Disney Cast Members Celebrate the Opening of Roundup Rodeo BBQ
Hey howdy, hey! Roundup Rodeo BBQ opened yesterday in Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Cast Members and culinary students got to celebrate with a special preview of the new restaurant.
“In addition to surprising some of our cast members with a special preview of Roundup Rodeo BBQ, we also invited culinary students from the @WaltDisneyWorld Center for Culinary Arts and Hospitality at Valencia College for a day in the life of a Disney chef during a special tour of the brand-new kitchens and dining room before it opens to guests on March 23. Of course, no culinary tour is complete without a taste test, so they topped off their visit with a full sampling of all the foodie fixin’s on the location’s mouthwatering menu. 🍽 Check out this first-hand look at their rootin’ tootin’ good time!”
When the new restaurant opened yesterday, Cast Members on the opening team celebrated with a ribbon cutting and had a rootin’ tootin’ good time!
Are you looking forward to dining at Roundup Rodeo BBQ?
If you’d like to plan your next Disney World vacation, contact me today! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel, my services are complimentary, and I’d love to help you plan a magical vacation!
Disney Cruise Line’s new island destination in The Bahamas at Lighthouse Point will welcome families for the first time in June 2024, headlining a season full of new and popular itineraries around the world. In addition to the first sailings to the newest Bahamian retreat, you will be able to choose magical vacations to incredible destinations that include the Mediterranean, northern Europe, Alaska and the Caribbean.
First Sailings to Lighthouse Point
In June 2024, Disney Cruise Line will debut its newest Bahamian destination on the island of Eleuthera at Lighthouse Point. Cruises aboard the Disney Magic from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, will visit this vibrant beach retreat designed with families in mind, infused with the color and energy of Bahamian artistry, and developed with sustainability and conservation at its core.
A seven-night inaugural cruise aboard the Disney Fantasy from Port Canaveral, Florida, on June 8 will allow you to be among the first to make a splash in the crystal-clear waters of this new destination at Lighthouse Point. This ultimate Disney Cruise Line island destination itinerary will feature not one, but two stops at Lighthouse Point … and that’s not all! One day of sun-drenched serenity at Castaway Cay also awaits your family on this once-in-a-lifetime sailing. On June 6, a three-night preview cruise on the Disney Magic from Fort Lauderdale will feature a sneak peek of Lighthouse Point with limited access to some areas.
Following the inaugural cruise, Lighthouse Point will be a featured stop on select three-, four- and five-night sailings to The Bahamas and Caribbean on the Disney Magic out of Fort Lauderdale. These South Florida-based itineraries will vary stops between Lighthouse Point and Castaway Cay, with five special sailings including both Disney Cruise Line island destinations.
New European Destinations
Can you think of anything better than sailing the Mediterranean with Captain Mickey and Captain Minnie at the helm? Those dreams will come to life in summer 2024 as the Disney Dream returns to premier European destinations in the Mediterranean, Greek Isles, British Isles and popular locales in the Norwegian Fjords and Iceland.
These sailings will feature a number of new ports of call, including Valencia, Spain; Haugesund, Norway; and Hamburg, Germany, along with three Mediterranean destinations that will return for the first time since 2014: Catania, Italy; Kusadasi, Turkey; and Valletta, Malta.
Mediterranean and Greek Isles cruises from Barcelona and Civitavecchia (Rome) will range from five to 11 nights, while northern Europe and British Isles sailings will offer itineraries anywhere from three nights to one 12-night voyage that includes the Norwegian fjords, three days in Iceland and an overnight stay in Reykjavik.
Adventures in Alaska
Cruises to Alaska from Vancouver, Canada, will return on the Disney Wonder from May through September 2024, offering more chances for your family to experience the natural splendor and adventure of “The Last Frontier” with five-, seven- and nine-night sailings. Majestic wildlife and stunning scenery in iconic places like Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and glacier viewing along the Stikine Icecap will blend with Disney’s world-class entertainment, dining and guest service to create a family-friendly vacation that celebrates the spirit of Alaska both on land and on board.
Tropical Escapes to The Bahamas and Caribbean from Florida
In addition to the inaugural season of Lighthouse Point sailings from Fort Lauderdale on the Disney Magic, the Disney Fantasy and Disney Wish will travel to sun-kissed islands throughout The Bahamas and Caribbean in summer 2024. All sailings on these Port Canaveral-based ships will feature a visit to Castaway Cay, a picturesque private island oasis in The Bahamas that offers something for everyone in the family, from fun and relaxation to adventurous water activities.
