Disney Receives Massive Backlash For Guest’s Interaction With “Rude” Cast Member

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

For over 15 years, Guests around the world have loved getting to know Mickey’s first teddy bear Duffy and all of his friends, including ShellieMay (another bear), Gelatoni the Cat, and StellaLou the Bunny. More recently, Guests have also seen the creation of CookieAnn the dog at Hong Kong Disney, Mel the Turtle at Aulani, and LinaBell the Fox at Shanghai Disney. These adorable animals are not only available for sale as plush toys, but they also have a number of Guest meet and greets throughout the Parks.

Recently, a Guest videoed their less-than-stellar encounter with LinaBell at Shanghai Disney. The Guest then shared the video on Weibo — a Chinese blog site — and it quickly went viral as people were shocked by LinaBell’s behavior. In the video, the Guests ask LinaBell if they can touch her tail, and the pink fox gestures as if she wants them to leave. They then ask for a kiss and LinaBell pretends to take a kiss and throw it on the ground and stomp on it.

LinaBell Duffy and Friends

You can watch a video of the encounter here.

Disney has become known for the incredible character encounters that Guests can have, and some characters are so popular that Guests will wait upwards of an hour to have the chance to visit them. Guests were quick to chastise Disney and its seemingly untrained Cast Member for their behavior and shared their thoughts on the video. Vice News translated some of the comments in an article:

“She is supposed to be a brave, adventurous little fox, but some performers are making her look so rude,” a commenter posted on microblogging site Weibo.

“Can’t even give a kiss?” said one of the most liked comments the same site. “Then why spend money visiting Disney? To get offended?”

“The performers are working hard no matter what,” another top-voted comment said. “But please treasure visitors’ sincerity in visiting from afar and queuing for hours, just to exchange a few words with her.” 

Duffy and Friends LinaBell

While many were critical of the performer and demanded that they receive better training, some viewers empathized with the Cast Member, citing that they may have worked long hours in the heavy costume before the encounter that was filmed.

LineBell was only introduced to Disney fans this past September, but her popularity has skyrocketed, and the pink fox constantly trends on social media when new videos of her are posted. Fans have also taken to noticing when different people play her and try to guess who is portraying LinaBell on any given day.

Disney has not responded to the Cast Member’s actions, or its training policies and possibly revamping them at this time.

Devastating car accident at Disney World exit claims the lives of two

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Two Florida residents lost their lives in a tragic two-vehicle car accident in central Florida near the exit for Walt Disney World off Interstate 4, according to the Florida Highway Patrol via WFTV 9.

Late in the evening on Monday, December 6, just before 11:00 p.m. local time, per Florida Highway Patrol officers, two different vehicles, a sedan and an SUV, were traveling in a westbound direction on Interstate 4 near mile marker number 62, which is the Celebration/Walt Disney World Resort exit.

For reasons unknown at this time, the sedan veered to the right, causing the passenger side of the sedan to strike the left rear section of the SUV.

It was at this time that the SUV rolled over and ejected the two female passengers inside the vehicle, a 54-year-old woman from Riverview, Florida, and a 59-year-old woman from Wimauma, Florida.

Rescue crews arrived to the scene of the tragedy shortly thereafter, but sadly, one of the passengers involved in the car accident passed away at the scene of the deadly crash, and the other passenger passed away at AdventHealth Celebration Hospital.

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At the time of this publication, it’s unclear whether the other vehicle’s driver was alone or if there was a passenger in the vehicle as well. It is also unclear whether anyone in the other vehicle sustained an injury in the fatal car accident.

It is also unclear whether traffic issues or alcohol played any role in the deadly crash. The crash remains under police investigation.

Verbal Fight Breaks Out After Disney Guest Cuts in Massive Hour+ Line

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks

Via InsideTheMagic

When Guests go to Walt Disney World, they must always recognize that there are rules and regulations that must be abided, such as waiting in line for attractions.

Magical express line

Walt Disney World offers many rides, restaurants, shows, and attractions at the four Parks. At times, the selection can be overwhelming which may cause stress for some Guests, especially when lines are long. Wait times can end up being hours long for attractions like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train or Peter Pan’s Flight, but if a Guest chooses to enter the queue, they will have to wait in the order in which they entered.

