ABC’s ‘American Idol’ Returns to Aulani Resort

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

We are thrilled to share that ABC’s “American Idol” is returning to Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa!

After earning the chance to become the next American Idol, contestants will travel to Hawaii to sharpen their vocal skills with the help of celebrity mentors and showcase their talents in a concert along the breathtaking shores of Aulani Resort.

But all work and no play is nearly impossible when you’re in Hawai‘i! Between coaching sessions and performances, the contestants will enjoy all the extraordinary experiences the Aulani Resort has to offer, from soaking up the sun in the Waikolohe Valley pool area to dining on island cuisine – and of course, indulging on Mickey Shave Ice! 

The episode will also feature the American Idol all-star judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, along with Emmy-winning producer and host Ryan Seacrest, and celebrity mentors.

The 21st season of ABC’s “American Idol” premieres on Sunday, February 19, (8:00-10:00 p.m. EST). Stay tuned every week to catch the two episodes filmed at Aulani Resort, and see contestants enjoy a family paradise with a touch of Disney magic.

Walt Disney Imagineer Finds Missing Snow White Animatronic

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

Via DisDining.com

Walt Disney Imagineering recently rediscovered a Snow White audio-animatronic that has been missing since the 1990s.

Now, Disney Parks will display the sculpted figure in a new exhibit honoring Walt Disney Animation Studios’ history as part of its Disney100 anniversary celebration. Since the beginning of Disneyland Park at WED Enterprises in 1955, Disney Imagineers have utilized special skills to transfer some of Disney fans’ favorite cinematic characters and settings to real-life counterparts at theme parks worldwide.

In fact, The Disney Gallery Presents: Disney 100 Years of Wonder exhibition, which recently opened, will display more than a hundred art pieces used in creating classic Disney films and 3D models, which form the foundation for their transformation from the screen to attraction, or attraction to the screen.

Moreover, the exhibition as assembled by Walt Disney Imagineering’s Executive Creative Director Kim Irvine, is the largest ever featured in the Main Street, U.S.A. gallery and extends to the entrance of The Disneyland Story presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. Kim’s parents both have famous ties to the Walt Disney Company, and artwork from her father Harvey Toombs’ career as an animator on films like Dumbo (1941) features in the exhibit, along with an original animator’s desk and storyboards provided by the Walt Disney Archives.

If Harvey’s name sounds familiar, it’s likely because his wife and Kim’s mother, Leota Toombs, was integral to the creation of the original Haunted Mansion, even serving as the facial model for Madame Leota! The exhibit also focuses on Disneyland’s opening day history with an episode of The Wonderful World of Disney, its contributions to animation via a multiplane camera model, and a new piano version of “When you Wish Upon a Star.”

However, the piece Creative Development manager Dave Caranci was most excited about is a rediscovered sculpt of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)  Old Hag/Evil Queen, which he has searched for going on three years. Allegedly, the figure of the caged witch once found in shops across Main Street and Fantasyland between the 1980s and ’90s went missing towards the end of the 20th century, only for Caranci and Irvine to find her a few months ago while touring a company warehouse.

Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs | Disney+

Caranci told Disney Parks Blog, “We know our Guests are going to be as excited to see her as we were,” which any visitor with valid Park admission and same-day reservation can do during the yearlong 100 Years of Wonder Celebration at the Disneyland Resort!

Disney CEO Bob Iger Announces Workforce Reduction of 7,000 Jobs

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

At 4:30 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday, the Walt Disney Company broadcasted a live audio earnings call, during which the first fiscal quarter of the 2023 fiscal year was discussed.

During this call, CEO Bob Iger revealed that the Walt Disney Company would experience a workforce reduction of 7,000 jobs, despite earnings that exceeded Wall Street’s expectations.

A reduction of this size effectively removes a little over 3% of the Walt Disney Company’s entire workforce (which consists of approximately 220,000 as of 2022). This massive workforce reduction is in an attempt to cut costs.

To put it plainly, Disney CEO Bob Iger has announced that 7,000 jobs will be cut in order to save billions of dollars. Specifically, the Walt Disney Company is attempting to earn cost savings of $5.5 billion. Of that $5.5 billion, it’s been confirmed that $2.5 billion are being allocated into “non-content costs,” according to Bob Iger. At this time, that’s as specific as the Walt Disney Company has been regarding the “non-content costs” themselves.

Immediately after making the announcement, Disney CEO Bob Iger claimed he did not make the decision to lay off 7,000 employees lightly, saying, “I have enormous respect and appreciation for the dedication of our employees worldwide.”

