Disney World Pulls MagicBand+ From Shelves After Accidental Release

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

On May 1, Guests visiting Walt Disney World Resort were shocked and elated when they saw Disney’s new MagicBand+ on sale. Disney had announced the new bands would be coming to the Parks in 2022. There was no official announcement of the release from Disney, so these Guests thought it was just a pleasant surprise. Unfortunately, they soon learned that it was all a big mistake.

Not long after the MagicBand’s release, theme park insider Scott Gustin shared on Twitter that the new MagicBand’s were released by accident. Disney Cast Members had pulled the Bands from shelves and were refunding Guests who had already purchased them.

Disney says a limited number of MagicBand+ bands were sold earlier today. They removed the bands from the store and are offering refunds. MB+ features/in-park experiences are not live and are planned to launch later this year. Details (and a launch date) will be revealed later.

Guests have been waiting for months for Disney to finally release its MagicBand+. Sadly, they will have to wait a little longer. The new MagicBands are supposed to interact with the Fab 50 statues that have been placed at the Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for Disney World’s 50th Anniversary celebration. However, the 50th Anniversary has less than a year left, so if the statues are taken down when it ends, Guests will have a very limited time to actually use that feature.

Chip and Dale Fab50

According to Disney, MagicBand+ is also supposed to light up as you watch both Disney Enchantment at Magic Kingdom and Harmonious at EPCOT. Those are also only around for the 50th Anniversary. Disney has said that its MagicBand+ would be released early in 2022, but we are almost halfway through the year, and there is still no release date.

Disney Enchantment

Even though Guests are still unable to purchase MagicBand+, traditional MagicBands — with dozens of incredible colors and designs — are still available for sale at all four theme parks, as well as Disney Springs.

DisneyDining.com will keep readers updated if and when Disney finally gives its MagicBand+ a release date. Hopefully that will be soon, since stores at Walt Disney World Resort are already getting shipments of them.

Teddy Roosevelt Loses Pants On EPCOT Attraction

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot

It’s not every day that you catch an American President with his pants down, but that is exactly what happened at EPCOT recently. Guests visiting the World Showcase can stop inside the America pavilion and see the American Adventure show. The show is a wonderful telling of American history and includes Audio-Animatronics of some of America’s most famous figures. One of those figures is Theodore Roosevelt, who served as the 26th President of the United States.

Twitter user Tammy Tuckey was visiting Walt Disney World Resort with her family when they decided to treat themselves to some time at EPCOT. They went into the American pavilion and chose to watch the American Adventure. During the showing, they saw something completely unexpected, Teddy Roosevelt’s belt was broken, and his pants had fallen down. Thankfully, the iconic president was wearing underwear.

American Adventure

Tammy shared a picture of the hilarious incident on Twitter, where it is quickly gaining traction.

While having a Disney Park attraction malfunction on you may be disappointing in some circumstances, many found this one absolutely hysterical. They were also relieved that President Roosevelt was wearing undergarments, so the Guests weren’t given more of a show than expected.

Teddy Roosevelt was a self-proclaimed naturalist, which Showcase of Wishes thought was funny since the Audio-Animatronic looked like it was ready to go “au naturel.”

Twitter user EPCOT Purist was shocked to hear that Disney actually gave the Audio-Animatronics underwear, but Lost Imagination explained that the theme park Animatronics need oil to run and, if the oil pools, there can be a leak. To prevent noticeable leaks, Disney decided on underwear.

Even though many people found the incident funny, one person, Tillman Goins, said that they had visited EPCOT recently and experienced a number of ride malfunctions at the theme park.

In her original tweet, as well as follow-up tweets, Tammy said that she had let Cast Members know about the issue, so they could try to fix it. According to Tammy, Cast Members found the incident funny and said that they would be contacting maintenance. Hopefully, Teddy is given a new belt that keeps his pants up and his underwear hidden!

First Look at Disney’s Halfway to Halloween Eats and Treats

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

It’s halfway to spooky season! As April 28 approaches, we are soon-to-be halfway to Halloween! And we all know it’s never too early to get in the spirit. These wickedly delicious items are running amuck, amuck, amuck across Disney Parks.

These eats are sure to put a spell on Guests with tasty flavors and adorable eats. See the return of favorites like the Sister’s Elixir Hot Cocoa Bomb at The Ganachery at Walt Disney World Resort or the Spooky Churro from California Churro at Disneyland Resort. And be on the lookout for some new tricks and treats from Gideon’s Bakehouse at Disney Springs, including exclusive trading cards to collect.

