Disney World Unveils Exciting 2021 Holiday Plans!

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

Big news coming out of Walt Disney World! While we’re celebrating “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” in honor of 50 years of magic-making at Disney World, Disney is now unveiling exciting experiences coming for the 2021 holiday season with “enchanting holiday entertainment and yuletide-themed décor.”

More Disney Very Merries After Hours Additions

First up, let’s talk about even more magic coming to Disney Very Merriest After Hours in Magic Kingdom Park. Disney Parks Blog shares, “Disney Very Merriest After Hours just got even merrier, with “Mickey & Minnie’s Very Merry Memories” joining the lineup of event-exclusive entertainment. Guests attending Disney Very Merriest After Hours, a separately ticketed event at Magic Kingdom Park taking place on 24 select nights Nov. 8 – Dec. 21, 2021, are invited to join Mickey and his pals for a celebration filled with music, dancing , and nostalgic yuletide fun. Presented on the Cinderella Castle Forecourt Stage, the show features a nod to classic Magic Kingdom holiday stage shows, including “Mickey’s Twas the Night Before Christmas,” “Celebrate the Season” and “Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration.”

Disney Very Merriest After Hours attendees can also expect lower wait times for favorite attractions! Plus, there are special attraction holiday overlays to enjoy. Holiday hilarity ensues at Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor exclusively during the event, while the popular Jingle Cruise sails throughout the holiday season for all Guests to enjoy.” Additional entertainment returning during Disney Very Merriest After Hours this season includes:

  • It’s lovely weather for a sleigh ride down Main Street, U.S.A. in “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade.” Santa Claus, elves, reindeer and other friends from the North Pole join Mickey Mouse and his pals for the happiest holiday parade.    
  • The skies above Magic Kingdom Park will sparkle to life with the return of “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks,” where Minnie Mouse invites everyone to come together in a celebration of the magic of Christmas. The show features fireworks, projections and beloved holiday songs. 
  • Club Tinsel, located at Rockettower Plaza Stage in Tomorrowland, becomes the coolest place to get down when denizens of the North Pole drop by for the holiday cheeriest dance party in the whole Magic Kingdom!  
  • The Reindeer Wranglers bring their holiday hoedown to the streets of Frontierland, performing seasonal songs with a distinctive country flair.  

Cinderella Castle Holiday Projection

Not attending Disney Very Merriest After Hours? Disney has shared that “Guests visiting Magic Kingdom Park during regular operating hours can still join in on the holiday fun! On evenings when Disney Very Merriest After Hours is not being held, Cinderella Castle takes on a festive appearance with special projection effects, providing a colorful backdrop for our Guests’ photos. Throughout the evening, bursts of holiday magic will transform Cinderella Castle with a rotating series of designs, followed by a stunning transition in which the iconic Magic Kingdom Park landmark will shine as a Beacon of Magic, illuminating the night with an EARidescent glow.” 

Santa Claus is Coming!

What’s a holiday season without Santa?! Disney has announced, “Guests will encounter Jolly Old St. Nick during special appearances across Walt Disney World Resort through Dec. 24 of this year. Catch sight of Santa cruising down Hollywood Blvd. in his candy-apple red convertible at Disney’s Hollywood Studios during the Santa Claus Merry Motorcade or venture over to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, to spot Santa voyaging across the Discovery River, spreading the joyous spirit of the season from a festive flotilla. Santa Claus will also pay visits to Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT and Disney Springs, where Guests will have individualized time to wave hello and share their Christmas wishes.”

Disney Springs Holiday Fun

Holiday magic is arriving at Disney Springs! Get ready to experience the Disney-themed trees we all know and love, along with much more at Disney Springs. Disney shares, “The Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll presented by AdventHealth brings elaborately decorated Disney Christmas trees to the neighborhoods throughout Disney Springs. Each of the twinkling trees will be themed to personify beloved Disney characters, stories, and celebrations. Special festive décor and live holiday performances will add an extra touch of wonder to holiday shopping. And in the evening, Guests visiting Town Center will experience a magical snowfall, bringing the spirit of the North Pole to Central Florida. For the perfect wrap-up to a holiday visit to Disney Springs, visit Jock Lindsay’s Holiday Bar; back by popular demand, this seasonal favorite has returned with yuletide touches alongside festive food and craft cocktails – there’s something on the menu for everyone!”