The Disney Wish will feature three- and four-night Bahamian vacations, while the Disney Fantasy will sail to popular ports in the eastern and western Caribbean on seven-night cruises. One five-night Disney Fantasy voyage in July will visit Nassau and feature two stops in Castaway Cay, while a special 10-night southern Caribbean sailing will give your family another opportunity to visit Lighthouse Point with additional visits to the islands of Antigua, St. Lucia, Dominica, Tortola and Castaway Cay.
Bookings open to the public on March 30, 2023, so it’s not too early to start planning! If you’d like to sail on any of these itineraries, contact me today to start planning. I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel, my services are complimentary, and I’d love to help you plan a magical vacation!
Cast Member Union Reach Tentative Agreement with Disney World
Disney World has reached a tentative agreement with a local cast member union. This tentative agreement would raise minimum wage to $18 an hour by December 3 of this year.
TCU Lodge 1908 shared that there would be a minimum wage of $18 an hour by Dec. 3, 2023 and a minimum of $5.50 increases over the life of the agreement. There will be a vote on March 29.
A press release that came out today reads:
“Today the Services Trades Council Union (STCU) representing 45.000 theme park workers reached a historic tentative agreement with Walt Disney World.
Under this agreement, which is subject to approval by union members, every current theme park worker in the union will receive a raise between $5.50 and $8.60 by the end of the contract, with the first $3 in raises arriving this year.
“Securing an $18.00 minimum hourly rate this year, increasing the overall economic value of Disney’s original offer, and ensuring full back pay for every worker are the priorities union members were determined to fight for. Today, we won that fight” said STCU President Matt Hollis.
Nearly 14,000 union members voted to reject Disney’s previous offer in February. In that proposal, Disney had offered only a $17 minimum in 2023. Hotel and theme park workers from every union department voted to reject that offer and keep fighting for every union member to get $18 this year and full back pay
The six STCU affiliates – IATSE Local 631, IBT Local 385, TCU Local 1908. UFCW Local 1625, UNITE HERE Local 362, and UNITE HERE Local 737 – are unanimous in their support for this agreement and will be recommending their members vote to ratify the agreement. The STCU is scheduling a ratification vote to take place on March 29 from 7:00am – 7:00pm and will announce the results of the vote at that time.
Tara Moton, a Cook 1 (union line cook) at Disney’s Be Our Guest, said: “Just this morning. I was crying thinking about how I was going to afford my car tag renewal on top of the rent this week. But this raise is going to get me another $410 right away and retroactive pay. As a single mom, it’s going to let me finally catch up and even get ahead. My daughter turned 3 in November and I haven’t been able to celebrate her the way she deserves, but now I’m going to be able to do something special for her. I voted no last month because even though we’d already won a raise for me. I wasn’t going to vote yes until everyone could live comfortably and get a living wage. Nobody should work as hard as we do just to keep struggling, and I’m proud that we stood together to make it happen for every union worker”
For workers in job classifications that currently earn the minimum of $15, minimum hourly rates will increase to $16 effective 10/1/2022, with full back pay to all eligible union workers. then increase again to $17 upon ratification and $18 this December.
Their total raise will be $5.50 in 5 years, with the first $3 coming by December 2023.
The agreement also provides eight weeks of paid Child Bonding Leave, which is a benefit that does not exist in the current contract, and offers increases to many hourly premiums. The minimum rate for current workers will increase to $20.50 by October 2026. The minimum rate for workers hired after December 3. 2023, will increase to $20 by October 2026.”
What are your thoughts on the Cast Member unions and the ongoing negotiations with Disney?
Mickey Mouse Disney100 Deluxe Figure Spotted At Magic Kingdom!
Never forget it was all started by a mouse with this Mickey Mouse Disney100 Deluxe Figure we found at Magic Kingdom for $399. You can also order yours online at shopDisney!
It features Mickey Mouse in a platinum coat finish and gemstones on his gloves, shorts and shoes for some extra dazzling magic! It stands on a platinum base with the Disney100 logo and celebration details.
This commemorative statue is a limited release that will keep you dreaming for another hundred years of wonder!
You Can Own This Epcot Entrance Crystal Replica Statue!
Do you love Epcot and would like to take a piece of it home? Then this Epcot Entrance Crystal Replica Statue is perfect for you! We found it at the Germany Pavilion and it comes in two different sizes, a big one for $1250 and a smaller desk size for $250.
The statue is gorgeous! And is inspired in the new fountain with three pylons 16 feet tall that welcome every guest to a park that was built to inspire optimism and bring the magic of possibility.
You can take a closer look at this replica in our Instagram post:
New The Lion King CASETiFy Collection Available Now!
