Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner says Disney has suffered in recent years

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November 29, 2022

Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner says Disney has suffered in recent years

Recently Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner tweeted his support for the return of Bob Iger to the Walt Disney Company after Bob Chapek was let go back on November 20th.

Michael D. Eisner served as chairman of the board and chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company since September 22nd, 1984. Additionally, he assumed the presidency on April 4, 1994, a year and a half, after the death of Frank Wells.

He was born on March 7, 1942, in Mount Kisco, New York, and attended the Lawrenceville School and Denison University, where he received a B.A. in English literature and theater. He was a senior vice president at ABC Entertainment and president and chief operating officer of Paramount Pictures Corp. before coming to Disney.

He is married to the former Jane Breckenridge, and they have three sons. He stepped down from the chairman post on March 3, 2004, and retired from the company on September 30, 2005.

Michael went on the record earlier today to say:

The Walt Disney Company has suffered in recent years. This is a good time for us to remember the words of Walt Disney who said, “Everybody falls down. Getting back up is how you learn to walk.”

The Walt Disney Company has suffered in recent years. This is a good time for us to remember the words of Walt Disney who said, “Everybody falls down. Getting back up is how you learn to walk.”
— Michael Eisner (@Michael_Eisner) November 29, 2022

Yesterday former protege to Michael Eisner and now Disney CEO Bob Iger held a Town Hall Meeting for Disney Cast Members. We put together the Highlights from that meeting which you can catch here.

What do you think? Do you think Disney has suffered in recent years? If so in which aspects do you think they have suffered the most?

Walt Disney World Posters Bundle To Add Magic To Any Room!

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Ana Leal

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November 29, 2022

Walt Disney World Posters Bundle To Add Magic To Any Room!

Any Disney fan would love this Walt Disney World posters bundle to decorate any room in their home. They are created by MagicAroundShop in Etsy for $17.66! You can order yours here.

The posters feature the name of the park, a map and a quote, they are adorable! You can even pick which parks you want in your bundle. A must have for sure!

Full Lineup Announced for Disney on Broadway Concert Series Coming to EPCOT

By

Chip

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November 29, 2022

Full Lineup Announced for Disney on Broadway Concert Series Coming to EPCOT

It is hard to believe we are a month away from 2023! Next to the Festival of the Holidays in Epcot, we love the Festival of the Arts.

The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts presented by AT&T returns to celebrate visual, culinary, and performing arts beginning Jan. 13th, and today we’re sharing a first look at who will take the stage at my favorite part of the festival – the DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series!

Three times each evening you’ll be able to witness some of Broadway’s biggest stars performing songs from more than 25 years of award-winning DISNEY ON BROADWAY stage productions.

Here’s the full lineup of show-stopping performers you’ll see at the festival this year:

Jan. 13, 15, 16, 19, 20 – Kara Lindsay (“Newsies”) & Kevin Massey (“Tarzan”)
Jan. 14, 17, 18, 21, 22 – Arielle Jacobs (“Aladdin”) & Adam Jacobs (“Aladdin”)
Jan. 23, 25, 26, 29, 30, Feb. 2, 3 – Patti Murin (“Frozen”) & Robert Creighton (“Frozen”)
Jan. 24, 27, 28, 31, Feb. 1, 4, 5– Mandy Gonzalez (“AIDA”) & L. Steven Taylor (“The Lion King”)
Feb. 7, 10, 11, 14, 15, 18, 19 – Kissy Simmons (“The Lion King”) & Josh Strickland (“Tarzan”)
Feb. 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 16, 17 – Ashley Brown (“Mary Poppins”) & Michael James Scott (“Aladdin”)
Feb. 20 – Special, extended finale performance featuring Brown, Scott, Simmons & Strickland

DISNEY ON BROADWAY Dining Packages will be on sale on Dec. 13th at ArtfulEPCOT.com for theater lovers who want a guaranteed seat for the action.

New Princess Jasmine Dooney & Bourke Bags Spotted At Magic Kingdom!

