Walt Disney World Legend Tragically Passes Away

The recent death of a true Disney icon has rattled the theme park community.

Stephan Mikes, one of Disney’s talented performers, has sadly passed away. His contributions to the magical world of Disney will forever be cherished and remembered. With a heavy heart, we say goodbye to a remarkable individual who left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry.

Chakranadi

Stephan Mikes was not just a name but a person who dedicated his life to bringing joy and enchantment to people of all ages. His passion for performance was unparalleled, and he strived to create unforgettable experiences for Guests at Walt Disney World and beyond.

Born in 1954, Stephan was a man with so much talent. If you have ever had the pleasure of roaming around Disney’s Animal Kingdom, there’s a chance that you may have caught a performance by Mikes. Mikes performed regularly at the Anandapur, Asia stage within the Park. A talented sitarist, Mikes’ dazzled and awed millions of tourists in his lifetime.

Animal kingdom theme park Walt disney world tree of life discovery island DinoLand USA retheme zootopia bug encanto Indiana Jones dinosaur disney park Asia Africa Central America

Mikes’ performance, which was called Chakranadi, has been a staple piece of entertainment in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park for many years; this 20-minute-long show features;

“…the simmering sounds of traditional Indian melodies, performed by a talented musician playing the sitar.”

This exotic performance was incredibly unique, and it is a highlight for many visitors coming to the Park. One of the reasons that fans love Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is because of all the incredibly immersive entertainment offerings. It goes without saying that Mikes’ was one of the strongest performers in the theme park’s history.

In addition to his performing, Stephan Mikes was also a dedicated composer and teacher. He has numerous musical projects available for listening on CD, including his recent release, Serenity, Ragas for Meditation and Yoga. 

Just last week, the news of Stephan Mikes’ death was announced by his wife, Bonnie Pedicord Mikes. She announced his passing to hundreds of heartbroken friends and fans on her Facebook the afternoon of October 22, 2023.

It was confirmed by Mikes’s obituary that he passed away on October 21, 2023. To honor his memory, the page is asking that friends, family, and friends consider purchasing a memorial tree to honor him. Other suggested options include making a donation to a charitable cause.

It is always tragic to hear of the death of someone so beloved, but it is equally important to remember just how much he contributed to the world while he was here. Because of Stephan’s music, millions of lucky fans were able to be inspired and entertained in such a unique way. While Disney has not made many announcements about what will become of the Chakranadi attraction at Walt Disney World Resort’s Animal Kingdom, many fans hope that Disney does something to honor such an incredible man.

Disney Releases Special Pricing for 2024 Park Tickets

Walt Disney World is among the most popular vacation destinations for travelers worldwide, but high ticket prices can catch you off guard as you plan your trip. Disney recently announced reduced ticket prices for select park guests visiting the theme parks in 2024.

Disney offers reduced tickets to various guests, including Annual Passholders, Disney Vacation Club Members, and U.S. Military Members. For 2024, Disney has announced reduced ticket prices for eligible U.S. Military Members. Disney also offers reduced hotel rates for U.S. Military Members. 

According to Disney’s site, “‘Eligible Service Members’ are active or retired members of the US Military, including the National Guard, Reservists, the US Coast Guard, the US Space Force, the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service (PHS), and the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Spouses of Military Service Members also qualify if they are able to present valid and active US Military IDs in the absence of active or retired Military Personnel or Commissioned Corps Members.”

Disney Military Salute Ticket

Mickey Mouse and Child Disney Military Salute Ticket Pricing

Disney has recently released reduced ticket rates for U.S. Military Members for 4-day, 5-day, and 6-day Disney Military Salute Tickets with Park Hopper or Park Hopper Plus options for 2024. All tickets are now available for purchase; find the rates below:

6-Day Disney Military Salute Ticket
Available for purchase now through December 15, 2024.

  • With the Park Hopper Option: $409 plus tax
  • With the Park Hopper Plus Option: $439 plus tax

5-Day Disney Military Salute Ticket
Available for purchase now through December 16, 2024.

  • With the Park Hopper Option: $389 plus tax
  • With the Park Hopper Plus Option: $419 plus tax

4-Day Disney Military Salute Ticket
Available for purchase now through December 17, 2024.

  • With the Park Hopper Option: $369 plus tax
  • With the Park Hopper Plus Option: $399 plus tax

The Disney Military Salute Tickets are valid for park admission from January 1, 2024, through December 20, 2024. All tickets are subject to blackout dates, including March 24, 2024, through April 6, 2024, and November 24, 2024, through November 30, 2024.