At this time, we are unsure which branch will be affected by the massive number of job cuts. However, in the fall of 2022, former Disney CEO Bob Chapek had also announced job cuts and had even hinted that more would be coming in the future. It seems that Bob Iger confirmed this during Wednesday’s earnings call.

Bob Iger and Bob Chapek

Although we are unsure of which departments of the Walt Disney Company will take the hardest hits as far as workforce reductions go, we do know that Bob Iger is focused on reorganizing the company into three specific segments: two different entertainment units (one focusing on streaming, film, and TV, and one ESPN segment focused on sports), and one unit focused on Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products.

State of Florida Saves An Original Piece of Disney World Slated for Demolition

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

Florida lawmakers filed a bill on Monday that will save an original piece of the Walt Disney World Resort, which was scheduled for demolition, though it will be given a new name.

During a special session on Monday, Gov. Ron DeSantis and lawmakers in the Sunshine State introduced House Bill 9B, which, if passed, will keep intact an original part of Disney World, originally incepted by Walt Disney and his brother Roy Disney in 1967.

House Bill 9B is titled the “Reedy Creek Improvement District, Orange and Osceola Counties.” The bill was filed on Monday during the special session that was called to determine the fate of Disney World’s special tax district, which gives the Central Florida parks the ability to self-govern.

The district had been in jeopardy of being dissolved completely following the passing of a statute in April 2022 by the Florida legislature that would end all special districts formed in Florida before 1968.

“I am announcing today that we are expanding the call of what they are going to be considering,” Governor Ron DeSantis said in a press conference in April. “Yes, they will be considering the congressional map, but they also will be considering termination of all special districts that were enacted in Florida prior to 1968, and that includes [Disney’s] Reedy Creek Improvement District.”

DeSantis went on to say that he “[doesn’t] support special privileges in law just because a company is powerful” and that Disney had “been able to wield a lot of power.”

House Bill 9B is lengthy, but the biggest part of the takeaway so far is that if it’s passed, Gov. DeSantis will appoint board members himself to oversee the activities of the Reedy Creek special district. The bill also calls for the renaming of the district to “The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.”

Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District has the authority and responsibilities assigned to any county government, and its jurisdiction lies in both Orange and Osceola Counties. The district’s jurisdiction includes the cities of Bay Lake, Florida, and Lake Buena Vista, Florida, as well as unincorporated Reedy Creek land.

For more information on the bill, click here.

Union Cast Members Respond to Disney’s Offer

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining, Disney Parks, Disney Resorts, Uncategorized

Disney and the Union that represents most Cast Members (STCU) have been at odds since last October. The Union argues that Cast Members deserve $20 per hour. Disney has said “ok, but not yet” and offered a raise of $1 per hour each year until they get to $20 per hour. The Union, which represents more than 32,000 Cast Members, has expressed its displeasure in the offer but the final decision ultimately rested in the hands of the Cast Members they represent.

It seems as though they spoken. In a recent vote, Disney Cast Members have overwhelmingly (96%) rejected Disney’s latest offer. Matt Hollis, president of the Service Trades Council Union, said “Disney can do better and must do better.” Currently starting pay for Disney workers is $15 per hour, $4 above Florida’s minimum wage.

Union Disney negotiations

Disney responded to the vote in question statement saying, “it was a strong offer that would provide more than 30,000 employees a nearly 10 percent on average raise immediately, as well as retroactive increased pay in their paychecks, and we are disappointed that those increases will now be delayed.” Disney made an operating profit of $12 billion dollars last year.

The Unions argue Disney should have offered a $3 per hour increase, raising most wages to $18 per hour with a $1 per hour increase annually over the next two years. The STCU has already successfully negotiated this same deal for employees at the Orange County Convention Center.

Disney union negotiations

Negotiations between Disney and the Union will resume again soon. Until then, many have worried that the Cast Members could decide to strike in order to force Disney’s hand. This is unlikely. Since the Union contract expired in October, the contract between the Union and Walt Disney World has been month to month with specific clauses that prevent striking. To do so would be breach of contract and possibly result in job loss and stall negotiations.

The Union could decide not to renew their month to month agreement in order to strike but this is also unlikely. Even if they did do this, members of the union (Disney Cast Members) would still need to vote to approve a strike. It seems unlikely many Cast Members would vote for a move that meant they’d go without pay for an extended period of time. It is possible though that a strike could happen. This would be catastrophic for Disney’s operations since the Union members encompass ride operators, costumed performers, housekeepers, restaurant and shop employees, bus drivers, as well as custodians.

Stay tuned. This is an ongoing story and we will be sure to bring you updates as they happen. We expect negotiations to resume within the month.