By

Ana Leal

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November 29, 2022

New Princess Jasmine Dooney & Bourke Bags Spotted At Magic Kingdom!

Take your style to a whole new world and celebrate the 30th anniversary of Aladdin with these new Princess Jasmine Dooney & Bourke bags! We found them at Magic Kingdom and they are also available online at shopDisney so you can order yours now!

Princess Jasmine Bag

We love the style and size of this Dooney & Bourke bag with an all over pattern featuring Jasmine and peacock feathers in her iconic teal color. So cute!

Princess Jasmine Tote Bag

Another style is the classic tote bag! A great option for those looking for a larger purse, it features the same all over pattern with Jasmine and peacock feathers.

You can take a closer look at these bags in our Instagram post:

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Find The Rainbow Connection With This Kermit Loungefly Backpack!

By

Ana Leal

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November 29, 2022

Find The Rainbow Connection With This Kermit Loungefly Backpack!

Everyday will be a good day when you carry this Kermit Loungefly Backpack! We were so excited when we found it at Disney’s Animal Kingdom for $78 since is hard to find The Muppets merchandise lately.

The design features beige and green colors with an all over pattern of Kermit riding his bike and playing his banjo plus butterflies and flowers. Super cute!

You can take a closer look at this backpack in our Instagram post:

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HUGE Christmas Trees and Decorations now on display at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

By

Greg Gately

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November 29, 2022

HUGE Christmas Trees and Decorations are now on display at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. The last resort to be decorated is one of the best. Jambo House and Kidani Village both have amazing decor, along with some very different, but cool holiday decorations. Not your ordinary Gingerbread display either.

The massive-sized Christmas tree encompasses the whole lobby at Jambo House now that it has been installed. This 4-story tall structure is adorned with different African-inspired ornaments. In the same lobby, you can find all sorts of holiday cheer. Check out the images below.

New this year is Debra the Zebra, a life-sized zebra made entirely out of gingerbread. Debra joins, what could be our favorite gingerbread animal the Ginger-affe. a 7-foot tall gingerbread giraffe, that is returning for its second season.

A Ginger-affe’s view of the huge Christmas tree. Along with the new Animal Kingdom Lodge Gingerbread display.

Christmas Trees and Decorations

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Hey Disney Voice Assistant testing to begin at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

By

Chip

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November 29, 2022

Hey Disney Voice Assistant testing to begin at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

The New Hey Disney Voice Assistant has started to show up at the Walt Disney World Resorts. Guests staying at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort have reported the devices started showing up in their rooms yesterday.

Guests staying at Disney’s Polynesian Resort have been notified that Cast Members may need to enter their rooms to install equipment for the test.

‘Hey, Disney!’ will let fans and guests interact with some of their most beloved Disney characters, simply by saying “Hey, Disney!” on supported Echo devices at home and at Disney Resort hotels.

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Here is more information on Hey Disney:

The history of The Walt Disney Company is full of successful corporate collaborations, producing innovative experiences everywhere from World’s Fairs to Tomorrowland’s to the pavilions of EPCOT and beyond. Now Disney is creating its own custom voice assistant using Alexa technology for supported Echo devices. Called “Hey Disney!”, this digital voice assistant will work alongside Alexa to respond to vocal prompts, bringing Disney characters and stories to life in magical new ways to make guest stays more convenient, engaging, and enjoyable.

“Hey Disney!” will begin rolling out in select Disney Resort hotel guest rooms across Walt Disney World later this year as part of the vacation destination’s 50th-anniversary celebration. Access will be offered as an optional, complimentary feature during guest stays. “Hey Disney!” will make the services Alexa users know and love – weather forecasts, timers, alarms, etc. – magical with the help of more than 25 popular characters including Mickey Mouse, Olaf, Rocket and Groot, Princess Tiana and many more.

“Hey Disney!” also features an all-new character, the Disney Magical Companion, who will help guests discover more than a thousand magical interactions, such as hearing special greetings and jokes from authentic Disney character voices, asking trivia questions and exploring audio environments inspired by Disney films and destinations. Guests of Disney Resort hotels will be able to learn helpful information about their vacation (“Hey Disney! When does the next bus to EPCOT depart?”), order room amenities (“Hey Disney! Can we have some extra towels?”) and more.

