Shannen Ace 
Kartika Rodriguez has been named Vice President of EPCOT as the final step in Walt Disney World’s latest leadership change. Magic Kingdom Vice President Jason Kirk was recently promoted to Senior Vice President of Resort Operations, a role similar to that of Jim MacPhee who is retiring next month. Melissa Valiquette is moving from EPCOT … Read more
As the spring break crowds continue to visit Universal Orlando Resort, Universal’s Islands of Adventure has reached capacity for the fourth day in a row. Universal has warned Annual Passholders that the parks were likely to reach capacity during this busy week. Both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida have hit their maximum capacity on Monday, … Read more
Pavement work has moved to the next phase in the France Pavilion at EPCOT. A green scrim has been erected around the pavilion’s circular courtyard. The queue for the outdoor kitchen circles around the blocked-off area. Nearby, the fake painting and camera station have been removed. The removal of these props left quite a few … Read more
Walt Disney World has a new Alex and Ani bracelet featuring a Minnie Mouse ear headband charm. Alex and Ani have released Minnie ear headband bracelets previously, including a red one last year. This new bracelet resembles the potion purple merchandise that was released in 2019. Minnie Mouse Ear Headband Bangle by Alex and Ani … Read more
We learned back in November that Universal Orlando Resort’s contract with Ben & Jerry’s had ended when Schwab’s Pharmacy reopened serving Häagen-Dazs ice cream. Since then, we’ve been keeping an eye on the old Ben & Jerry’s shop as it was remodeled to become a Häagen-Dazs location, and it opened today. On the sidewalk, the … Read more
While refurbishment of World Drive’s entrance archway continues, construction is ongoing down the road near Magic Kingdom. This is Phase II of a plan to improve traffic flow to and from Magic Kingdom and the surrounding resorts. Phase I was completed in 2019 with the extension of Floridian Way. Permits were filed in September 2020 … Read more
Three new character-inspired collections have arrived at the COACH store in Disney Springs. Along with new collections inspired by Daisy and Goofy, the Mickey Mouse collection by Keith Haring that was previously available online is now available in the store. Daisy Collection The Daisy Duck items are all pink with Daisy embossed on the front. … Read more
Isidore Mankofsky, who worked as the cinematographer for both The Muppet Movie and Walt Disney World’s MuppetVision 3D, has passed away at age 89. Mankofsky also worked on several episodes of “The Magical World of Disney” and the TV movie Ewoks: The Battle for Endor. He worked on more than 100 Encyclopedia Britannica Films and … Read more
Disneyland Resort has two new limited edition pins. The first — a Passholder-exclusive — features Mickey eating some churros and the second features Donald ready for St. Patrick’s Day. Limited Edition Mickey Pin – $19.99 Mickey is posing with a churro in front of “it’s a small world” on this pin. It has a limited … Read more
The second Starbucks location at Downtown Disney District has reopened, a month after the first one did. Both closed due to California’s stay-at-home order, which has been progressively lifted; most recently, indoor dining was able to resume. Like all dining and shopping locations in Downtown Disney District, the store is promoting physical distancing and other … Read more
We’ve been watching as attractions at Universal Orlando Resort experiment with boarding every row of a vehicle, whether or not the ride has Plexiglass dividers. According to Team Members, the change is due to CDC guidelines about exposure time. Short rides, such as Revenge of the Mummy, board every row because spreading COVID-19 in a … Read more
We’ve been watching the facade of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT slowly take shape, with wood paneling and weather-proof sheeting being added in layers over steel framework. More wood paneling has been added to an untouched portion of framework since we last took a look at construction. The facade is slanted and … Read more
Shouting, as an activity that may cause an increased spread of COVID-19, will need to be limited upon the reopening of California theme parks, including Disneyland Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood. The California Attractions and Parks Association (CAPA) website addresses shouting in their breakdown of Governor Newsom’s Blueprint For a Safer Economy. CAPA lists face … Read more
Earlier this month, a Raya and the Last Dragon mural designed by Imagineer Xiao Qing Chen debuted at Downtown Disney District. Now Legacy Passholders can get a print signed by Qing when they take a photo at the mural. The stand to pick up the lithograph is next to the mural. Legacy Passholders need only … Read more
Walt Disney World Annual Passholders can now purchase water park tickets at a discounted price. The discounted tickets are $49 plus tax, which is $20 off for adults and $10 off for children. The discount is only on 1-day water park tickets, which must be used before December 31, 2021. Below is more information from … Read more
Walt Disney World Annual Passholders will soon be receiving an Orange Bird magnet in the mail to celebrate the 2021 Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival. Passholders should make sure their contact information is updated before March 31. Each household will receive up to two magnets. Check out the other Orange Bird merchandise … Read more
