It was just announced during the Destination D23 Celebration taking place at the Walt Disney World Resort that Fantasmic! will return to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2022!
After seemingly endless construction, questions about its return, delays, and more questions about its return, we are happy to share the news with you that the fabulous, fantastical nighttime spectacular Fantasmic! is indeed on deck for a much-anticipated return!
Josh D’Amaro from Disney’s Parks, Products and Services division, made the announcement this afternoon at the Destination D23 celebration, saying that when the show reopens for Guests to enjoy, they will get to see an all-new sequence that features live performers like before, but also includes stunts, special effects and so much more!
Stay tuned to DisneyDining for the latest on all the changes, upgrades and additions at the Most Magical Place on Earth, now in its second month of celebrating its 50th anniversary!
Disney just announced it will pause its vaccine mandate for employees in the Sunshine State. This comes just two days after Governor Ron DeSantis signed a quartet of bills related to the COVID-19 vaccine and subsequent mandates into law on Thursday.
Per The Orlando Sentinel, the decision by the House of Mouse comes in response to the latest restrictions that were passed by the Florida legislature this week, which put limitations on the power of Florida employers when it comes to requiring employees to get vaccinated against the novel coronavirus.
On Friday, The Walt Disney Company sent a memo to Cast Members, informing them that Disney was taking this action immediately because of the new law. The memo also said that an appeal court’s temporary delay of certain federal guidelines related to COVID vaccinations from OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, had also prompted the company’s immediate actions to pause its vaccine mandates.
Part of the memo reads: “We remain confident in the approach we have taken with our mandatory vaccine policy for Florida-based Cast Members and employees, with more than 90% of our active Florida-based Cast members and employees having verified that they are fully vaccinated, and we consider this to be very successful.”
The memo, which was sent to Florida employees of Disney, the largest private employer in the state, further explained that Disney would require every employee to wear face coverings, practice social distancing and take other measures in the fight to stop the spread of COVID-19 if they had not yet verified that they are vaccinated.
In addition to putting the breaks on its company vaccine mandate, Disney is also taking a break on the consideration of requests from employees for exemption from taking the vaccine. During the pause related to new legislation, Disney says it will also deem employees “unvaccinated,” if they had not yet completed the vaccination verification process.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has just signed a quartet of bills that helps to protect employees in the Sunshine State from termination should they refuse the COVID-19 vaccine. The new laws create restrictions on vaccine mandates by employers. He signed the bills into law while standing at a car dealership in Brandon, Florida, citing Florida residents’ “right to earn a living.”
“We’re making sure that people have a right to earn a living,” DeSantis said. “We are respecting people’s individual freedom in this state.”
Governor DeSantis (R) sees the passing of the new laws as a political victory. But even though the laws are now in place, they aren’t quite what DeSantis had originally wanted. He had pushed Florida lawmakers for more protection and received backing from supporters who testified during committee hearings.
DeSantis called a special session during which to pass the bills. That move has been met with criticism from Democrats who call the session “political theater” and feel it was done to boost DeSantis’s efforts toward re-election in 2022. They also feel that DeSantis’s decision to call the special session and pass the bills into law is also an attempt on the part of the Florida governor to prop him up for a possible 2024 Presidential run.
The main part of the four-part law, called HB1B, strikes down vaccine mandates on employees by any local government entity in Florida. Private businesses are not wholly exempt from the reach of the bill, as it requires that even those employers to include exemption status for employees who refuse the vaccine because of religious or medical reasons. Under the new law, employees in Florida who have previously contracted COVID-19 are also exempt from vaccine mandates, as are those employees who agree to, and comply with, routine testing for the virus and also wear personal protective equipment (i.e., masks, face coverings, etc.).
“No nurse, no firefighter, no police officer, no trucker–no anybody–should lose their job because of these COVID jabs,” DeSantis said just before signing the bills into law this morning, referring to vaccinations as “jabs,” as he has been doing lately.
Disney mandated vaccines for its executive employees toward the end of the summer and then struck a deal with unionized Cast Members who work at the Walt Disney World Resort that would require those hourly workers to be fully vaccinated by October 22 or face the possibility of termination. Because Disney is a private employer–the largest in the Sunshine State, too–the law doesn’t change much for the entertainment giant.
But Florida HB1B does now make it a legal requirement for Disney and other private employers in Florida to allow for push-back from employees who cite religious reasons and/or medical inability to receive the vaccine as their reasons for refusing to have the–as DeSantis calls it–“jab.”
The new law was passed with seemingly little consideration for the fact that more than 60,000 Floridians have died from novel coronavirus infections since the pandemic began in early 2020. At this time, nearly 61% of Florida residents are fully vaccinated.
There’s EARidescent magic to be discovered in every corner of the Walt Disney World Resort during the 50th anniversary celebration. And today, our “Everything 50th” series continues with a look at exciting experiences – now and in the future – at Disney Water Parks, runDisney events and more!
Right now, dazzling 50th anniversary celebration decorations and magical touches can be seen throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. Disney teams have created decor that shimmers and sparkles all day and into the night.
