Tokyo Disneyland has changed their welcome greeting from “Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls” to “Welcome Everyone” in an effort to promote inclusiveness.
This change started on March 18, 2021. Tokyo Disney, which is owned by Oriental Land Co., Ltd, is the first of the Disney parks to make a change to the welcome greeting. The reason for the change is “Continuously for all guests. To make you feel comfortable in the park,” according to a spokeswoman for Oriental Land.
The wording was changed to “Welcome Everyone” or “Hello Everyone” which do not specify gender. The spokeswoman also said, “It is a comprehensive judgment that takes into account the current social conditions such as diversity.”
So far, only the welcome greeting has changed, but the wording in attractions and other facilities will also be changing.
Earlier this week we shared the news that the CDC recommended that the No Sail order for the Cruise Industry should remain in place till November of 2021. You can read all about that here.
Today Florida’s Governor is calling on the CDC to rescind the no sail order which is in place till the winter months.
“If there is one thing we’ve learned over the past year, it’s that lockdowns don’t work, and Floridians deserve the right to earn a living,” said Governor DeSantis. “The cruise industry is essential to our state’s economy and keeping it shut down until November would be devastating to the men and women who rely on the cruise lines to provide for themselves and their families. I urge the CDC to immediately rescind this baseless no-sail order to allow Floridians in this industry to get back to work.”
Here is more information from Governor DeSantis’s office:
Today, Governor Ron DeSantis, Attorney General Ashley Moody and Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Secretary Kevin J. Thibault, P.E. held a roundtable discussion with cruise industry executives and employees to highlight the importance of this critical industry to Florida’s economy.
At the roundtable, Governor DeSantis called on the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to rescind its no-sail order which the CDC has indicated will remain in place until November 1, 2021. The federal government has provided guidance to all other passenger transportation modes and other industries; however, it has failed to issue guidance for the cruise industry to assist in its recovery.
In addition to the lack of guidance, the federal government has neglected to provide relief funding to seaports while airports and transit agencies have received assistance through previous relief packages. Earlier this month, Governor DeSantis recommended Florida’s seaports receive $258.2 million out of the state’s share of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, to account for the losses accrued due to the no-sail order.
“If there is one thing we’ve learned over the past year, it’s that lockdowns don’t work, and Floridians deserve the right to earn a living,” saidGovernor DeSantis. “The cruise industry is essential to our state’s economy and keeping it shut down until November would be devastating to the men and women who rely on the cruise lines to provide for themselves and their families. I urge the CDC to immediately rescind this baseless no-sail order to allow Floridians in this industry to get back to work.”
“It’s anchors aweigh for almost every travel industry in the U.S., yet the Biden administration is keeping our cruise liners docked—while many other major countries begin to operate cruises safely under health guidelines. The rationale for keeping U.S. cruises shuttered through the foreseeable future is based on outdated data and guidelines put in place before we had a COVID-19 vaccine,” said Attorney General Ashley Moody. “The federal government is acting outside its authority in singling out and docking the cruise industry while other tourism-based businesses continue to operate in accordance with health guidelines. This heavy-handed federal overreach is harming our nation’s economy and is especially damaging to Florida’s economy and our vital tourism industry. That is why, we are calling on the Biden administration to lift the outdated lockdown order on Florida’s cruise industry and allow workers who rely on this important industry to get back to work.”
“Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, the state continues to make key investments in our transportation system, but, because of the CDC’s no-sail order, the cruise industry is still struggling,” saidFDOT Secretary Kevin J. Thibault, P.E. “The Governor and the state continue to do all that we can to help these members of our communities regain their livelihoods and we hope our federal counterparts follow suit.”
On March 14, the nation marked its one-year anniversary of the CDC’s no-sail order. A September 2020 report from the Federal Maritime Commission estimated that during the first 6 months of the pandemic, losses in Florida due to the cruise industry shutdown totalled $3.2 billion in economic activity, including 49,500 jobs paying $2.3 billion in wages. In addition, Florida saw wide-ranging indirect impacts throughout the state – from airports and ground transportation to hotels, restaurants, and tourist destinations.
The COVID-19 pandemic’s effects on the cruise industry are part of a larger struggle facing the entire travel industry, which ended 2020 with $1.1 trillion in losses, a 42 percent drop from 2019.
The resort reopened on March 22nd with rooms that went through a big transformation just like it happened at Pop Century Resort a few years ago. Those green and yellow walls and colorful bedding are gone and replaced with a more sleek look and colors.