Merry Menagerie at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is of course getting in on the action! This holiday season, Guests will encounter the Merry Menagerie at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Disney goes on the share, “As a part of this year’s yuletide entertainment, Discovery Island will spring to life with a Merry Menagerie of winter animals, realized in the form of life-size, artisan-sculpted puppets. Reindeer, foxes, polar bears, penguins, and more interaction with Guests, accompanied by serenading musicians as they create a whimsical display and playful atmosphere for Guests of all ages to enjoy. As Guests explore the Park, they may spot Goofy, Chip ‘n’ Dale and other Disney character friends bringing their own style of festive flair to the Discovery River, as they jingle through the jungle to the rhythm of the holidays. And on nights when the Park is open after dark, the Tree of Life awakens as a series of wintry tales emerge from within, complemented by a familiar and heartwarming holiday-inspired musical score. Between awakening moments, the Tree of Life joins the Beacons of Magic in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort, as magical fireflies gather to produce a warm and glorious light, calling forth the EARidescent magic of nature.”

Holiday Excitment at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Get ready to take in all the beauty of Sunset Boulevard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Disney has announced “Sunset Seasons Greetings returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where each evening holiday magic transforms the famous Hollywood Tower Hotel into a Muppets gingerbread masterpiece, a “Toy Story” toy hotel, a snowy corner of Arendelle, and a Dickensian village from “Mickey’s Christmas Carol.” As a part of the 50th-anniversary celebration at Walt Disney World Resort, the festive fun continues when Hollywood Tower Hotel becomes a Beacon of Magic at night, awash in an EARidescence evoking all the glimmer and shimmer of the golden age of imagination and adventure. Just in time for the holidays, “For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration” adds a festive finale, featuring everyone’s favorite snowman, Olaf, and celebratory songs of the season.”

Traditions from Around the World at EPCOT

While we previously shared the exciting news that EPCOT’s Candlelight Processional will return, along with EPCOT’s Holiday Storytellers making a comeback, there’s more Holiday fun to come for EPCOT! Who’s ready to unlock traditions from Around the World at EPCOT? Disney has shared, “Guests are invited to share in the sights and sounds of some of the world’s greatest holiday festivities during the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth, where time-honored traditions come alive through music, dance, and the storytelling heritage of the countries of World Showcase. Beginning on Nov. 26 through Dec. 30, you can celebrate with a spirited array of seasonal entertainment.”

New Limited-Time Discount for Annual Passholders on shopDisney.com

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

Attention Walt Disney World passholders. There is a new limited-time benefit for passholders that gives guests  25% off select merchandise on shopDisney.com. This is better than the 20% discount that we receive in the parks. However, there is a long list of excluded items so be sure to read the fine print! 

Now through October 24, 2021, Passholders can enjoy 25% off at shopDisney with promo code “WDW25”! At shopDisney, you’ll discover magical merchandise, awesome accessories and spook-tacular Halloween styles.

How to Take Advantage of Passholder Savings

First, check that your Disney account is linked to your Walt Disney World Annual Pass:

Once your Annual Pass is linked to your Disney account, visit shopDisney and sign in to the Disney account that’s affiliated with your Annual Pass. Then, start shopping!