Tickets may be purchased at participating US military sales outlets by Eligible Service Members (see above). All guests using Disney Military Salute Tickets are still required to have daily park reservations to use tickets for valid theme park entry. Guests are also subject to Disney Park Hopper restrictions.

Memory Maker Magic

Disney Memory Maker

U.S. Military Members also qualify for a special Memory Maker price when added to a 2024 theme park ticket. Disney’s Memory Maker gives you access to unique photo locations throughout the Walt Disney World parks and resorts, with themed magic shots taken by talented Disney Photopass Photographer Cast Members.

Memory Maker also allows you to download all the photos and videos taken during your Walt Disney World vacation. This way, you can focus on the fun, and the memories await you when you return home. U.S. Military Members can add Memory Maker to a Disney Military Salute Ticket for $98 through December 20, 2024.

Disney Announces Dates for EPCOT International Festival of the Arts 2024

As we head into fall, the Disney parks are ready to celebrate, and for EPCOT, that means new festivals. Disney has just announced the dates for the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts for 2024!

EPCOT celebrates four featured festivals throughout the year: EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival, EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, and EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival.

Each festival features unique dining, entertainment, and merchandise, all offered only during that festival’s time in EPCOT. While the festivals are celebrated throughout the parks, the booths and entertainment are predominately featured throughout the World Showcase. EPCOT’s World Showcase is home to 11 pavilions, each representing a country: Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, The American Adventure, Japan, Morocco, France, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

As we head toward the new year, excitement is building around EPCOT’s festival lineup for 2024. The dates were recently released for EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays, beginning on November 24, 2023 ,and continuing through December 30, 2023. This year’s festival will feature the annual Candlelight Processional with celebrity storytellers, Candlelight Processional Dining Packages, and Holiday Kitchens found throughout EPCOT’s World Showcase and World Discovery.

Following the International Festival of the Holidays, Disney just announced that EPCOT’s International Festival of the Arts will begin on January 12, 2024. The festival will continue through February 19, 2024. Though Disney has not released all the festival’s details yet, we know that the Food Studios will be returning along with the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine. We are excited for more details on specific booths and menus to be shared soon!

In addition to colorful eats and treats, the DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series will return to this year’s festival! Guests will be able to enjoy shows featuring their favorite songs from DISNEY ON BROADWAY shows in EPCOT’s World Showcase. The series is presented by AT&T and will be hosted once again in the America Gardens Theatre located in The American Adventure pavilion.

This year, guests can enjoy the DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series in a new way with a Dining Package. The DISNEY ON BROADWAY Dining Packages will include a dinner at your choice from select EPCOT restaurants and reserved seating in the America Gardens Theatre, where you will enjoy the show. Disney will release more details about the select restaurants and reservation dates soon.

This year’s EPCOT International Festival of the Arts will also feature live musical performances, Art Defying Gravity performances, and visual art performances throughout World Showcase. Watch in amazement as visual and performing arts come to life all around you throughout the park.

As Disney releases more details about this year’s festival, we will be sharing them with you here at DisneyDining.com. If you’re planning on visiting Walt Disney World to experience this 2024 EPCOTfestival, don’t forget to make theme park reservations during the festival’s dates, January 12 to February 19, 2024.

Mother and Daughter Reportedly Assaulted by Homeless Man Outside Disney Park

Panic has begun to spread after a recent terrifying incident was reported.

For the millions of fans who travel to Disneyland Resort in Southern California every year, this is truly a nightmare. For decades, both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort have been known as wholesome, family-friendly venues where Guests of every age can be entertained without fear. Part of the reason why people choose Disney as their vacation location is because of the sense of security you have within the Resorts. For the most part, Disney does an excellent job of preventing crime on their property.

Unfortunately, that doesn’t stop horrific incidents from happening just outside the Park’s gates. A recent allegation from one Disney Guest and her family member has left many fans feeling more frightened than ever to visit the Disney Parks.

Disneyland Park Sleeping Beauty castle

In a shocking incident that sent waves of panic through the Disney community, a homeless man allegedly assaulted a mother and her child just outside of Disneyland Resort. The news of this distressing event quickly spread like wildfire, leaving visitors and locals alike in a state of shock and concern. The incident serves as a stark reminder that even the most magical places can be subjected to senseless acts of violence just outside.

