Disney Does Not Confirm Splash Retheme Date, Releases Statement

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

Back in 2020, Disney announced that it would be retheming one of its most iconic attractions — Splash Mountain. The new attraction will be themed after the hit Disney film, The Princess and the Frog. The retheme is going to take place at both Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Park at Disneyland Resort in California. People expected Disney Imagineers to quickly jump on the massive project and complete it as soon as possible, but years have passed, and no work has started at either Resort. However, we may have just learned when the ride retheme will be completed.

Anika Noni Rose voiced Princess Tiana in the original film and revealed during a recent interview that the Princess and the Frog Splash Mountain retheme will be complete, and the ride will be open by 2024. A lot of Princess and the Frog fans were thrilled to hear that the project was still happening, but just as many people were upset, as they love the original ride and don’t want to see it changed.

While Rose seemed confident in what she said, Disney would not confirm that the retheme would be complete in 2024. After Rose revealed the completion date in her interview, Disney released the following statement:

“We have already shared how we are bringing Tiana’s story to life at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. While timing has not been determined, we look forward to sharing more details during Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans in July.”

At this time, we don’t have a ton of details about the ride, we do know that it will take place after Tiana and Prince Naveen’s final kiss. Disney Parks Blog did share the few details we know, saying:

Tiana is an ambitious and resilient woman, who proves that success comes through a connection to her family and community and has learned to never lose sight of what’s really important – giving back to others through great food and inspiring them to achieve their full potential.

As seen in this latest rendering of the attraction, the story will take place after the final kiss as Naveen and Louis join Tiana on her latest adventure, hosting a one-of-a-kind Mardi Gras celebration where everyone is welcome – during which some original music inspired by songs from the film will bring guests into the story. Tiana is leading the way and fans will be able to encounter old friends and make new ones along the way as well!

The theme park attraction retheme has been a very controversial one that has brewed a massive debate between Disney purists and those Disney fans who like change. Those who are excited about the change say that when something is realized to be problematic — something Splash Mountain has been accused of — then you change it and acknowledge that changes are needed.

On the other side, Disney purists believe that classic attractions are classic for a reason and not everything needs to change simply because society is changing. Splash Mountain is based on the film Song of the South — which has been deemed racially insensitive. Many acknowledge that the film is insensitive, but feel that the ride is not.

Disney apologizes for Cast Member ruining wedding proposal at Disney Park

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Disney has issued an apology after a Cast Member who ruined a Disney wedding proposal between a young man and woman in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Paris.

Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Park is enveloped in golden accents and pixie dust as though it has been magically enchanted. Here, guests can explore winding passageways where the epic tale of Princess Aurora is told through spellbinding dioramas. Inspired by the film’s original Eyvind Earle artwork, this iconic attraction features 3-dimensional displays, sound and stunning special effects. The climactic final scene features Maleficent’s transformation into a fire-breathing dragon. (Christian Thompson/Disneyland Resort)

In a video which has made the rounds online, a young man and his girlfriend are seen standing on a concrete space with Sleeping Beauty Castle in the background. The man drops to his knee and extends an engagement ring to his girlfriend, but just before she takes the ring from him, a Cast Member races up from behind the couple, runs between them and snatches the ring away from the groom-to-be.

disneyland paris castle wedding proposal

The Cast Member says nothing but motions for the couple to follow him.

“She said yes,” the man says to the Cast Member, who replies with “Yes, that’s great; over here will be even better.”

Immediately, the crowd that gathered to witness the momentous occasion began jeering, shouting “boo” to the Cast Member.

The Redditor who posted the video of his best friend’s proposal says the Cast Member “ruined” the couple’s moment and claims his friend “asked for permission beforehand” to be in that location near Sleeping Beauty‘s beautiful castle.

Comments from other Redditors online ranged from disbelief to anger over the Cast Member’s actions.

The Redditor who posted the video wrote, “The woman [Cast Member] gave him permission, [then] this he ran up to him and [grabbed] the ring.” Many who commented online raised questions about whether the involved Cast Member was at risk of losing his employment at the Disney Park.