Troost (@troost123456789) posted a TikTok yesterday showing an altercation in which a Guest appears to be cutting in line for Avatar Flight of Passage at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The poster of the TikTok noted the wait time had hit over an hour. Please be warned that there is vulgar language used in the video. Viewer discretion is advised.

@troost123456789

#disney #karen #disneyworld #exposed

♬ original sound – Troost

The TikTok starts with a Guest asking the man who is seemingly cutting in line stating “Is he threatening you?”. This question is followed by the Guest reaching out and grabbing the other Guests near him. The Guest who was moving through the line stated, “You don’t understand, my father is waiting for ME”. The Guest who was seemingly cutting in line eventually walks away after ending the heated exchange with, “It’s not your problem”. There is a chance that the Guest was attempting to find the rest of his party which may have been further ahead in line, however, from the communication displayed in the video, that was not said.

flight of passage

Walt Disney World has official rules and policy page which can be found here. Walt Disney World’s official statement on cutting in line and using vulgar language is as follows:

Please show common courtesy to fellow Guests and our Cast Members by not using profanity or engaging in unsafe, illegal, disruptive, or offensive behavior, jumping lines, or saving places in lines for others. For your safety and the safety of others, please refrain from running except in designated areas. 

Disney World is located on private property and therefore can operate under its own rules and regulations. Guests who are unable to follow these rules are at risk of being removed from the park, or worse, depending on the situation at hand. Please be sure to always be aware of the rules set out by Disney before your visit to ensure you are not creating an unsafe or negative environment for Guests and Cast Members.

Disney Is Giving Away a Free Stay on the Galactic Starcruiser BEFORE It Opens!

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Disney Resorts, Hollywood Studios

If there is one thing Disney is always trying to do, it is creating new, one-of-a-kind experiences for its Guests at its theme parks around the world. Beginning in March 2022, Guests will be able to board the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser for a 2-day completely immersive experience. The Galactic Starcruiser — named Halcyon — will feature amazing things like Lightsaber Training, a planet excursion to Batuu — located in Hollywood Studios — and unique dining options.

While Guests will not be able to stay onboard the Galactic Starcruiser before March, Disney is hosting a sweepstakes where the winners will be able to stay on the Starcruiser before it opens! That’s right, the whole Starcruiser just for the winner and up to four Guests. Here are more details on the sweepstakes from Disney Parks Blog:

As part of the ongoing “Star Wars Bring Home The Bounty” campaign, Lucasfilm Consumer Products is partnering with Walt Disney World Resort and Lucasfilm Publishing to give one lucky winner the ultimate adventure: a chance to win a 2-night experience on the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser before it opens in March 2022, and an exclusive meet and greet with the authors of  “Star Wars: The High Republic.”

By entering the Star Wars Bring Home the Bounty: Galactic Starcruiser Sweepstakes, one lucky grand prize winner will receive round-trip airfare for up to four individuals to Orlando, Florida for a 4-day/3-night vacation to Walt Disney World Resort, including a 2-night experience on a test voyage of the Galactic Starcruiser in February 2022. The winner of the grand prize will also get to experience a separate meet-and-greet opportunity with all five authors of “The High Republic” books and comics.

Galactic Starcruiser

While the Galactic Starcruiser sweepstakes will only have one grand prize winner, there will also be two first prize winners who will win an ultimate Star Wars prize pack. Here’s what the two first prize winners will receive:

Two first prize winners will receive a LEGO Star Wars Ultimate Collector Series AT-AT construction set, a Star Wars Galactic Snackin’ GROGU animatronic toy from Hasbro, a Star Wars R2-D2 TAMAGOTCHI, a Star Wars | Corkcicle – Death Star Ice Bucket, Star Wars | DIFF Eyewear – Darth Vader 2.0 sunglasses, Star Wars Jedi Decorative Pillows from Sobel Westex Home, a Star WarsDroids Guide to a Galaxy Far, Far Away by USPS, a “Star Wars: The High Republic: The Rising Storm” bundle, a “Star Wars: The High Republic: The Republic Fair” T-shirt and the full collection of “Star Wars: The High Republic” books and comics.

