A rare baby Okapi that was born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in October 2023 has made its debut on Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail!
Elijah is the first baby okapi to make his debut at Disney’s Animal Kingdom since 2012! This marks the 14th birth of this endangered species at Walt Disney World, and we’re overjoyed to see our okapi family continue to grow. When he was born in October, Elijah weighed 46 pounds, with the most adorable, yet huge ears. Today, he’s an impressive 165 pounds and has officially joined his mom onstage on Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail.
Elijah’s birth, like many others in our park, is made possible with the help of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan. This program ensures the responsible breeding of this endangered species and other species that face threats like poaching and habitat loss.
What makes Elijah so special is his name, which honors a 50-year cast member!
Cast member Elijah first joined the Magic Kingdom Park in June 1973 and transferred to the horticulture department at Disney’s Animal Kingdom when it opened in 1998. He plays a critical role in maintaining the beautiful habitats at Disney’s Animal Kingdom – from rhinos to okapi and everything in between – he creates environments that help ensure safety and promote enrichment for our animals at Walt Disney World. His passion and dedication to his role has made him a cherished cast member, and what better way to honor him than to name a rare okapi after him?
Disney Parks offers a Disability Access Service (DAS) to ensure that guests with disabilities can have a magical and inclusive experience. The DAS is designed to assist individuals who cannot wait in a conventional queue due to their disability.
However, many visiting Disney Parks feel as if the DAS system at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World is lacking, leading to misuse, abuse, and outright lying in an attempt for guests to bypass lines.
When visiting any Disney Parks, typically, guests in need of DAS services can request access to the program via their My Disney Experience app or at guest services once they enter the park.
However, guests should be prepared to answer intimate questions regarding their reasoning for needing disability access. At Walt Disney World, just stating your disability isn’t good enough. Cast Members will ask you to answer and provide an explanation of how your disability prohibits you from standing in line.
This can be an embarrassing topic for some to discuss. For this reason, it’s often better to use the virtual interview when planning to visit a Disney Park.
If you’re planning to establish Disney DAS access while in the park, guests need to visit the Guest Relations location at the park they are visiting. They can request the DAS and discuss their specific needs with a Cast Member. The Cast Members at Guest Relations are trained to provide personalized solutions and make accommodations based on the individual’s requirements.
Once a guest has obtained the DAS, it can be used at various attractions throughout the park. Instead of waiting in the regular queue, the DAS allows guests to receive a return time for the attraction. During the designated return time, guests can return to the attraction and enjoy a shorter wait or an alternative entrance specifically designated for the DAS holders.
Bypassing lines at Walt Disney World sounds like a dream come true. Although DAS offers you entry through the Lightning Lane queues of attractions, it does nothing to shorten your wait times.
It isn’t uncommon for a DAS advance reservation to be slotted for an hour or more out of when you make it.
DAS callback times can be checked throughout the day in the My Disney Experience app, much like one would check Lightning Lane availability. However, as DAS advance reservations allow guests (who need them) to venture to other parts of whatever Disney Park they are visiting while waiting for their next ride, they are becoming highly sought after and, in some cases, abused.
The Disney DAS pass can also be used in conjunction with other services and tools available at Disney Parks, such as the Disney Genie app. This app provides real-time information about attractions, wait times, and other helpful features that can enhance the guest’s experience. Stacking Lightning Lane reservations and DAS selections on top of each other makes for a fun-filled day, assuming you actually need DAS advance reservations.
It’s important to note that the DAS is not designed to provide immediate access to attractions. The assigned return time is equivalent to that specific attraction’s current wait time. This helps to ensure fairness for all guests and maintain the integrity of the overall queue system.
In fact, you may be surprised to learn that specific issues related to disabilities are not acceptable in terms of access to a DAS pass at Walt Disney World Resort. Some may consider being bound to a wheelchair as an appropriate reason for being allowed a DAS pass.
Still, as more and more learn about the DAS pass, it seems that reports of misuse and abuse are growing. This is probably what forced Universal Studios to incorporate a different approach to their Disability Access system by outsourcing their verification to a third party who requires paperwork from a medical professional to support your claims.
