We have an update to the 2-year-old boy who was attacked by an alligator Tuesday night at Disney’s Grand Floridan Resort.
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office the body of 2-year-old boy dragged into the Seven Seas Lagoon by an alligator has been recovered intact.
Around the 1:45 p.m., divers found the intact remains of the boy. The remains were recovered around 3:30pm and the body was taken to Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Orange County Sheriff’s Office believes the gator drowned the boy.
Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Graves family…
Good news the Tee Public Site Wide sale is on now through Father’s Day.
Now through Sunday June 19th, our friends at Tee Public is having their $14 T-Shirt Sale! All T-Shirts on the Chip and Co Store are included in this sale or you can check out some of the hot designs from other Disney Designers.
May TeePublic Sale:
Wednesday, June 15th through Sunday, June 19th
Deal Details:
T-Shirts – $14
Mens V-Neck – $18
Tanks – $18
Zip Up Hoodie – $38
Hoodies – $35
Crew necks – $30
BaseBall Tees – $17
LongSleeve Tees – $15
Scoop Neck – $21
Infant Onsie – $15
Kids Tees – $14
Prints and Canvas 25% Off
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It appears that the Walt Disney World FastPass+ booking option for both the My Disney Experience website and the app are currently not working for users. When guests try to make FastPass choices they are told that the total amount of Fastpasses for the day have been completed, which isn’t true. I wasn’t even able to choose a park for my FastPasses, it just automatically said all Fastpass distributions were done for the day. Fastpasses that have already been chosen have not been affected, and if you are at the parks, and already have them set, you will be fine; but you can no longer choose Fastpasses through any of the other options either.
Disney is aware of the issue and is working on it, but they aren’t sure when the system will be up and running again.
We’ll keep you posted as we know more.
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The cast at the Finding Dory Press Conference at the Montage Beverly Hills
In the first round of “Finding Dory” press conferences, it was incredible to hear from such seasoned Pixar crew as producer Lindsey Collins and Academy Award winning filmmaker, and this movie’s director Andrew Stanton.
For the second panel, there was yet another amazing panel! In attendance were: Albert Brooks (Marlin), Hayden Rolance (Nemo), Eugene Levy (Charlie), Ty Burrell (Bailey), Kaitlyn Olsen (Destiny), Ed O’Neill (Hank), and of course Ellen DeGeneres (Dory).
Albert Brooks (Marlin) and Hayden Rolance (Nemo)
Hayden Rolance, although playing the returning role of Nemo, is a new cast member to this film. Rolance recounted that it felt unreal, having already been a fan of “Finding Nemo,” it felt like a dream come true to get to play a role he never imagined possible to play.
No stranger to these movies, Albert Brooks stepped back into his role, Marlin. He said since the crew on these films are so amazing, along with the incredible writing, it was a breeze re-visiting a role he hadn’t played for 13 years. It was as if no time passed at all. Brooks also said he can easily relate to Marlin, as they have some similarities. Having been a writer for some many years, he said that he has to naturally be very analytical and aware of his surroundings. So in that regards, he can relate to Marlin’s over awareness. Unlike Marlin though, he said he tries not to sweat the small stuff.
Eugene Levy (Charlie, Dory’s Dad)
Eugene Levy plays the new role of Charlie, Dory’s father. Levy has played many movie fathers, saying that those types of roles really resonate with him, since family roles seem quite tangible and real. He feels he can pour himself into those types of roles and really have fun with them. Levy found the “Finding Dory” script particularly touching not and emotional. Even though often he did his voice recordings alone, it felt doable to still perform his role to its fullest potential, since the writing and directing were so superb and dug into the layers of each character.
Kaitlyn Olsen and Ty Burrell
Kaitlyn Olsen plays whale shark Destiny, and Ty Burrell plays Beluga whale Bailey. These two play tank neighbors in the film, and both had a blast getting to do comedic acting for a Pixar film. Olsen described their roles as having a brother and sister relationship; their characters annoy each other, but they ultimately love each other. Burrell had a similar fun experience. When he originally came in to record, he had over-thought and over-prepared, feeling a little nervous about making a good impression with Pixar. Director Andrew Stanton, however, instantly helped him feel at ease and assured him to just be himself so that himself and the character would naturally mesh together. Burrell said everyone at Pixar was so down-to-earth, creative, and talented. He feels a major part of the reason why Pixar films are so incredible and unique is because Disney and Pixar address serious topics in their films that kids ask questions about, but often aren’t discussed. It helps inspire conversations between kids and adults on explaining more complex topics in life.
