Disney Heroes Award Reminds Cast Member She’s ‘Capable of Anything’
A Disney Vacation Club Sales Experience Manager, Nichole Shaw, has been recognized with the prestigious Disney Heroes Award for her quick thinking and bravery in saving a young girl’s life.
The incident occurred at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, where Shaw was performing her daily rounds. Without hesitation, she jumped into action to assist a child who was choking. Her swift response and knowledge of first aid techniques proved to be lifesaving.
“Having this award every single day to look down on is a reminder that I’m capable of anything, even the scary things,” Shaw expressed. The Disney Heroes Award celebrates Cast Members who perform extraordinary acts of heroism, both on and off the clock. Recipients of this esteemed award come from various Disney locations worldwide and are nominated by their fellow employees for their courageous deeds.
Since its establishment in 2008, over 100 Cast Members across the company have been honored with the Disney Heroes Award for their exceptional bravery and compassion. Shaw’s recognition serves as a testament to the extraordinary individuals who make up the Disney family and their unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of guests and fellow Cast Members. Amazing job Nichole!
Guests visiting EPCOT this week might notice a temporary closure of CommuniCore Hall as the location prepares for the upcoming 2024 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. While the closure may come as a disappointment to some, it’s not entirely unexpected. CommuniCore Hall was designed to be the central hub for Disney’s festivals, with each event bringing its own unique content and theming to the space.
To ensure everything is ready for the festival’s kickoff, CommuniCore Hall will be closed through August 28, 2024, and is set to reopen on August 29, just in time for the start of the highly anticipated Food & Wine Festival.
CommuniCore Hall made its debut on June 10, 2024, marking the final piece of EPCOT’s extensive reimagining project. The hall quickly became a go-to spot for guests looking to meet Mickey and his pals, cool off in the air-conditioned central flex space, or explore the surrounding CommuniCore Plaza.
Outside, the plaza offers a performance stage, shaded seating areas, and the Festival Favorites booth, making it a popular gathering spot, especially during EPCOT’s seasonal events. At night, the building transforms with an illuminated triangle panel exterior, adding a touch of magic to the park’s skyline.
Despite these features, CommuniCore Hall’s opening received a mixed response from Disney fans, many of whom were underwhelmed by its design and aesthetics (especially considering the ambitious concept art that was initially released). Some felt that the hall, after years of anticipation, didn’t quite live up to the hype. However, there’s hope that the addition of festival-specific theming and content will give the space a chance to truly shine, allowing it to become the vibrant festival hub it was always intended to be.
Related: Pirates of the Caribbean Clock Tower Refurbishment Complete in the Magic Kingdom
As EPCOT prepares for another round of delicious bites and sips from around the world, we’re excited to see how CommuniCore Hall will be transformed for the Food & Wine Festival. With its reopening on August 29, guests can look forward to exploring a refreshed space that celebrates the flavors, sights, and sounds of this landmark festival.
As the end of the year approaches, Universal Orlando Resort is gearing up for some exciting changes and necessary refurbishments to ensure your future visits are as thrilling as ever. From ride closures to maintenance schedules, here’s a rundown of what to expect so you can plan your adventures accordingly. Remember, these dates are subject to change, so always check for the latest updates before you go!
Fast & Furious – Supercharged Closure Dates: August 19 – November 3, 2024 Get ready to pump the brakes—Fast & Furious – Supercharged will be temporarily closed to accommodate a queue for Halloween Horror Nights. Don’t worry, though; the family will be back before you know it!
MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack Closure Dates: November 4 – December 15, 2024 Our favorite extraterrestrial exterminators are taking a short break. MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack will be undergoing a brief refurbishment. Time to polish those neuralyzers!
Hogwarts Express Closure Dates: November 4 – 7, 2024 For a few days in November, the iconic Hogwarts Express will be out of service. This brief closure will give the train a little TLC, ensuring it’s in top shape for future journeys between Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade.
Cinesational: A Nighttime Spectacular Final Show: August 25, 2024 Cinesational, the dazzling nighttime show that has captivated audiences with its celebration of blockbuster films, will have its final performance on August 25th. Don’t miss your last chance to experience this cinematic tribute before it makes way for new entertainment.