We just can’t wait to have this The Lion King CASETiF Collection in our hands! The latest collaboration between Disney and Casetiy is inspired in the 90’s animated classic The Lion King and we couldn’t be more excited, you can shop your favorite pieces right now at casetify.com, they have plenty of designs to choose from, take a look:
There are 6 different phone cases designs that will remind you to Hakuna Matata every day! They feature different artwork like the iconic “Circle of Life” scene where Simba is introduce to the savanna, the “Just Can’t Wait To Be King” musical number, the “Hakuna Matata” scene and Mufasa and Simba looking at a starlit sky. There are also three additional ones with Simba, Pumba and Timon faces.
But that’s not all, there are also AppleTag cases, AirPod cases, Apple Watch Accessories and a phone wallet with fun designs!
Other items in the collection feature Apple Watch chargers plus iPad and MacBook cases. So say hakuna matata and get your favorite pieces now at casetify.com!
Mariel Molino and Sherry Cola recently enjoyed an epic 3-day trip to Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World resort is truly the Most Magical Place on Earth, with attractions ranging from cute and family-friendly to thrilling and adventurous. Recently, Mariel Molino, from Freeform’s “The Watchful Eye,” and Sherry Cola, from Freeform’s “Good Trouble,” took in some thrills during a 3-day visit.
The pair also spent some time at Disney Springs, enjoying a ride in an Amphicar at the Boathouse and getting in some shopping at the Disneystyle boutique before eating dinner at The Edison.
You can catch “Good Trouble” on Thursdays and “The Watchful Eye” Mondays at 10/9c on Freeform, with streaming via Hulu available for both the day after the show airs.
Ready to book your next magical vacation? Contact me today! As an agent with Destinations To Travel, my services are provided at no additional cost when you book your Disney vacation package through me.
Frozen and The Beauty and The Beast star Josh Gad provides fans an update on the live-action version of Hunchback of Notre Dame
A poster promoting a live-action version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame has been circulating the internet recently. The poster places Josh Gad in the role of the Hunchback and notes a release date of 2025. The only issue? The poster is fan-created.
Gad recently responded to the Hunchbak poster on his Instagram page, stating “for the record, this is not real. This is a Fancast!” There is still a possibility that the movie will be created at some point since there is evidently a completed script. In the same Instagram post, Gad referred to the script as “one of the best I have read” and hopes that “the powers that be will see this love and let us make the live-action adaptation the original animated film deserves.”
No official word thus far from Disney on if a live-action Hunchback of Notre Dame movie is in the works. Considering the live-action version of The Little Mermaid is releasing soon, and both Hercules and Lilo and Stitch have remakes in the works, one can only assume the production of a live-action Hunchback of Notre Dame is not really a matter of if, but when.
Ready to book your next magical vacation? Contact me today! As an agent with Destinations To Travel, my services are provided at no additional cost when you book your Disney vacation package through me.
Halloween Horror Nights, now in its 32nd season, is an annual event at Universal Orlando Resort that features themed haunted houses, scare zones and food. The theming and immersion of the event make for a fairly intense evening, resulting in a recommendation that attendees be at least 13 years old. Universal already announced a Chucky-themed house for 2023 and has now released dates and pricing info.
Tickets for this year’s event will cost $79.99 and up depending on the date. Express pass is again available, starting at $109.99 and up depending on the date.
The popular RIP tour (starting at $299.99) and Unmasking the Horror Tour (starting at $119.99) are also returning this year.
Now that we have the date and pricing info, we should see announcements over the next few weeks about the remaining houses and the scare zones.
I will see you in the fog!
Ready to head into the fog and book your next epic vacation? Contact me today! As an agent with Destinations To Travel, my services are provided at no additional cost when you book your Disney vacation package through me.
Grammy-Nominated Performer Halle Bailey from the Little Mermaid Taking Part in Disney Dreamers Academy This Week
The Little Mermaid is taking Disney Dreamers Academy “under the sea’’ this week.
Five-time Grammy-nominated singer Halle Bailey, who will play the lead role of Ariel in the upcoming live-action remake of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” is the Disney Dreamers Academy celebrity ambassador for this year’s event at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
Bailey is one of several Hollywood stars participating in the annual mentoring program by Walt Disney World Resort that brings 100 students from around the country for an immersive career-inspiring weekend at The Most Magical Place on Earth. Some of the other celebrities include R&B singing sensation H.E.R., plus actors Marsai Martin (ABC show “black-ish”), and Jalyn Hall (feature film “Till’’).
As the celebrity ambassador, Bailey headlines the list of celebrities and will be a mentor and advocate during the Thursday through Sunday event, which is designed by Walt Disney World Resort to broaden career awareness and create exclusive enrichment opportunities for high school students from diverse communities around the country.
Bailey will share personal insights with the students, drawing from her own unique experiences, like playing the title character in the “The Little Mermaid.” In addition to her role as Ariel, she has starred in television shows and movies such as “Grown-ish,” “Let It Shine,” and “Last Holiday.”
