waterslide that looks like a shipwreck. It’s widely regarded as the best pool on Disney World property, but there are a couple more that we love just as much.
Stormalong Bay
Riviera Pool
We love Disney’s Riviera Resort for all sorts of reasons, but one of the biggest reasons is access to the Riviera Pool. This family-friendly pool is themed to the French Riviera (like the rest of the hotel) and features elements of the Mediterranean. One of our favorite things here is the water slide that wraps around a tower. Oh, and little ones can enjoy S’il Vous Play, the interactive splash area!
Disney’s Riviera Resort Pool
While there is plenty for kids to do, this pool offers a calming atmosphere for the grownups to relax and unwind — almost like you’re really on a Mediterranean getaway. Riviera also has the Beau Soleil Pool, which is just as nice and even more relaxing — more ideal if you’re hoping for a quiet afternoon.
Beau Soleil Pool
Now that we’ve taken a look at a Deluxe Resort option, let’s check out one of our favorite pools at a Value Resort.
The Big Blue Pool
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is home to some of Disney World’s most elaborately-themed hotel rooms and spaces. Included in that elaborate theming are the pools! Here, there are three swimming pools: Flippin’ Fins Pool, the Cozy Cone Pool, and The Big Blue Pool. The Big Blue Pool is our favorite one here, and is actually the largest pool on Disney World property as it contains over 308,527 gallons of water.
The Big Blue Pool
It’s a zero-entry pool, which makes it accessible to even MORE Disney World visitors. Oh, and did we mention that it’s themed to Finding Nemo? Yep! Here, you can chill out alongside giant versions of beloved characters from the film, like Nemo and Crush. Little ones can enjoy Schoolyard Sprayground to interact with pop-up jets and spraying water, while little ones who prefer to stay dry can visit Squirt’s Rightgeous Reef.
Schoolyard Sprayground
And there you have it! If pool time is a non-negotiable for your Disney World vacation, then these two hotel pools are sure to make a splash (sorry, we had to) on your vacation. We’ll continue to keep you updated with more Disney news and advice, so make sure to follow along so that you don’t miss out!
This is the first time we have seen this for Extended Evening Hours. What do you think of this? Extended Evening Hours One perk of staying at a Walt Disney World Deluxe Resort is the option to attend Extended Theme Park Hours. On select nights, guests with a valid hotel reservation at a Disney World deluxe […]
Who’s the Bossk? – Episode 165: Ahsoka with Rebekah Moseley Date: August 25th, 2023 (recorded August 24th) Listen [powerpress_playlist channel=”whos-the-bossk”] Topics Laughing Place co-founder Rebekah Moseley returns to “Who’s the Bossk?” to discuss the first two episodes of Lucasfilm’s new Disney+ live-action series Star Wars: Ahsoka with host Mike Celestino. Plus, this week’s Star Wars […]
Earlier this month, Charlotte Tilbury launched a multifaceted collection, celebrating 10 magical years of Charlotte Tilbury Beauty and 100 years of Disney. Showcasing specially created products, content, technology, experiences and an all-new animated short produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios, the collaboration brings together global talent to create a bespoke experience that honors innovation in […]
