Mickey Mouse is undeniably one of the most famous and iconic characters of all time. From the original Walt Disney cartoons to his daily hilarities at Disney Parks worldwide, Mickey Mouse has successfully charmed the hearts of millions. For many Disney fans, seeing Mickey Mouse on TV was one of their first introductions to the magic of Disney.
Now, a whole new generation will get to experience that sensation in a whole new way.
Many of today’s Disney adults grew up (or watched their children grow up) watching the iconic show Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. This adorable children’s program aired from 2006 until 2016 and was widely successful amongst its audience on Disney Junior.
Now, a new generation of children will grow up watching Mickey Mouse and his fabulous friend group go on adventures. Disney announced the new series, which is tentatively called Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 2.0, earlier today. Disney explains;
“Mickey and pals welcome everyone back to the clubhouse for all-new adventures filled with songs, laughs, handy helping, and fun new surprises.”
The show will give the fab five and their friends a new animation look that is similar but not the same as the original series.
Fans of the original show will be thrilled to know that all of the beloved characters from the original will be returning, plus a new one. Duffy the Disney Bear, Mickey Mouse’s teddy bear, will also be making an appearance in the new series. Duffy is one of Walt Disney’s original characters, so his addition is extremely special for fans.
NEW: Disney announces new episodes of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse arriving in 2025 on Disney Junior and Disney+ will see the addition of Duffy the Disney Bear to the clubhouse crew. pic.twitter.com/UoXZVjsHfH
Public Health systems in Florida once again find themselves scrambling for answers regarding a new viral threat to the state.
“There is nothing so patient, in this world or any other, as a virus searching for a host.” – Mira Grant.
As the majority of Florida is a subtropical climate, that means there’s always going to be standing water. Combined with high humidity and considering that the state is flat (although there are some elevations), it is the perfect environment for pesky pests and life you may not find further north in the United States.
Due to the unique tropical weather in Florida and its high capacity for immigration, it is no stranger to frightening diseases that typically are not a threat to Public Health systems in other places around America. Florida is at high risk for several serious illnesses that aren’t as much of a concern for other states, like Zika Virus, West Nile Virus, and even Leprosy.
Although Florida boasts non-communicable severe health concerns like cancer, infectious disease rates in the state have a strong history, including COVID-19, Yellow Fever, and Spanish Flu. Although residents have learned to live with endemic diseases such as Leprosy, concerns are beginning to heighten as the state’s health officials have noticed an alarming trend regarding a potentially deadly virus. Although the virus in question is self-limiting and carries a mortality rate of less than 1%, it is highly infectious and transmitted by one of Florida’s most prominent and vast forms of wildlife.
As Florida has seen 11 cases of locally acquired Dengue Fever this year, two counties, Broward and Miami-Dade, have been placed under a special mosquito-borne illness alert. Both counties have seen five patients who have acquired the disease at home in less than a month, creating concern for Public Health officials. In addition, 204 travel-associated cases of Dengue Fever have been identified.
Dengue Fever is the disease process caused by four Flaviviridae viruses (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4). The virus, which is relatively similar to West Nile, tick-borne encephalitis, and Yellow Fever, is capable of causing severe illnesses such as Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever and Dengue Shock Syndrome.
Like other disease family members, the viral agent that causes Dengue Fever is considered zoonotic and vector-borne, as the disease-causing agent is transmitted through the bite of female A. aegypti and A. albopictus. As Florida has a hot, humid, and wet climate, mosquitos are an everyday occurrence in urban areas, placing the state at increased risk for these types of transmitted diseases despite the fact they are typically endemic to the Pacific Islands, South America, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean.
Although Dengue Fever does not always cause symptoms, they typically begin after 4-10 days of incubation. Like the flu, Dengue causes headaches, fever, rashes, body aches, and nausea. Symptoms can be mild or extreme depending on the infected person’s behaviors and health history. According to the World Health Organization, Dengue symptoms can last 2-7 days. Although not typically fatal, with a mortality rate of less than 1%, severe Dengue, a lethal complication that may arise after infection, has a profound impact and is cause for concern to Public Health institutions.
Treatments typically vary based on the location of the infected individual. Reported Dengue Fever cases are estimated at around 50-100 million a year. However, many of these people reside in third-world countries that lack adequate health systems capable of managing and treating the disease. In addition, there is no vaccination or special medication response specific to Dengue Fever.
Treatment of the viral infection is limited to ensuring symptoms do not escalate to dangerous levels, very much like the flu. Treatments include rest, fluids, managing nausea, as well as using Paracetamol to bring down fevers and relieve pain in aching joints.
Eleven cases don’t necessarily sound like something of significance. However, considering that Dengue Fever is not endemic to the state of Florida, meaning it doesn’t regularly occur here, concern from Public Health officials is warranted. It is challenging to predict how a population will handle a virus if their immune systems have never been exposed to it.
Another consideration is that Dengue is not transmitted by human contact or aerosol. Instead, it’s contracted by female mosquitos, meaning that infected mosquitos are making their way into the state and infecting others.
