Mickey & Friends inspire us to always stay true to our friends and today we celebrate all of the qualities that give our friends real character – we love them, quirks and all!
Another Day, Another Near Fight at Disney World
In case you’ve been avoiding Disney Park stories as of late, Guests behaving badly seems to be a recurring theme at Disney Parks lately. We get it, lines are long, temperatures are high, and people are tired. However, people just seem to have tempers that are shorter than ever, putting other Guests and Cast Members in dangerous situations where they could get hurt. Luckily, the most recent fight at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom on a tram headed to the Ticket and Transportation Center did not come to blows, but that was because Cast Members quickly intervened, and one group was on a tram.
The video, shared on TikTok by Disney World Today (@disneyworldtoday), shows one group of people on the tram screaming at another group of people who are in line waiting for another tram. A man is standing on the parking tram, speaking to someone in the crowd. All of a sudden, a woman who is with the man, stands up, begins screaming, and then bangs aggressively on the parking lot tram door. The entire time, theme park Guests yell that it is not worth it, and they want to go home. A woman next to the screaming woman sits her down and tells her to stop.
Thankfully, a Cast Member was there to try to deescalate the situation and worked hard to make sure everyone stayed safe and stayed in their respective areas. You can watch the video of the argument below:
This is not the first fight to break out recently at a Disney Park and, sadly, it will not be the last. We recently reported on an all-out brawl that broke out in Fantasyland at Walt Disney World Resort that led to arrests and lifetime bans. There was also a fight at Disneyland while Guests waited for Fantasmic! to begin and a fight in Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Fights are an absolute no at Disney, and The House of Mouse is not afraid to ban you from its theme parks or have you arrested.
If you ever find yourself in a tense situation with another Guest, simply walk away. It doesn’t matter if you are right, or they are right. Getting into a fight only accomplishes several things: It ruins everyone’s day, it ruins everyone’s Disney experience, it gets you kicked out of the Disney Park, and it can even get you banned. No fight is worth wasting all the money you spent or risking never being able to visit a Disney Park again.
How is Marvel Handling the Loss of Chadwick Boseman?
The hole left in the MCU by Chadwick Boseman can ot be understated. When Black Panther hit theaters in February of 2018, it immediately became one of the most impactful and important comic book movies of all time. It opened new doors for comic book movies through its representation, not as side characters or replacements for other characters, but as original heros. The film’s prominence, originality, and impact are in part why the tragic death of Chadwick Boseman, who played T’Challa (aka the Black Panther) almost 2 years ago was such a great loss for the MCU, Marvel fans, and the world.
With a Black Panther sequel, Wakanda Forever, on the horizon many fans wondered how the loss of the titular character would be handled. Despite Marvel saying they had no intentions of recasting the character, fans began to wonder how the film would handle his absence. Would Boseman just quietly be replaced? Would T’Challa have an off camera death? Would they pull a Star Wars and combine CGI with unused footage to keep Boseman in the role posthumously? What would become of the beloved hero?
The film’s official synopsis answers that question but raises another:
“In Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Shuri (Letitia Wright), M’Baku (Winston Duke), Okoye (Danai Gurira) and the Dora Milaje (including Florence Kasumba), fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda. Introducing Tenoch Huerta as Namor, king of a hidden undersea nation, the film also stars Dominique Thorne, Michaela Coel, Mabel Cadena and Alex Livanalli.”
So T’Challa will be dead at the start of the film, placing his most likely off screen death sometime between Avengers: Endgame and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. But the question now is, what comes next? Many theories have been floated about who will take up the mantle and wear the Vibranium.
Nakia, a royal member of the River Tribe, a former Wakanda War Dog, and love interest of T’Challa is a popular choice. Okoye is the leader of the Dora Milaje and an Avenger following the events of Avengers: Infinity War making her an obvious successor. M’Baku is the leader of the Mountain Tribe, a close friend, and fellow soldier of T’Challa’s, which would make his succession impactful and meaningful. Then, of course, there is Shuri. The Princess of Wakanda and one of (if not the) smartest people in the Marvel Cinematic Universe who would carry out the position well.
Disney’s Victoria & Albert’s Returns With Exquisite Dining Experiences
The time has come for the culinary crown jewel of the Walt Disney World Resort – Victoria & Albert’s – to welcome guests back to this one-of-a-kind experience at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Beginning today, July 28, this location is now open and filled with unrivaled flavors expertly crafted by the talented culinary team as well as an enhanced and renovated interior space that will leave guests in awe.
There is a reason this AAA Five Diamond Award and Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Award recipient is considered the crown jewel – its decadent cuisine features only the highest quality of ingredients and flavors from across the globe. With an ever-evolving menu, guests can taste their way through multiple courses, including Glacier 51 Toothfish with charred mushroom and sambal, Heirloom Tomatoes with gazpacho and 100 Year Balsamico, and Carrot Tikka Masala with cilantro and puri bread. For a sumptuous finish, the Spectrum of Chocolate is an ombré delight from the inside out featuring four specialty sourced chocolates and a tableside presentation of sabayon with notes of Madagascar vanilla bean, Champagne, and Grand Marnier.