One comment came from someone who claimed to know a Cast Member at Disney who told him that Walt Disney Company employees are “explicitly told that we never touch a Guest without their clear permission, given either verbally or through body language.” The Redditor further stated he was told that Cast Members are “not allowed to take their property under any circumstances and doing so results in termination.”

The comment went on to say that the Cast Member also said the following:

“We’re also trained to do anything we can to keep our Guests happy and continue to sell the image of ‘Most Magical Place on Earth.’This employee will be terminated pretty swiftly should this video make it to the right people. All he had to do was wait 10 seconds. Get it out there and he’s a goner.”

Though we don’t know whether the Cast Member is a “goner,” we do know that a spokesperson for Disney has addressed the situation, saying “we regret how this was handled.” The spokesperson went on to say that Disney has apologized to the couple attempting to experience a magical Disney wedding proposal. Disney has reportedly even offered to make the situation “right,” according to Newsweek.

Disney Park wedding proposals are so common that PlanDisney has devoted time to answering Guests’ Disney wedding questions, as well as Disney wedding proposal questions.

One particular response online is very thorough and reads in part as follows:

“A proposal at the Disneyland Resort can be as simple as popping the question in front of the castle or as elaborate as a grand gesture involving Cast Members. Either way, your next journey with your partner will start in the most magical way! It’ll be a memory to last a lifetime. While you are not required to contact Disney in order to propose, you may want to if you’d like to plan something more elaborate. You’ll want to reach out to Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings and Honeymoons. These specialists can provide support and ideas to make sure everything goes smoothly.

If you are looking for something more simple, you can simply work with Disney PhotoPass photographers to help capture the moment. It helps if you give them a little heads up that you are planning to propose. But, I’ve seen them spring into action without warning and capture beautiful proposal pictures. They are true professionals!”

Couple Has Wedding Photoshoot Inside Gideon’s Bakehouse

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Uncategorized

Via DisDining.com

When it comes to food spots in Disney Springs, fewer places have a bigger following than Gideon’s Bakehouse. The popular bakery frequently sees lines around the building before they open, and Guests are more than willing to wait hours in order to get their hands on the massive cookies. Gideon’s not only sells half-pound cookies, but they also sell huge slices of cake, cookie bites, and cold brew coffees. But we bet there is one thing you didn’t know Gideon’s had on the menu — wedding photo shoots!

Okay, so technically, wedding shoots are not for sale at Gideon’s. However, one lucky couple was able to have the bakery to themselves on their wedding day, and the pictures are fabulous! The couple — Amanda and Adrian Dominguez — got married in Disney Springs and planned to have photos taken in the hot air balloon on property, the Aerophile. However, on their way to the Aerophile, they decided to make a stop at Gideon’s Bakehouse to see if they could get a cookie. A Gideon’s employee told them they could skip the virtual queue, which was hours long, and wait in the physical line.

The newlyweds shared their story with Business Insider, who reported:

For 15 minutes, the just-married couple assumed they were waiting for their chance to shop like regular customers. But Gideon’s Bakehouse had a surprise in the works. They were “emptying the store” so the newlweds could take pictures inside without a crowd, according to Adrian. 

“I was dumbstruck,” Amanda said. “The atmosphere transports you. I felt like I was in a magical, haunted mansion somewhere. It was all my dreams come true.”

Of course, the couple couldn’t leave without getting dessert, especially on their wedding day. Adrian said he ordered two of every cookie — some for themselves themselves and some to share with their wedding vendors.

“The cookies are out of this world,” Adrian said. “You can smell them from outside, but once you taste them, you’re wowed. The cookies are worth waiting in that line.”

The couple was married on May 26 at Paddlefish Restaurant, which is located in The Landing area of Disney Springs. Adrian had proposed to Amanda while they were riding the Aerophile, which is why they were headed there to get some wedding photos taken. Amanda told Business Insider that she had always wanted to try Gideon’s Bakehouse, which is why they stopped there and were willing to take time out of their Aerophile shoot.

