February 2023 – Page 8 – A Walk With The Mouse

Super Bowl Celebrations Ditched Walt Disney World This Year

Posted on February 14, 2023February 14, 2023 by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

This year, the Super Bowl’s winning team did not go to Walt Disney World to celebrate.

With Super Bowl LVII just days away, Disney is preparing for their annual post-game celebration down Main Street, USA. Since 1987, audiences have watched the Super Bowl MVP shout the phrase, “I’m going to Disney World!” This year, after the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles face off on Super Bowl Sunday, that phrase will be different.

Walt Disney World Resort will not be hosting its annual Super Bowl celebrations this year. Instead, it has been announced that Disneyland Resort will host the event for the second year in a row. Disneyland Resort is no stranger to hosting football parades. In addition to hosting MVP Cooper Kupp, Aaron Donald, Matthew Stafford, and the rest of the Los Angeles Rams last year, Disneyland Park also hosts the Rose Bowl parade every year.

Nevertheless, Florida football fans will not be getting a Super Bowl parade in the Walt Disney World Parks this year, and some on social media have expressed their disappointment.

User @RealRobGarrison writes, “Omg, I literally spoke to a fam a few weeks ago that planned their trip to FL just so they can be at the parks for the parade 💀💀💀.”

User @Jefflipack writes, “All those “treat Florida fairly” people will not be happy!!”

Many more users express their confusion and disappointment by quote retweeting Disney’s post.

One day after the Super Bowl, the celebration happens at @Disneyland! #SBLVII pic.twitter.com/2M0wrhCRhB
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) February 10, 2023

Why Is the Super Bowl Being Celebrated at Disneyland?

Many people are confused as to why the celebration is happening in Disneyland once again. The reasoning: the locations of the stadiums. Last year’s Super Bowl was at SoFi stadium in Los Angeles, so celebrating at Disneyland Park and staying in Southern California made more sense logistically. This year’s game will be played at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, so Disneyland Park was the better choice location-wise. While Walt Disney World Resort locals may be upset, Disneyland locals are rejoicing at this news.

The Disneyland Parade isn’t going to be the only exciting thing happening for Disney football fans. During the game, some brand-new commercials are rumored to be airing. These commercials include one for Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, The Little Mermaid, Elemental, and Guardians of the Galaxy 3. There is also a possibility that Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny and The Marvels will have teasers as well.

There are so many reasons to be excited about the game this weekend. Whether you are rooting for Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs or Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles, this game is sure to be an exciting matchup.

Viral Video of Smoke-Filled Magic Kingdom

Posted on February 13, 2023February 13, 2023 by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

A now viral TikTok video posted by a Guest while on vacation at the Walt Disney World Resort’s Magic Kingdom shows Cinderella Castle surrounded by smoke.

Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is a source of delight for all who enter that happy place, granting it the official title of The Most Magical Place on Earth. The first of the Orlando Resort’s four Disney Parks, Guests can enter realms of Fantasy, Adventure, the Frontier, and Tomorrow while enjoying classic attractions and new offerings like the TRON Lightcycle / Run Coaster alongside some of their favorite Disney characters.

Moreover, fans love Magic Kingdom for its picturesque Main Street, U.S.A., where they’ll find the beautiful Park icon, Cinderella Castle, waiting at the end of the hub. In fact, the towering structure is one of the largest at Walt Disney World, standing a full 189 feet of majestic royal architecture.

However, many Disney fans felt only horror and fear rather than being filled with wonder upon seeing Cinderella Castle seemingly on fire in a video recently shared by TikTok user @sachaofficialmusic. As reported by Inside the Magic, the clip, which now has over 2.5 million views on the social media platform, shows a view of the Castle on a sunny day under a bright blue sky.

In contrast to the lovely day, plumes of smoke rise amongst the Castle turrets, a shocking sight. “Is it just me or is the Castle at Disney World on [fire ]” asks the caption, leaving many to worry something had gone wrong.

@sachaofficialmusic
POV: Is it me or is the Castle at Disney World on 🔥😳 #POV #Disney #DisneyWorld #MagicKingdom #fyp
♬ Oh No – Kreepa

Upon closer inspection, the smoke streaming up behind the Castle came from the Magic Kingdom Park’s daytime fireworks display, which is a normal occurrence conducted by trained pyrotechnicians for safety each time. It’s likely the combination of wind blowing some of the smoke forward and a shadow cast by the bright sunlight onto the Castle facade gave the impression that the icon itself was on fire when captured on the user’s camera.

Moreover, Walt Disney World employs Cast Members and its own fire department to remain on standby during fireworks shows if an accident occurs to ensure the fastest response time. Luckily, the flaming Cinderella Castle was a false alarm, with no harm coming to Guests or Cast Members.

Although this scene certainly frightened Disney fans online, rest assured the Most Magical Place on Earth, and its iconic Cinderella Castle are doing just fine and ready to shine on your next visit to the Walt Disney World Resort.

