Whether you’re a frequent traveler or a vacation every-few-years kind of person, you have most likely been to an airport.

Flying is a popular mode of transportation. It can be inexpensive and efficient when everything goes as planned. We have often wondered if there is insider airport lingo between all the associates who work there. Do they have code words or ways to signal secret messages? We don’t know about all the hidden meanings behind the airline lingo, but there is one phrase we recently learned that has our skin crawling — “gate lice.”

Gate lice is a term that probably makes you think of all the gross little bugs crawling around in your hair. They swarm your head and they’re awful to try to get rid of. You’re probably squirming in your seat, and your head is itching — sorry! Well, those are real lice. Gate lice can be annoying just like the tiny, white bugs, but they’re humans, not bugs.

We just learned what the term “gate lice” means, and we gotta say, it’s a pretty accurate term. According to the Washington Post, gate lice are those airline passengers who begin standing in line way before they’re called by the gate attendant. The Post said there are psychological reasons for this — “gate lice” are usually nervous about getting on the flight or just have a tendency to follow the crowd, and start standing WAY before it’s time to even board the plane.

We decided to do a little research of our own, and we found this definition for gate lice on Urban Dictionary.com, “Passenger, often inexperienced flyers in kettle class, who crowd around or lineup at a gate at an airport completely blocking the boarding area and preventing First and Business Class passengers from being able to get on the plane when they’re allowed to. They can also cause delays and confusion if a passenger in a wheelchair needs to board as the chair has to plow through the mass of gate lice hovering around the gate.”

Interestingly, there is more truth to that statement than you might realize. Gate lice can really cause chaos and issues in the boarding process. They block walkways and delay the gate associates trying to check people in during their proper boarding group. Gate lice can cause a lot of stress and annoyance to other passengers and airport workers alike!

Turns out, that this term isn’t new, either. There was an entire article written in The Seattle Times about getting rid of gate lice in 2013!! This has been an issue for far too long! An astrophysicist in the article couldn’t even piece together how to properly board people on a plane because that would require everyone to board in precise order — good luck with that one!

Many people may find gate lice practices to be annoying, and that might be a true deduction, but the psychology of boarding a plane (because that’s a thing) supports the habit. People want to have ample time to put their luggage in an overhead bin, or they don’t want to lose their seats — the competition of getting on the plane first drives people to be gate lice.

People are also susceptible to what’s called “herd mentality.” We conform when we see others doing something around us. So all it takes is for one person to get a little anxious and stand up and then all the other gate lice follow. It’s a vicious cycle of people watching everyone else and copying their actions: conformity a.k.a. herd mentality sets it. A herd of lice…(we’ll see ourselves out).

So now that we all know what “gate lice” are (luckily, they’re not nasty things crawling around the terminals), we can hopefully have a more successful, less stressful flight. Hopefully, no major issues are caused by those of us who like to line up early.

For more travel news, keep following DFB!

The CHEAPEST Way to Get To Disney World From the Orlando Airport

 

The post We Just Learned about “Gate Lice” and Now You Have to Know About It, Too first appeared on the disney food blog.

If you love Disney as much as we do, living in Disney World or Disneyland would be a dream come true.

We would feel like princes and princesses living in our majestic and beautiful castle. Unfortunately, that’s not an option. But living in a Disney community is! Asteria, a Storyliving by Disney community, is planned to be created in North Carolina. The community would be a literal Disney dream to live in. However, Disney might have just hit a snag in their development plans.

Two new Storyliving by Disney communities are planned to be available for living in soon. Cotino is the first of the two locations which will have houses for sale in the near future. It’s located near Rancho Mirage, California. The second location that has been announced is Asteria.

Asteria is planned to be built near Raleigh, NC in Chatham County. It will span over 1,500 acres and boast 4,000 residences. Disney is partnering with DMB Development to plan and build this new community. But now, a local non-profit, The Haw River Assembly is hoping that Disney and DMB Development take environmental impacts into consideration.

According to The News & Observer, the non-profit is requesting that Disney protect and enhance certain environmental aspects within Chatham County. Some of these environmental considerations include the existing tree canopy, building larger stormwater basins than the current code requires, and working to protect Pittsboro residents (and future Asteria residents) from water pollution.

Haw River Academy Riverkeeper, Emily Sutton urged Disney by stating, “As you move from concept to development plans for Disney’s Asteria, we urge you to go above and beyond what Chatham Park has codified in their Elements, in order to protect the Haw River and the environment you will be building in.”

If you’ve been keeping up with the Asteria project, you’ll know that the community looks and sounds amazing! There will be Disney Cast Members working to assist you and cool amenities you may not find in other residential areas. While the Academy isn’t trying to stop Disney from moving forward with their project, they hope to see Disney bring a positive impact to the local environment.

