Marvel creators John Romita Jr. and Joe Quesada wanted to pay tribute to the victims and the heroes of 9/11 in a special way.
So they did just that–with a brand-new comics story, starring Spider-Man, Captain America, and heroes across the nation.
Artist John Romita Jr. is responsible for the simple, yet powerful imagery in the story, titled The Four Fives. Writer Joe Quesada worked alongside Romita to tell a story of remembrance, honor, and sorrow, though with more bell tolls than words.
“When we first started speaking to John [Romita] about what he wanted to work on upon his return to Marvel, crafting a story honoring the 20th anniversary of 9/11 was very important to him,” says Marvel Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski.
Cebulski says the team surrounding the new comic story is comprised of people from the Big Apple.
“As New Yorkers who were all here that fateful day,” he explained, “we’re proud to present The Four Fives and do our part to help memorialize the men and women who sacrificed their lives two decades ago in a way only our comics can.”
And Cebulski is right; the comic strip captures the heartbreak of that day, coupled with the pride our nation felt in those who served as the courageous first responders who braved the two burning towers to help save the lives of people they didn’t even know.
Because of their heroism, many of those first responders became victims of the malicious attacks as well; 412 in all.
The lives of 343 firefighters were lost.
The lives of 37 Port Authority officers were lost.
The lives of 23 New York Police Department officers were lost.
The lives of 8 EMTs and paramedics were lost.
The lives of 3 New York State Court officers were lost.
The life of 1 New York Fire Patrolman was lost.
In all, 75 firehouses mourned the loss of one or more of its team on September 11.
“This was the right thing to do,” says Marvel comic artist John Romita Jr. “The firefighters, police, military, medical first responders, and the fallen are the true superheroes.”
“When C.B. asked if I’d be interested in writing a story commemorating the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, I initially turned it down. I just didn’t think I had it in me to do a deep dive and relive that day again, nor an idea that could do it justice,” reflects Marvel comic artist Joe Quesada. “But, as soon as we hung up, I couldn’t stop thinking about all the souls lost.”
Quesada couldn’t stop thinking about that day, and then he had a thought that would bring the entire story of the comic to fruition.
“I thought about the yearly tolling of the Bell of Hope at Trinity Church,” he explains. “I called C.B. back to tell him that I had an idea.”
Tricia Proefrock and her 13-year-old son Mason love going to Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.
They live about 150 miles southeast of the parks in Palm Beach Gardens, but they visit frequently and enjoy every minute of their time at the Most Magical Place on Earth.
“It’s the highlight of both of our lives,” Tricia says.
Tricia’s son Mason is 13 and has Lennox Gastaut Syndrome, a type of epilepsy that can affect Mason’s abilities to see well, to walk and to talk. Because of this, Mason uses a wheelchair. When they visit Magic Kingdom, they park in the designated handicapped parking areas with ramp access so that Tricia can wheel Mason out of the vehicle.
But sometimes those areas are full, and Cast Members have told Tricia that when there are no other spaces with ramp access, she should park her vehicle over the white line and take two spaces–one for her van and one to give her room for Mason and his wheelchair to exit or enter her van.
That’s exactly what happened last week when Tricia and Mason visited Magic Kingdom. So she followed the Cast Members’ previous instructions and took two parking spaces.
But as Tricia and Mason left Magic Kingdom and approached their vehicle to go home that day, Tricia noticed a bright yellow note on her windshield that looked like a parking citation.
She quickly realized that it wasn’t a ticket.
instead, she’d received a typed, hate-filled note with the words “PARKING VIOLATION” in bold, black font on the top, made to look like an actual citation.
Apparently, another Guest wasn’t impressed by Tricia’s parking. So the Guest left her a bogus citation. A mean, hate-filled “citation.”
It read:
“This is not a ticket, but if it were within my power, you would receive two. Because of your bull-headed, inconsiderate, feeble attempt at parking, you have taken enough room for a 20 mule team, 2 elephants, 1 goat, and a safari of pygmies from the African interior.”
And as if that weren’t enough meanness and hate, the note went on to wish horrible things for Tricia and Mason. It concluded with:
“I sign off wishing you an early transmission failure (on the expressway at about 4:30 p.m.). Also, may the fleas of a thousand camels infest your armpits.”
And of course, the author of the note didn’t have the courage to sign the note.