Disney World President Gives Up the Reedy Creek Battle

Posted on February 13, 2023February 13, 2023 by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Via DisDining.com

The Florida state legislature has voted in favor of Governor Ron DeSantis’ proposed bill, which would reduce the independence enjoyed by Walt Disney World through the Reedy Creek Improvement District Act and Walt Disney World President Jeff Vahle responds.

Walt Disney himself first began to ratify the Reedy Creek Act, an unfortunate fact that enabled DeSantis to take advantage of a loophole to dissolve any proposed special district agreement signed into law before 1968. Of course, DeSantis holds a more personal vendetta against the Walt Disney World Resort’s specific special district, which allowed it near self-governance for fifty years due to the Walt Disney Company’s vocal support of LGBTQ+ rights after DeSantis passed the infamous “Don’t Say Gay Bill,” regulating visibility for minority identities and histories, particularly in children’s educational curriculum.

In fact, the new HB 9 bill prevents the landowners (AKA Disney Parks) from selecting the new board members, all five of which DeSantis himself will now appoint. Furthermore, board members are restricted to those without theme park or entertainment complex experience within the last three years, effectively eliminating anyone from the Disney brand who actually has the Parks interests in mind.

Many theme park analysts feared the worst for the fate of Disney World if HB 9 passed, and now that it has, they are looking to the theme park mogul itself to see its next move. Moreover, some questioned if Disney would take the case to the Supreme Court to have DeSantis’ eligibility limitations or the entire redistribution of power appealed.

However, a new statement released by Walt Disney World President Jeff Vahle suggests quite the opposite: Disney hopes to wash its hands of the matter and accept the new changes. Specifically, Vahle states Disney is more focused on its future than holding onto the District of the pass, opting to adapt to DeSantis’ changes in order to continue operations and innovating the Disney Parks experience for Guests.

You can read the full statement, as reported to WFTV9 below:

For more than 50 years, the Reedy Creek Improvement District has operated at the highest standards, and we appreciate all that the District has done to help our destination grow and become one of the largest economic contributors and employers in the state. We are focused on the future and are ready to work within this new framework, and we will continue to innovate, inspire and bring joy to the millions of guests who come to Florida to visit Walt Disney World each year.

Even so, the bill significantly reduces or completely strips Walt Disney World and Reedy Creek of its self-governing powers, meaning the coming adjustment period may very well determine the Company’s fate.

ABC’s ‘American Idol’ Returns to Aulani Resort

Posted on February 13, 2023February 13, 2023 by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

We are thrilled to share that ABC’s “American Idol” is returning to Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa!

After earning the chance to become the next American Idol, contestants will travel to Hawaii to sharpen their vocal skills with the help of celebrity mentors and showcase their talents in a concert along the breathtaking shores of Aulani Resort.

But all work and no play is nearly impossible when you’re in Hawai‘i! Between coaching sessions and performances, the contestants will enjoy all the extraordinary experiences the Aulani Resort has to offer, from soaking up the sun in the Waikolohe Valley pool area to dining on island cuisine – and of course, indulging on Mickey Shave Ice!

The episode will also feature the American Idol all-star judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, along with Emmy-winning producer and host Ryan Seacrest, and celebrity mentors.

The 21st season of ABC’s “American Idol” premieres on Sunday, February 19, (8:00-10:00 p.m. EST). Stay tuned every week to catch the two episodes filmed at Aulani Resort, and see contestants enjoy a family paradise with a touch of Disney magic.

Bob Iger Confirms Disneyland Is Getting Its Own ‘Avatar’ Themed Land

Posted on February 10, 2023February 10, 2023 by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

At 4:30 Eastern on Wednesday, February 8, the Walt Disney Company broadcasted a live audio earnings call, during which the first fiscal quarter of the 2023 fiscal year was discussed.

During the call, Disney CEO Bob Iger made some crucial announcements, defined a plan for the Walt Disney Company, and answered questions. He also confirmed that more Avatar content is coming to Disney+ and Disney Parks, including Disneyland.

In the call, CEO Bob Iger stated that James Cameron’s sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water (2022), is shaping up to be “one of the most successful films of the quarter.” Not only that, but the Avatar (2009) sequel has also become the “fourth biggest film of all time globally with close to $2.2 billion earned in the box office to date.”

After this, Bob Iger revealed that the massive success and popularity of the movie “will result in the creation of more opportunities for fans to engage with the franchise.”

Over at Walt Disney World Resort, Animal Kingdom has been home to Pandora: the World of Avatar for a few years now. The heavily immersive and themed area is one of Walt Disney World Resort’s most impressive additions, and the popularity of the land has only become more popular due to the release of Avatar: The Way of Water.

Bob Iger also acknowledged this during the earnings call, stating, “They have been doing well at Walt Disney World’s Pandora: World of Avatar, as well as in theaters globally and on Disney+; the first film is delivering very strong numbers.”

Then, Disney CEO Bob Iger made the exciting announcement: “Today, I am thrilled to announce that we will bring an exciting Avatar experience to Disneyland. We will be sharing more details on that very soon.”