Galactic Starcruiser

The Galactic Starcruiser sweepstakes is open now through December 14, so make sure to enter as soon as possible, as the entry window is not very big. The winners will be announced during a special Star Wars: The High Republic livestream that will take place on January 4, 2022.

The Galactic Starcruiser sweepstakes is open to all US residents from all 50 states who are 18 or older. Those entering the sweepstakes may enter the contest once per day. The grand prize winner must take their Galactic Starcruiser vacation between February 16 and February 23, 2022.

Disney’s Bob Iger pens a farewell letter ahead of his December departure

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Uncategorized

He’s been described as a real class act, an innovator, a master problem-solver, a visionary, and an all-around nice guy. The Walt Disney Company enjoyed his leadership for more than 15 years as the company’s Chief Executive Officer, and it enjoyed nearly two bonus years with him serving in the capacity of Chairman of the Board for Disney.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/Shutterstock (10507025y) Disney CEO Robert Iger arrives at the world premiere of “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker”, in Los Angeles World Premiere of “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” – Arrivals, Los Angeles, USA – 16 Dec 2019

As was announced last week, Disney’s Bob Iger will step down once and for all at the end of December, as he steps away from his final role with The Walt Disney Company–that of Chairman of the Board. He will be replaced by Susan Arnold, the first female to ever fill the position in the company’s 98-year-long history.

From Mickey Mouse to Basketball? See What Former Disney CEO Bob Iger Might Be Up to Next | the disney food blog

Iger oversaw and was instrumental in the following acquisitions while CEO of The Walt Disney Company:

  • Miramax – 1993; $60 million
  • Capital Cities/ABC/ESPN – 1995; $19 billion
  • Starwave – 1998; undisclosed amount
  • Infoseek – 1999; undisclosed amount
  • Fox Family Worldwide (Freeform) – 2001; $2.9 billion
  • Baby Einstein – 2001; undisclosed amount
  • The Muppets – 2004; $75 million
  • CrossGen – 2004; $1 million
  • Avalanche Software – 2005; undisclosed amount
  • Pixar – 2006; $7.4 billion
  • Oswald the Lucky Rabbit – 2006; traded for the rights to sports broadcaster Al Michaels
  • Junction Point Studios – 2007; undisclosed amount
  • Marvel – 2009; $4 billion
  • Hulu – 2009; 30% purchase (increased to full ownership in 2019)
  • Wideload Games – 2010; undisclosed amount
  • Tapulous – 2010; undisclosed amount
  • Playdom – 2010; $563 million
  • UTV Software Communications – 2011; $297 million
  • Lucasfilm (Star Wars) – 2012; $4.06 billion
  • Maker Studios – 2014; $500 million
  • Sphero – 2014; unknown minority investment
  • BAM – 2016 & 2017; $2.58 billion total
  • 21st Century Fox – 2019; $71.3 billion

His contributions to The Walt Disney Company and to everything the company touched are undeniable, and he will be missed.

Ahead of his departure at the end of the month, Iger penned a letter that was sent out to employees. You can read the letter in its entirety here:

“As my time at The Walt Disney Company comes to a close, I write to thank all of you for what has been a thrilling and immensely gratifying 47½ years. I would love to be able to do this in person, but the global pandemic has deprived me of that opportunity, so please forgive the less-than-personal nature of this farewell.

It is impossible for me to fully express my feelings, but I would like to leave you with a few thoughts, some memories, and above all else, my deepest gratitude.

My ABC/Disney journey began when I was 23 and ends as I approach my 71st birthday. It has been unpredictable, exhilarating, wildly fulfilling, and certainly a lot of fun. To say I have tremendous respect and affection for the thousands of people I have worked with over the years would be a gross understatement.

I have enormous pride in what we have accomplished and transforming Disney into one of the world’s most admired companies is at the top of my list. We did this by producing the finest in content and experiences, embracing cutting-edge technologies, and expanding our presence around the world, and nothing has been more important to me than imparting and applying the highest standards of quality and integrity when it comes to our people and everything we create.