Mike Hagerty, a character actor who appeared in a number of Disney and ABC shows, has died at 67. His death was confirmed by Bridget Everett, who plays his daughter on the HBO series Somebody Somewhere. Everett shared her sadness on Twitter and called Hagerty “warm” and “funny”. No cause of death has been given for Mr. Hagerty at the time.
Hagerty was born in Chicago in 1954 and began his acting career when he was just 19 years old. Over the decades, he amassed an incredibly large resume, with over 100 movies and television shows to his name. Hagerty is probably most well-known to his fans for his roles as Mr. Treeger in the popular sitcom Friends, Frank Macnamara in The George Carlin Show, and as Fat Jack Bray in Mob City.
During his time in Hollywood, Hagerty also appeared in a number of Disney and ABC shows. He played the character of Sikes in the 1999 film Inspector Gadget — which also starred Matthew Broderick, Rupert Everett, and Joely Fisher. He then played Captain Lenderfak in Life With Bonnie, Gus in the hit series Desperate Housewives, Wally Bird in Boston Legal, and Captain Stretchy in the Disney Channel show Good Luck Charlie.
The last credit Mr. Hagerty had before he passed away was in HBO’s Somebody Somewhere. HBO released a statement upon learning of Hagerty’s death, saying the following:
“We are very saddened to hear about the sudden passing of Mike Hagerty. A member of the HBO family for many years, his most recent role as Bridget Everett’s father in Somebody Somewhere showed his special talent for bringing heart to a performance. Mike was a joy to work with and brought warmth and kindness to all who knew him. We send our deepest condolences to his family and friends.”
Mike Hagerty is survived by a number of relatives, including, his wife Mary Kathryn; his sister, Mary Ann Hagerty; her wife, Kathleen O’Rourke; and Mary Ann and Kathleen’s daughter Meg.
In January 2021, Disneyland Resort Guests learned that Disney would be getting rid of their much-beloved Annual Passes. Those Annual Passes would be replaced with new Magic Keys. When they were introduced in August 2021, there were four levels of Magic Keys — Dream Key, Believe Key, Enchant Key, and Imagine Key. The Imagine Key was, and still is, only available to Southern California Residents, and only the top-tier Dream Key has no blackout dates — at least, that’s what Guests were told.
Not long after purchasing their Dream Keys, Guests learned that “no blackout days” didn’t mean much. Because you need reservations to visit both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure and there are so many Magic Key Holders, reservations filled up incredibly quickly. Guests who thought they would be able to go whenever they wanted — as they could with their old Signature Annual Passes — found themselves unable to make reservations to visit the Happiest Place On Earth for weeks at a time.
The struggle to book reservations with the top-tier Dream Key frustrated many Guests. One woman was so frustrated that she filed a lawsuit against Disney, claiming that the company engaged in deceptive practices when it said that there would be no blackout dates. The lawsuit claims that Magic Key Holders were made “second-class ticket holders” because of the limited number of reservations available to Key Holders. Limiting the number of reservations artificially limits the number of Key Holders that can visit each day.
The lawsuit — which was filed on November 9, 2021 — was originally filed with the Orange County Superior Court, but was moved to a U.S. District Court because the Disney Parks offices are headquartered in Florida and the Plaintiff is in California. When the case was filed, Plaintiff said that they hoped to make the case a class-action one. Disney, as with all lawsuits, filed to have the case dismissed.
Here, there are two reasonable interpretations of the “subject to availability” limitation: Plaintiff’s version, which construes the limitation as barring Dream Key Pass holders from making a reservation only when reservations to the park in general are unavailable; and Defendant’s version, which construes the availability limitation as something different and additional to the capacity limitation. As such, the Court finds that the Plaintiff has pled fact sufficient to find that the term “subject to availability” is capable of more than one reasonable construction and is thus ambiguous.
Accordingly, the Court DENIES Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss Plaintiff’s claim for breach of contract.
Disney has been dealing with a number of Key Holder complaints since Magic Keys first went on sale. Many Dream Key Holders feel that they are not getting what they are paying for if they are unable to go to the theme parks when they want to. The reservation system only came into place when the Parks reopened after the pandemic, and they have not been a very popular move. Even though people aren’t fans of making Park reservations, Disney officials have said that they are not going anywhere any time soon.
