Judge Puts a Wrench in DeSantis’ Plans Against Disney

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

An important update has arrived regarding the ongoing legal battle between Governor Ron DeSantis and the Walt Disney Company.

If you follow Florida politics, it has been impossible to ignore the absolute mayhem that is the situation with the Reedy Creek Improvement District. It all started when Florida Governor Ron DeSantis proposed legislation that would affect the powers of special districts like the Reedy Creek Improvement District. The district was initially created by Walt Disney himself in the 1960s to give his company control over the development of the Walt Disney World Resort.

Disney is the largest taxpayer and explorer in the state of Florida, making it a sizeable threat to the Governor. Nevertheless, DeSantis has continued to fight back against Disney, thus drawing national attention to Orlando politics.

Ron DeSantis

While Disney fans and central Floridians have been aware of the squabble for a while, the situation became a national headline after it was announced that the Walt Disney Company would be seeing Ron DeSantis. The whole world has tuned in to see what will come of this high-profile lawsuit, which has elevated stakes due to the fact that DeSantis is a possible candidate for the Republican Party in the coming election.

Last week, DeSantis shocked the public when he filed a motion to disqualify the Judge assigned to the lawsuit. The Judge in question is Mark E. Walker, and DeSantis wants him removed because his “impartiality in this matter might reasonably be questioned.”

Just yesterday, a proposed briefing schedule and “forthcoming motions to dismiss” were revealed. Now, the judge has said that the court “will take no action.”

Bob Iger The Walt Disney Company CEO BuzzFeed Deal

This decision is because the Judge had determined that no further action could be made until it was figured out what would come from DeSantis’ wish to disqualify the judge. Judge Walker explained that “This court will take no action, scheduling or otherwise, in this case until it rules on the ending motion for disqualification.”

It will be fascinating to see what comes of this case once it is revealed if the Judge will be dismissed or now.

Guest Fractures Leg in Disney World, Multiple Injuries Reported

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

A new report shares details regarding several incidents that happened at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.

A trip to the Walt Disney World Resort is supposed to be filled with magic and fun, with exciting adventures hiding around every corner. From Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios to EPCOT and Animal Kingdom, Guests will find dozens of amazing rides, attractions, roller coasters, dark rides, and live entertainment offerings at Walt Disney World.

Guests can also explore two amazing theme parks as well as Disney Springs, Disney World’s massive shopping and dining center.

However, like any theme park, accidents are bound to happen, even at “The Most Magical Place on Earth.”

According to a new report, several Guests experience health concerns while visiting Walt Disney World in the first few months of 2023.

Florida’s biggest theme parks, which include places like the Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World Resorts as well as SeaWorld and LEGOLAND, are required to self-report Guests’ injuries when they are hurt on rides and attractions and hospitalized for at least 24 hours after their injury.

Between January 5, and March 29, a total of four different Guests reported various health concerns after experiencing attractions at the Resort.

In January, a Guest experienced a cardiac event while riding Pirates of the Caribbean at Magic Kingdom.

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In February, a 72-year-old Guest with a pre-existing condition had a stroke-like symptom after riding Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Later in February, a Guest felt disoriented after riding Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

In March, a 67-year-old Guest fell and fractured their leg after disembarking The Seas with Nemo & Friends at EPCOT.

Disneyland Paris Cast Members Go on Strike, Parks May Be Unable to Open

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Cast Members associated with a local union are set to strike this summer, publicly demonstrating their desire for better pay.

The Disneyland Paris Resort has seen its fair share of controversies recently. Earlier this year, an entire parade was canceled due to Cast Members going on strike at the Resort. Now, Cast Members are once again set to go on strike.

This was recently confirmed by DLP Report on Twitter:

The strike will take place from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and will involve all Cast Members associated with UNSA. The strike could affect the Resort’s opening operations, though only time will tell what this means for the Resort.

Both Walt Disney World and Disneyland have faced similar issues regarding Cast Members wanting higher pay and better working conditions. Cast Members at Walt Disney World recently reached an agreement for higher wages, much like the Universal Orlando Resort did earlier this year.

The Disneyland Paris is located in Chessy, France, and is comprised of two theme parks: Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. At Disneyland Park, Guests will find classic theme park rides and attractions. At Walt Disney Studios, Guests will find more intense and intellectual property (IP)-based adventures.

