Disney’s original Tinker Bell just celebrated her 94th birthday in the most enchanting way possible – surrounded by the magic of Disneyland.
Before Peter Pan & Wendy (2023), actress Margaret Kerry was the name associated with Tinker Bell. While the character was portrayed as non-verbal in the original 1953 animated film (just as in the recent live-action remake), Kerry played a pivotal role in bringing the mischievous fairy to life.
A skilled dancer, the actress was hired to spend an impressive six months at the Disney Studios, pantomiming the character’s iconic motions. The studios provided Kerry with various props – including a remarkable giant keyhole mounted on a stand and a pair of oversized scissors, which were used in the memorable scene where Tinker Bell finds herself trapped in a jewelry box – to film her movements as reference for animators.
Kerry’s contributions extended beyond Tinker Bell’s physical movements. She also lent her voice and provided additional reference for Neverland’s red-haired mermaid – specifically, the one who starts trying to pull Wendy into the water. A true Disney icon.
Tinker Bell has long served as a mascot for Disneyland, so it’s only fitting that the actress spent her birthday at the happiest place on earth. Twitter user @ObservantView shared a picture of Kerry on her big day – strolling through the Park hand in hand with none other than Peter Pan.
While fans recently witnessed a new incarnation of Tinker Bell in the new Peter Pan & Wendy film, portrayed by Yara Shahidi, Margaret Kerry’s legacy remains indelible. Her contributions paved the way for the enduring popularity of the character, who’s arguably second only to Mickey Mouse in terms of her presence in Disney branding.
At the grand age of 94, it’s heartwarming to still see Kerry playing a part in the Disney magic. While the actress has faced challenges in recent years thanks to her diagnosis with prosopagnosia, a condition that impairs her ability to recognize faces, she recently found her own fairytale ending fitting for any Disney classic: after 70 years, she reconnected with her former boyfriend, World War II veteran Robert Boeke, before marrying on Valentine’s Day, 2020. Now that’s a happily ever after.
A lightsaber from Savi’s Workshop is one of the most popular – and expensive – souvenirs from Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. Guests can customize their own saber or purchase a deluxe saber inspired by their favorite Star Wars character!
Hand-built lightsabers cost $249.99 per Guest, with a slightly cheaper build-a-droid experience available at Droid Depot for around $120 per Guest. But some crystal upgrades and luxury sabers can run up to $400!
Star Wars and Disney YouTuber Finding the Force recently purchased a limited-edition Cal Kestis lightsaber staff released to celebrate May the Fourth. Unfortunately, it broke as he opened it while sitting on Main Street, U.S.A., at Disneyland Park.
He quickly approached a Disney Cast Member, who he claimed “refused” to help him out, and made him carry the heavy saber to the back of the Disney Park. Video of the interaction made its way to TikTok and other social media platforms, where Disney Parks fans criticized the YouTuber for his behavior. Some said he went “Karen mode.”
The Lightsaber
Used by everyone from Obi-Wan Kenobi to Darth Vader to Kylo Ren, the lightsaber is the weapon of choice in the Star Wars universe. Nearly every Star Wars fan dreams of channeling the Force while visiting Savi’s Workshop!
But the Cal Kestis hilt isn’t any old lightsaber part. Modeled after EA’s Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, a video game, only 7,500 of this double-bladed saber were made. It comes in a wooden box and can change the blade color with the touch of a button.
Blades for the Cal Kestis saber are available in blue, green, yellow, purple, red, or white and cost between $45 and $50, depending on the blade length purchased. It’s exclusively available at Dok Ondar’s Den of Antiquities at Disneyland Park, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or on shopDisney (though it’s sold out online at this time).
The Disney YouTuber’s Behavior
After Finding the Force realized his lightsaber hilt was broken, he shared his journey to exchange it with his 100,000 YouTube subscribers. Though it’s nowhere near someone like former Disney Channel star Jake Paul or Mr. Beast, the YouTube channel has a large platform to influence Disney Park Guest behavior.