Mega Movie Parade Final Parade: November 14, 2024 The Mega Movie Parade will take its final march through Universal Studios Florida on November 14th, just in time to make room for the beloved Macy’s Holiday Parade. Make sure to catch this fan-favorite parade one last time before it concludes.
Islands of Adventure
Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls Closure Dates: October 1, 2024 – January 2, 2025 Prepare to get soaked—just not this fall. Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls will be closed for a major refurbishment, reopening in the new year for more splash-filled fun.
Me-Ship, The Olive Closure Dates: October 21, 2024 – December 4, 2024 Popeye’s trusty ship is setting sail for a refurbishment. While Me-Ship, The Olive is docked, there’s plenty more to explore in Toon Lagoon!
Hogwarts Always Light Show Final Show: August 25, 2024 The Hogwarts Always Light Show will dazzle fans one last time on August 25th before making way for an exciting new nighttime show at Islands of Adventure. Be sure to catch this magical spectacle before it lights up Hogwarts Castle for the final time.
Hogwarts Express Closure Dates: November 4 – 7, 2024 As mentioned earlier, this short break will allow for maintenance on the Hogwarts Express, ensuring your magical journey remains smooth.
Jurassic Park River Adventure Closure Dates: January 6, 2025 – January 23, 2025 Dino fans, take note—Jurassic Park River Adventure will be closed for a couple of weeks in early January 2025. This downtime will keep the T. rex in top roaring condition!
Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges Closure Dates: January 24, 2025 – March 15, 2025 Get ready for more white-water fun in the spring, as Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges undergoes a significant refurbishment during the winter months.
Volcano Bay
Volcano Bay will also see some weekday closures starting in late October 2024 and continuing through February 2025. These closures are not surprising considering the lower weekday demand for Volcano Bay during the winter months, especially during the week when many kids are in school. If you’re planning to splash around, make sure to check the specific dates to avoid any surprises!
These closures are all part of Universal’s ongoing commitment to providing a top-notch experience for all its guests. Whether you’re planning to visit this fall or early next year, these refurbishments ensure that every ride and attraction is in peak condition, ready to deliver the thrills and magic that Universal Orlando Resort is known for. Keep an eye on the schedule and prepare for an epic adventure on your next trip!
Brightline is offering the adventure of a lifetime with their latest giveaway—a chance to win a 3-night trip to Universal Orlando Resort! For the first time ever, Brightline is giving away four incredible Getaway Prize packages, allowing lucky winners to dive into the immersive worlds of Universal’s unforgettable theme parks.
If you’re 18 or older, you can enter for a chance to be one of four lucky winners. Each Getaway Prize package includes:
Three nights at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort: Enjoy comfortable accommodations right in the heart of the action, with retro theming and a range of amenities perfect for families.
Brightline PREMIUM round-trip tickets: Travel in style with Brightline’s premium service, offering a round-trip journey to Orlando, FL, from a Brightline station for you and up to three guests.
Ground transportation: Relax knowing that your transportation to and from the Brightline station and your hotel in Orlando is taken care of.
3-Park 3-Day Park-to-Park admission: Experience all three of Universal’s incredible parks—Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, and Universal Volcano Bay—with Park-to-Park access for the entire family.
Entering is simple. Just fill out the entry form with your first name, last name, email address, and mailing address. By submitting your entry, you’ll also sign up to receive special offers and updates about upcoming events from Brightline.
Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to create memories that will last a lifetime. Enter now for your chance to win a trip that promises non-stop excitement, adventure, and fun at Universal Orlando Resort!
Mears Connect, the transportation service that operated the now-defunct Disney’s Magical Express service and stepped in to fill the void left by the sunsetting of Magical Express, is set to roll out some exciting updates this fall, enhancing the travel experience between Orlando International Airport and the Walt Disney World Resort.
This summer, Mears Connect delighted passengers by giving away collectible stickers featuring their iconic Connect buses, a gesture that quickly became a hit. However, the fun doesn’t stop there—there’s even more in store as the fall season approaches.
In September, Mears Connect will introduce a new activity book designed specifically for young travelers. The Mears Connect-themed books will come with crayons and feature 10 pages of engaging content, including stories about their charming animal characters—Doc, Fran, Frank, Thomas, and Maisy—along with puzzles and coloring activities. These books are sure to be a big hit with children, making the journey even more enjoyable for families.