“Hey Disney!” will also be available for purchase in the U.S. for supported Echo devices via the Alexa Skills Store, inviting Disney fans to make every day at home more magical. In the future, MagicBand+ will work with “Hey Disney!” by pairing with supported Echo devices to enhance some “Hey Disney!” experiences. More details will be released soon.

What do you think about the new Hey Disney Digitial Assistant? Wouldnt it be cool to have one of these for your home?

New Chicken & Waffle Bowls Coming to Fairfax Fare at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

By

Sara

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November 29, 2022

New Chicken & Waffle Bowls Coming to Fairfax Fare at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

New savory waffle bowls are coming to Fairfax Fare in Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Starting today, November 29, guests can enjoy these new menu options.

The Disney Eats Instagram page shared the information yesterday. Four new savory waffle bowls will be available starting today. The bowls themselves are waffles and each has different toppings inside. The waffle bowls are:

Plant-based Soba Noodle Salad Bowl
Buffalo Chicken Bowl
Korean BBQ Pork Belly Bowl
BBQ Beef Brisket Bowl

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“New tasty menu items on the way!🍴😍 Starting Nov. 29 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you can enjoy one of four new savory waffle bowls at Fairfax Fare! Don’t they look mouth watering?”

What do you think of the new savory waffle bowls?

If you’d like to visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios to try a waffle bowl, 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!

New lunch and dinner flavors await diners at EPCOT Space 220 Restaurant

By

Sara

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November 29, 2022

New lunch and dinner flavors await diners at EPCOT Space 220 Restaurant

Epcot Space 220 Restaurant, the park’s out-of-this-world dining experience, has just added some stellar new dishes and cocktails to its menu, awaiting guests among the stars.

The new offerings include:

Imagination – Bacardi Light Rum, Malibu Rum, Blood Orange, Pineapple, Passion Fruit, Pop Rock Rim
Rocket Flame Seared Tuna – Fennel Spice-Rubbed Tuna Loin, Eggplant Caponata, Arugula, Aged Balsamic (gluten free & dairy free)
Roasted Beet Salad – Petite Rosette Lettuce, Herb Pesto, Hazelnuts, Caramelized Goat Cheese (gluten free)
Neptuna Nicoise – Diced Yellow Fin Tuna, Haricot Verts, Cherry Tomatoes, Potatoes, Olives, Balsamic Reduction (gluten free)
Coconut Curry Lobster Bisque – Butter-Poached Lobster, Snow Peas, Pearl Onions, Baby Carrots, Cherry Tomatoes (gluten free & dairy free)
Scallop Ravioli – Diver Scallops, Thyme, Chardonnay Sauce, Black Truffle Pearls
Stuffed Jumbo Shell – Crushed Chickpeas, Edamame, Saffron Tomato Ragout, Eastern Spice, Basil Pesto (vegan & dairy free)
Peanut Caramel Comet – Vanilla Tart, Candied Peanuts, Caramel Popcorn, White Chocolate Cream
Pistachio and Citrus – Pistachio Mousse, Charcoal Olive Oil, Blood Orange Sorbet and Sauce

In addition to brand new items, some favorite dishes and cocktails have been given upgrades, with new flavors and ingredients:

Orion Old Fashion – Four Roses Bourbon, Grand Marnier, Chocolate Bitters
Espresso Martini – Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Frangelico, Kahlua, Spiced Brown Sugar Syrup, Cold Brewed Espresso, Bourbon Cream, Dark Chocolate Shavings
Big Tang – Espolon Reposado, Cointreau, Tang Infused Agave Nectar, Astronaut Ice Cream
Space Greens – Bibb and Red Leaf Lettuce, Honey Crisp Apples, Radish, Cornbread Croutons, Bacon Bites, Warm Bacon Vinaigrette
Roasted Chicken Breast – Maple-Glazed Parsnips & Carrots, Potato Gratin, Black Truffle Jus (gluten free)
Galactic Miso Salmon – Miso Glazed Salmon, Glazed Rainbow Carrots, Edamame, Celeriac Puree (gluten free)
Slow Rotation Short Ribs – Braised Short Rib, Cheddar Grits, Bacon, Rainbow Carrots, Brussels Sprouts (gluten free)
Truffled Herb Parmesan Potato Wedges