To take advantage of the 25% discount:

  • Add at least one eligible item to your Bag
  • Visit My Bag and add promo code “WDW25” to apply your Passholder discount to all eligible items
  • Continue shopping or check out

Walt Disney World Annual Passholders 25% Off Promotion Restrictions:

Valid October 11, 2021 (12:01 AM Pacific Time) through October 24, 2021 (11:59 PM Pacific Time) or while supplies last, whichever occurs first, on select, in-stock merchandise for orders placed at shopDisney.com (online or via phone orders). Not valid on purchases made at Disney store and Disney Baby Store retail and outlet locations in North America or Disney Parks and Resorts locations, or on Disney store merchandise purchased from other retailers or using third-party websites. Offer excludes sales tax, shipping & handling charges, gift wrap & gift box charges, personalization charges, Disney theme park tickets, Disney Gift Cards, The Walt Disney Company Collectible Shareholder Certificate, subscription products, art & collectibles, books & media (DVDs, Blu-rays, CDs & video games), electronic toys, limited edition, special edition & limited release merchandise, talking action figures, select Star Wars: The Mandalorian merchandise, items related to a charitable promotion, and items from the following brands and collections: Aden & Anais, Afridrille Shoes, Alex and Ani, Barbie Signature Collection, Barefoot Dreams, BaubleBar, Beats by Dre, Bésame, Betsey Johnson, Bulova, Circle with Disney, Citizen, COACH, ColourPop, Converse, CRISLU, Cubcoats, Disney Designer Jewelry Collection, Disney Fairy Tale Wedding Rings, Disney Parks Designer Collection, Disney Vacation Club, Dooney & Bourke, Enesco, Fantasy Flight Games, Finn & Emma, Freshly Picked, Garmin, Hanna Andersson, Harveys, Jim Shore, kate spade, Le Creuset, LEGO, Lenox, Levi’s, LÍLLÉbaby, Lionel, Loungefly, Make-A-Wish Collection, MagicBand, Marvel Legends Series, Master of Arts, Mickey: The True Original Exhibition, Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction Collection, Milk Snob, select National Geographic, Native Shoes, New Balance, Nike, Nixon, Olszewski, Opening Ceremony, Otterbox Electronics, Element Skateboard Decks, Pandora Jewelry, Pandora: The World of Avatar Interactive Banshee Toy, Petunia Pickle Bottom, Pippa & Julie, Precious Moments, rag & bone, Rebecca Hook, RockLove, Royal Selangor, S.T. Dupont, Sentiments, Shinola, Sideshow Collectibles, select Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge merchandise, Star Wars: The Black Series, Starbucks, Steiff, Terez, Thomas Kinkade, TOMS, Tommy Bahama, Vera Bradley, Vinylmation, Waddle, and Walt Disney World Resort 50th anniversary. Additional exclusions may apply. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer or discount, except available shipping offers. Coupon or promotion code is non-transferable, not refundable, and has no cash value in whole or in part. No adjustments to prior purchases. Returns and exchanges will be subject to discount taken at time of purchase. Valid receipt required for returns or exchanges, which will be subject to discount taken at the time of purchase. Offer subject to restrictions and to change without notice. Void where prohibited. ©Disney

Columbian couple faces jail time, huge fines for selling counterfeit Disney DVDs

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

Via DisDining.com

A couple from Columbia had been charged with felony and misdemeanor counts of criminal copyright infringement for profit. What copyright did they infringe upon? Well, by their own separate admissions today in federal court, Disney’s.

The couple was suspected of working a scheme to smuggle Disney DVDs into the United States and then sell them for profit on eBay. They had to be smuggled because they were illegal counterfeit DVDs.

Forty-two-year-old Tabitha Nicole Rodgers, and her husband, 48-year-old Clint Travis Rodgers, made separate appearances before Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr., of the Western District of Missouri Federal Court.

Ms. Rodgers pleaded guilty to one count of criminal copyright infringement for profit, while her husband Clint pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of criminal infringement of a copyright.

In the summer of 2014, the Department of Homeland Security, specifically Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) got a tip from the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center, letting the department know that Mr. Rodgers had been the recipient of nearly 450 shipments from a company in Hong Kong that was known for dealing in counterfeit items.

The contents within the 443 shipments received by Mr. Rodgers were counterfeit DVDs of Disney movies. One shipment alone contained 200 counterfeit DVDs of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, while another shipment contained 260 counterfeit DVDs of Disney’s Aladdin. These 2 shipments were reportedly seized before they could be delivered to the Rodgers’ home, which is in Columbia.