The most significant update, however, will be the revamp of the in-ride video entertainment, a feature familiar to those who fondly remember Disney’s Magical Express. Mears Connect isn’t just refreshing its content; it’s enhancing the entire experience. While popular elements like the Mears Connect animal pals and trivia segments will remain, new content tailored for both arrivals and departures will be introduced. The goal is to ensure that Mears Connect becomes the first and last attraction of the trip, allowing guests to sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride from start to finish.
Have you utilized the Mears Connect service during a recent Walt Disney World vacation? Leave us a comment to let us know!
Exciting new details have been announced for the Island Tower, currently under construction at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and slated to open later this year. Among the highlights are four exclusive island-themed terrace gardens that will offer guests a serene escape with stunning views.
Each garden will feature unique artwork, lush foliage, and themed seating areas, making them the perfect spot for families to gather and enjoy picturesque views of Disney’s Oak Trail and Magnolia Golf Courses or the Seven Seas Lagoon. Best of all, these terraces will provide prime vantage points for viewing the Magic Kingdom fireworks.
As we previously reported, additional new details recently released by Disney include the Wailulu Bar & Grill, a Polynesian-inspired dining experience named after the Hawaiian words for “water” and “calm.” This restaurant will offer indoor and outdoor seating with breathtaking views of the Seven Seas Lagoon and Cinderella’s Castle.
Additionally, the Island Tower will boast a brand-new zero-entry Cove Pool and Moana’s Voyage splash area, where little ones can play alongside life-size sculptures of Moana and her iconic canoe. Both Disney Vacation Club members and guests at the Polynesian Village Resort will have access to these new aquatic features.
Disney announced during the recent D:23 event that Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island in Magic Kingdom will soon make way for a new cars-themed expansion. Reaction to the news has been mixed, with many Disney fans welcoming the upgrade and addition to Magic Kingdom, while others wishing the planned expansion was planned in a way that did not sacrifice two classic attractions.
Since construction permits have been recently filed, we can expect work in this area to begin in the coming weeks. X User bioreconstruct shared some arial photos of the area ahead of the beginning of the demo work, affording us perhaps our last glimpse of the land as it currently stands.
Aerial photo of Frontierland. Disney recently announced that Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America will be replaced by a Cars attraction. Concept art shows a guest walkway connecting the Big Thunder area and the Haunted Mansion area. pic.twitter.com/Dfkp15FODb
The arial photos show the Liberty Square Riverboat making a voyage around Rivers of America, with Tom Sawyer Island in the center. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is present in the top of the photo, with Big Thunder Mountain Railrod visible to the right side. Along the left side of the photo you can see the show building for Country Bear Jamboree as well as the Frontier Trading Post. The bottom right section of the photo shows the covered outdoor queue for Haunted Mansion, with the Mansion itself not readily apparent behind the trees.
What are your thoughts on the Cars expansion coming at the expense of Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island? Is this a welcomed change, or are you sad to see more classic Disney attractions being sacrificed to make way for new lands? Leave us a comment to let us know!
Next time you are strolling through Adventureland in Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park, you may want to take a few moments to look down. A newly themed pavement section has been introduced just beyond the bridge leading into Adventureland, right outside the exclusive Club 33 location. This new pathway, with its green, mossy texture, is drawing comparisons to the lush walkways found in Pandora – The World of Avatar over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
The attention to detail in this new pavement is impressive. Not only does it feature a rich, earthy design, but it also includes various embellishments such as cracks, embedded rocks, and animal prints, adding to the land’s storytelling.
These embellishments are reminiscent of those found in Fantasyland’s Storybook Circus, where the pathways are adorned with circus animal prints and scattered peanuts. In Adventureland, however, the prints are a nod to the various animals that inhabit the area, such as the famous key-holding dog from Pirates of the Caribbean, the myriad birds that Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room home, and the various animals that inhabit the legendary Jungle Cruise.
This is not the only upgrade to the pavement in Adventureland over the past few years, with the pavement outside of the former Shootin Arcade receiving an upgrade recently, and sections of green embellshed pavement installed back during the 50th anniversary celebration in 2021.