According to the mother, the terrifying incident occurred just outside the Disney Resort grounds on Harbor Boulevard. This area is often frequented by Guests of Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. Families and individuals flock to Disneyland Resort expecting a carefree and whimsical experience, but unfortunately, this incident momentarily shattered that illusion for many. Public safety and security are paramount, and this incident highlights the need for heightened vigilance and ongoing efforts to maintain a safe environment.

The incident took place on October 25, 2023. According to the mother, she and her daughter were walking towards the Disneyland Park entrance when a man, whom they assumed to be homeless, assaulted them by throwing coffee at them. The mother shared,

“Assaulted on Harbor Blvd

Today my daughter and I were walking down Harbor Blvd towards the parks, when a man who I assume is homeless threw a full cup of coffee on us outside the McDonald’s by the Fairfield Inn. Thankfully this is all he did, and walked away while looking back at us. We did not interact with him in any way – it was totally at random. We suffered no physical injuries (thankfully it wasn’t hot) but it was definitely upsetting.

I live in a city with a significant homeless population and have never had an issue. I realize this was a totally random thing, and it certainly doesn’t reflect on Disney. But is the area around the parks typically pretty safe? I’ve never felt uncomfortable before, but I also haven’t been back in several years.”

Immediate chaos ensued as the news spread, fans scrambling to comprehend the gravity of the situation. On the Disneyland Reddit page, fans shared their condolences with the mother and child. User r/ashecatcher805 says,

“I’m sorry that happened to you, sounds shocking and unnerving. That said, I do think that was a random unfortunate thing. The area around the parks is well populated, relatively clean for a city, well lit, and heavily patrolled by police and security. I’ve never heard of it being unsafe, and I stay in hotels around that area a couple times a year when visiting.”

The incident serves as a poignant reminder that homelessness is a complex issue that transcends geographic boundaries and can impact even the most iconic destinations. While the motives behind the alleged assault remain unclear, it is crucial to approach this incident with empathy and without generalizing or stigmatizing the entire homeless community. It is important to remember that the actions of one individual do not define an entire group.

Disneyland tickets

This event is also a good reminder for Guests to never get too comfortable on and near Disney Resort property. Unfortunately, dangerous activity can happen anywhere, and it is crucial to remain as vigilant as possible to protect you and your loved ones from a criminal threat. No information or confirmation of the incident has come from Disney at this time. It is also unclear if the Anaheim Police Department or Disneyland security were informed of this crime.

Dangerous Chemical Reactions Leads to Evacuation of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

One of Disney World’s most popular resort hotels was placed under evacuation orders on Wednesday because of a potentially dangerous chemical reaction.

A brief chemical scare was reported by staff members at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort on Wednesday morning, a spokesperson from the Reedy Creek Fire Department confirmed to FOX 35 News. According to the spokesperson, no cast members or guests were injured during the incident.

People magazine reported that guests staying at Disney World’s Polynesian Village Resort were forced to evacuate the property on Wednesday morning following a call to the Reedy Creek Fire Department for assistance after a mixture of two chemicals in the kitchen of the resort hotel produced gasses that could have potentially posed health hazards to those in the area.

Details about the Disney World employee responsible for the improper combination of chemicals are not available, and there’s no evidence to suggest that the act was intended to create a danger for anyone else or that the act was malicious in any way. There has also been no word about the types of chemicals that were combined or why they were mixed in the first place.

Emergency vehicles from the Reedy Creek Fire Department were seen in the parking lot of the resort hotel, and guests reported that the Disney World Resort monorail bypassed its usual stop in front of the Polynesian Resort while firefighters responded to the call for emergency assistance.

Emergency personnel with the Reedy Creek Fire Department were initially called to the Walt Disney World Resort hotel to investigate the hotel kitchen staff’s reports of a possible chemical exposure following the improper mix of two chemicals.

Reedy Creek Fire Department

WESH Orlando Channel 2 reports that Eryka Washingon, spokeswoman for the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, formerly referred to as the Reedy Creek Improvement District, explained that an employee of the resort hotel was mixing chemicals in the kitchen area at the Polynesian Village Resort–an action that resulted in the production of gasses that were perceived as potentially dangerous to cast members and guests.

The kitchen was immediately evacuated as a precaution, and several employees underwent medical evaluations with first responders onsite. By 11:00 a.m., officials announced that the situation had been cleared.

The Reedy Creek Fire Department spokesperson confirmed that an employee at the resort hotel had mixed chemicals that should not have been combined, and the resulting reaction from that combination forced employees to evacuate the kitchen so that firefighters could assess the scene.

More details will be shared as they become available.