Tricia hopes that sharing her story about the note she received will help others to not make assumptions so quickly. She hopes it will help them to be more tolerant.
“If you see a car taking two spots,” Tricia says, “maybe instead of wishing us a broken transmission, you can try to think about why a wheelchair accessible van in a medical parking section might need two spots.”
We wish her open spaces with ramp access from here forward!
Mobile Order service is something we use every chance we get when ordering from a quick-service location at Walt Disney World. It’s so fast and easy to use. That’s why we’re super excited to learn that the service is expanding to include candy kitchen locations.
Since introducing mobile order service several years ago, we’ve been continuously expanding the service to additional dining locations and adding new options like table-service to go for even more convenience. Now available at Disneyland Resort and coming soon to Walt Disney World Resort, you can also use mobile order service to order your favorite confections from select merchandise locations with candy kitchens.
Satisfy your sweet tooth and save time in line when you use mobile order service at the following locations, and pick up treats from cupcakes and cookies to chocolate-covered marshmallows and elaborately-decorated candy apples.
Disneyland Resort – Now available!
Marceline’s Confectionery, located at Downtown Disney District
Candy Palace and Candy Kitchen, located at Disneyland park
Pooh Corner, located at Disneyland park
Trolley Treats, located at Disney California Adventure park
Walt Disney World Resort
Candy Cauldron, located at Disney Springs – available Sept. 14
Karamell-Küche featuring Werther’s Original Caramel, located at EPCOT – available Sept. 16
Zuri’s Sweets Shop, located at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park – available Sept. 21
Goofy’s Candy Company, located at Disney Springs – available Sept. 23
Main Street Confectionery at Magic Kingdom Park also plans to offer mobile order service after it reopens from its current refurbishment.
Just tap “Order Food” in the Disneyland or My Disney Experience app and look for these locations as they add mobile order service in the coming weeks. Then, select your arrival time and bypass the line to pick up your treats!
Another sweet tip: eligible merchandise discounts apply when you use mobile order service at these locations. Just make sure your valid Annual Passholder, Magic Key or Disney Vacation Club membership is affiliated to your Disney account, and your discount will be automatically applied.
Magic is here with Holidays at the Disneyland Resort, and this year Mickey Mouse and his friends are hosting Disney Merriest Nites, the first after-hours holiday party at Disneyland Park.
For family fun with limited capacity, the all-new Disney Merriest Nites holiday party will be offered as a separate-ticket event at Disneyland on five select nights in November and December. Disney Merriest Nites tickets will be sold for events on Nov. 11, Nov. 16, Nov. 30, Dec. 7 and Dec. 9. Tickets will be available for purchase beginning Sept. 14, 2021, no earlier than 9 a.m., on Disneyland.com and the Disneyland app.
At Disney Merriest Nites, Mickey Mouse has invited his friends to help host six themed parties within one giant celebration throughout Disneyland park. Families and guests of all ages who are attending this event can enjoy enhanced holiday décor, seasonal entertainment, and specialty food and beverage offerings themed to each party during the event.
As the host of the party, Mickey Mouse will welcome guests on Main Street, U.S.A. in Victorian flair, and Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and their friends join in the fun, traveling in a special coach with Christmas carol sing-alongs, Muppet antics, and a few chickens! Over in New Orleans Square, Princess Tiana will welcome guests to celebrate Noel with a bayou-inspired celebration. Guests visiting Frontierland will see Miguel from the Disney•Pixar film “Coco” wishing everyone Feliz Navidad for a jolly fiesta. Three more character-hosted holiday parties await guests with a tropical party hosted by Lilo & Stitch in Adventureland, a wintertime celebration with Elsa in Fantasyland, and Buzz Lightyear taking the holidays to new heights over in Tomorrowland.
Special event merchandise will be available in Disneyland Park. Additional seasonal merchandise will be available throughout the Resort.
Guests may add to their holiday wardrobes with seasonal attire and accessories, and find novelty items such as pins, plush and decorative items to continue the festivities at home.
For guests looking to taste the treats of the holiday season, multiple food and beverage locations will offer specialty items for purchase as well as party-themed offerings.
