Disney World Changes Iconic Attraction

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks

In a surprising move that left Disney enthusiasts both puzzled and nostalgic, Disney recently made the decision to remove a beloved animatronic character from one of its most popular attractions.

Disney World is known as “The Most Magical Place on Earth,” bringing thousands of guests daily into the parks. Walt Disney World is home to four theme parks: Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Each Disney park offers exciting attractions, shows, and much more for guests of all ages and sizes.

Walt Disney World Cinderella Castle

Disney World attractions break down from time to time, which causes delays, longer wait times, and, sometimes, closes the attraction. In this case, Disney World has a backup plan when one of its animatronics breaks down at a popular attraction.

Disney Clips Guy noticed that Disney removed one of the most expensive Disney animatronics and replaced it with the screen. Disney removed the Na’vi Shaman from Avatar on the Na’vi River Journey to work on the animatronic.

When Disney removed Na’vi Shaman, they replaced the animatronic with a screen for a temporary replacement to get it back and running hopefully. Disney Cips Guy rode Na’vi River Journey a few days later, and Na’vi Shaman was back up and running.

Disney’s decision to remove and update the animatronic character shows the company’s dedication to staying relevant in an ever-changing world while maintaining its commitment to providing magical experiences for guests of all ages. As Disney continues to evolve its attractions, it will undoubtedly face more decisions that balance tradition with progress.

shaman of songs on na'vi river journey

Disney describes Na’vi River Journey like this:  “Go on a mystical river ride. Guests will feel a sense of wonder as the full beauty of the extraordinary dreamscape unfolds before their eyes. During this visually stunning and mysterious river, guests will glide through a series of caves and into a bioluminescent rainforest, alive with the sights and sounds of exotic plants and creatures on all sides—even overhead. Na’vi River Journey offers explorers an experience that has to be seen and heard to be believed.”

Disney World Unveils a Brand-New “Disney Thrills” Ticket Offer

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

For Disney World fans who are ready to welcome in the new year with a visit to the Most Magical Place on Earth, Disney has an exciting new ticket offer that was just unveiled.

Beginning Thursday, January 11, fans can purchase a brand-new multi-day ticket called the Disney Thrills Ticket. A two-day Thrills Ticket costs only $199 plus tax, and for guests who have the time to spend an extra day in the Central Florida Disney parks, a three-day Thrills ticket costs just $20 more at $219 per ticket, excluding tax.

As with most of Disney’s promotions, there’s a bit of fine print, so let’s get out those magnifying glasses and read through it.

First, the offer is only available to Florida residents, and proof of residency is required. The Disney Thrills Ticket is available for use in the parks from January 11 to March 15, 2024, and weekends are NOT excluded. The ticket does require an advance park reservation, but according to Disney Parks Blog, “this early 2024 ticket offer gives our Florida friends the flexibility to pick the dates and parks that work best for their trip.”

The Disney Thrills Ticket allows admission to one theme park per day, and advance park reservations are limited to availability determined by Walt Disney World and park capacity limits.

Also, the Disney Thrills Ticket can be used on consecutive days or non-consecutive days. For all the information about the new ticket offer at Disney World, including information about add-ons to the ticket, like Park Hopper, guests can visit DisneyWorld.com.

A rundown of all the ticket info can be found below:

The beginning of the year is the perfect time to visit the four theme parks at the Walt Disney World Resort. EPCOT’s International Festival of the Arts kicks off on January 12 and runs through February 19, 2024. And let’s not forget that January and February are usually some of the coolest and least crowded times of the year to visit Disney World.

The Disney Thrills Ticket can be purchased online or at the parks beginning on January 11, 2024.

DeSantis’ Disney Takeover Hits the Parks

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot, Magic Kingdom

Back in April 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis officially dissolved the Reedy Creek Improvement District. The special district had been around since 1967 and allowed Disney to function as its own form of government. DeSantis and the Republican-led Florida legislature voted to dissolve Reedy Creek after DeSantis and Disney began locking horns in March 2022.

As part of Reedy Creek’s dissolution, the embattled governor announced that the state would also be taking over the inspections of Disney’s most iconic transportation option — the monorail. Prior to the dissolution, Disney was able to have its own inspectors come in and make sure the monorail was operating safely. However, DeSantis said that that would no longer be acceptable, so he would send in state inspectors to do the work.

Ron DeSantis

It’s been eight months, but that promise has finally come to fruition. According to Click Orlando — a local news site — the Florida Department of Transportation has begun the process of regulating the Walt Disney World monorail.

