Disney Fires Back At Environmentalist

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Via DisDining.com

A group of people are rather upset about the VIP World Tour. It wasn’t about the cost ($110,000!!!), or even the fact that it was so exclusive that only 75 people get to go. They were upset about the carbon emissions produced by the lavish around the world vacation.

The tour will take guests to 6 countries on 3 continents with stops at 12 Disney parks around the world as well as the Taj Mahal, the Pyramids of Giza, and the Eiffel Tower! As you might imagine,  they won’t be flying coach either. Guests will be wished around the world in 24 days aboard an IcelandAir custom fitted VIP Boeing 757. The long range plane will include every possible luxury for the guests aboard. 

It’s the plane that has people up in arms. A spokesperson from UK environmentalist group Transportation & Environment told the Guardian “Only the privileged few get to fly, exploding their annual carbon footprints with just one such holiday. And while the price may seem extortionate, it doesn’t even adequately reflect the true cost of the pollution.” 

The group argues that the low passenger rate compared to the carbon emissions from the plane average out to 6.2 tons of carbon dioxide pollution per paying guest in just a few days. They further claim that this is more than double the amount of carbon dioxide pollution per person annually in low income countries. 

Disney has something to say about that. A spokesperson from Disney has stated that they will be monitoring the carbon emissions produced from the dream trip and have plans in place to offset it. They went on to explain, “investments in high-quality, certified natural climate solutions” that would “result in verified emissions reductions. Our investments in these projects also prioritise providing co-benefits like conserving habitat for wildlife, creating jobs, protecting water resources, and reducing impacts from floods and soil erosion.”

In an official statement Disney touted their commitment to the environment stating, “[Disney has] a long commitment to protecting the planet and delivering a positive environmental legacy for future generations”. The Walt Disney Corporations environmental impact report states that they have planted 9+ million tress, have more than 292 acres of solar panels at Walt Disney World alone, and in fiscal year 2021 diverted 80 thousand tons of waste from landfills with promises that this number will increase annually.  

Disney’s Conservation Fund also has donated over $120 million dollars “to save wildlife, inspire action and protect the planet”. The funds mission statement says that “Disney Conservation is committed to saving wildlife and building a global community inspired to protect the magic of nature together”.

New MagicBand+ Now Available in My Disney Experience and at Disney World

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

MagicBand+ is here! Walt Disney World Resort guests can now interact with Disney stories in all new ways through the magic of technology, with the launch of Disney’s newest wearable, MagicBand+. The new product will enhance guest visits to Walt Disney World Resort throughout the vacation destination’s 50th-anniversary celebration and beyond. The bands are now available for purchase at Walt Disney World (select locations) and in guests My Disney Experience accounts.

While MagicBands have not been complimentary for some time, Disney Resort guests can still purchase bands ahead of their visit and receive a “pre-arrival” discount. MagicBands are offered for sale up to ten days before arrival to guests residing in the United States and Canada in English only. Customized MagicBands are available for purchase up to six days before arrival for guests residing in the United States and Canada. Currently, customization is only available in English. MagicBands may also be purchased when you arrive.

To order your MagicBands for a resort stay, you need to visit the “My MagicBands and Cards” section of your My Disney Experience account. There you will see upcoming resort stays, and if you’re an annual passholder, an option to purchase a band for your pass. Select a future stay and choose to customize your bands.

Here is a look at the bands that are now available:

Bands are either $34.99 and discounted to a $24.99 pre-arrival price or $44.99 and discounted to a $34.99 pre-arrival price. Annual passholders will be able to use their 20% discount if they choose to purchase the bands in person.

Note that MagicBand+ bands are also available on shopDisney.com.

Here are some shipping details as listed in My Disney Experience:

Shipping Timeline

As soon as you book your Resort stay, you may select your MagicBand and customize your name, up until 10 days prior to your arrival.

For U.S. Guests, your MagicBands will ship to your home, usually within 10 business days of placing your order. Eligible International Guests will receive their MagicBands at their Disney Hotel Front Desk.

10 – 6 Days Before Your Trip – Select your MagicBand and customize your name. MagicBands will ship to your Resort Front Desk.

5-1 Days Before Your Trip  – Pre-Arrival MagicBand selection is no longer available.

Shipping Details

Pre-arrival, online offer available only to Guests who will be staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel or Guests who are new or renewing Walt Disney World Annual Passholders. Premium MagicBands sold by Magic Kingdom, Inc. Credit card will be charged when order is placed. Personalized MagicBands cannot be cancelled, returned, refunded or exchanged, even if the hotel reservation is cancelled. Cancellation of hotel reservations will result in cancellation of MagicBands orders; however, if personalized at the time of hotel cancellation, the MagicBands order cannot be cancelled and the nondiscounted full retail or comparable value of the premium personalized MagicBands will be charged. Shipping to eligible U.S. addresses (including U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico) only; shipping not available to PO Boxes, APO, FPO, DPO, or international addresses. Pricing may vary. Selection subject to availability. Other discounts not applicable. Offer subject to restrictions and change without notice.

Finally, do note that guests may continue to use their existing MagicBand and Disney MagicMobile, available on eligible devices, to enjoy other features, such as park entry. The original MagicBand product will continue to be available for purchase as well.

