Not very magical news to share, as we’ve learned an Orlando man has been charged with hitting a Walt Disney World Security Guard over the mask rule when trying to enter EPCOT.
As shared by the OrlandoSentinel: “An Orlando man struck an Epcot security guard when he was reminded to follow the theme park’s mask rules, an Orange County sheriff’s report says. Enrico Toro, 35, is accused of hitting the guard in the head and threatening to kill him, which led to Toro’s arrest Aug. 14, the arrest affidavit said.
“We expect guests to treat our cast members with courtesy and respect, and while the vast majority of guests have adapted to our new measures, this unfortunate case required law enforcement,” Disney spokeswoman Andrea Finger said in a statement.
OrlandoSentinel goes on the share: “Toro did not return a message seeking comment Wednesday but gave his version of events to authorities in the arrest report. He said the security guard swore at him and they got into an argument but denied anything else happened. Three witnesses observed the altercation and said they saw Toro become “irate,” use profanity and hit the guard, the report noted.”
“At about 4:40 p.m. Aug. 14, Toro, his wife and three children arrived at Epcot security wearing “improper masks,” the 29-year-old security guard recounted to the sheriff’s office in the arrest affidavit. The family returned to the car and came back to the front of Epcot a second time, but one child still wore a mask that didn’t fit Disney’s rules. Toro “began cussing” and said, “Call the police. They will have to shoot me to leave,” the arrest report said. The security guard reached for his phone to notify a security supervisor of the escalating situation when Toro struck the guard’s head with an “open hand,” the report said. Toro’s wife intervened and pushed her husband away from the security guard. “The male continued cussing at (the security guard) and began threatening that he knew where he lived and was going to kill him,” the arrest report said.”
We have exciting news to share! Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort are to host an all-new fall food and drink event series: “Sip, Savor and Stay Saturdays”. This event will replace this year’s Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic and offer guests a new way to enjoy some favorite food and drink experiences.
Every Saturday evening 5:30pm – 7:30pm through Oct. 24, a different culinary experience will take place exclusively for guests staying on the new Sip, Savor and Stay Saturdays overnight package. These limited-capacity, themed events created by the resort’s award-winning food and beverage team are inspired by elements of the popular Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic and will include a Champagne lounge, barbecue and Oktoberfest.
Sip, Savor and Stay Saturdays offer guests a new way to enjoy and celebrate different food and drink experiences each weekend and replaces the traditional Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic. Each event will feature an intimate atmosphere and implement the latest in responsible food delivery safety measures and social distancing procedures to create an entertaining, unforgettable, mouthwatering experience.
A one-night Sip, Savor and Stay Saturdays package offers guests a chance to celebrate the culinary arts all weekend long. In addition to exclusive access to the Saturday evening event, guests can enjoy a different specialty themed pop-up food truck each Saturday by the resort pool (available to all resort guests and not included in package), as well as convenient, walkable access to the Taste of Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, just 1,000-steps away. (please note: This is a separate event and advanced theme park reservations and tickets are required)
The Sip, Savor and Stay Saturdays event lineup is as follows:
Sept. 19: Bubbles Lounge: A lounge experience showcasing the finest in sparkling beverages with perfectly paired small bites to complete the experience. Taste the base varietals of traditional Champagne along with various sparkling wine styles from around the world.
Sept. 26: Beer Garden: A celebration of hops with a variety of ales, lagers, and pilsners served alongside pub favorites.
Oct. 3: Italian Wines & Bites: A delicious trip for guests’ taste buds across the Atlantic showcasing top Italian wines varietals from across the country’s famed regions from Sicily to Tuscany to Piedmont.
Oct. 10: Smokin’ D’s Bourbon, Beer, & BBQ: A selection of BBQ favorites handcrafted by the resort’s executive chef Dan Herman along with the best in bourbon and beer samplings. Smokin’ D’s menu items are annual favorites at Food & Wine Classic and only offered at the resort select times each year.
Oct. 17: Food & Wine Classic: Limited Edition (5:30-8:00pm): A new Food & Wine Classic experience, this event features fan favorites from the well-known Swan & Dolphin Food & Wine Classic in a more intimate setting.
Oct. 24: Oktoberfest Biergarten: An Oktoberfest party with German-themed music and tastings alongside a full selection of brews.
All events will be indoors and limited to 100 participants, except for the Food & Wine Classic: Limited Edition experience which will be limited to 200 participants in a larger space. Tickets are available exclusively as a resort package. Sip, Savor and Stay Saturdays one-night packages start at $295 and include access for two adults. The Oct. 17 Food & Wine Classic: Limited Edition experience, which will feature extended hours and expanded offerings, will start at $395 for a one-night package. To book call 1-888-828-8850. Events are limited to those 21 and older.
Among the protocols that will be implemented for each event are: Temperature check at entrance for all attendees, plexiglass walls for all food service, all cast members wearing PPE, each group will receive their own socially distanced reserved table, touchless menus and clearly marked social distancing signage.
Just in! Disney has announced, from Sept. 15 to Oct. 31 you are sure to “fall” in love with Magic Kingdom Park all over again. You’ll soak in the aura of autumn with Main Street, U.S.A. dressed in fall décor and other seasonal offerings. Check out all the details below as shared by DisneyParksBlog:
Of course, Halloween is THE fall holiday, and there will be some bewitching surprises this year, including a special Halloween-themed cavalcade with Mickey, Minnie, Pluto and pals wearing their favorite Halloween costumes. You may even spot those rascally chipmunks, Chip ‘n’ Dale, in costume over in Frontierland, and look for other Disney character friends dressed up and riding the horse-drawn trolley down Main Street, U.S.A.
And speaking of costumes, get yours ready! To bring some Halloween party fun into the park this year, for the first time guests of all ages can wear your funniest, Disney-ist, most creative costumes during Magic Kingdom Park regular operating hours from Sept. 15 to Oct. 31. As an important reminder, costume masks are not permitted for adults; only children younger than 14 years old are permitted to wear costume masks. In addition, all guests are required to wear approved face coverings during their visit. Before you arrive, check our Know Before You Go page and Costume Guidelines.
As you can see, our cast members are prepping pumpkin-themed wreaths that will adorn lampposts up and down Main Street, U.S.A., putting you in the fall spirit almost as soon as you step foot inside the park.
Autumn at Walt Disney World Resort wouldn’t be complete without our popular fall treats, such as the famous Pumpkin-spiced Waffle Sundae at Magic Kingdom Park. Visit our official Foodie Guide to Fall Treats at Walt Disney World: Parks Edition, which features all of the yummy details.
Festive Halloween-themed merchandise will be available in select locations around the park. Featured items include a new spirit jersey, Loungefly backpack and candy-swirl Minnie Mouse headband, along with a selection of apparel inspired by Disney Villains and more.
And be sure to capture your special moments with Disney PhotoPass! Photographers will be available throughout the park for themed photo opps. But beware – happy haunts may materialize in your pictures! We’ll share more fall and upcoming winter holidays details at Walt Disney World Resort soon, so keep checking Disney Parks Blog for updates.
With Labor Day almost upon us, many guests will be heading to Walt Disney World Resort to take a well-needed vacation. To accommodate the influx of guests, Walt Disney World has decided to extend the hours of multiple restaurants and merchandise locations across the property.
Disney’s Contemporary Resort:
Chef Mickey’s: 7:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (Friday, September 4 – Monday, September 7)\