Hopefully, Disney can find common ground with the non-profit and continue forward with Asteria. We’ll be sure to keep you updated as new information is announced.

Until then, keep following DFB for more Disney news!

NEW Details Revealed for Disney’s Master-Planned Community

 

The post Major UPDATE on the Newest Storyliving by Disney Community first appeared on the disney food blog.

Disney has made a LOT of television and film content over the years, and we mean a LOT.

And thanks to Disney+, many things have been able to stand the test of time! No need to put that DVD back in the player or wait for a show to pop up on the cable channel when you can just put things on repeat with a streaming service. And now that the 2023 Nielsen ratings are in, we know EXACTLY which Disney movies and shows were most watched last year!

First up, we’ve got to talk about the show that has stolen the hearts of MANY Disney fans — Bluey! The series was the second-most streamed show of 2023 overall, only landing behind Suits, according to Variety.

The 145 episodes of the show were viewed a combined total of 43.9 billion minutes last year. That’s an impressive number!

The No. 2 most-streamed title of 2023 was #Bluey with 43.9 billion minutes watched. https://t.co/CjsAlMXWyE pic.twitter.com/MucisOxMtQ

— Variety (@Variety) January 29, 2024

But the list of most-streamed movies is where Disney REALLY succeeded last year. Topping the list is Moana with 11.6 billion minutes streamed, followed by Encanto, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Elemental, and Minions: The Rise of Gru. Frozen, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and Avatar the Way of Water take spots 7, 8, and 9 on the list.

So if you watched any of those Disney movies last year, you certainly weren’t alone! And if you’re wondering what to get an American child for their birthday, it looks like Moana or Bluey inspired gifts would put you on the right track.

Stay tuned to DFB for more updates about the latest Disney media news!

What’s the Most Popular Show on Disney+? Click Here to Find Out!

Which Disney+ show or movie was your go-to in 2023? Tell us in the comments!

The post Disney Fans Watched ‘Bluey’ for 43 BILLION Minutes Last Year and Honestly…It Was Time Well Spent first appeared on the disney food blog.

What type of vacation are you looking forward to having in 2025?

Yes, we know 2024 just kicked off — but if you ask us, it’s never too early to start planning! If you don’t know where to start, we’ve got plenty of recommendations. Whether you’re looking forward to a Disney World trip, a cruise, or something in between — we think you’re going to want to take a look at this new cruise destination!

Carnival Cruise Line is sharing a brand new look at its latest destination — Celebration Key! This exclusive space on Grand Bahama is “designed to offer guests a key for unlocking their type of paradise.”

Celebration Key will feature “endless opportunities for relaxation and recreation” in five different areas called “portals.” The destination will feature the largest freshwater lagoons in the Caribbean, a white sand beach, an exclusive adults-only club, and a variety of dining venues and bars.

Check out more details on the portals below:

• The Welcome Portal is the point where guests are first immersed in the beauty of the destination and greeted with information to help guide them toward their own kind of fun. As live music fills the air, a much-larger-than-life sandcastle stands tall in the center of Celebration Key as the embodiment of all that is fun in the sun.
• The Family-Friendly Portal is the place for families with kids of all ages to enjoy their time at Celebration Key. The day can include swimming in the large freshwater lagoon, alongside a splash pad with a shallow pool, two exciting racing waterslides in the large sandcastle, sports courts, spaces designed for kids and teens to enjoy, a beautiful beach with all types of beach loungers and a variety of cabana rentals, including beach cabanas, villas with personal slides into the lagoon and floating cabanas. There are not only activities for the whole family, but also a variety of dining options and cuisines, that will appeal to all taste buds.
• The Adult-Friendly Portal is designed for adults looking to spend their day enjoying the freshwater lagoon or at the beach lounging on the warm white sands and splashing around in the Bahamian waters to kick back and relax. Guests can also find their favorite cocktails at a large swim-up bar while they enjoy a high energy vibe curated by a talented DJ. A variety of cabana rentals, including beach cabanas, villas with personal slides into the lagoon and floating cabanas are available. There are also several dining venues, including a full-service restaurant that will offer a variety of cuisines, including local Bahamian flavors.
• The Private Club Portal is a premium experience curated for those who are seeking a relaxing and luxurious day in paradise. The private club is an adult-only retreat, with a stunning infinity pool, overlooking the best views of the Bahamian waters, with loungers swaying beneath palm trees and vibrant foliage. A dedicated section of the beach provides premier and private access, along with elevated dining experiences.
• The Retail Portal will showcase Bahamian culture, featuring a backdrop of beautiful murals painted by Bahamian artists and shopping that will include authentic Bahamian artisanal goods and local Bahamian retailers, along with Duty-Free stores. As they explore this portal, guests will also find several food and beverage options serving Bahamian flavors.

