Drone Pilot Gets A Trespass Warning For WDW Footage

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

We can all understand the importance of getting that perfect shot, especially when visiting the most magical place on earth. Well, one man decided he’d use his drone piloting skills to capture the empty Magic Kingdom in all it’s glory. BUT… he ended up with a trespass warning!

Orlando Sentinel reported the news today of an incident that took place on May 20. Obviously, Disney Security is still doing their jobs well as they spotted a drone about the size of a frisbee flying 100 feet from Cinderella Castle.

At an apartment complex close to Magic Kingdom, a 40-year-old, Minneola resident was operating the drone. Apparently he is an experience drone pilot – taking jobs for a Lifetime movie and drone footage for Universal’s Volcano Bay.

Despite the drone pilot’s excitement to capture the empty Magic Kingdom, an off-duty Orange County deputy caught the man who is not being named because it wasn’t a charged crime.

“I asked him why he was in a parking lot of an apartment complex he did not live in and standing behind trees out of view from Reams Road, he did not have a clear answer to the question,” the deputy said in the May 20 incident report. The man was issued a trespass warning.

The drone pilot said “I didn’t think I was doing anything wrong.” But, as you may know, there are Walt Disney World rules against drones and the FAA enforces a no-fly zone for the property. Nothing can fly below 3,000 feet and within 3 miles of Walt Disney World.

So, do we get a chance to see the footage? Nope. The drone pilot shares, “Obviously I can’t post them. I had to tell Disney I would delete them as a favor,” he said. “I don’t want to get into more trouble with Disney.”

Is Disney Standby Pass Set To Replace Fastpass+

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

The FastPass+ System we all know and love at Walt Disney World is looking like a thing of the past! As Disney Parks begin to reopen amidst social distancing guidelines, Disney is testing a new virtual queue system, the “Disney Standby Pass”.

The first appearance of this new system launched for one attraction, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, at Shanghai Disneyland. The system allows guests to create a queuing schedule for attractions right on their park mobile app.

Are you familiar with the Star Wars: Rise of Resistance virtual queue process at Disney’s Hollywood Studios? If so, it seems like this virtual queuing system will be very similar.

What have we learned from the launch at Shanghai Disneyland?

  • Guests must be inside the park with their entire party, and in their park app to select a Disney Standby Pass.
  • The Standby Pass provides a 1-hour window to get in line for the attraction.
  • Once your time comes around, a Cast Member will scan your pass on your app as you enter the attraction through the normal standby line entrance.
  • Guests will not be able to wait in a normal standby line to ride the attraction, but rather must have a Standby Pass.
  • More points are available by checking out the Shanghai Disneyland page here.

Disney Donates $2 million To NonProfit Organizations

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

We have exciting news to share! The Walt Disney Company just pledged $5 million to support nonprofit organizations to advance social justice. Their first steps is a $2 million donation to the NAACP. Check out the details below as shared by Disney.

The Walt Disney Company statement is as follows:

The Walt Disney Company has pledged $5 million to support nonprofit organizations that advance social justice, beginning with a $2 million donation to the NAACP to further their longstanding work promoting social justice by eliminating disparities and racial discrimination through their advocacy and education programs.

“The killing of George Floyd has forced our nation to once again confront the long history of injustice that black people in America have suffered, and it is critical that we stand together, speak out and do everything in our power to ensure that acts of racism and violence are never tolerated,” said Bob Chapek, Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company. “This $5 million pledge will continue to support the efforts of nonprofit organizations such as the NAACP that have worked tirelessly to ensure equality and justice.”

Today’s pledge is part of Disney’s ongoing commitment to support organizations that advance social justice. For many years, Disney has worked closely with groups that advocate for and empower communities of color, including the NAACP, whose mission is to ensure a society in which all individuals have equal rights without discrimination based on race.  The Company has also previously provided millions of dollars in grants to help students from underrepresented groups make the dream of higher education a reality, including $2.5 million to the United Negro College Fund.

In addition, through the Disney Employee Matching Gifts program, employees are able to increase their impact in their communities by donating to eligible organizations, with the Company matching those gifts.

Disney has used its creative resources and platforms to address issues of race and inequality. On Tuesday night, the Company aired a slate of special programming on a number of its TV networks to encourage a discussion of racism and oppression in America. The programming included an ABC News primetime special, “America in Pain: What Comes Next?,” that examined the protests and outrage across the country in response to the killing of Mr. Floyd. The special was preceded by the re-airing of two monumental and timely episodes of black-ish: “Hope,” which explores the issue of police brutality and flaws in the judicial system, and “Juneteenth,” which examines the lack of accurate representation of African Americans in our nation’s history.

Phase 2 For Reopening Florida Begins Tomorrow June 5th

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

We’re seeing progress in Florida! Phase Two reopening for Florida begins Friday, June 5! Florida Governor, Ron DeSantis, spoke at Universal Orlando to make the announcement that Florida is advancing to Phase Two beginning June 5th.

According to WFTV: “DeSantis said 64 of Florida’s 67 counties are moving into the new phase. The counties not moving into the phase are Palm Beach County, Miami-Dade County and Broward County.”

What does Phase Two allow for? Phase Two will allow bars, nightclubs, bowling alleys and movie theaters to reopen at 50% capacity. This means bar-top seating will appropriate social distancing will be allowed. Retail businesses and gym can operate at full capacity. Tattoo parlors, tanning salons and massage establishments may also reopen.

What exactly does this mean for Walt Disney World? While Disney has yet to release an update regarding the announcement of Phase Two beginning Friday, we do know this can only help the phased reopening approach Disney is planning for July 11th (Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom) and July 15th (EPCOT and Hollywood Studios). Disney Springs began its phased reopening on May 20 with a second phase of reopening May 27. We can’t help but wonder if Florida opening of Phase Two will allow for the Disney Springs venues such as the movie theater and bowling alley to open soon!

What comes next? Well, after Phase Two is of course Phase Three which for the most part returns Florida back to normal. While we wait for Walt Disney World to reopen, we are keeping our fingers crossed that Florida will continue to have reduced cases of COVID-19 and reopening of local business and venues continues to rise!

“Welcome Back” Video Released By Universal Orlando

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

While we normally share Disney news, we’re dropping in a little news from Walt Disney World’s neighbor, Universal Orlando. Universal Orlando reopens to the public beginning June 5. There are however soft openings for select Annual Passholders June 3 and June 4. Prior to venturing out to Universal Orlando, they recommend you watch this video just released about the health and safety guidelines you can expect upon reopening.

Want to know more? Check out Universal Guidelines here.