Whether it’s the smooth harmonies of the Dapper Dans performing on Main Street, U.S.A., the action-packed thrills of “Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular,” or a warm hug from Anna and Elsa, live entertainment is filling every corner of Walt Disney World Resort these days.
New shows and experiences that debuted at the start of the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebration continue to dazzle guests. These include two new nighttime spectaculars – “Disney Enchantment” at Magic Kingdom Park and “Harmonious” at EPCOT – and “Disney KiteTails,” which is performed multiple times throughout the day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. As “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” continues throughout 2022, welcoming back fan-favorite entertainment is one of the many ways Disney is continuing to add even more magic to the guest experience. Keep reading for an overview of new, returning and soon-to-debut entertainment.
‘Fantasmic!’ Set to Dazzle Audiences Again Later This Year
The iconic “Fantasmic!” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will make its much-anticipated return later in 2022 with a new show sequence featuring Disney characters – Mulan, Elsa, Aladdin, Pocahontas and Moana – in heroic moments, as well as new technical enhancements. Guests won’t want to miss this spectacle set on a canvas of water where the forces of good and evil battle it out in Mickey’s dream. The extravagant, open-air nighttime musical boasts more than 50 live performers, massive sets, stunning effects, rousing music and dazzling pyrotechnics.
Revisiting the Big Blue World
This summer, Disney’s Animal Kingdom will debut “Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!” marking the freshly reimagined return of one of its most popular musical entertainment experiences. This fully updated, 25-minute stage show incorporates live performers and puppets, along with many favorite production numbers from the original “Finding Nemo: The Musical.” In addition to a new script, the show features new set pieces with a fresh look, and a new LED video wall designed to visually extend the world created by the physical sets on stage – such as a 32-foot-long sunken submarine and a 15-foot-tall fish tank volcano.
Frontier-Style Fun Family Feast
On June 23, 2022, a classic Walt Disney World dinner show, “Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue” at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, returns to once again offer rousing performances. Since its opening in 1974, this popular family experience has continued to surprise and delight guests with singing, zany comedy and an unforgettable country feast of fried chicken, smoked BBQ ribs, savory sides, and, of course, strawberry shortcake!
Along with the much-anticipated return of the Pioneer Hall Players and cast members, the show will feature new updates to its script and scenery while staying true to the hilarious, high-spirited family entertainment adored by generations of guests. Advance reservations are strongly encouraged and will be available on DisneyWorld.com starting May 26.
What’s New and Next: Shows, Parades, and Cavalcades
At Magic Kingdom, three exciting experiences recently made their return or debut:
“Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade” now winds its way through the park twice daily, offering guests double the chance to see enchanting floats like the fire-breathing Maleficent dragon.
“Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire” features favorite scenes inspired by “Frozen,” “Tangled” and “The Princess and the Frog” – plus a new opening and finale with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck and Goofy in their sparkling 50th Anniversary EARidescent fashions.
“Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade!” stars nearly 30 favorite Disney and Pixar friends such as Nick and Judy from “Zootopia,” Baloo and King Louie from “The Jungle Book,” Miguel from “Coco,” plus Merida, Moana, The Incredibles, Pocahontas and more.
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, “Festival of the Lion King” inspires guests with its larger-than-life musical production filled with pageantry and puppetry. And this summer, two popular performances are set to make their much-anticipated return to the show:
Tumble Monkeys, a group of high-flying primates, will soon resume their acrobatic hijinks.
The show’s iconic birds will once again soar above the stage.
Later this year, Magic Kingdom Park will welcome back Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Offered on select dates August through October, this special event haunts the park after normal operating hours (separate admission is required) with a lineup of frightfully fun entertainment:
“Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade” showcases floats filled with villains, Disney characters dressed in their Halloween best, and the Haunted Mansion graveyard diggers.
“Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular” stage show stars the wicked Sanderson Sisters.
As part of the recent phased return of traditional character greetings across Walt Disney World, guests can now hug Mickey Mouse, share a laugh with Goofy, and get autographs from their favorite Disney princesses. Here are just a few of the available character greeting opportunities:
Mickey Mouse, Cinderella and Tiana at Magic Kingdom
Anna, Elsa, Mulan and Jasmine at EPCOT
Minnie Mouse, Sulley and Doc McStuffins at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Kevin from Disney and Pixar’s “Up!” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Pluto, Goofy and Donald Duck at various Disney Resort hotels
If you are looking forward to the return of Fantasmic! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, we have some exciting news for you!