What does this mean for guests at Walt Disney World?
The honest answer is nothing yet. The counties in question are a few hours away from Orlando and Walt Disney World, but infected mosquitos can still travel that distance. In fact, there have been cases reported as far as Texas and Arizona this year. Luckily for Disney World Guests, the giant Resort takes threats to Public Health seriously by maintaining a strict cleaning schedule around its parks.
Disney also does a fantastic job of controlling mosquito populations on its property by enlisting the help of their Mosquito Surveillance Program. If there is any concern about Disney World’s capability to handle and monitor potential epidemics and pandemics while maintaining guest safety, one should look no further to their response to COVID-19.
Walt Disney World faced its longest shutdown ever just a few short years ago when COVID-19 rocked the world.
Upon reopening in 2020, Disney World took the necessary precautions needed to ensure guests could return to their parks as safely as possible. Restrictions on crowd levels were put into place, mandatory masks were required, health screenings were conducted prior to entry into the Parks, and social distancing was enforced to provide a safe place for Guests to escape the pressures of a sick world and still try to find the magic that was left.
Although Florida remained one of the highest levels for disease infection in the country, Walt Disney World did everything within its power to reopen as safely as possible, and although it wasn’t what we were used to, it worked.
Disney learned a lot during the COVID years, but many practices were already in place to ensure that Guests would remain disease-free while in the parks. As Walt Disney World sees millions of guests worldwide each year, the concern and risk for viral infection are high. However, where they can, Disney World does a great job of being proactive against disease-causing agents like mosquitos. In fact, although it may look like you’ll very rarely find standing water on the property at Walt Disney World. Most water at Disney World is flowing. This is by design, as mosquitos lay their eggs in small pools of water left out in the sun.
Disney also employs an exceptional team of healthcare clinicians who can meet sick guests’ needs until they can be transported to appropriate care facilities.
Although a relatively new concern to the State of Florida’s Public Health system, Dengue Fever has been a global concern for a long time. Dengue strands do not promote immunity to other strands of the disease-causing agent, and some research suggests that there may be a fifth version of the virus.
This means that a person can become infected with different strands of Dengue fever several different times, likely resulting in a more severe reaction to the disease, including potential death. Although there have only been 513 total cases in the United States this year, the disease is more widespread in urban and suburban populations. One outbreak in Peru this year resulted in around 400 total deaths, according to the National Center for Epidemiology, Prevention and Control of Diseases. This means that the disease should be taken seriously by guests, residents, and Public Health officials in Florida, despite its low mortality rate.
Walt Disney World Resort is known as “The Most Magical Place on Earth.” Sadly, for this former Cast Member, his last experience was one he would not forget.
Disney World is a popular tourist location, seeing thousands of Guests walking through their Parks daily. With this amount of traffic at the Parks, Disney Cast Members play a crucial role in creating the magical and memorable experiences that Disney World Guests cherish at Disney theme parks and resorts around the world. They are the heart and soul of the Disney experience, bringing to life the enchanting stories, characters, and worlds that have captivated audiences for generations.
Disney World Cast Members are responsible for interacting with Guests in various capacities, such as welcoming them upon arrival, answering questions, providing directions, and ensuring that Guests have a positive and enjoyable experience. Guests will see hundreds of Cast Members throughout the different Parks.
Some Cast Members step into the roles of beloved Disney characters, donning costumes and embodying the personas of characters like Mickey Mouse, Cinderella, Moana, Donald Duck or Buzz Lightyear. They create magical meet-and-greet moments, delighting Guests, young and old. Cast Members also operate and manage the various attractions and rides within the parks. They ensure that Guests are safely seated, provide instructions, and maintain the overall efficiency of the attractions.
Disney World also includes Cast Members that are behind the scenes. These Cast Members work tirelessly to maintain the cleanliness and safety of the Parks, ensuring that every area is in pristine condition for Guests to enjoy. Another overlooked Cast Member’s job is the ones who work in shops, boutiques, and dining establishments within the Parks. Cast Members at these locations assist Guests with purchases, taking food orders, and helping to create a seamless shopping and dining experience.
Working as a Disney Cast Member often involves irregular hours and varied shifts due to the nature of the theme park industry. The Disney Parks are open year-round and operate during weekends, holidays, and extended hours, requiring Cast Members to work flexible schedules. This can be both rewarding and challenging, as it allows for diverse experiences but also demands adaptability.
In a viral TikTok, A former Cast Member talks about putting his two-week notice in. This Cast Member talks about how he was about to graduate college and had finals coming up, so he was hoping to change his schedule around.
This Cast Member decided, with his options being limited, to put in his two-week notice. On his last week, he was working the 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. shift, which is the shift nobody wants to work. This shift reportedly includes deep-cleaning machines and much more.