The most recent addition to the European Resort can be found at this Park in the form of Avengers Campus. This Marvel-focused area allows Guests to get up close and personal with their favorite Marvel characters like Iron Man, Black Widow, Spider-Man, and Thor.

Avengers Campus can also be found at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, and has proven to be popular among fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Recent Statement from Disney Sounds Like It’s Curtains for “Fantasmic!”

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Hollywood Studios

Fantasmic! is one of the most beloved shows in Disney Parks. With shows at Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World, and soon, Disneyland Paris, it’s also one of the most popular. Fantasmic! originally opened at Disneyland in 1992, and Disney World followed soon after in 1998. In 2011, it opened at Tokyo DisneySea but went dark for good in March 2020. This December,  it will open at Disneyland Paris as part of the Disney100 celebration.

The show follows Mickey into his dream world, where he is sucked into the magic mirror and sees his dreams turn to nightmares as he must battle evil villains. The biggest, baddest villain of them all? Maleficent, who, as a dragon, breathes fire and puts up a ferocious fight. 

Maleficent dragon fire fantasmic! disneyland

Credit: CNN

Not long ago, the Maleficent animatronic dragon caught fire at Disneyland. The fire raged as the theater was evacuated. Thankfully no one was hurt, but Disney recognized that someone could have been seriously injured. The fire could’ve turned absolutely tragic if not for the quick thinking of Cast Members both on stage and behind the scenes.

The show has been on hiatus since the fire in April. Out of “an abundance of caution,” Walt Disney World’s Maleficent dragon suspended its fire-breathing effect in the Festival of Fantasy parade. As of the time of this publication, that effect is now back.

It seems, however, that  Disneyland’s Fantasmic! will be unavailable for the long term. Disney released a statement on Friday, saying that the show will be paused until at least Labor Day. “Cast Members have been notified, and teams are working to support their next steps, such as re-deployment and cross-training opportunities,” Disney officials said. 

Disneyland’s website also includes a message to Guests explaining that the Park is “working hard to assess when we can bring back an adjusted show as quickly and safely as possible.”

Could this disaster be the death knell for Fantasmic! at Disneyland? It seems likely. With Cast Members being redeployed (sent to other locations), it seems likely this is truly the end of the Guest-favorite nighttime experience. Disney’s statement also seems to point to the show’s demise. 

While at the moment Disney is saying the alternative offerings are temporary, it would not surprise us to soon see a brand-new experience take its place permanently. Here’s hoping Mickey’s nightmare doesn’t become a reality.

Gov. DeSantis Questions Impartiality in Disney Case, Files New Motion

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

Via InsideTheMagic.net

As the legal battle between The Walt Disney Company and Ron DeSantis continues, the Florida Governor’s team has filed a new motion, questioning the impartiality of the Court in the case.

Florida has become the battlefield for one of the most discussed conflicts of the last years, with Ron DeSantis and The Walt Disney Company embroiled in a year-long battle over the Reedy Creek Improvement District that has forced Disney to take drastic actions across the company, including canceling million-dollar projects in Florida, and caused fear among fans, questioning if visiting Walt Disney World Resort is safe given the latest developments.

And as the conflict continues and lawsuits fly back and forth among both parties, it seems like the Florida Governor’s legal team fears that The Walt Disney Company may get the upper hand, as they have filed a new motion to disqualify Chief Judge Mark E. Walker in the case against Disney, arguing that “the Court’s impartiality in this matter might reasonably be questioned.”

Journalist Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin), who tweets about theme parks, entertainment, “and some politics,” shared the motion through his Twitter account.

DeSantis’ legal team argues that the Court — Chief Judge Mark E. Walker — has previously made remarks implying that DeSantis is trying to retaliate against Disney “based on Disney’s viewpoints” and could “reasonably imply that the Court has prejudged the retaliation question here.”

The motion cites two unrelated cases in which Disney has been brought up, including comments regarding “[Taking] away Disney’s special status because they’re woke,” and suggests that “the Court should recuse itself and order that the case be reassigned to another judge.” You can read the filing here.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis giving a conference in front of the United States flag