As he walked through Walt Disney’s original Magic Kingdom at Disneyland Resort, the YouTuber became more frustrated that Disney Cast Members wouldn’t carry the lightsaber to Galaxy’s Edge for him.
“The purpose of this video is not to just smear Disney as a company because I vacation at Disney Parks, I’m enjoying it with my kids, I have a lot of fun there,” he said. “…I just think that there’s a major issue with the customer service.”
The YouTuber admitted that he was frustrated after missing rope drop on May the Fourth due to a transportation issue. He waited an hour to get into Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, then headed to Dok Ondar’s Den of Antiquities to buy the limited-edition hilt and other souvenirs.
After carrying the 10-20 pound saber and 10-pound crate to the front of the Theme Park, he decided to film a review. Unfortunately, half of the saber wasn’t making any noise. He headed to Guest Services at Town Hall on Main Street, U.S.A, hoping for a quick fix.
The Guest Relations Cast Member informed him that merchandise from Batuu could only be exchanged there, and he would have to carry it back. They also could not help him do so, likely because of liability issues. “Are you joking?” the YouTuber asked.
“This is time I’m wasting returning their merchandise,” he said.
Another Disney influencer filmed the YouTuber as he carried the lightsaber down Main Street, U.S.A., through Adventureland, and to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. He feigned doing a workout and asked Disney Cast Members, including a Stormtrooper, for help along the way. Of course, he was denied.
When the YouTuber finally reached Dok Ondar’s, he kneeled in front of a Disney Cast Member and begged for help. They quickly found a manager who gave him a new lightsaber. He then asked for it to be shipped to his house for the trouble.
“Because the Plaid at the very front of the Park said there was nothing that could be done, that I had to physically walk this box back without handles,” he argued.
They agreed and gave him two Lightning Lane passes for his trouble, but the YouTuber was unhappy with his experience.
“I just can’t believe that there’s nothing Disney could do,” he concluded. “They couldn’t just make a phone call to have someone bring up a box for me? That just sounds like the easiest solution they could have done for a lifelong Disney Parks customer.”
Social Media Reactions
As soon as Finding the Force’s video popped up on TikToker Ryan’s (@r10883) news feed, he felt something was wrong with the YouTuber’s behavior toward Disney Cast Members. He called the reaction “going Karen” and shared footage from the original video:
#greenscreenvideo @Finding The Force treats workers at disneyland poorly bc his lightsaber doesnt work and he has to WALK to take it back. everything is explained in pt. 2 ❤️
Particularly, Ryan was frustrated with a moment in the video when Finding the Force filmed a Disney Cast Member walking away and writing, “Thanks for nothing!”
Commenters overwhelmingly agreed that the YouTuber behaved poorly.
“Ain’t no way he acted like that was such a heavy thing to carry across the Park like people walk around holding their 30lb child across the Park…” said @gotserotonin.
“I was there on the 4th. people were walking around with [lightsabers] and going on rides,” @titi_aon recalled. “They had no issues with carrying them.”
Others pointed out that the YouTuber could’ve hopped on the Disneyland Railroad to save himself some walking or removed his black hoodie in the heat. Some said that his behavior made them stop watching his channel.
“He comes across as really entitled in some of his videos which is why I stopped watching,” @master_cinema wrote. “I understand it’s frustrating to have a broken saber, but to complain about sometimes so trivial as a 7 minute walk with a box and to be so disrespectful to people doing their job is crazy to me.”
Finding the Force responded to the backlash by commenting on his original YouTube video. He claimed people misunderstood his sense of humor and that he was never rude to Disney Cast Members:
It is worth noting that 1) I was not disrespectful to any cast member in person 2) yes my dramatic storytelling is my way of making light of a really crappy situation 3) I was only joking about the manager, I would never film anyone who did not want to be in my videos and he did send the Saber to my house because I repeatedly asked him nicely.
An odd scene occurred at Disneyland Resort recently that resulted in a strange occurrence.