At Disneyland Park
In addition to the parties being hosted by Mickey Mouse and friends, guests also will enjoy the classic sights, sounds and flavors of Holidays at the Disneyland Resort. Upon entering Disneyland guests will be greeted by a magnificent 60-foot-tall Christmas tree on Main Street, U.S.A., decorated with nearly 1,800 ornaments. The classic tree is an iconic symbol of Holidays at Disneyland Resort, as well as an ideal location for holiday photos. At the entrance to Fantasyland, the holiday magic will shine brightly each evening when Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle begins to sparkle with light and music fills the air illuminating the night in an enchanted wintertime spectacle. Returning for the season, guests will again see “A Christmas Fantasy” Parade * and some favorite Disney characters and princesses throughout the park, dressed in their seasonal finest – with a few surprises this year.
Entry to Disneyland Park before the party. The parties start at 8 p.m. PT and guests will have the opportunity to play in Disneyland three hours before each party begins
Experience six parties in one. Six parties in lands throughout the park are uniquely themed and hosted by Mickey Mouse and his friends
Unprecedented access to Holidays at the Disneyland Resort. Guests at these themed parties can experience many attractions with lower wait times due to a limited number of guests. This includes the seasonal transformations of “it’s a small world” Holiday and Haunted Mansion Holiday
Seasonal entertainment. Guests will be immersed in the spirit of the season with seasonal entertainment, such as “A Christmas Fantasy” Parade and seasonal musical performances *
Spectacular holiday décor and lighting. From a glistening castle and enchanted lands that sparkle to festive wreaths and garlands galore, the holiday season is visible throughout the park.
Access to attractions within these lands: Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, Adventureland, New Orleans Square and Frontierland during the party ***
Themed photo backdrops and unlimited Disney PhotoPass ** digital photo downloads from the night are included with admission to Disney Merriest Nites. With the help of Disney PhotoPass photographers located throughout the party, it’s easier than ever to capture holiday photos – with the whole family in the photo.
Holiday treats and eats specially curated for the event.
Health and Safety at the Disneyland Resort
Guests are encouraged to visit Disneyland.com/updates for important information to know before visiting the Disneyland Resort, including the latest updates on required face coverings.
* Please check Disneyland.com for entertainment performance times, which may vary. Entertainment, experiences, attractions, and offerings may be modified, limited in availability, or unavailable, and are subject to change or cancellation without notice.
** Disney PhotoPass service is subject to the Disney PhotoPass terms and expiration policy found at Disneyland.com/photopass-terms-conditions/. Online registration required.
*** Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Mickey’s Toontown and Critter Country will not be accessible during the party.
The number of tickets available are limited and valid only for the specific event date and hours. Parking is not included with ticket purchase. Tickets can be purchased online and are not available on the day of the event. Limit eight (8) tickets per person, per event date. Tickets not required for Guests ages 2 and under. Tickets are non-refundable and may not be resold or transferred for a commercial purpose. Offer and event elements are subject to restrictions, change or cancellation without notice.
Haunted Mansion Holiday is inspired by “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.”
Move over Grim Grinning Ghost… Grim Grinning MUPPETS are coming out to socialize! A new Halloween special is on the way to Disney+ on October 8, 2021. A spooktacular fun way to bring in the spooky season, we’re ready to see what all the Muppet friends have to dish out with the new “Muppets Haunted Mansion”. And now, there has been a special announcement that will have Miss Piggy sharing the spotlight in the terrifying tale!
While attending the DIS Family Reunion 2021 at Walt Disney World to benefit Give Kids The World Village, on September 10 Pat Sajak took the stage as it was announced that he would be joining the Cast for the new Muppets Haunted Mansion coming soon to Disney Plus. Check out the spooky fun Haunted Mansion bust of Mr. Sajak below:
Looking good Sajak! Welcome to the Cast of beloved characters! So, what’s to expect from this all-new Halloween special? Besides seeing all your Muppet favorites like Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo, and more, the beloved Muppet, Gonzo, will be in a role like no other he has played before as it is reported that “In this new series, the Great Gonzo – world-famous daredevil artiste, has done it all, seen it all, and survived it all. But on Halloween night, the fearless Gonzo takes on the greatest challenge of his life by spending one very daring night in the most grim-grinning place on Earth … The Haunted Mansion.” Check out the original announcement from the Muppets video below:
We can’t wait to see what Sajak’s involvement will be in the Muppets Halloween special… but it definitely gives us just another reason to want to stream the new Muppet Haunted Mansion when it premiers on October 8, 20201, exclusively on Disney+. Happy streaming, Foolish Mortals!