One particular Reddit post, shared by user @julsmb, highlighted their frustration with DAS scammers and abusers, specifically TikTokers, who are using DAS for likes and shares.
“I’m sure this has been discussed before, but I am so tired of content creators abusing the DAS system. I was suggested a live on TikTok of a guy bragging that he doesn’t buy Genie+ because he just uses DAS. When I called him out for abusing the system he got wildly defensive. I use DAS for a panic disorder + IBS + autoimmune disease that causes me to faint if I stand for too long – I’ve used it since 2014 when I DID faint and a kind cast member suggested it to me. But it gets harder and harder to get the pass. They’ve started asking why I don’t just get a wheelchair (because you charge $60 for them?), and I know it’s because of people like that abusing the system. Wish I could just show my doctor’s note and be done with it. It gives me MORE anxiety knowing the cast member thinks I’m lying.”
The point that’s brought up is a clear one and brings along with it reasoning for those who actually need DAS to be concerned. As more and more people abuse the system, it becomes more difficult for those who need to use it to obtain it. One bad apple spoils the bunch, right?
It is surprising that a Disney Parks Cast Member would respond with, “Why don’t you just get a wheelchair,” however, it doesn’t nullify the point that there are groups of people out there willing to abuse the system, making it more difficult for guests with real issues to have a magical time.
Although it’s never our responsibility to police someone else while on vacation if you suspect inappropriate use of DAS, you can always head to your nearest Guest Relation Cast Member and discuss the situation with them, which is what many in the comments of this Reddit post suggested.
Quickly, the conversation shifted from inappropriate use of the My Disney Experience app and Disability Access to outrage over streamers. Still, the point wasn’t completely missed; many shared their fear of losing the vital offering that makes their vacations to Disneyland or Walt Disney World possible.
Disney Parks is committed to providing guests a welcoming and inclusive environment. The Disability Access Service is just one of the many ways they strive to create magical memories for everyone, regardless of their abilities.
Nearly two years ago, now ex-Disney CEO Bob Chapek spoke out against Florida’s Parental Rights in Education bill. The bill was championed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Shortly after Chapek spoke out against the bill, Governor DeSantis began his crusade against the House of Mouse.
Mr. DeSantis and the Republican-led state legislature quickly dissolved the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which stripped Disney of its right to self-govern. They then voted to move Disney’s monorail system under state inspection control. The Governor appointed his own loyalists to lead the district formerly known as Reedy Creek. That new board is now having its own issues with the company.
After more than a year of dealing with the Governor, Disney officially filed a lawsuit against DeSantis. The company claimed that Mr. DeSantis had violated its First Amendment rights to free speech when he targeted them. Disney claimed that the governor had waged a campaign of retaliation against them, simply because they said something that he did not like.
Now, a judge has sided with the controversial Governor. Disney’s case against Ron DeSantis has officially been dismissed.
District Judge Allen Winsor said that Disney did not have a claim of retaliation because the laws DeSantis created that targeted the company are “facially constitutional.”
DeSantis’ lawyer had made that claim earlier when asking the judge to dismiss the case. The governor’s legal team said that it “didn’t matter” if DeSantis punished Disney, because the laws he passed looked constitutional. Because the laws appeared constitutional at face value, it doesn’t matter if it was created for a retaliatory reason.
The judge also determined that Governor DeSantis had every right to dissolve Reedy Creek and then appoint a board of his own loyalists.
Disney, however, highly disagreed with the judge’s ruling. Shortly after the ruling, a Disney spokesperson released a short statement:
“This is an important case with serious implications for the rule of law, and it will not end here. If left unchallenged, this would set a dangerous precedent and give license to states to weaponize their official powers to punish the expression of political viewpoints they disagree with.”
Disney has not said yet if it plans to appeal the judge’s ruling, but its statement appears to indicate such a move.
The ruling is relatively surprising, considering that Governor DeSantis admitted multiple times to going after Disney because they spoke out against him. He even admitted to retaliation in his new book. Many constitutional law experts said that Disney had a very strong case.
One popular Disney park is seeing changes in this upcoming month.