Ed O’Neill (Hank)
Ed O’Neill plays the octopus Hank. He described his role as being the “Dory” of the sequel, since he was the sidekick for this film. Since Ellen campaigned on her show for so long to have a “Finding Nemo” sequel created, O’Neill joked that he will for years to come be a recurring guest star on her show to campaign for a third movie, “Finding Hank.”
Ellen DeGeneres (Dory)
After years of joking about a “Finding Nemo” sequel, she was ecstatic when she got the call that one was finally being made, and was surprised to hear it would be centering around Dory. She loves playing this character since she is so genuine, yet has so many layers. DeGeneres tries to be like Dory as much as she can be in her own life; full of kindness, non-judge mental, no resentment, and full of optimism and a can-do attitude. She loves that Dory believes anything is possible, and that no one is wrong with anyone else, regardless of their flaws. With “Finding Dory,” DeGeneres enjoyed exploring the layers to Dory in this script. She felt the writing was so real and emotional, which made it easy for her to feel in-touch with her role in the sequel.
It was a fabulous, once-in-a-lifetime experience to hear the actors and creative team behind these classic films talk so in-depth about “Finding Dory”, and got me even more excited to see the film! You can catch “Finding Dory” in theaters June 17th.
Now it is being reported that Disney has officially closed all the beaches at Walt Disney World.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokesman Nick Wiley said the FWC has already euthanized four gators in this body of water. However, they don’t believe those gators are the one responsible for taking the young child.
Wiley said during the press conference that it’s very rare for alligators to attack people. According to a FWC statistics report, nine people have been attacked by alligators since 2015. And between 1948 to April 2016, a total of 383 attacks have been recorded by the FWC.
Some 50 law enforcement personnel are on the scene, including marine units. Florida Fish and Wildlife is also bringing in extra officers to help. Helicopters are searching the lake, sonar equipment is being used and dive teams are on standby.
“We are not leaving until we find the child,” said Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings. “We are out actively searching the lake. We have two of our marine units that are on the lake searching for the child. In addition, we will be working with the Fish and Wildlife Commission to continue these efforts for the next several hours.”
A Disney spokesperson said they are doing everything to help and comfort the family at this time. “Everyone here at the Walt Disney World Resort is devastated by this tragic accident.”
In the wake of the horrifying shooting at the Orlando night club Pulse fans have created an event which is being advertised on Facebook. The event will take place in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom on Saturday at 11:30pm.
Event goers are set to meet at the Partner’s statue which is the figure of Walt Disney holding Mickey Mouse’s hand near the base of Cinderella’s Castle. The Walt Disney Company has no involvement in the event in which people will gather “to show our love and support” to all the lives lost.
The event says there will be a “Special Kiss Goodnight,” and “All are welcome. #OrlandoStrong,”
Park admission is required to attend the free fan created event.
Disney cast member Jerald Arthur Wright, 31, who was a seasonal employee in a shop along Main Street was among the 49 people killed on Sunday.
Universal Studios had a tribute of their own on Monday night, where people gathered at Hogwarts castle in Universal’s Islands of Adventure to pay respect to team member Luis Vielma and former employee Xavier Serrano both who lost their lives early Sunday morning.
Reports are coming in that boat service to the Magic Kingdom has been suspended while officials continue to search for the missing child that was attacked last night by an alligator in the Seven Seas Lagoon.
The only transportation to the Magic Kingdom are buses and the monorail.
You can expect delays if you are trying to get to or from the Magic Kingdom.
The Orange County Sheriff Department stated that the Nebraska family of five was relaxing on the shoreline just before Wishes. According to WESH the father and son were wading in a foot of water when the alligator attacked the boy. The father of the child entered the water and tried to wrestle the child away from the alligator, but he was unsuccessful. He was left with minor scratches on his hands following the encounter.
The parents of the boy notified cast members immediately and the Police were called.
Orange County authorities said over 50 people, including helicopters and marine units, were involved in the overnight search and about the same number of people would continue the search Wednesday.
Vice President of Walt Disney World Resort Jacquee Wahler made the following statement:
“Everyone here at the Walt Disney World Resort is devastated by this tragic accident. Our thoughts are with the family,” he said. “We are helping the family and doing everything we can to assist law enforcement.”
