NBA to Reportedly Paint “Black Lives Matter” On Courts in Walt Disney World

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Walt Disney World is preparing to welcome back the NBA for its resumed 2019-20 season starting in late July, and preparations are already underway across various resorts. However, it seems the NBA has some preparations to make of their own ahead of the start of the season, with a focus on social justice in the wake of various protests and the murder of George Floyd.

According to ESPN, the NBA is planning on painting “Black Lives Matter” on the courts they will use across Walt Disney World Resort’s ESPN Wide World of Sports. Members of the WNBA have also suggested wearing shirts with the phrase “Say Her Name” on them to bring light to female victims of police brutality, like Breonna Taylor.

Disney recently took a stand against racial inequality across all of its social media channels, emphasizing the need to “unite and speak out” against racism.

Are you looking forward to watching the NBA resume its season at the Most Magical Place on Earth?

Imagineer Joe Rohde Discusses Complex Nature of Fixing Expedition Everest’s Yeti at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks

It’s been a repeated request from Disney Parks fans for years: “Fix the Yeti.” But fixing Expedition Everest’s star Audio-Animatronic resident isn’t easy, as legendary Imagineer Joe Rohde recently discussed on Twitter.

Spinning off from a discussion about the Disney’s Animal Kingdom attraction’s circular layout resulting from the need to economize space, a fan asked if this space-saving need is the reason the Yeti was placed in the middle of the mountain, making it extremely difficult to repair.

Rohde responded, mentioning that maintenance was involved in the design of the attraction and that their work was considered to be a “model collaborative process.” He then explained that the Yeti has created an “unexpected and unforeseen set of issues…with no easy or timely solutions as of yet.”

When the attraction opened in 2006, the Yeti was the most advanced Audio-Animatronic ever created. And with new technology, new issues are bound to follow, as Rohde discussed: “Innovation is like physical exploration of unknown spaces. There is stuff out there you didn’t know, and you only encounter it by exploration. But then… there it is.”

The Yeti broke just months after the attraction opened, and has operated in “B-mode” ever since. But Rohde’s words suggest that no matter how long it takes, Disney continues to work on a solution as complex as the problem itself.

Walt Disney World Dining Reservations Available June 30 for Eligible Guests with Prior Cancellations

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Dining, Disney Parks, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

As Walt Disney World creeps closer and closer to the grand reopening on July 11 (Magic Kingdom & Animal Kingdom) and July 15 (EPCOT & Hollywood Studios), we’ve been waiting for news on when dining reservations will become available for theme park guests.

According to Walt Disney World’s website:

Eligible Guests with Dining Reservations Cancelled During the Closure: If you had an active dining reservation on or before September 2, 2020 that was cancelled as of May 28 due to the temporary closure of Walt Disney World Resort, you’ll have the opportunity to make new dining reservations beginning on June 30 up to 60 days in advance of your arrival.

Not new, but you’ll want to keep these details in mind for Dining Reservations as found on the website:

Reservations for Guests Staying at Disney Resort Hotels: Guests with Disney Resort hotel reservations for arrivals through July 10, 2020 can make dining reservations for select Walt Disney World Resort hotel and available Disney Springs dining locations. Call the Disney Reservation Center at (407) 824-1391 to check availability and make reservations. A valid Resort reservation for this time will be required to book your reservation. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call. If you’re a Disney Vacation Club Member with a Resort reservation for an arrival through July 10, 2020, call Member Services at (800) 800-9800. Online reservations will not be available during this time for this audience and will reopen at a later date for all Resort Guests.

Reservations for All Guests: Online reservations for all Guests will reopen at a later date. Please continue to check back for details.

In-Park Dining: When in-park dining initially becomes available, you’ll need valid park admission, a reservation for park entry and a dining reservation to dine at an in-park, table-service restaurant. Dining reservations do not guarantee admission to the park.

EPCOT’s Garden Grill To Be 2nd To Offer Character Dining Upon Reopening

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining, Disney Parks, Epcot

GREAT news Disney fans! EPCOT’s Garden Grill Restaurant is the second Character Dining experience scheduled to reopen with as a modified character dining experience. While Topolino’s was the first to reopen, Garden Grill Restaurant is the first Character Dining available inside the parks.

On the list of EPCOT restaurants currently scheduled to reopen July 15, Garden Grill is now listed and states: “Please note that the Character Dining experience will be modified.”

Also located on the Disney website, Garden Grill has been added to the “Dining Experiences” updates under Character Dining as follows: “Character Dining will not be offered during the initial reopening, with the exception of modified Character Dining experiences at Garden Grill Restaurant and Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera.”

Cirque du Soleil Files for Bankruptcy Protection Due to COVID-19

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

We’ve been eagerly awaiting the reopening of Cirque du Soleil at Walt Disney World’s Disney Springs since it closed the show “La Nouba” on December 31, 2017. The new show, “Drawn to Life” presented by Cirque du Soleil® & Disney, has been highly anticipated. Closures due to COVID-19 have altered plans however.

According to Las Vegas Review Journal: “In a move that would have been unheard of even a year ago, Cirque du Soleil, the Las Vegas Strip’s preeminent production company for more than two decades, has filed for bankruptcy protection. The company, which has six productions on the Strip, announced Monday morning from its headquarters in Montreal it was seeking a debt restructuring protection under its home country’s Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA).”

As expected, the company said in its filing announcement the refinancing move was “in response to immense disruption and forced show closures as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

According to the Cirque du Soleil website: “CDSEG is not bankrupt, and rather sought court protection from its creditors under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) in Canada and Chapter 15 in the US, in order to avoid bankruptcy.”

“All performances are still on pause. Performances will resume once the pandemic is under control, pending an easing in government lockdowns and travel restrictions, and in accordance with the new corporate structure in place. Tickets for suspended and rescheduled performances remain valid. Ticket holders are advised to hold on to their tickets and will receive further instructions.”

We have received no word yet from Disney on what plans are in the works for “Drawn to Life” at Disney Springs.