Tourist Sues Disney World Over “Stampede” Injury at Magic Kingdom
A Pennsylvania tourist, Debra O’Steen, is suing Walt Disney World after she was allegedly injured in a “stampede” of people at Magic Kingdom on June 25th. The lawsuit, filed last week in Orange County, claims that Disney was negligent in managing the large crowds, leading to O’Steen being “knocked over” and sustaining injuries.
The incident reportedly occurred on Main Street during a busy day at the park, with two major events – the Festival of Fantasy Parade and the Happily Ever After fireworks show – taking place. The lawsuit doesn’t specify which event the crowd was rushing towards.
O’Steen claims to have suffered bodily injury, pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, and incurred hospitalization expenses and lost wages as a result of the incident. She is seeking damages and a jury trial.
While Disney’s website outlines various security measures in place at its parks, including uniformed police officers and crowd control measures, it doesn’t provide specific details on crowd management protocols.
FOX 35 has reached out to Walt Disney World for comment on the lawsuit and further information regarding their crowd control safety procedures, but has not yet received a response.
Pirates of the Caribbean Clock Tower Refurbishment Complete in the Magic Kingdom
The iconic Torre del Cielo clock tower at Pirates of the Caribbean has been fully restored! As this beloved landmark shines once again, construction on the highly anticipated new Pirates tavern continues. We can’t wait to see this exciting addition to the ride experience.
The scrim surrounding Torre del Cielo has been removed, marking the completion of the clock tower’s restoration. This extensive project lasted approximately eight months.
The clock tower now boasts a fresh coat of brown paint, seamlessly blending with the Castillo del Morro building that houses Pirates of the Caribbean. This new look replaces the previous off-white color with weathered accents.
The refurbishment of Pirates of the Caribbean has also included a significant change to the roof. The blue shingles have been replaced with maroon tiles, creating a more cohesive appearance with the Castillo del Morro building.
Construction at Pirates of the Caribbean has impacted Adventureland operations. The Jack Sparrow meet and greet was temporarily relocated to the outside of Tortuga Tavern, which has since reopened as Tortuga Treasures. While initial speculation suggested that the Pirates tavern would replace Tortuga Tavern, ongoing construction indicates otherwise.
Celebrate the Harvest Festival at Galaxy’s Edge with these Tasty Treats
Get ready for a galactic feast! Disney Eats has unveiled a new menu of delicious treats coming to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland for the Batuu Harvest Festival.
A classic returns! The Endorian Roasted Chicken Salad is back on the menu at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge for Batuu Harvest Festival. This flavorful salad features marinated chicken, mixed greens, roasted veggies, quinoa, pumpkin seeds, and a tangy green curry ranch.
One new item at Batuu Harvest Festival is the Surabat Valley Harvest Board. It features torched sourdough bread, aji verde-infused pork spread, and spicy salsa criolla. It’s a flavor explosion you won’t want to miss!
Indulge in the new Jogan Seed Oi-Oi Puff! This delightful dessert features a green cream puff with a green crunch and ube creme. It’s the perfect way to finish off your Batuu Harvest Festival meal.
Ready to plan an out of this world trip to the Disneyland Resort? Contact me today to get started! I am a travel agent with Destinations to Travel and my services are FREE.
Sip, Dream and Explore With The New Pocahontas Owala Water Bottle!
Get ready to add a touch of magic to your hydration routine with Owala’s newest Color Drop: Pocahontas. Inspired by the Disney classic, this limited-edition Pocahontas Owala water bottle captures the spirit of the film’s iconic heroine.
The Pocahontas Color Drop will be available for purchase on August 27th at 10am CST on the Owala website.
The Pocahontas Color Drop features a mesmerizing ombre design, transitioning from a vibrant purple to a soft peach. To complete the enchanting look, colorful leaves dance around the bottle, reminiscent of the wind carrying Pocahontas’ spirit. The lid echoes the same captivating color palette, showcasing a mix of peach, purple, and green hues.
This special Color Drop will be available exclusively in the popular 32oz style, ensuring you stay hydrated throughout your day. Priced at $37.99, the Pocahontas Owala is a must-have for Disney fans and anyone seeking a touch of whimsy in their everyday life.
Mark your calendars! Don’t miss out on this opportunity to own a piece of Disney magic!
