According to a post on Unite Here Local 362’s Facebook page, Disney will be paying certain Walt Disney World Cast Members for obtaining one of the available COVID-19 vaccines.
In a press release attached to the post, the union which represents attractions and custodial Cast Members, amongst others, states that Cast Members will be paid four hours worth of pay for receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. Additionally, it mentions dates of January 1st, 2021 thru September 30, 2021, meaning Cast Members who have already been vaccinated should also be eligible for the additional pay.
We reported that the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover refurbishment was extended through April 3. The attraction closed in March of 2020 and has yet to reopen. The attraction is now set to reopen on May 1 of this year.
We’ve seen the attraction testing quite a bit lately, so this additional refurbishment extension came as quite the surprise (again). The audio for the attraction was even cycling during recent Cast Member tests, leading us to think that we were set for that April 3 reopening.
This year’s event will kick off with Global Marketplaces, including the return of many favorites – Canada, Greece, Germany, Hops and Barley, Appleseed Orchard and others. Even more marketplaces will join the international smorgasbord as the festival continues on into the fall before wrapping on November 20.
There will be lots of ways for families to enjoy this year’s event (beyond just eating lots of great food, of course):
Sample all sorts of delicious cheeses served in fun ways as part of Emile’s Fromage Montage – if you collect a stamp from five different Global Marketplaces, you’ll earn a prize!
Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak will send you on a savory scavenger hunt in search of Remy statuettes hidden all over the park.
Take a tasty souvenir home from the new merchandise collections, including a festival collection featuring a spirit jersey, baseball cap and so much more.
Listen to musical favorites performed by Voices of Liberty, Mariachi Cobre and the Jammin’ Chefs.
This is just an appetizer for the 2021 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. You can also visit TasteEPCOT.com and keep an eye out for #TasteEPCOT on social channels for other tasty tidbits.
Star Wars Junkies have a lot to look forward to this May the Fourth. On that day, Disney+ will be streaming their second Star Wars series, “Star Wars: The Bad Batch”. Taking place after “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”, this animated series follows a “Bad Batch” of clones in the aftermath of the Clone Wars.
Created by Dave Filoni, the new series features the voices of Dee Bradley Baker and Disney Legend Ming-Na Wen.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has spoken out against the “vaccine passports” currently under consideration by the Biden administration. The “passports” or credentials are meant to easily prove whether or not someone has been vaccinated, to allow them access to places that require proof.
DeSantis does not support the “vaccine passports”, stating Florida’s approach to the vaccine is to “provide it for all, mandate for none,” although the passport would not be a mandate, only a digital or physical record of vaccination. According to The Washington Post article we cited earlier, the Biden administration is in fact actively working to ensure the passport does not act as a mandate.
DeSantis said it is “completely unacceptable” for the government or a private sector to implement a “vaccine passport” for movies, sporting events, and theme parks. He said he will be taking an emergency, executive action later this week to effectively ban “vaccine passports” in the state.
Currently, vaccinated guests visiting Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort are still required to follow physical distancing rules and wear a mask. Floridians over the age of 40 are currently eligible for the vaccine and those over the age of 18 will be eligible April 5, 2021.
