Family Truck Stolen During Disney World Trip

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Uncategorized

Disney World is “the Most Magical Place on Earth” but that doesn’t mean it’s immune from tragedy as one Georgia family recently found out. Ryan and Cassidy McClendon took their 3 children to Disney World for a few days as a surprise. While there, they went to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom but back at their hotel that night their situation went from “not so scary” to very scary: their truck was stolen from the hotel parking lot!

The trip was a surprise for their two youngest children’s birthdays. Their first day was perfect, they dressed up in their Halloween finest and it was all smiles at Magic Kingdom. Their second day however, they woke to find their white 2007, Ford F-250 pickup truck missing.

He was like, ‘Where’s my truck?’ I can see it in his face. Pale. I thought he was going to cry.” Cassidy told a local news outlet.

The couple filed a police report with Orlando Police who are co ducting an investigation and searching for the family’s stolen property. In addition to their truck, their Apple Watches, kids cars seats, and Ryan’s tool box full of valuable tools were also stolen.

“We were stuck in the hotel room all day. Kids were very upset. We’ve been trying to take the kids to Disney every year and this definitely hit hard.” Cassidy said.

The family was able to go to the Parks on the third day but the trip has definitely taken a disheartening turn.

Truck stolen on Disney trip

The couple hopes the police find their property but just in case have asked anyone in the local area to be on the lookout. Cassidy took to Facebook to plead with those in the area to help, writing, “I know this is a long shot, but please be on the lookout for our truck!”

The McClendon’s were not staying in a Disney World owned hotel when the theft occurred. The crime happened at Comfort Inn and Suites off of Major Boulevard.

Another Fire Breaks Out During Nighttime EPCOT Show

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

On October 1, 2021, Walt Disney World kicked off its massive 5oth Anniversary celebration, which included new rides — Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure –, a ton of delicious new foods, and two new nighttime spectaculars — Disney Enchantment at Magic Kingdom Park and Harmonious at EPCOT, which takes places on World Showcase Lagoon.

While Disney Enchantment is not as popular as Happily Ever After — which is coming back when the 50th ends –, Guests seem to enjoy heading to EPCOT to watch the show, complete with great music and stunning fireworks. During Harmonious, fireworks actually shoot off right near Guests, which can be both startling and thrilling.

However, in the year since the show started, there have been several problems. Well, one big problem, really. Fires. And how another fire has broken out during the show.

Theme park insider Scott Gustin shared that a fire broke out on one of the barges used in Harmonious. Disney said that the fire broke out on one of the barges, but was contained and put out after the show.

This is not the first time that a fire has broken out during Harmonious. A couple of months ago, a fire broke out near the America pavilion due to a stray ember from the fireworks. Another time, a firework appeared to malfunction, causing a fire on one of the barges.

Here is more on Harmonious, courtesy of the Walt Disney World Resort website:

The heart of the EPCOT transformation comes to life with Harmonious, one of the largest nighttime spectaculars ever created for Disney Parks. The show is a beautifully crafted medley of classic Disney music and visuals reinterpreted by a culturally diverse group of 240 artists from all around the world. Come and be dazzled by all of it as you discover how Disney music and stories have the power to inspire and unite us all, overcoming any language or border.

This magnificent show brings to World Showcase Lagoon an innovative combination of floating giant screens, choreographed moving fountains, lights, pyrotechnics and lasers in a 360-degree view. Enter amazing worlds inspired by Moana, Aladdin, Coco, Brave, The Lion King, Mulan, The Princess and the Frog and other classic stories. Colorful images and effects dance and change as Harmonious weaves familiar Disney music and stories together. Through unique perspectives as diverse as the world itself, Disney songs hop from language to language as the show brings people from different parts of the world together to unlock the magic of possibility.

Harmonious

Disney World Releases “Fantasmic!” Showtimes

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Hollywood Studios

Fans’ anticipation is growing by the day for the return of Fantasmic! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and now they can get even more excited as Disney has just announced showtimes for the nighttime spectacular.

On Tuesday, fans of the long-running nighttime spectacular at Disney’s Hollywood Studios were thrilled to learn that the show will return to the Disney Park on November 3. Fantasmic! has been MIA at Hollywood for what seems like eons now, and though they received periodic updates about Disney’s progress in readying the experience for its eventual return, many had begun to wonder if the experience would simply vanish.

Hey, it’s happened before with another attraction at Magic Kingdom, when the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea ride closed for maintenance and repairs, and then, two years later, it was gone. Though that’s clearly not the case with Hollywood Studios’ nighttime spectacular.