The Orlando Sentinel has just reported that a young child is missing after an alligator dragged him into the water near Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. The 2 year old was dragged into the Seven Seas Lagoon around 9:30pm according to Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Rose Silva.
Deputies are still searching the waters for the child, who has not yet been found. That is all we know for now.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the child’s family as rescuers search for the young guest.
The next day after seeing a screening of “Finding Dory“, I got to go to the beautiful Montage Beverly Hills Hotel for some more Dory fun! It was an afternoon of press conferences with some of the film’s cast and crew, having in-depth conversations about their character work and behind-the-scenes experiences.
First up was director Andrew Stanton, director of many Pixar hits, and also the voice of crush. He spoke alongside producer Lindsey Collins.
Stanton explained that although “Finding Nemo” was such a success, the reason why there is a thirteen year lapse between “Nemo” and “Finding Dory” was because he didn’t think a sequel was ever happening, it wasn’t in the forefront of his mind to make. Since a film of this nature typically takes about 4 years, and that is a huge time lapse for a fish, it wasn’t on the docket to make a second movie.
A few years ago, however, he realized he felt horrified that he left audiences not knowing what happened to Dory. Having short term memory loss in the big, wide ocean can be a scary thing. He wanted to tell her story so that audiences knew how she was doing; how she was even blossoming.
When he came up with the idea to center around Dory, he knew that he wanted the story to involve Dory succeeding on her own completely. Stanton felt having her be able to succeed and accomplish big hurdles on her own was imperative in order to have Dory accept herself, short term memory loss and all. Collins elaborated on this, saying they wanted Dory to have the ability to grant herself the amount of grace and acceptance she grants everyone around her.
The first film took place in the waters around Australia. Stanton talked about how this time around, the setting is the California coast. Since the first movie, he wanted to include kelp beds in their story’s setting. Not only because they are visually stunning and very unique habitats, but also because he felt like kelp beds looked like an underwater forest. Stanton liked the idea of having an underwater fairy tale that has kelp bed scenes to mimic the classic fairy tale with a forest setting.
In addition to the film’s exciting new setting, there are also many new characters: Hank, Bailey, Destiny, to name a few. Stanton and Collins felt very satisfied with the cast, feeling like everyone slipped into their roles perfectly (not to mention, everyone who they cast was also their first choice in voice actor).
Although the new settings and characters are fun to explore, this film is ultimately answering questions about Dory, as well as working to have her character grow. Collins loves how this movie allowed them the opportunity to explain the questions we have about Dory’s past (I.e. How does she know how to speak whale?). Stanton had an incredible time diving into the layers of our favorite blue tang, discovering alongside the writers and cast, Dory’s personality, flaws, emotions, and her family.
The Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory food court at Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort will temporarily close for refurbishment beginning July 11th until sometime this fall.
In the meantime, a temporary food and beverage location will be available at Scat Cat’s Lounge. Guest favorites such as jambalaya, po-boy sandwiches, gumbo, beignets and other hot and cold entrees along with a selection of grab n go meals will be available for purchase. The Disney Dining Plan will be accepted at this new location.
Bus transportation to the neighboring Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort will be available from 7am until midnight for guests who wish to dine at the Riverside Mill Food Court. Dinner reservations can also be made at Boatwright’s Dining Hall between 5:00pm and 10:00pm, which is located at Port Orleans Riverside as well.
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Today Disney Parks Blog announced that the Walt Disney Company announced a $1 million cash commitment to the OneOrlando Fund, established by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer to assist those affected by the tragic events in Orlando. Disney will also be matching Disney employee donations dollar for dollar by Disney Employee Matching Gifts: A Program of The Walt Disney Company Foundation.
“We are heartbroken by this tragedy and hope our commitment will help those in the community affected by this senseless act,” said Bob Chapek, chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “With 74,000 Cast Members who call Orlando home, we mourn the loss of the victims and offer our condolences to their families, friends and loved ones.”
OneOrlando Fund will provide funds and other services to individuals affected by the tragedy. The website for the new fund is www.oneorlando.org.
Walt Disney World Resort has also been working in coordination with other Central Florida agencies and leaders to provide support to those in need. In coordination with OneBlood, cast members and other employees working at Walt Disney World Resort wishing to donate blood to help victims may donate at five designated locations across the resort property.
Walt Disney World Resort is also providing complimentary accommodations for the families and friends of the victims, through an effort led by the City of Orlando and the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association.
Our hearts and prayers are with everyone impacted by this deeply horrific event.