There are also new, delicious 50th anniversary menu items at Walt Disney World Resort – many inspired by Walt’s favorite dishes. At Disney’s Water Parks, celebratory treats are available now and in the future at several locations:
Avalunch at Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park (Snack Shack at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park when reopened)
Loaded Nachos with Walt’s Chili – This classic treat is upgraded for the 50th anniversary celebration and features Walt’s favorite chili atop a bed of house fried tortillas, cheese guacamole, shredded lettuce, tomato, onion, sour cream and jalapeno.
I.C. Expeditions at Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park (Happy Landings at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park when reopened)
EARidescent Ice Dream Cone – Birthday cake-flavored soft serve ice cream cone served up with EARidescent accents to celebrate 50 years of Walt’s dreams that turned into reality.
And at Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park, Guests will find a new version of our collectible and refillable mugs featuring a giant 50 for the celebration! The mug design includes creative art highlighting Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck with Goofy skiing hijinks in the background and can be found at different locations, including Beach Haus, Lotta Wotta Lodge and Cooling Hut. At Typhoon Lagoon, special 50th mugs will be available at Singapore Sal’s and High & Dry.
From Disney’s Water Parks to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and across the Resort, our legendary Cast Members are the heart of this once-in-a-lifetime celebration and they’re eager to share a little bit of their world during this special time.
Smiling Cast Members are easy to spot, wearing special nametags with the 50th anniversary castle logo above each cast member’s name, along with gold accents and a touch of pixie dust.
The magic is also calling all runners to become part of something special at runDisney events during The World’s Most Magical Celebration.
For runDisney 2022 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, Jan. 5-9, 2022, participants will run through the magic and stories of Walt Disney World Resort. And they’ll have the opportunity for amazing 50th anniversary celebration views during runs near our breathtaking Beacons of Magic!
Mickey Mouse and other favorite characters will be wearing their shimmering EARidsecent best during the race weekend as well. Marathon Weekend will feature amazing entertainment and unique commemorative finisher medals glowing with EARidesence.
Also, during the magic of the Walt Disney World Resort 50th anniversary celebration, the 2022 Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend presented by CORKCICLE will have participants running into the magic on Feb. 24-27, 2022. This event will feature events for all skill levels, coveted regal medals inspired by the 50th anniversary celebration, special merchandise, celebratory treats and other surprises.
Reservations are now open for Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, the first-of-its-kind, two-night immersive vacation experience in a galaxy far, far away. Debuting March 1, 2022, at Walt Disney World Resort, this Star Wars adventure will make Guests the hero of their own story as they tour the galaxy aboard the glamorous Halcyon starcruiser.
Throughout their voyage, Guests will see, feel and live Star Wars, which includes the possibility of meeting heroes of the Resistance like Rey and Chewbacca, or encountering the malevolent Kylo Ren of the First Order. But the starcruiser also brings with it a host of characters new to the Star Wars galaxy, created especially for this experience.
Let’s meet a few of them for the first time!
Captain Riyola Keevan
Charismatic, respected and trustworthy, Captain Keevan will lead Guests’ voyage aboard the Halcyon starcruiser. She is a strong and decisive leader, endearing herself to both her crew and her passengers by being fair to all and cool under pressure – a skill she’s learned from her … “adventurous” history. Guests will likely find the captain on the ship’s bridge – and they’d be wise to listen carefully and follow her instructions.
Cruise Director Lenka Mok
There is much fun to be had aboard the starcruiser, and Lenka Mok is Guests’ go-to crew member to discover it all. As the captain’s right hand, Mok is in charge of onboard entertainment, so it’s her job to make sure every voyage is an adventure. An optimistic and joyful soul, Mok’s happiness is derived from Guests, so this is definitely someone they’ll want to meet!
SK-62O
This astromech droid is Mok’s assistant cruise director, ensuring things run smoothly and on time. He keeps an eye on all the workings of the ship and is devoted to Mok and Captain Keevan. And while he loves to have fun with guests, he’s also good in a pinch if anything should go awry (one of his many hidden talents).
Sammie the Mechanic
Sammie’s proficiency as the ship’s new mechanic is actually not his most endearing feature. His enthusiasm and good-natured personality quickly won over the starcruiser’s crew and that makes him popular among guests who happen across his path. He’s clearly eager to prove himself on such a well-appointed vessel, and his tasks always seem to get done … somehow.
D3-O9
D3-O9 is another droid Guests may see appear on viewscreens onboard the Halcyon starcruiser. Her primary responsibility is running ship logistics, so she certainly knows everyone and everything happening onboard during a voyage. But her favorite part of the job is talking with passengers. Built centuries ago by Chandrila Star Line’s founder, D3 has seen the ship’s history – and the entire galaxy – evolve, and she’s not shy about sharing her knowledge and opinions with passengers.
First Order Lt. Harman Croy
While the Halcyon starcruiser is a pleasure vessel, this is a stormy time in the galaxy as battles rage between the First Order and the Resistance – and it’s often impossible to avoid the conflict. The ambitious and intimidating Lt. Croy is on special assignment to root out and expose any Resistance fighters who are rumored to be aboard the ship. Will you help him? Will you support the Resistance? Will you just sit back and see how the whole thing plays out? The choice is yours.
We’ll have much more on Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser as we prepare for its debut in March, so keep following along with us here for all the goings-on from that galaxy far, far away.