Known as “The Happiest Place on Earth,” Disneyland Resort is expected to be a place filled with happiness, kindness, and Disney magic. Sadly, some Guests experience yelling, fighting, and misbehaving.
Disneyland Resort is comprised of two theme parks, Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, as well as a shopping and dining district called Downtown Disney. Each theme park offers its own unique experiences and attractions, making it easy for visitors to spend several days exploring all the magic that the resort has to offer.
Guests heading to Disneyland Park can visit one of the several different “lands” that are inside the classic theme park. These “lands” are designed to transport Guests into different worlds of fantasy and adventure. From the timeless charm of Main Street, U.S.A. to the futuristic world of Tomorrowland, the theme park has something for everyone. Some of the most popular attractions include Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain, “it’s a small world,” Alice in Wonderland, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Splash Mountain, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Star Wars Rise of the Resistance and many more attractions.
Next door at Disney California Adventure Park, Guests can explore Avengers Campus, Cars Land, Pixar Pier and many more locations. Guests can enjoy attractions such as Grizzly River Run, Incredicoaster, Radiator Springs Racers, Jessie’s Critter Carousel, Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind, Guardians of the Galaxy Mission BREAKOUT, WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure, Soarnin’ Around the World and many more attractions.
Of course, we all know that crowds making their way into the Disney Parks can cause tensions to arise in ways that we wouldn’t expect or, really, understand. In a social media post, a Disneyland Guest spotted a mother yelling at a child. While we are unsure what was going on, the mother took the child to the first aid building and then started back yelling again.
“This woman was screaming at her daughter (presumably) to change her attitude. But her screaming was super intense and it honestly triggered me a little bit. Then she took her daughter over by the first aid building and started blowing up at her some more. It was so loud and vicious everyone in the vicinity just got sooo quiet.”
While at the first aid building, a Cast Member made a few hand gestures and then another Cast Member stepped in. Even after another Cast Member, the mother was still yelling at the child. At this point, the Cast Members separated them and interviewed them. When the interview was complete, Cast Members took the mother’s ID and wrote something down. The father stood beside the child and seemed to be in shock.
“Then the physician from the first aid building walked out and made a few hand gestures and quickly went back in side. It honestly wasn’t 45 seconds before a man in a white hat and shirt showed up. At this point the woman had kept scolding her daughter but not as loudly. Then the man in the white hat approached her and they separated her from the child and interviewed them separately. I have never seen this here before. They interviewed them for quite a while and even took the woman’s ID and wrote something down. The most bizarre thing is the father and another daughter stood off to the side the whole time and just … didn’t react.”
The child was eventually returned to their parents, but the extent of what happened or what caused this scene to occur still hasn’t been confirmed.
While we hope this situation was worked out, if Guests see something off or wrong while at Disney Parks, find your nearest Cast Member, and they will take care of the situation. Do you think Disney security should do more when parents physically discipline children?
Disneyland Resort is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves Disney and enjoys immersive experiences that transport visitors into fantastical worlds. With its variety of attractions, themed lands, and on-site amenities, the resort is a truly magical experience for visitors of all ages.
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?”
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.
It’s time to face the music! In celebration of “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” in theaters now, and our favorite batch of misfits are taking over at select Disney parks around the world.
Check out all the new additions inspired by the third installment of this franchise that will be making a limited-time appearance at select Disney parks!
Disneyland Resort – Disney California Adventure Park
For a limited time at Disneyland Resort, Mantis is joining Star-Lord at Avengers Campus for “Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Dance Off!” The celestial siblings will get their groove on in front of the Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! attraction, as they recruit guests with the right skills to join their band of heroes.
Walt Disney World Resort – EPCOT
EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort is joining in on the yummy treats of the Guardians of the Galaxy as well! Connections Café now has the Perfect Sovereign Waffle Bites that are topped with a red berry dipping sauce! Guests can also grab a Guardians of the Galaxy Cookie right next to the out-of-this-world Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind attraction at the Mission: SPACE Popcorn Cart.
Don’t miss the kickoff of these new additions to select Disney parks, available for a limited time.