Disney World to Bring Back Classic Magic Kingdom Ride

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

All aboard! In an era where the news is usually bad, we’ve got some really great news! While it’s no secret that the Walt Disney World Railroad was not closed permanently, many fans did start to wonder if it was going to become another attraction Disney quietly closed and never reopened. The fear was not completely baseless. Many attractions in the past have been “temporarily closed” only to end up relegated to the graveyard of lost shows and rides (looking at you Horizons, Stitch’s Great Escape, Dream Flight, Honey I Shrunk the Audience, etc.). When there were no signs of life with the attraction for years, many speculated it may be gone for good.

However, recently there have been signs of life at Walt’s beloved attraction confirming that it will in fact be making a comeback! Walt Disney World recently shared a picture of Cast Members training for the railroad’s return and captioned it, “Our week started off on the right track! Our first group of Magic Kingdom Cast Members began TRAINing – the next step in the ongoing process to restore the Walt Disney World Railroad. Welcome aboard, and welcome home Engineers!”

This is certainly a step in the right direction and confirmation that the attraction will be back, sooner rather than later! We cannot wait. It’s been a long 4 years since the Railroad closed to accommodate construction of Magic Kingdoms newest attraction Tron Lightcycle Power Run.

Walt Disney World Railroad

Disney has yet to say when the attraction will reopen but it stands to reason it will be soon. It wouldn’t be logical to train Cast Members if the reopening was a long way away. My guess would be around labor day. We expect lots of big things to happen around then so the Railroad’s triumphant return would fit into that timeline nicely. It’s just exciting to be getting it back. We’ve lost many beloved attractions in recent years but it seems this one, at least, is going to come back to us.

NEW Haunted Mansion Inflatables Are Coming To Lowe’s

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Uncategorized

Spooky season is right around the corner and that means soon we all get to start saying “Halloween decorations already!?!?” (Either incredulously or joyously depending on your outlook). Last year Lowe’s Home Improvement Store, The Home Depot and Target brought our favorite Hitchhiking Ghosts to our front lawns with their Haunted Mansion inflatables by Gemmy. This year that trend continues, but even better!

Get your wallets ready! The Haunted Mansions Doom Buggy inflatables featuring the Hitchhiking Ghosts are coming soon to a home improvement store near you! Some lucky shoppers have even been able to get their hands on it early by asking to purchase at Lowe’s. Others on the forum said they tried and were told no.

When it’s finally out on shelves (next month most likely) it will cost $140. The best part about this decoration is that it’s great for both day and night decor. It’s adorable by day, but by night the lights lend an otherworldly glow giving it an extra dose of frightful fun!

Doom buggy inflatable

For the creative holiday decorator, the possibilities with this piece are endless! We’re already imagining the elaborate displays people will create with this and we’re totally here for it!

Doom buggy inflatable

People have been going over the top with their Halloween decor for years now and each year it gets better and better. Take Chris Sardinias who was featured on PopSugar for his amazing Haunted Mansion re-creation. He told the pop culture site “Why not draw inspiration from none other than the best?” he said. “The Haunted Mansion is so iconic and the illusions featured within the attraction are so recognizable that for a visitor, they can effortlessly make the connection, bringing back that spooky nostalgic feeling.”

Hollywood Icon and Disney’s ‘Rocketeer’ Actor, Paul Sorvino, Dead at 83

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

It seems that Hollywood has been losing a number of legendary stars lately, and sadly we have another major Hollywood death to report on. Hollywood actor Paul Sorvino is dead at the age of 83. Sorvino had more than 170 acting credits to his name and starred in many Hollywood hits, including his role as Paul Cicero in Goodfellas, Law & Order, That’s Life, and Nixon, where is played Henry Kissinger. During his more than 5o years in Tinseltown, he also starred in several projects for the Walt Disney Company, including the 1990 film Dick Tracy alongside James Caan, and the 1991 movie The Rocketeer, where he played mob boss Eddie Valentine.

he Hollywood Reporter was one of the first to break the news of Sorvino’s death. THR shared more on the actor’s long career, his family, and a message from his wife, confirming his passing:

Sorvino, the father of Oscar-winning actress Mira Sorvino (Mighty Aphrodite), died Monday of natural causes, his wife, Dee Dee, announced. “Our hearts are broken, there will never be another Paul Sorvino, he was the love of my life and one of the greatest performers to ever grace the screen and stage,” she said…

A respected tenor who realized a dream when he performed for the New York Opera at Lincoln Center in 2006, the Brooklyn native also starred for a season as Det. Phil Cerretta, the partner of Chris Noth’s Det. Mike Logan, on NBC’s Law & Order.

In 1973, Sorvino received a Tony nomination and a Drama Desk Award for his performance as the unscrupulous Phil Romano — one of the four former high school basketball players who reunite to visit their old coach — in the original Broadway production of Jason Miller’s That Championship Season, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for drama.

Throughout his early life, Sorvino struggled with asthma, which he learned to control through breathing exercises he did while practicing his singing. In addition to his impressive acting career, he also made 3 albums. He also founded the Sorvino Children’s Asthma Foundation and wrote a book in 1985 called How to Become a Former Asthmatic. 

Sorvino is survived by his third wife, Dee Dee Sorvino, his children — actress Mira Sorvino, Michael Sorvino, and Amanda Sorvino — and his grandchildren, Mattea, Holden, Lucia, and Johnny. Sorvino will be interred at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles, California.