Space 220 Restaurant opened September 2021, taking guests a simulated 220 miles above Earth’s surface to savor a delicious two or three-course prix fixe meal or enjoy bites in a lounge setting.

Have you had the chance to dine at Space 220? What do you think of the new menu items?

If you’d like to dine at Space 220 in Epcot, 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’s Agricultural Sciences team decorates the greenhouses for Living with the Land Holiday Overlay

By

Sara

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November 28, 2022

Disney’s Agricultural Sciences team decorates the greenhouses for Living with the Land Holiday Overlay

The Living with the Land holiday overlay has been installed in Epcot! Disney’s Agricultural Sciences team has decorated all of the greenhouses for the festive season.

The greenhouses have been adorned with ornaments, wreaths decorated with veggies, gift boxes, and more! Stockings and snowflakes can be seen around the greenhouses as well.

Dr. Mark Penning shared about the decor on Instagram:

“The holidays have arrived at Living with the Land! 🎄🎁
#DidYouKnow the Agricultural Sciences team decorates the greenhouses? They work together to light up The Land every year! ✨
Stop by to see the greenhouses shine during EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays.”

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A post shared by Dr. Mark Penning (@drmarkatdisney)

Have you ever seen the Living with the Land holiday overlay in person?

If you’d like to celebrate the holidays at Epcot, 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.

Voices of Liberty as Dickens Carolers at the American Pavilion for Epcot Holidays

By

Sara

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November 28, 2022

Voices of Liberty as Dickens Carolers at the American Pavilion for Epcot Holidays

The Voices of Liberty are appearing at the American Adventure Pavilion as Dickens carolers for the holidays! Guests can enjoy their favorite holiday tunes as sung by the Voices of Liberty – Dickens Carolers at the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays now through December 30, 2022.

Americana in the Rotunda
Step into the hallowed halls of The American Adventure Pavilion for an inspiring vocal performance by the Voices of Liberty. Their melodies delight while the rotunda’s acoustically perfect dome amplifies and purifies their sound—you won’t believe your ears!

Let your spirits soar during their 15-minute performance of timeless classics.

Dickens Carolers
During EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, the Voices of Liberty celebrate with performances as the Dickens Carolers. Dressed in Colonial winter attire, they offer original renditions of holiday favorites that honor the spirit of seasons past, present and future.

Have you had a chance to experience Voices of Liberty in person?

If you’d like to celebrate the holidays at Walt Disney World, contact me today! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel, my services are free, and I’d love to help you plan a magical vacation!

Shanghai Disneyland will be closing AGAIN beginning November 29th

By

Sara

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November 28, 2022

Shanghai Disneyland will be closing AGAIN beginning November 29th

Shanghai Disneyland will be closing again due to COVID-19. The resort just reopened a few days ago after its 2nd closure this year and is already closing again beginning November 29th.

From the Shanghai Disney website:

“In order to follow the requirement of pandemic prevention and control, Shanghai Disneyland will be temporarily closed starting Tuesday, November 29, 2022. We will notify guests as soon as we have a confirmed date to resume operations.
Disneytown, Wishing Star Park and the two resort hotels will continue to operate normally.
We apologize for the inconvenience and will provide refund or exchanges for all guests impacted during this period.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!”

Shanghai is subject to China’s “dynamic zero-COVID” strategy to prevent any and all transmission of the coronavirus through extensive and constant testing as well as aggressive lockdowns.

The first closure this year was from March through late June. Then the park closed on October 31 and just reopened on November 25. Stay tuned to see how long this third closure will last.

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