Footage Released of Manhunt for Discovery Island Trespasser at Walt Disney World

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

After being arrested for camping on the former site of Discovery Island back in April, a Florida man has been formally charged for trespassing on Walt Disney World property. Now, WKMG News 6 has released video of the manhunt as Disney Security and members of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office trekked through the abandoned land in search for the trespasser.

According to ClickOrlando.com, Richard J. McGuire was formally charged with trespass on property other than structure or conveyance in July. Investigators claimed deputies searched for McGuire on the ground, by helicopter, and by boat before finding him.

Discovery Island first opened in 1974, but closed permanently in 1999. McGuire called the island a “tropical paradise” and claimed to be unaware that the property was closed. He has since been banned from Walt Disney World Resort.

“Moana” Themed Rooms Coming to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Resorts

New details have surfaced regarding the extended closure and refurbishment of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort at Walt Disney World, including a resort-wide retheme to the popular animated film, Moana.

In a statement to the Orlando Sentinel, Disney has confirmed the changes taking place inside guest rooms, including a new color palette and more:

A Disney World spokeswoman on Monday said changes to the rooms will include a move to a Pacific Ocean-inspired color palette as well as details, patterns and textures from Disney’s “Moana,” an animated film that takes place on the Polynesian island of Motunui.

Just earlier this year, the resort’s popular ‘Ohana restaurant debuted new carpeting featuring characters from Moana alongside Polynesian-inspired design.

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is scheduled to remain closed through Summer 2021, with its Monorail station temporarily closing in October of this year.

New MARVEL Spider-Man & Iron Man MagicBands

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Two new MagicBands featuring two of MARVEL’s most iconic characters—Spider-Man and Iron Man are now available. These new MagicBands are the perfect accessories for any superhero fan. Let’s check them out.

Spider-Man MagicBand – $24.99

The first MagicBand features your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man in black and white against a red and blue background.

“I Am Iron Man” MagicBand – $24.99

The other MagicBand features Iron Man in a fighting stance against a mostly red background. New MARVEL-themed MagicBands have made their way into Walt Disney World, recently, including another Iron Man MagicBand, that was released in July. 

Governor Ron DeSantis States Florida Government is “Comfortable” with Expanding Theme Park Capacity

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

During today’s “One Goal, One Florida” theme park roundtable, which took place at Universal Orlando Resort, Governor Ron DeSantis stated that the state of Florida is “comfortable” with expanding capacity at the Central Florida theme parks, including Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort.

Given the current elevated health and safety measures in place at the theme parks, the state deems it safe to increase the amount of people allowed into the parks. During the roundtable, Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort park officials spoke on current reopening progress and staffing at the parks. While the trends are favorable for the parks so far after the massive hit of the pandemic, thousands of workers are still on extended furlough.

The conference ended on a favorable note, with characters appearing from Universal Orlando Resort’s Toothsome Chocolate Emporium, but generally brought few new details besides the possibility of expanded capacity at the parks. Do note that neither resort has issued any announcements regarding upped capacity at any of the parks.

Disney Shares 360-Degree Virtual Tours of Oga’s Cantina & Dok-Ondar’s at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Hollywood Studios

Today, August 29, is Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge one year anniversary! Disney is celebrating with two videos sharing a look inside the popular lounge, Oga’s Cantina, and Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities. Check out the details and video below as shared by DisneyParksBlog:

Rising moons! Today is an exciting day, as it marks the one-year anniversary of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We’re taking you on a virtual, 360-degree trip inside two of the most popular venues in the land: Oga’s Cantina and Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities!

These two videos capture one of my favorite things about traveling to Black Spire Outpost on Batuu … I literally just love standing still and looking around. There’s so much to see, so much to hear, so many incredible details to soak in – I seem to discover something new every time I visit.

Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities is the perfect place for this type of visual exploration, with its eclectic selection of rare and mysterious items. In this 360-degree video, you can look around the shop and learn more about many of the artifacts that adorn its walls. 

Oga’s Cantina is where people gather in Black Spire Outpost to share their stories with one another. In this 360-degree video, you can look around the vibrant watering hole and listen to the music provided by DJ R-3X (I’m pretty sure you’ll recognize the tune he’s playing). You may want to watch this while using a pair of earphones – it sure sounds like there are some whispers from a galaxy far, far away I’m detecting in there. After all, you never know what you may overhear in Oga’s Cantina …