Fantasmic! Begins Testing as Return Date Closes In - Inside the Magic

Not only do Guests have the assurance of the return of Fantasmic! per Tuesday’s announcement, but Disney has just released the showtimes for the exciting spectacular! Per journalist Scott Gustin, showtimes for Fantasmic! will be as follows:

  • November 3-7: 8 and 9:30 pm
  • November 8-13: 8 pm
  • November 14 and beyond: 9 pm

The fan-favorite experience is unlike any other in the parks, and if you’ve seen it before, you already know that. However, the new show won’t be the Fantasmic! you remember. Read more about that by clicking here.

A Guest-Favorite Experience Returns to Hollywood Studios on Nov. 6!

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Hollywood Studios

After a COVID-induced hiatus, a Guest-favorite experience is finally making its return to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on November 6.

The year is winding down, and there are still experiences Disney promised would return to its Central Florida parks in 2022 that have yet to do so. They include:

  • Trams at EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios
  • Toy Story characters/Green Army Drum Corps
  • Round-Up Rodeo BBQ
  • Pluto, Daisy, Donald, and Goofy at Pete’s Silly Side Show
  • DuckTales World Showcase Adventure
New Roundup Rodeo BBQ Restaurant Coming to Toy Story Land at Disney's Hollywood Studios | Disney Parks Blog

Until this week, Hollywood Studios’ famous nighttime spectacular, Fantasmic!, was also on the list of experiences yet to return in 2022, but Guests were thrilled to learn on Tuesday that the nighttime show will make its triumphant return on November 3, though it won’t be the Fantasmic! show that fans remember.

But that’s not the only thing returning to Hollywood Studios.

On Friday, Disney World’s website unveiled the return of yet another favorite experience at the park will return three days after Fantasmic! returns. On November 6, Guests will get to enjoy the lively beats and witty exchanges with Toy Story Land’s Green Army Men Drum Corps. Showtimes will be at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3: 30 p.m, and 4:30 p.m.

The Green Army Man Drum Corps stand, ready to play, in front of Woody and the Toy Story Land sign

Per Disney World’s official website:

Throughout the day, be on the lookout for the Green Army Drum Corps in Toy Story Land! This talented band of drummers is sure to entertain Guests of all ages with their high-energy performances and awe-inspiring drum sequences.

Young Expectant Woman Goes into Labor After Riding Magic Kingdom Attraction

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

An expectant mother went into spontaneous labor following a ride at the Tomorrowland Speedway at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom in September.

An official report released by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) on Tuesday lists a 27-year-old female as one of six Guests who were injured or experienced a medical incident while visiting the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida during the months of July, August, and September 2022, and required a hospital transport and at least a 24-hour hospital stay.

Because the state allows major theme park resorts to self-report such injuries, the agency’s theme park injury report gives vague information at best–and extreme misinformation at its worst, as in the case of a young boy who rode the E. T. attraction at Universal Studios Orlando. During the ride, his foot and leg were crushed, but the theme park reported the injury to the state as “foot pain.”

Tomorrowland Speedway Reopens at Magic Kingdom (Photos, POV Video) – Mousesteps

It’s unknown whether the pregnant Guest experienced premature labor or was already at or close to full-term when she visited Magic Kingdom last month. But Disney World’s posted warnings at the Tomorrowland attraction are clear about the potential dangers of expectant women experiencing the attraction.

Everything You Need to Know About the Tomorrowland Speedway | TouringPlans.com Blog

“Expectant mothers should not ride,” reads a sign at the entrance to the queue for the ride that features tiny race cars, each powered by a 9-horsepower gasoline engine.

The cars at the Tomorrowland Speedway attraction don’t move at a high speed–not by a long shot–but riding can still be dangerous for women who are pregnant. In the afternoons at Magic Kingdom, the smell and fumes from the gasoline alone can be overpowering for Guests waiting in the queue, especially during the warmer summer months in the parks.

Another incident listed on the report at a Tomorrowland attraction at Magic Kingdom involves the death of an 83-year-old man who passed away after riding the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover at Magic Kingdom on September 25. The man reportedly had an undisclosed pre-existing condition, and the FDACS theme park injury report states that he suffered a “cardiac event” following the ride. He was transported to a local hospital, where he later died.

Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover extends closure through February – Disney Matters

The 27-year-old woman isn’t the first to go into labor after riding an attraction at Disney World. In 2018, another 27-year-old expectant woman went into labor after disembarking at the Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in April that year. That attraction also has posted warnings, which recommend that expectant women not ride.