Congratulations, Amanda and Adrian! We wish you a lifetime of happiness and delicious Gideon’s Bakehouse cookies!

What’s Cooking at Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue Reopening June 23

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining, Disney Resorts

The wait is nearly over! It’s almost time to raise the curtain and bring on the food once again at a true classic at Walt Disney World Resort. Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue will soon be opening its doors once again on June 23 for a musical extravaganza accompanied by a family-style feast. Over at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, Guests will find Pioneer Hall and within its walls the Pioneer Hall Players who are ready to dance and sing their way into the hearts of our Guests!

The Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue plays host to some of the best comfort food around. As the gang brings on the tunes, the servers bring on the food. Not to mention, it’s all-you-care-to-enjoy with fountain drinks and for those over 21, red and white sangria, draft beer, and wine are also included!

Whether Guests have never experienced it before or they’ve been longing for its return, this outing is not one to be missed upon reopening. 

Alrighty, it’s showtime! Let’s get into the food and drinks soon to be served up at Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue.

Once Guests sit down, they better have your appetite ready because the feasting begins right off the bat. The Hoop Salad is simple yet incredibly satisfying with the signature “hoop” vinaigrette topped with sharp white cheddar, cucumbers, and tomatoes. The House-made Cornbread with delicious honey butter is to die for. Guests can also nibble on the tasty Creamy Coleslaw before the main course graces their table. 

The tastebuds are in for a real treat because once Guests see what dishes will lie before them, they’ll want to chow down immediately! First up, we’ve got the Pecan-smoked BBQ Pork Ribs with BBQ sauce. This dish is a BBQ-lovers dream with delicious flavors that just melt in the mouth. The other main plate is the one, the only – the Legendary Fried Chicken – and it tastes just like how it sounds … legendary. 

What dinner is complete without some yummy side dishes? Hoop-Dee-Doo brings its A-game to the stage with its accompaniments. The Cornbread-crusted Macaroni and Cheese is an explosion of flavors and truly is the ultimate comfort food and the Home-style Mashed Potatoes pair perfectly with the fried chicken and pork ribs. And rounding out the sides is a classic – Cowboy Beans because you can’t have some BBQ without some beans!

And now for the grand finale, the delectable ‘Ma’s Famous Strawberry Shortcake topped with whipped cream and strawberries. This can’t-miss dessert is a staple of Pioneer Hall and is the perfect way to finish up your foodie evening.

Guests with dietary needs or restrictions for any of these eats should let the chef know when they check-in and they’ll get an alternative dish that’s just as delicious to enjoy while watching the show!

Now that we’ve talked about the food, we’ve got to discuss the drinks! In addition to the included beverages Guests can enjoy, there are a few new adult beverage options to sip on for an added cost. Try the new The Giddy-Up cocktail featuring the hall barkeep’s blend of Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Minute Maid Premium Lemonade, and freshly brewed iced tea. Guests can also choose from an assortment of locally crafted beers including Tampa Bay Brewing Elephant Foot IPA, Cigar City Jai Alai IPA, Cigar City Maduro Brown Ale, Orange Blossom Pilsner, Central 28 UnderDuck Lager, and 3 Daughters Brewing Blonde Ale.

Minnie Vans Return on June 29!

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

Guests will once again be able to travel around Walt Disney World in style with Minnie Vans Connected by Lyft beginning June 29, available on demand right from their smartphone. With special drop-off locations that can only be accessed by Minnie Vans, Guests using this service can reach select Walt Disney World destinations quickly and with a bit of extra pixie dust that only our Disney Cast Members can provide.

Our specially trained Disney Cast Member drivers, many of whom are returning experts from the service’s previous run, are revving up to welcome Guests back onboard this private transportation with a personalized approach that makes traveling around Walt Disney World even more magical. Whether sharing tips for planning their day, installing car seats for little ones (two available per vehicle) or playing fan-favorite music throughout their journey, our Cast Members are ready to provide an exceptional experience tailored to your client’s family of up to six passengers.