Then in early 2015, agents with Customs and Border Protection seized yet another shipment that was addressed to Mr. Rodgers. That shipment contained approximately 200 counterfeit Disney DVDs. In February and March of that year, federal agents, working in an undercover capacity, purchased some of the bogus DVDs on eBay from the Rodgers, who asserted that the DVDs were authentic Disney merchandise, even though they knew the DVDs were counterfeit renditions. The agents also contacted two people who had assisted the Rodgers, both of whom told investigators that there were copious amounts of complaints about the DVDs from customers who purchased them, some even saying that the DVDs didn’t work at all.

In late August of 2015, HSI agents were able to serve a search warrant at the Rodgers’ home. During the search, agents found loads of the counterfeit DVDs, as well as other counterfeit goods. It was then that Tabitha Rodgers admitted she was the one who conducted the daily operations of the couples’ fraudulent business.

A plea agreement was reached today, and under the terms of that agreement, Ms. Rodgers must pay restitution to the government. That amount is to be determined but will represent her share of the profits she gained as a result of the criminal operation.

She is subject to up to five years in federal prison without the possibility of parole for her part in the operation. Her husband Clint is subject to up to one year in federal prison without the possibility of parole. Sentencing in this case will take place at a later date.

Disney Cruise Line “under review” for possible vaccination requirement violations

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

According to a list released by The Orlando Sentinel, Disney Cruise Line and other carriers are being looked at by the Florida Department of Health for possible violations when it comes to making requirements about COVID-19 vaccinations.

Disney Cruise Line is among over 100 potential violators of the COVID-19 vaccine passport law in Florida, a law that went into effect on September 16, but that is currently being disputed in the court system. It is the Florida Department of Health that is tasked with enforcing the law at this time. When the department finds a violation, it is also tasked with imposing fines of $5,000 per offense.

At this time, Disney Cruise Line joins other cruise lines on the list of possible offenders–those “under review” by the department. Other lines include Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, each of which operates homeports in the state of Florida.

Norwegian Cruise Line currently has a federal court order on its side that is preventing the state of Florida from imposing fines for any alleged violations made by the Miami-Dade County-based organization, which is good news for Disney Cruise Line and its competitors, as the Florida Department of Health is holding on enforcing the law and imposing fines on any of the other cruise lines that are currently listed as possible violators of the law until there is an outcome from Norwegian’s scenario.

Guest is escorted away by Cast Member for wearing ‘inappropriate’ top into parks

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

Here we have another story of a guest receiving a free T-shirt. How did she get this free shirt, you may ask. Well, the reason isn’t exactly the best reason but this trend seems to continue to happen.

Alyssa Schueller, who was visiting EPCOT. She was approached by a Cast member who told her that her top was “inappropriate” for wearing in the parks and escorted her to a nearby shop inside EPCOT.

@alyssaschueller

#disney #epcot #freeshirt #disneyworld

♬ Castaways – The Backyardigans

Miss Schueller’s video has received more than 903,000 views, even though it is from an event that took place over the summer.

While everyone loves the idea of a free shirt at Disney World, was the Cast member justified in asking the Guest to come with her and replace her top? According to Disney World’s park rules concerning attire, it appears she had the grounds on which to address the issue with Miss Schueller.

The Walt Disney World website has this to say concerning what to wear in the parks:

“Disney reserves the right to deny admission to or remove any person wearing attire that is considered inappropriate or attire that could detract from the experience of other Guests. Attire that is not appropriate for the parks—and which may result in refusal of admittance—includes but is not limited to:

  • Clothing with objectionable material, including obscene language or graphics
  • Excessively torn clothing
  • Clothing which, by nature, exposes excessive portions of the skin that may be viewed as inappropriate for a family environment
  • Clothing that touches or drags on the ground
  • Clothing with multiple layers is subject to search upon entry
  • Objectionable tattoos”

According to park rules, the Cast member could have even asked this Guest to leave the park completely. She also could have been denied entry to the park that day, if her attire was deemed inappropriate by Disney’s rules.