The room has white walls and hardwood floor, and the Disney decor is very subtle. Definitely an upgrade from those bright colors it had before. The headboard of the main bed features Minnie, Mickey and Donald, very cute!
When you first walk into the room, you will find only one bed and a little dining area next to it, but that area can transform into a second bed! So you can use it to have breakfast or dinner after going to the parks and then relax on the bed.
The second bed headboard features Huey, Dewey and Louie sitting on a couch and dreaming about being soccer stars, movie stars and even rockstars! And if you think about it, those dreams relate to the three themes of the All Star Resorts.
The bathroom is now more sleek and modern, the mirrors have light around them, perfect for doing your makeup! There’s also plenty of storage space next to the mirror and under the sink.
And the shower now features a barn door sliding enclosure.
TRON Lightcycle Run has forever changed the skyline of Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom park, with the capping of the curved canopy for the outside portion of the ride. Guest will experience speeds of 60 mph on the roller coaster track that will be both indoors and outdoors. The seats resemble Light Cycles from the TRON and TRON: Legacy movies.
Started in September of 2020 the “curved wave” canopy, known as the Upload Conduit is comprised of 40 pieces. Each section is strategically assembled before installation, including alignment of the steel, welding, grinding, some painting and electrical work.
The Shanghai Disneyland ride debuted along with the rest of Shanghai Disneyland on June 16, 2016, Magic Kingdom’s version was set to open Summer of 2021. Originally announced at D23 in July of 2017, with construction starting back in 2018. No opening date has been scheduled. Guests are hoping for an October 1st, 2021 opening which would have been timed for the 50th Anniversary of Magic Kingdom.
Spring is in bloom and we are in love(my writers told me to say that) with the two new pairs of Springtime Minnie Ears that have been spotted at Walt Disney World!
The first pair is a lovely blue pair, that actually looks indigo indoors. (watch the video below) With a frilly, lacy bow on top.
If you are interested in owning a pair reach out to our friends at Wright Touch of Magic on Instagram and they might be able to help you out. Tell them Chip sent you!
Starting this summer Disney Cruise Line will be offering UK residents a chance to cruise on the Disney Magic for a 2,3 or 4-day cruise around the UK. As of right now, there are very few details, all we know is that booking begins in April for Sailings in Summer 2021!
This Summer, Set Sail on a Unique Staycation at Sea Aboard 2-, 3- and Limited 4-Night Cruisesfrom the UK
Departing on select dates from London Tilbury, Newcastle, Liverpool, and Southampton aboard the Disney Magic, our new staycation sailings—exclusive to UK residents—invite you to embark on a brand-new, magical Disney experience. Close to home and at sea—be immersed in Disney storytelling, thanks to an amazing collection of onboard entertainment, dining, and recreation for the entire family, with all the care you’d expect from Disney.
Health & Safety is a top priority. Disney will be implementing multiple layers of health and safety measures considering the guidance from the UK government, health authorities and medical experts.
Disney Cruise Line shared the information on Instagram just this morning.
The High School Musical alum announced the birth of her daughter on Wednesday and revealed her special, out-of-this-world name. She also included a photo the baby’s tiny hand wrapped around her mother’s finger.
Jupiter Iris French arrived earth side 3.23.21
You can see Ashley sharing this incredible shot of mother and child bonding with her Instagram fans:
Both Ashley Tisdale and husband, Christopher French, tied the knot in 2014. Jupiter Iris French is their first child, so it’s been a phenomenal week for the married couple.
Ashley Tisdale achieved mainstream success as Maddie Fitzpatrick in the Disney Channel series The Suite Life of Zack & Cody (2005-2008). Also, Tisdale played the voice role of Candace Flynn in the Disney Channel animated series Phineas & Ferb (2007–2015). Tisdale had her breakout role as Sharpay Evans in the Disney Channel film High School Musical (2006). The film was the network’s most successful film of 2006, receiving 7.7 million viewers upon its premiere. The soundtrack for the film, featuring numerous contributions from Tisdale, went on to sell over three million copies in the United States alone.
Loungefly is gonna wreck it with the newest Disney collaboration they are releasing today! A new Loungefly Wreck-It Ralph crashes onto the Loungefly website at 9:00 AM PST, TODAY! You’ll want to race over to Loungefly.com today, so you don’t miss out on the sugar, I mean accessory rush.
The Wreck-It-Ralph mini-backpack features your favorite gamer princess, Vanellope! It captures all of her sweet glory complete with embroidered appliques of candy in her hair, and even a drawstring detail on the front pocket.