Celebration Key is a featured destination on more than 500 itineraries that are available to book now. Eighteen different ships will sail from nine homeports in the US. The first cruises to visit this new port will get to do so in July 2025! We can’t wait to see more details about this destination!

Stay tuned to DFB as we bring you more travel news, cruise news, and more!

Comparing Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival — And How the Disney Wish Stacks Up

Will you be booking a cruise for 2024? Tell us in the comments.

The post If You Need Us, We’ll Be Booking a Trip to This NEW Cruise Destination 👀 first appeared on the disney food blog.

March 26th, 2024, is a VERY important day for Disney fans!

If you’re hoping to attend this year’s “D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event” to learn about upcoming Disney changes, hear shocking announcements, and view exclusive exhibits, you’ll want to mark your calendar and set your alarm!

Disney’s “D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event” (previously called the D23 Expo) will take place from August 9th through the 11th, 2024. Tickets for this super-popular event go on sale on March 26th, and we’re expecting those tickets to sell out FAST.

Disney hasn’t made any announcements about pre-sales yet, but it’s possible that some guests (like D23 Gold Members) will be able to buy those tickets earlier than others. We’ll be on the lookout for an announcement!

Hoping to snag some tickets? Make sure you bookmark the D23 Ultimate Disney Fan Event website and have several alarms set so you don’t forget! Be ready on March 26th to hit “add to cart” on those tickets as fast as you can.

So what exactly IS the Ultimate Disney Fan Event? That’s the new name for the D23 Expo. At this event, Disney fans get to listen to panels of Disney experts, hear presentations from leaders at The Walt Disney Company, shop exclusive merchandise, and view exhibits all about Disney.

Disney has dropped some HUGE news bombs at these events in the past. For example, in 2022, we found out about the huge Magic Kingdom expansion that Disney is currently planning.

The event takes place from August 9th through the 11th in Anaheim, California. There will be a D23 kickoff celebration at Disneyland Resort the day before (August 8th), and then the event itself will be located at the Anaheim Convention Center. However, in the evening, the marquee shows that are part of this event will take place in the Honda Center, which is an indoor arena.

Even if you don’t have plans to visit the event in person, you can still participate this year! Some parts of the D23 event will be streamed on Disney+, including the Disney Legends ceremony, according to Deadline. You may remember that last year, Disney streamed portions of Destination D23 on social media, so this is a change for 2024. Disney also announced that this year’s D23 event will have a new interactive app, as well as musical performances, an amazing shopping experience, and special presentations. We can’t wait to learn more.

Stay tuned to DFB for more updates on all the latest Disney news!

Click here to see 2 BIG announcements we’re expecting from Disney soon!

Are you hoping to go to this year’s event? Let us know in the comments!

The post Why Disney Fans Will Be Glued To Their Phones on March 26th first appeared on the disney food blog.

Following the dismissal of Disney’s First Amendment federal lawsuit against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD), the District’s Board has now issued its own statements in response to the ruling.

Oversight District Issues Statement on Disney Lawsuit Dismissal

After the ruling was passed down, Disney issued a statement saying that the fight “will not end here” and that they intend to appeal the decision to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Now, Chairman of the Oversight District Board Martin Garcia, as well as District lawyer Charles J. Cooper have both shared their own statements expressing their “delight” over the ruling.

I’m delighted that this lawsuit, which was nothing more than a distraction, is now behind us. Our board and the district will now continue to make the appropriate changes to operate and function as an independent government agency to promote transparency and accountability while bringing more prosperity to more people in Florida.

Martin Garcia, Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Chairman

We are pleased that the district court applied clear precedent to reject Disney’s claim that it, rather Florida’s Legislature and her Governor, gets to choose the officials who will serve on its local government body. Disney may own the land in the district, but it does not own the government.

Charles J. Cooper, Chairman of Cooper & Kirk

While Disney’s federal lawsuit has been dismissed and the company is seeking appeal, their state-level lawsuits against CFTOD still move forward. Most recently, Disney and the District have agreed to a June trial for the new public records lawsuit that the former filed last month.

The public records lawsuit is separate from the District’s suit against Disney, where Disney has filed a Motion to Compel Discovery and the District refused to hand over the requested documents.

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

The post Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Issues New Statements Following Dismissal of Disney’s First Amendment Federal Lawsuit appeared first on WDW News Today.