Walt Disney World is a popular tourist location, seeing thousands of guests yearly. Walt Disney World Resort is home to four theme parks Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Each Disney park offers different attractions, shows, and meet and greets for guests.
The most well-known Disney park, Magic Kingdom, is expected to see changes coming in February. Starting on February 18, the biggest change to happen at Magic Kingdom will be with Festival of Fantasy, and in turn, the Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade. Beginning on that date, Festival of Fantasy will have performances at both 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Currently, the parade has only been performing once. With the changes to Festival of Fantasy, the Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade will be switching to just one performance, at 5:10 p.m.
In addition, there will be a slight adjustment to the schedule of Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire. The morning shows at 10:00 a.m. and 11:10 a.m. remain unchanged, while the afternoon shows will now take place at 12:50 p.m. and 1:55 p.m. The last performance remains at 4:00 p.m.
With the changes to Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire, the Dapper Dans are also seeing a shift in their schedule. Their performances will now be at 9:00 a.m., 9:50 a.m., 10:40 a.m., 11:25 a.m., 1:15 p.m., 2:00 p.m., and 3:40 p.m. The Dapper Dans are a group that features colorful pinstripe suits, straw hats, spats, and taps. This 4-man group performs a scintillating selection of a cappella American standards and Disney classics.
Guests planning ahead to March can look forward to the changes coming for Happily Ever After. Due to Daylight Savings Time, Happily Ever After will be starting at 8:30 p.m.
With these changes coming to Magic Kingdom, an important closure that may affect guests’ vacations is The Country Bear Jamboree, which just shut down this past week. This attraction is closed until later in the summer of 2024 and when it opens, it will feature all-new songs and an updated experience.
From time to time, showtimes may be subject to adjustments throughout the day, so it’s advisable to check the My Disney Experience for updates. Outdoor shows are subject to cancellation due to inclement weather.
The Galactic Starcruiser hotel at Walt Disney World Resort was undoubtedly one of Disney’s most ambitious and groundbreaking ventures. With its innovative concept and immersive offerings, this boutique hotel captured the hearts and imaginations of Star Wars fans from around the world. However, much to the dismay of enthusiasts, the doors of this extraordinary establishment were regrettably closed last year, leaving a void in the hearts of Star Wars lovers everywhere.
Now, months after the Halcyon Starcruiser’s final voyage, the experience is being revived in a huge way.
From the moment it was announced, the Galactic Starcruiser had enticed fans with the promise of an unparalleled journey into the Star Wars universe. Disney’s vision for the Galactic Starcruiser experience was to create an otherworldly immersive entertainment escape where guests could truly find themselves in the story and feel like they were part of an epic space adventure. The level of detail and craftsmanship Walt Disney Imagineering put into every aspect of the hotel was truly commendable, showcasing the Disney Parks commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences.
One of the highlights of the Galactic Starcruiser was undoubtedly the interactive experiences it offered to each guest. Guests had the opportunity to embark on missions, interact with iconic Star Wars characters, and participate in thrilling adventures on the ship and at the Galaxys Edge theme park. Whether it was learning the ways of the Force from a Jedi Master or engaging in a lightsaber battle, every moment was filled with excitement and wonder.
Now, despite the ride being closed, fans will once again be able to experience these phenomenons.
A new fan event called Halcy-Con is coming to the Orlando Florida area this year. The website describes it as “a new fan experience,” saying:
“Make no mistake, this is no traditional convention event. Halcy-Con will be a boutique playground of various fun and informative activities, all created and hosted BY Galactic Starcruiser superfans FOR Galactic Starcruiser superfans. And just like a cruise aboard Galactic Starcruiser, this special fan celebration is designed for less than 500 attendees, so be sure to purchase your event badges right away! Gather your crew, bring your characters back to life once more and we’ll see you at Halcy-Con 2024, a Galactic Starcruiser superfans celebration!”
Just four hours after tickets went on sale, Halcy-Con sold out.
Halcy-Con 2024, a fan-created two-day Galactic Starcruiser superfan celebration being held in Orlando in October, sold out in just four hours today. The event is by fans, for fans and not affiliated with Disney or Lucasfilm. pic.twitter.com/RQ3OnjtqH3