DISNEYLAND RESORT

Downtown Disney District

Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs (available April 28 through May 1)

  • Cheddar Pickle Dog: The pickle dog sprinkled with cheddar cheese for a pop of orange to celebrate Halloween

California Churro (available April 27 through May 4)

  • Spooky Churro: A churro rolled in cinnamon sugar cut in half, drizzled with peanut butter and chocolate sauce, and topped with yummy peanut butter candy pieces in seasonal colors
8 Halloween Churros not to be missed at the Disneyland Resort | Chip and Company

WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT

Magic Kingdom Park

Sleepy Hollow (available April 28 through August 13)

  • Lady on the Gravestone 50th Chilling Chamber Pop: Citrus cake crumbs, raspberry buttercream, and blue crisp pearls (New)

Available at Liberty Square Popcorn Cart and Various Outdoor Vending Carts (available April 28 through May 1)

  • Jack Skellington Popcorn Bucket (Limit two per, person per transaction while supplies last)
First Look at Disney's Halfway to Halloween Eats and Treats 2022 - ThrillGeek

Disney Springs

The Ganachery (available April 28 through May 1)

  • Sister’s Elixir Hot Cocoa Bomb: Dark chocolate cauldron filled with hot cocoa mix and marshmallows topped with an edible image of the Sanderson Sisters and a chocolate broom stirrer

Gideon’s Bakehouse (available April 28 through May 1)
Get an exclusive trading card during Halfway to Halloween. Each four and six cookie box will feature one of the sixteen cards, plus be on the lookout for a bonus card for those waiting in line featuring Barnabas Mephistophelittle! (Limit of one per person while supplies last)

  • Pumpkin Spice Shadow Cakes: Chocolate-dipped spice cakes with a pumpkin buttercream filling (New)
  • Frankenstein Cake Slices: A three-layer chocolate cake covered in cookies and cream buttercream and loaded with M&M’s
  • Valentina Cake: Classic red velvet cake covered in a light and fluffy cookies and cream marshmallow buttercream

Available at Various Outdoor Vending Carts in West Side (available April 28 through May 1)

  • Mickey Mummy Popcorn Bucket (Limit two per, person per transaction while supplies last)
Fans Line Up Throughout One Disney Park to Snag New Limited-Time Popcorn Bucket - Inside the Magic

Resorts

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (available April 28 through May 1)

  • Hocus Pocus “Amuck” Cakes: Rich devil’s food cake with “peanut boo-tter” filling decorated to resemble all three Sanderson Sisters

(Note: All offerings are subject to change.)

Florida’s House votes to dissolve Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District

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

Echoing the state Senate’s vote on Wednesday, Florida’s House of Representatives voted last Thursday to dissolve Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District.

In a vote on Thursday, Florida’s GOP-led House of Representatives voted to dissolve Disney’s special tax district by a vote of 70 to 38. Wednesday’s Florida Senate vote passed with a vote of 23 to 16.

Some say the move is Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s, as he seems to have had “his guns pointed at the Walt Disney World Resort,” according to CNBC. Votes taken in the Florida House and in the Florida Senate have come as part of a special session called to discuss the dissolution of special tax districts in the state of Florida.

In Thursday’s vote, the Florida House of Representatives passed the bill that would make Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District a thing of the past. Established in 1967, provisions for the Reedy Creek district allow The Walt Disney Company to act as its own sort of government within parts of Orange and Osceola Counties.

Florida lawmakers first heard the proposal to dissolve the Reedy Creek Improvement District when it was introduced by Florida State Senator Jennifer Bradley. But those opposed to the proposal say that Governor Ron DeSantis is the one behind it, as he and Disney have gone head-to-head in a culture war battle over the entertainment giant’s denouncing of House Bill 1557, Florida’s “Parental Rights in Education” bill, which was signed into law by DeSantis on March 28.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis moves against Disney with push to eliminate special status for theme park - CNNPolitics

The law specifically prohibits classroom instruction about gender identity and sexual orientation in Kindergarten through third grade, but it doesn’t preclude casual conversation or discussion about those issues, regardless of a student’s age and grade level.

The dissolution of Disney’s long-standing special tax district has only recently been brought up for discussion. The Reedy Creek Improvement District has been around for some 55 years. The timing of a push to dissolve the district has some questioning the motives behind the move.