“Being that this is the first time that the State has had oversight, FDOT is doing its due diligence to thoroughly complete the review while ensuring the safety of travelers,” said FDOT District Five Public Information Director Cindi Lane.

FDOT’s Structures Maintenance Office, which inspects hundreds of bridges and other structures across the state, has begun conducting field inspections of Disney’s monorail structure.

As part of that process, Disney has provided FDOT with safety manuals and other existing monorail documentation, Lane said.

Exterior view of Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

While it may not seem like a big deal to have state inspectors looking at the monorail system, they actually hold immense power. FDOT inspectors can choose to suspend Disney World monorail service while they are doing their inspections. We do not know how long they could keep the monorails down. Thankfully, that has not yet happened.

Magic Kingdom monorail

Since the state’s takeover of Walt Disney World Resort and the Reedy Creek District, things have gone from bad to worse between Disney, Governor DeSantis, and his new board running Reedy Creek.

The board has tried to force Disney to dissolve its Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion program. The head of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District — Glen Gilzean — called the program “unAmerican.” However, just two years ago, he was praising Disney and its DEI program for all the positive work it was doing in the area.

Glen Gilzean Ron DeSantis

The district has also lost dozens of employees, some of whom worked for Reedy Creek for decades. No member of the CFTOD board has any experience working in the theme park industry. Those who have left said that morale is at an all-time low and called the board “unqualified and incompetent.”

Disney is currently suing the CFTOD for violating its First Amendment Rights, as well as breach of contract.

National Geographic Expeditions Announces 2025 Signature Land Trips and River Cruises

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

National Geographic Expeditions has announced its full lineup of Signature Land trips and River Cruises with unforgettable experiences for travelers around the world in 2025.

Travelers will have their pick of experiences, from visiting the mystical temples of Bhutan, hiking the cloud forests of Costa Rica, discovering East Africa’s legendary wildlife in Tanzania or cruising through Europe along the Danube River. Whether guests choose a Signature Land trip or a River Cruise, they’ll enjoy unparalleled access to the world through the eyes of knowledgeable experts, photographers, and guides.

Bookings for 2025 Signature Land trips and River Cruises open on Jan. 9, 2024 for all guests.

Travelers can see the world and save in 2025 with an early booking offer on select Signature Land and River Cruise departures! Book before April 12, 2024 and save $500 per person on select 2025 Signature Land departures and $750 per person on all available 2025 River Cruise departures.

For more details about 2025 Signature Land and River Cruise departures, visit the National Geographic Expeditions website.

Disney Gets a Big Break in Bringing Back Reedy Creek

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Uncategorized

All the way back in April 2023 — which seems like a lifetime ago — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis officially dissolved the Reedy Creek Improvement District. Reedy Creek had been in place since 1967 and essentially allowed Walt Disney World to function as its own government. Reedy Creek would pay its taxes, but they would not have to go through the red tape for things like permits and construction. They were also in charge of Disney World’s electrical grid, internet, first responders, and more.

After dissolving Reedy Creek, DeSantis hand-picked a new board and renamed the area The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.

Since then, things have not gone well for DeSantis’ new board. Things with Disney have gone from bad to worse, with the two locked-in dueling lawsuits. Then, there are the mass resignations that are happening within the CFTOD. In less than a year, dozens of qualified employees — some of whom have been there a long time — have quit. They have reported that morale is at an all-time low, calling the CFTOD board members “unqualified and incompetent.”

Central Florida Tourism Oversight District

Since its dissolution, thousands have been fighting to end the CFTOD and reinstate Reedy Creek. The first big attempt to legally bring back Reedy Creek was made in November 2023, but several Republican lawmakers walked out of the meeting. That meant that a vote on Reedy Creek could not take place.

But now, things have changed.

Reedy Creek fire department

On Friday, January 5, Orange County legislators backed a proposal to bring back Reedy Creek. Orange County is one of the counties where the Walt Disney World Resort is located. State Senator Linda Stewart said that Reedy Creek is essential to the area, because the new CFTOD board is not being “transparent” and they have broken the way the district should operate.

While this is a big win for Disney in its fight against DeSantis and the CFTOD, the repeal is still a long way off from becoming a reality. Orange County is one of the most liberal areas in the state. So, it makes sense that Orange County legislators would back it. However, the deal has to pass through the State House of Representatives and the State Senate.

Ron DeSantis

Both the state House and the state Senate are Republican-controlled, with many of the legislators supporting the dissolution of Reedy Creek. Legal experts think that it is unlikely that they would vote for the reinstatement of Reedy Creek.