Disney Character Goes Viral After Chaotic Interaction

There’s no doubt that Disney characters are a big part of the magic of the Disney Parks. Guests are able to see some of their favorite characters come to life and have some amazing interactions with them.

However, every interaction is different, especially depending on the character. Some can be more graceful and refined, like meeting the princesses, some can be more magical, like Mickey and Minnie, and some can downright chaotic, like Goofy, Donald, or Wendell.

Pluto and Goofy outside Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Wendell is one of the bears from the Country Bear Jamboree at Walt Disney World, best known for singing “Mama Don’t Whoop Little Buford” and playing the banjo. He’s one of the few bears that also meet and greet Guests, along with Liver Lips, Shaker, and Big Al. Guests can see the bears out and about in Frontierland near Country Bear Hall, typically on top of the building, but they also come down and can be seen dancing with Guests during the Frontierland Hoedown.

A recent Magic Kingdom Guest, @Ryan_FTLOTP, captured a hilarious video of Wendell really getting into the music from the “Festival of Fantasy” parade. In a second video, Ryan shows another clip where Wendell is jumping around and starts fist pumping, with a Guest in the background moving right along with him.

The comments are full of people cracking up over the videos, “there’s a reason he’s my favorite and this is it,” says @magicallifewem. “Wendell has brought me so much joy these past couple days. He GETS me,” chimes in @JellyKa625. “Wendell bouta open up that pit,” jokes @twisted_tater.

It’s always a treat to see characters that are able to be a little more chaotic, to see them enjoying or expressing themselves in a way that characters like the princesses might not be able to. And for characters like Wendell, it’s not even technically out of character, making it all the funnier for those experiencing the moment.

Details Announced for 2024 Return of Disney Dining Plans at Walt Disney World

On the heels of announcing the return of Disney Dining Plans in 2024, more details have been revealed. There will be two options: the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan and the Disney Dining Plan.

Disney Quick Service Dining Plan

What’s Included

Everyone in the travel party (ages 3 and up) will receive 2 Quick-Service meals per night and 1 snack/nonalcoholic drink per night of their package stay* — along with 1 Resort-refillable drink mug**. Meals and snacks can be redeemed at any time during the stay.

*Specific number of meals and snacks is determined by the number of nights included in the package stay. Meals and snacks can be redeemed at any time during your stay. Unused meals and snacks will roll over day to day and expire at midnight on day of checkout. Meals and snacks are nontransferable between party members.

**Resort-refillable mugs are eligible for refills from self-service beverage islands at any Disney Resort hotel Quick-Service location.

Important Information

  • Beverages are included with each meal. Guests under 21 years of age may choose from a variety of nonalcoholic beverages. Guests 21 and older with valid identification may substitute for beer, wine, and cocktails.
  • Guests age 3 to 9 must order from a children’s menu, where available.
  • Plan must be purchased for entire length of stay and for the entire party (ages 3 and up).

Dine and Snack at Your Own Pace

Remember, meals and snacks can be redeemed at any time during your stay.

For example, if you book a 4-night package with a Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan, each guest (ages 3 and up) in your party would receive 8 Quick-Service meals and 4 Snacks or Nonalcoholic Beverages — which can be used at any time during your 4-night stay.

Disney Dining Plan

What’s Included

Everyone in the travel party (ages 3 and up) will receive 1 Table-Service meal per night, 1 Quick-Service meal per night, and 1 snack/nonalcoholic drink per night of their package stay* — along with 1 Resort-refillable drink mug**. Meals and snacks can be redeemed at any time during the stay.

*Specific number of meals and snacks is determined by the number of nights included in the package stay. Meals and snacks can be redeemed at any time during your stay. Unused meals and snacks will roll over day to day and expire at midnight on day of checkout. Meals and snacks are nontransferable between party members.

**Resort-refillable mugs are eligible for refills from self-service beverage islands at any Disney Resort hotel Quick-Service location.

Important Information

  • Beverages are included with each meal. Guests under 21 years of age may choose from a variety of nonalcoholic beverages. Guests 21 and older with valid identification may substitute for beer, wine, and cocktails.
  • Guests age 3 to 9 must order from a children’s menu, where available.
  • Plan must be purchased for entire length of stay and for the entire party (ages 3 and up).

Dine and Snack at Your Own Pace

Remember, meals and snacks can be redeemed at any time during your stay.

For example, if you book a 4-night package with a Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan, each guest (ages 3 and up) in your party would receive 8 Quick-Service meals and 4 Snacks or Nonalcoholic Beverages — which can be used at any time during your 4-night stay.

Disney Dining Plan

What’s Included

Everyone in the travel party (ages 3 and up) will receive 1 Table-Service meal per night, 1 Quick-Service meal per night, and 1 snack/nonalcoholic drink per night of their package stay* — along with 1 Resort-refillable drink mug**. Meals and snacks can be redeemed at any time during the stay.

Disney Is Finally Doing Away With Park Reservation Requirements!

By far, one of the most confusing and inconvenient aspects of a Walt Disney World vacation is making a Park Reservation. Not only do Guests have to purchase a dated ticket, but they also have to check theme Park Reservation availability to ensure they don’t purchase a ticket they cannot use.

For many Guests, it’s simply an extra step in the process. An extra confusing step. This practice was first introduced during the pandemic in an attempt to keep Disney Park availability at half capacity, keeping excursions to Walt Disney World Resort as safe as possible.

Ever since the practice was adopted during the pandemic, Guests have been waiting for Walt Disney World Resort to finally drop it, but to no avail.

But today, Disney news reveals that the Walt Disney Company has finally made the ultimate decision to retire the theme Park Reservation requirement!