In addition to the incredible dishes at Victoria & Albert’s, this location is also home to a world-class wine collection featuring over 500 different selections. Sommeliers on staff are there to guide you through this precisely curated collection and perfectly pair the flavors of the glass and plate. The new zero-proof cocktail pairing will allow everyone to fully experience the evening with beverages crafted to complement each course. One innovative offering on this menu is the Guajillo Spice, which is smoked tableside to highlight the rich flavors of roasted guajillo chilis, charred jalapeños, and black peppercorn, as well as a touch of caramelized sweetness from turbinado sugar and fresh lime.
The opulence and elegance that are in every corner of the restaurant are part of what makes it so unique. The newly renovated interior features exquisite crystal chandeliers, masterful murals, and delicate wall coverings that bring a modernization to this lavish location. There are three different dining options, each with their own unique experience. The Dining Room serves a tasting menu, that highlights seasonal flavors expertly created to give guests and their palette the very best.
For those interested in a more intimate dining experience, the Queen Victoria Room allows guests to savor a menu created by the chef de cuisine especially for them in a setting fit for royalty, including tableside presentations. The Chef’s Table is a one-of-a-kind experience that allows first-hand account to the culinary craft as the team creates their decadent tasting menu. This unique opportunity allows them to interact with the chefs like no other as the guests of the kitchen, our most coveted offering.
The legacy of this restaurant is not to be overlooked. Victoria & Albert’s is not only the sole location in Florida to hold the honor of having both the AAA Five Diamond and the Forbes Travel Guide Five Star awards but joins only 26 others in the nation with this same unique distinction.
The culinary team that upholds this legacy is now led by Chef de Cuisine Matthew Sowers, with more than 15 years spent at Victoria & Albert’s and experience assisting in the creation of acclaimed menus for Remy on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. Joining him is Pastry Chef Kristine Farmer who not only was part of the opening team at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, but also leads the entire pastry team for this resort.
For over 20 years, Sommelier Israel Perez has been dedicated to creating memorable experiences at signature restaurants across Walt Disney World Resort. As the maître d’hotel, Israel and his team ensure that each person who walks through the doors of Victoria & Albert’s has a perfect evening through each step of service.
Overseeing culinary operations and teams of the 13 food and beverage outlets at our flagship resort is Executive Chef Kevin Chong. Last but certainly not least, is Culinary Director Chef Scott Hunnel, who was at the helm of Victoria & Albert’s for many years, now provides his expertise and mentorship to culinary teams across multiple resorts, including Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
When enjoying an evening with your guests here, it’s clear that Victoria & Albert’s provides an epicurean experience that is unlike any other. From the moment guests arrive and are welcomed with beautiful harp music, to the expert chefs creating magic from the kitchen to the plate and the sommeliers transporting them through each pairing, a meal here is one that cannot find anywhere else.
We are delighted to welcome guests back to Victoria & Albert’s and cannot wait for everyone to join us for a grand evening from first sip to last bite.
David Krumholtz Is Returning For New Disney+ Series
Back in January 2022, Disney announced that it would be creating a new series based on the hit film franchise, The Santa Clause. At the time the announcement was made, no real details were given. However, we now know that Tim Allen will be returning to reprise his role as Scott Calvin, AKA Santa Claus, and Elizabeth Mitchell will return as Scott’s wife Carol, AKA Mrs. Claus. We also learned that Kal Penn will be playing a video game designer and single father named Simon, Elizabeth Allen Dick (Allen’s real-life daughter) will be playing Scott and Carol’s daughter Sandra, and Austin Kane will play their son Cal.
Now we have just found out some fantastic and exciting casting news. David Krumholtz will return to play the cantankerous, but caring, head-elf Bernard. Krumholtz appeared in both The Santa Clause and The Santa Clause 2, but was not in The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause and his character was replaced by another lead elf named Curtis, played by Spencer Breslin. Krumholtz had been in the news recently, blasting Johnny Depp during Depp’s defamation suit against his ex-wife, Amber Heard.
Deadline was one of the first to report on the news, as well as more information on the new series, which will be called The Santa Clauses:
In the Disney+ series, Scott is on the brink of his 65th birthday and realizing that he can’t be Santa forever. He’s suddenly starting to lose his Santa magic, and more importantly, he’s got a family who could benefit from a life in the normal world, especially his two kids who have grown up at the North Pole. With a lot of elves, children, and family to please, Scott sets out to find a suitable replacement Santa while preparing his family for a new adventure in a life south of the pole.
The series also stars Elizabeth Allen-Dick as Sandra, Devin Bright as Noel, Austin Kane as Cal, Matilda Lawler as Betty, Rupali Redd as Grace and Kal Penn as Simon Choski.
Emmy winner Jack Burditt (30 Rock, Modern Family, Frasier, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) is the executive producer and showrunner. In addition to his starring role, Allen will also executive produce along with Kevin Hench (Last Man Standing), Richard Baker and Rick Messina, and Jason Winer and Jon Radler for Small Dog Picture Company.
At this time, there is no premiere date for The Santa Clauses, but we are hoping that it will come out sometime during this holiday season. Disney Dining will let readers know when a release date is finally announced.