Due to the ongoing pandemic, Fantasmic! was cut from the line of shows at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, much like many of the other shows. Now, we have seen a ton of entertainment return such as Beauty and the Beast, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration, Disney Movie Magic, Wonderful World of Animation, and more. And, this is just some of the options available at Disney’s Hollywood Studios — all the other Parks have even more options for Guests to enjoy!
Disney Parks Blog confirmed the changes coming to Fantasmic!, writing:
As Josh D’Amaro, Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, announced earlier today, “Fantasmic!” will also be returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2022. When this incredible spectacular reopens next year, it will incorporate an all-new sequence featuring live performers, stunts, special effects and more!
Though they did not confirm which films would be represented in the new sequences, after looking at the new poster, it seemed this new sequence would involve characters and scenes from Disney’s Moana (2016), Frozen (2013), and Aladdin (1992). Now, it seems Disney has confirmed some changes, noting:
The iconic “Fantasmic!” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will make its much-anticipated return later in 2022 with a new show sequence featuring Disney characters – Mulan, Elsa, Aladdin, Pocahontas and Moana – in heroic moments, as well as new technical enhancements. Guests won’t want to miss this spectacle set on a canvas of water where the forces of good and evil battle it out in Mickey’s dream. The extravagant, open-air nighttime musical boasts more than 50 live performers, massive sets, stunning effects, rousing music and dazzling pyrotechnics.
From this, we know that the return of the show is still in the works and there is not yet a certain date that has been announced for its return, but the show will certainly include Mulan, Elsa, Aladdin, Pocahontas and Moana, as well as new technical elements throughout which is very exciting.
Fantasmic! will return to Disneyland Park on May 28.
Alaska Airlines joined forces with Disneyland Resort on May the Fourth, to unveil a new, one-of-its-kind Star Wars-themed aircraft that even Chewbacca would be proud of! The plane, painted space black with the iconic Millennium Falcon emblazoned on the tail chased by TIE fighters, celebrates Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the newest land of adventure inside Disneyland Park. The plane is now flying on routes across Alaska’s network for the universe to enjoy!
For this latest collaboration – Alaska’s seventh painted plane for the Disneyland Resort – no Jedi mind tricks were needed: the force was strong for a Star Wars livery to finally enter Alaska’s fleet. The aircraft’s official name is “Star Wars Transport to the Disneyland Resort” with a tail number of N538AS. After the big reveal and celebration at the gate in the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the plane made its inaugural flight today and ultimate arrival at John Wayne Airport in Orange County.
The unique design of the Star Wars-inspired plane is a collaboration among teams at Alaska, Disneyland Resort and Lucasfilm. Familiar spacecraft span each side of the plane with hand painted, detailed imagery: the Millennium Falcon and four TIE fighters. Designers at Disneyland Resort focused on the incredibly identifiable, widely recognized Millennium Falcon for the spotlight, in addition to the well-traveled spaceship being the focal point at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, a 14-acre land in Disneyland Park.
The Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Disneyland Resort logos are featured in the center of the fuselage. For a lighthearted touch, porgs (the cute avian creatures that lived on Luke Skywalker’s remote island) look back at passengers from both winglets, as another porg greets Guests at the boarding door.
To bring the imagery to life, the plane’s exterior required 228 gallons of paint applied during 540 work hours over 27 days. For the painting, 23 base colors were used with numerous custom colors mixed onsite for the detailed airbrushing of the Millennium Falcon and the TIE fighters.
Watch how this Alaska Airlines plane was transformed!
We’ve been waiting to show you how our special-edition aircraft came to life! 228 gallons of paint, 23 base colors, 2 Millennium Falcons, 8 TIE Fighters & a Porg on each winglet. Look up for Alaska Airlines’ “Star Wars Transport to the Disneyland® Resort”! https://t.co/kifYNz3LJupic.twitter.com/gECmNu0LCI
“Star Wars Transport to Disneyland Resort” is scheduled to fly in the Alaska fleet and throughout Alaska’s network. Guests can also spot “Friendship and Beyond at Disneyland Resort” at airports and in the skies with a whimsical tribute to Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure Park – our last Disneyland Resort-themed aircraft that began service in October 2019