The coordinating bi-fold wallet has matching themed lining, with puff printed, and also embroidered details!
One of my favorite pieces in the new collection is actually the cookie medal key-chain! It is a colorful replica of the medal Vanellope gives to Ralph, and just makes my heart melt.
Pin collectors will enjoy the collectible pin sets too! The four-piece set actually creates a cute scene of Ralph and Felix atop the Niceland apartment building. Plus there is a Felix medal! The other collectible pins are a blind box collection. This set features the racing friends of Sugar Rush, but you’ll never know which pin you will get!
If you love the new Loungefly Wreck-It Ralph collection, be sure to race over to Loungefly.com at 9:00 AM PST!
Walt Disney Imagineering, along with Imagineer Zach Riddley, is sharing a behind-the-scenes look at the new lighting on the Chinese Theatre in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
In the video posted to Instagram, Disney Imagineer Josh Isovich shares how Disney’s goal is to enhance the stories being told through lighting. He also describes how light streaks will go down and reveal the dragon on the theatre in a more dimensional way than it has previously.
Imagineer Zach Riddley posted the following on Instagram:
“Many of our fans are showing their love for the new look on the Chinese Theatre at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and it’s been great to see the hard work of our Imagineers come to life for our guests this past week. Lighting has a power to help tell stories and deepen emotion. We caught up with Josh Iscovich and Aaron Leahy, two of our show lighting designers on the new exterior lighting design, as they were finishing work on this new design to share a bit more of their inspiration behind the project.”
Many Disney+ subscribers will be tuning into the second episode of Marvel’s The Falcon and The Winter Soldier this weekend. However, some will quickly notice a new violent content warning for the series. Even though the show is rated PG-13, Disney+ is being diligent in letting subscribers know what to expect for possible fight sequence. The Marvel programs are cast for a wide audience, so the show is still still intended superhero fans familiar with prior MCU films.
You can see an image below of the new content warning for the Marvel Cinematic Universe series.
The show stars Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson (The Falcon) and Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes (The Winter Soldier).
Steve Rogers retired from his role as Captain America in Avengers: Endgame. Even though Steve is now longer acting as the Star-Spangled Avenger, the legacy of the super soldier continues in The Falcon and The Winter Solider.
Keep watching the Disney+ series to see what’s next the shield as Sam and Bucky embark on a new journey. Are you excited to see more adventures coming to the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Let us know in the comments!
Check back here on Chip & Co. for the latest theme park and entertainment news updates!
If you’re at Walt Disney World right now and haven’t found the perfect snack yet, you may want to take a look at these. Easter has hit Disney Springs and is bringing the goodies, including chocolatey and boozy ones! Who knew the Easter Bunny was such an adult?
The Ganachery in Disney Springs is known for their chocolates, their house-made s’mores, and especially their chocolate piñata. The Easter Minnie Bunny Piñata is the latest version of their iconic treat. It’s a milk chocolate globe filled with marshmallow treats. The only problem is that it’s so cute, we wouldn’t want to use the wooden mallet to smash it apart. Maybe just a little, because it’s probably delicious! It’s available through April 4th at $28 per piñata.
This year’s new treat is just for the adults. It’s a Boozy Bourbon Chocolate Bunny! I guess kids over 21 need Easter baskets too! And now we know exactly what to put in them. The bunnies are made of milk chocolate and filled with a bourbon chocolate drink. At $15 each, you can decide whether it’s a dessert or a cocktail for yourself. Grab it before April 4th.
The Hollywood actor Johnny Depp has lost an attempt to appeal a high court ruling. The actor asked the court of appeal to grant permission for him to challenge a prior ruling. Depp’s legal counsel recently made efforts to have the findings overturned and a retrial ordered.
The legal dispute began when The Sun published a 2018 report that Depp had abused his ex-wife Amber Heard on multiple occasions throughout their relationship.
In regards to the appeal, the British court’s Lord Justice Underhill gave the following reason for the ruling.
“We refuse Mr Depp’s application to admit further evidence in support of his proposed appeal and we conclude that the appeal has no real prospect of success and that there is no other compelling reason for it to be heard. We accordingly refuse permission to appeal.”
Due to recently highlighted personal issues and allegations made against the famed actor, Depp has been dumped by many major film studios, including Walt Disney Pictures who helmed the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise and is looking to create a reboot series or films.
Check back here on Chip & Co. for the latest theme park and entertainment news updates!