“If it wasn’t for my mentors, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” Bailey said. “I’m excited to work with these students and be a mentor for them as they find their passions in life.”
Here are details about the other key celebrity participants:
H.E.R., singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who is one of the fastest rising young stars in R&B music. Winner of an Academy Award, an Emmy and five Grammys, she has also recently launched her acting career, starring as Belle in the recent ABC special Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration. She will join the all-star cast of “The Color Purple” musical film adaptation as “Squeak” later this year.
Marsai Martin, best known for her role as Diane Johnson on the ABC sitcom “black-ish.” Martin also starred in the 2019 comedy film “Little,” which she also produced, making her the youngest person ever to produce a studio film. Time Magazine named Martin on its “Time 100 Next.”
Jalyn Hall, an actor who had a breakout performance as Emmett Till in the 2022 biographical film “Till.”
Dominique Thorne, an up-and-coming actress, who recently starred as Riri Williams in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s feature film “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” Up next is her TV series “Ironheart’’ on Disney+.
Priah Ferguson, who played scene-stealing little sister Erica Sinclair on Netflix’s series “Stranger Things.”
During the event, the celebrities will be joined by several other speakers, including Disney executives and cast members, community leaders, business executives and educators, who will also nurture and inspire the students.
The impactful program will introduce the Disney Dreamers to an array of new opportunities, such as sessions teaching valuable life tools, leadership skills, effective communication techniques and networking strategies.
Students will also go through in-depth workshops in a variety of disciplines aligned with their dreams. These workshops introduce the Disney Dreamers to diverse career paths within business, entertainment and sciences, including career opportunities within The Walt Disney Company.
The Disney Dreamers Academy program is an important part of Disney’s commitment to supporting diverse communities by encouraging the next generation to think big and to use what they learn in their relentless pursuit of their dreams in hopes of making a difference in the lives of others.
Each year, the Disney Dreamers are selected from thousands of applicants who answer essay questions about their personal stories and dreams for the future. The students and a parent or guardian enjoy an all-expenses paid trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida for the four-day event.
Over the years, Disney Dreamers Academy has inspired more than 1,400 students from across the country. Each year, graduates have gone on to become doctors, engineers, performing artists, entrepreneurs and more, and some have transitioned into mentors to the Disney Dreamers who followed them.
Disney News Highlights: Mary Poppins and What Could Have Been, Mickey’s Toontown Picnic Basket, Disney Layoffs are Coming, Dick Van Dyke Ok After Crash, plus much more.
Walkway Between Storybook Circus and Tomorrowland at Tron Now Open Walkway Between Storybook Circus and Tomorrowland at Tron Now Open. The soft opening of Disney’s newest attraction started two days ago, during the first day only guests with a virtual queue or a Lightning Lane were allowed into the newest addition to Tomorrowland. That all changed today.
5 Attractions We Hope Never Change at Disney World With Splash Mountain closing in just a few short weeks to begin its transformation into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, there has been a lot of chatter regarding which attractions Disney should retheme. How about the attractions at Disney World that we absolutely, in no circumstances want to be rethemed or changed whatsoever? Here are 5 on my “do not touch” list.
Shazam 2 Bombs at the Box Office Only making $30 Million on Opening Weekend Most films would consider a 30 million-dollar opening weekend a massive success, but superhero films are judged differently. For most studios, these tentpole films cost a lot of money to create and market, in that regard Shazam 2 underperformed in its opening weekend. The film grossed 30.5 million in its opening weekend but cost 110 million to make and another 100 million to market. Given those grim numbers, it seems highly unlikely that Shazam 2 will be a “win” for Warner Brothers.
Peter Pan & Wendy is an upcoming Disney + reboot of the classic Peter Pan tale. Yara Shahidi has been tapped to play Tinerkbell in the series, and while some have praised the casting, others have been critical due to her race.
The LA Times reported on the racist backlash on Twitter in early March. Shahidi has recently responded to the racist criticism, telling the Hollywood Reporter “oftentimes people think of diversity and inclusion as threatening or jeopardizing the quality of the story, instead of seeing how beautifully they can be interwoven together to create something that impacts even more people, that lets even more people into stories that we love.”
Peter Pan & Wendy, which is slated to premier on Disney+ on April 28, also stars Alexander Molony as Peter Pan, Jude Law as Captain Hook, Ever Gabo Anderson as Wendy Darling. The story maintains the general themes of the original, with Wendy traveling to Never Land with Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, and her brothers where she encounters Captain Hook and his band of pirates.
Ready to book your next magical vacation? Contact me today! As an agent with Destinations To Travel, my services are provided at no additional cost when you book your Disney vacation package through me.