On CNBC’s Squawk Box on Thursday, Florida State Representative Randy Fine said that the bill to dissolve Reedy Creek isn’t in retaliation; however, he said, “when Disney kicked the hornet’s nest, we looked at special districts.”

“People wanted to deal with the special district for decades,” he said. “Disney had the political power to prevent it for decades. What changed is bringing California values to Florida. Floridians said ‘You are a guest. Maybe you don’t deserve the special privileges anymore.”

Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District isn’t the only special district affected by the Florida bill.

Though they are outnumbered, Florida Democrats have spoken out in defense of Disney.

“The Disney corporation is being attacked for expressing support for its many LGBTQ employees and customers,” said state Sen. Tina Polsky, a Democrat from Florida’s 19th district. “Are we really making this enormous decision based on spite?”

As the bill to dissolve Reedy Creek has passed Florida’s Senate and House, it will now make its way to the desk inside the office of the Governor. Reportedly, if signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, the bill would become law, making way for the dissolution of Reedy Creek and other special districts in the state to take place in June 2023.

Opening Date for New Epcot Restaurant Announced

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining, Disney Parks, Epcot

Since Electric Umbrella closed for good in 2019, we’ve been curious about its replacement. Thankfully, we don’t need to wait much longer to visit Connections Cafe & Eatery opening soon at EPCOT. 

From a Disney Cast Member;

Get your appetites ready! Connections Café & Eatery officially opens on April 27 at EPCOT. Insider tip: You may get the chance for a sneak peek if you’re in the park over the next few days.

If you enjoy food inspired by delicious cuisines from around the world, you’re going to love this new quick-service restaurant. Plus, who could pass up a beautifully decorated new space to relax in some air-conditioning? It’s a win-win!

We’ve already dished out all the details on what’s cooking in Connections Eatery, so today I want to give you a closer look at the fast-casual restaurant’s design, which features nods to Walt Disney’s original plans for EPCOT. The new location features two distinct experiences all under one roof – an eatery on one side serving lunch and dinner menus, and a café and pastry shop on the other open all day long. This large new dining location is the next step in the ongoing transformation of EPCOT and a highlight of the newly named World Celebration neighborhood.

If you’re walking past Spaceship Earth on your way into the park, you’ll find Connections Café and Eatery on the left-hand side. Floor-to-ceiling windows give you a full view of the bright, open space featuring modern décor and inviting aromas of pastries baking, fresh coffee brewing and delicious burgers on the grill. Since World Celebration is located in the center of the park, Connections Café & Eatery offers some incredible views. From a Xandarian Starblaster on one side to Spaceship Earth on the other, this is a great spot to sit back and enjoy quality time with friends and family around a tasty meal or drink. I think I’ve found my new favorite EPCOT hangout!

My favorite part of Connections Eatery is the colorful mural spanning one entire wall. Called “Global Gathering,” this magnificent piece of art depicts the heart of this restaurant – people from around the world gathering around food. It’s one of the largest murals Walt Disney Imagineering has ever created, and if you look closely, you’ll notice the scenes blend seamlessly from sunrise to sunset. I could spend all day admiring the details!

If you love watching cooking shows like I do, you’ll be captivated by the chefs at work in three show kitchens. Catch them grilling, sautéing and baking everything from burgers to pizzas and sprinkling a little extra pixie dust on delightful desserts from milkshakes to waffles.

Whether you prefer coffee or tea, people from all over the globe love sitting together to savor a brewed beverage. This idea is on prominent display in Connections Café through a colorful showcase of how various cultures enjoy their favorite drinks. Can you guess where each tea or coffee pot is from?

And while you’re enjoying your meal or that much-needed cup of coffee, don’t forget to look down! There are three original floor inlays inspired by Walt’s 1966 “Florida Project” site plans, where EPCOT was to serve as the literal and conceptual “center” of Walt Disney World. Thoughtful details like these really bring this location to life by honoring the original dream of EPCOT and the magic of possibility. The park’s original DNA is woven throughout Connections Café and Eatery, the latest example of how this EPCOT transformation honors our past while moving us forward into the future.

Because EPCOT has always been a place where inspiration and big ideas come to life. With the opening of Connections Café & Eatery, that vision continues to become reality as we celebrate one another, what makes us unique and the commonalities that tie us all together. And there’s even more ahead for EPCOT, so be sure to keep reading the Disney Parks Blog and follow along with Imagineer Zach Riddley @thezachriddley on Instagram for all the latest news on the park’s historic transformation.