Finally, this Cast Member was finished and clocked out for the night when he heard a loud bang coming from where he just finished. He and another Cast Member went walking back to see what happened when an older Cast Member, around 50 or 60 years old, was lying on the floor with the credit card machine on top of her. While this woman was on the floor, the only thing she had to say was not to tell anyone this happened.
From his report, it seems she was okay and did not want to report the incident to Disney. While incidents can happen from time to time at Walt Disney World Resort, it is considered very safe and Disney Cast Members are trained to take care of Guests when incidents do arise, which are very rare.
Disney Cast Members work hard each and every day and Guests should remember to be kind to them.
Nestled within the enchanting landscape of the Norway pavilion at Epcot’s World Showcase in Walt Disney World Resort, the Akershus Royal Banquet Hall is a dining destination that offers guests an opportunity to dine like royalty while immersing themselves in the rich culture of Scandinavia.
Stepping into the grand entrance of the Akershus Royal Banquet Hall feels like entering a storybook castle, where fairy tales come to life and dreams are realized. The regal ambiance, complete with ornate chandeliers, majestic tapestries, and intricate woodwork, sets the stage for a culinary journey fit for kings and queens.
While the setting is undeniably impressive, the true star of the experience is the exquisite cuisine. The banquet hall serves as a buffet-style restaurant for breakfast, and for lunch and dinner, it transforms into a character dining experience where Disney princesses grace each table. This unique feature allows guests to meet beloved princesses while savoring the flavors of Nordic cuisine.
Breakfast at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall offers a hearty start to the day with an assortment of classic American breakfast items and traditional Norwegian dishes. Guests can feast on scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and pastries, while also enjoying Scandinavian specialties like cured meats, cheeses, and pickled fish.
Lunch and dinner, on the other hand, invite diners to indulge in a grand feast with a touch of Norwegian authenticity. A bountiful buffet spread includes cold selections like smoked seafood, cheeses, salads, and fruits, as well as hot dishes such as traditional meatballs, roasted chicken, and fish. These delectable offerings allow guests to explore the diverse flavors of Norway’s culinary heritage.
As guests relish the flavorful cuisine, they are joined by a rotating cast of Disney princesses, creating an enchanting and interactive experience for both children and adults alike. The opportunity to interact, take photos, and receive autographs from iconic princesses such as Belle, Snow White, Cinderella, and Ariel adds a touch of magic to the dining affair.
Beyond the culinary delights and character encounters, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall offers a unique window into the storied history of Norway. The decor pays homage to the country’s architectural and cultural heritage, creating an immersive atmosphere that transports diners to a distant world of folktales and Viking legends.
In the heart of Epcot’s World Showcase, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall stands as a tribute to both the joy of great food and the enchantment of cherished Disney tales. It seamlessly weaves together cultural immersion, culinary excellence, and beloved characters, making it an essential stop for anyone seeking a truly royal experience in the heart of Orlando.
Nestled within the iconic Epcot theme park at Walt Disney World Resort, “Living with the Land” is more than just an attraction – it’s a captivating journey that offers visitors a unique perspective on sustainable agriculture, innovation, and the delicate balance between humanity and the environment.
As guests embark on their boat ride through this indoor agricultural wonderland, they are transported from the bustling future-focused pavilions of Epcot into a serene landscape where nature and technology harmoniously coexist. The journey begins with a gentle glide through lush greenhouses, where a cornucopia of fruits, vegetables, and other crops flourish under carefully controlled conditions. The real magic lies in how these plants are cultivated – employing innovative techniques that emphasize resource conservation and environmental stewardship.
The scenes unfold like chapters in a book, illustrating how humanity can learn from nature to enhance its own practices. Hydroponics and aquaculture systems demonstrate how plants can thrive without soil, while fish farming showcases how aquatic ecosystems can be harnessed to provide sustenance. “Living with the Land” not only educates visitors about these techniques but also sparks a broader conversation about sustainable solutions to global food challenges.
Perhaps one of the most awe-inspiring sections of the journey is the sight of the experimental growing methods. Here, fruits and vegetables grow suspended in the air, their roots exposed to maximize nutrient absorption and minimize resource usage. The sight is a testament to human ingenuity and the quest to optimize every aspect of food production.
However, “Living with the Land” isn’t just about showcasing technology; it’s about emphasizing the symbiotic relationship between humans and the Earth. The attraction celebrates traditional farming methods as well, reminding visitors of the vital connection that communities have maintained with the land for centuries.
Beyond its educational value, “Living with the Land” fosters a sense of wonder and appreciation for the natural world. It encourages guests to reflect on their own daily choices and how they impact the environment. It’s a gentle reminder that each one of us plays a role in shaping the future of our planet, and that responsible, sustainable practices can pave the way for a brighter tomorrow.
In a world where the need for sustainable living is more pressing than ever, “Living with the Land” stands as a beacon of inspiration. It encourages us to explore the delicate balance between technological advancement and ecological harmony, highlighting the power of innovation when coupled with respect for nature. This Epcot gem is more than an attraction – it’s a profound lesson in nurturing the planet that nurtures us.