Beginning on January 9th, 2024, Guests purchasing date-based tickets will no longer require a Park Reservation. That means any date-based Park ticket (as in, the standard Park ticket option) beginning on January 9th, 2024, or later will not require a Park Reservation.

However, non-dated Park ticket events may still require a Park Reservation in order to keep track of attendance.

guests with mickey mouse

As if this Disney news could get even more exciting, Walt Disney World Resort bookings for 2024 begin at the end of the month on May 31, so Guests can begin planning right away.

Plan the ultimate Disney vacation without the pesky Park Reservation system in your way starting May 31st, creating a more convenient and streamlined process!

Disney World Guest

For more information on this exciting update, check out Disney’s official announcement.

Police Dispatched to Magic Kingdom, Character Under Investigation

Via DisDining.com

Police were dispatched to Walt Disney World Resort following an incident that led to a character being under investigation.

When visiting Disney World, Guests are treated to all kinds of immersive and fun activities. From classic attractions to entertainment offerings to dining experiences, there’s something for everyone to enjoy when visiting the Disney Parks & Resorts.

Of course, one of the most popular activities– outside of rides– that Disney World Guests enjoy is meeting their favorite characters in meet-and-greets. Disney World has an unmatched number of characters throughout the day in its Parks, ready to meet Guests. Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto, Goofy, and Daisy Duck, as well as many others, including your favorite Disney princesses, Pixar pals, and animated heroes. When visiting characters, Disney Park Guests can get photos– which can be downloaded on Disney PhotoPass— and spend time sharing a few words with them.

While many of these meet-and-greets produce the best family photos, it seems that one did not go as many would have wanted. As a matter of fact, it resulted in the police being called to the scene.

Disneyland

Florida Politics’ Gabrielle Russo was the first to report that Orange County Sheriff’s Office was called to Magic Kingdom Park to investigate Tigger after an alleged incident at the Crystal Palace Restaurant in the Disney Park. A 40-year-old travel agent and the travel agency’s owner filed a complaint against Tigger after they shared they believed the Disney character was “acting off.” The agency owner said she saw Tigger’s hand slide down and touch the 40-year-old’s rear end and make a laughing gesture. She captured the moment on video, according to the report.

“As she goes to take the picture, Tigger’s hand comes off of her shoulder, almost at falling speed. His arm goes in the direction of her buttocks but from the angle of the video it’s not completely clear if he touches her buttocks as his arm falls,” the report said.

The two wanted Tigger to be prosecuted, but after an investigation, the Orange County Sheriff Department ruled in favor of Tigger, who remains nameless because he was not charged with any crime.

The 22-year-old said he “cannot see anything below the upper chest level while looking straight, and cannot see anything beyond approximately 30 degrees on either side of him.”

One character attendant described the travel agent as “handsy.”

“They kept touching his tail and making inappropriate comments. Upon getting to table 36 Tigger was bouncing and dancing and having fun with the Guests,” the report said.

This, unfortunately, isn’t the first time that the police have been dispatched to any of the Disney Parks, including Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and EPCOT. One of the most prominent incidents happened last year when families brawled inside Fantasyland in the shadows of Cinderella Castle. Of course, in that case, several arrests were made.

Disney Pressured to End Genie+ and Lightning Lane

Disneyland Guests are outraged over the treatment for Guests using Disney Genie+ and Lighting Lane.

Disneyland Resort, known as “The Happiest Place on Earth,” is a popular tourist location seeing thousands of Guests daily. Disneyland is home to two theme parks: Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. Each Disney Park includes something for Guests of all ages and sizes to experience. Being this popular, Disneyland has made it where Guests can purchase Genie + or Lighting Lanes for attractions.

At Disneyland, there are two main ways to experience an attraction: the “Lightning Lane” and the “Standby Line.” The Lightning Lane is a new paid service that allows Guests to bypass the traditional standby line and access rides more quickly. Disney Guests can either purchase Genie +, which includes Lightning Lane or Guests can just purchase Individual Lighting Lane for certain Disneyland attractions.

The Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lane services work by allowing Disney Park Guests to make reservations for certain attractions in advance. These reservations can be made using the Disneyland app or at kiosks located throughout the theme park. Guests who have made a reservation for an attraction using Lightning Lane can bypass the standby line and use a separate entrance to access the attraction. Prices for the service vary based on the time of day and the popularity of the attraction. It should also be noted that you’re not guaranteed to be able to book a time to ride your favorite attractions as reservations can go quickly, especially for popular rides.

While Guests who chose to use the Standby Line, which is the traditional queue, may wait longer than those who are going through the Lightning Lane, there are no extra fees. But, it seems that Disney is facing some pressure from Guests who are upset with the service.

In a social media post, many have started to get angry with the treatment of Guests using the Lighting Lane instead of the regular Standby Line. In this post, Guests were waiting for a popular Disneyland attraction and they say the line was moving slowly. Though the regular wait time said 105 minutes, this Guest waited over two hours. When they got to the front, the Disney Cast Member was reportedly only allowing four Standby Line Guests to go at a time, filling the rest of the space with Lightning Lane Guests.

“Yesterday I noticed when we were in line for Guardians at DCA the line was moving rather slowly. Estimate was 105 min but it ended up being over 2 hours. As we made it into the front before preshow I saw the CM could only let 4 standby guests at a time MAX into the room, the rest was full of LL. Does anyone know why? (I get LL has priority) Preferably a CM explain it. I am honestly just curious because I never noticed it to be like that?”

Genie+ Guests

While Lighting Lane or Genie + does not mean you will be at the front of the line ,Guests who purchase will have an advantage over Standby Line, allowing them to pick a certain time and get on the attractions faster. Though many Guests have called for Genie+ to come to an end, it would seem that the controversial system is here to stay.