In a ‘choose your own villain adventure’ the dispute between Disneyland and the unionized hotel and restaurant works of UNITE HERE has now stumbled into dangerous territory where the health of guests is at risk. It’s not that they’re operating dangerous equipment or attractions, but without any paid sick days cast members are coming into work sick, sometimes with flu like symptoms, and interacting with food and guests.

There appears to be no easy solution to this matter as neither side has budged in the negotiations in 2 years and 92% of the union members voting to reject Disney’s latest offer. One of the big reasons for that rejection is Disney’s new health plan that could cost these employees 4 to 5 times as much as they’re currently paying. Still, almost every other union Disney negotiates with has entered into that new health contract. So you can see where Disney thinks they got things right.

Having employees who interact with the public forced to come into work sick is not good PR anyway you look at it. Nor is it good national health policy. In fact, there is a bill in congress to mandate paid sick days for workers right now.

More at the OC Register.

It’s the time of year to be thankful and to give of your heart. The spirit of giving shines 365 days a year at Walt Disney World Resort, which provides cash and in-kind support to more than 100 local non-profit organizations. One such organization, Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, provides food and shelter to approximately 600 people each night, including many families with children.

Coalition for the Homeless is more than a shelter; it is a comprehensive program designed to empower homeless men, women and children to become self-sufficient. In addition to food and shelter, the Coalition provides programs and services including education, job skills training, case management, licensed day care, child development programs and housing placement.

“When you see homelessness in the media, you are moved to humility and compassion but when you see homelessness in person, you are moved to action,” says Trevor Larsen, vice president of Engineering Services & Manufacturing for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, who is making a difference at the Coalition by providing leadership through his board service and support in the maintenance and improvement of Coalition facilities. “There are plenty of ways people can help,” says Larsen, who invites others to “come meet these adults and children in need and get involved.”

Additionally, Disney VoluntEARS serve nearly 750 meals monthly at the Coalition and chefs from Disney Resorts will prepare and serve dinner for residents on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Disney Chef Tony Marotta is overseeing Thanksgiving meal preparations, which begin two days prior to the holiday. “What surprises me most is when we ask our team for volunteers to help at the Coalition, we always get two-to-three times more than we expect,” says Marotta, who will be making a traditional feast to feed approximately 700 people.

“Disney’s generosity, both financial and in-kind, has been invaluable to us in meeting the needs of the homeless individuals and families seeking our help,” says Coalition for the Homeless President/CEO Brent Trotter. “And the volunteer involvement of Disney Cast Members really extends our reach in helping those in desperate need.”

For the past two years, Walt Disney World Resort has recognized Coalition for the Homeless with its top Disney’s Helping Kids Shine Grant – the Bob Allen Outstanding Community Service Award – for its outstanding outreach efforts to the homeless children of Central Florida. Disney provides funding to the non-profit’s children services program, which aims to instill values such as trust, honesty, integrity, responsibility, personal power and self-esteem.

“It’s humbling and a great honor to be recognized for our work with families,” says Trotter. “Families with children are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population in Central Florida today. We’ve created a wide variety of services to meet the unique needs of the growing number of children who the Coalition serves and are happy to have the support of Disney in our mission.”

To learn more about how you can help, visit www.centralfloridahomeless.org.

It’s not often that fans of a particular artist get a chance to give back to that artist. But today us Disney fans get that chance. If you ever got a chuckle from a classic Chip & Dale cartoon or were wowed by a Disneyland audio-animatronic then you’ve experienced the magic of celebrated Disney Legend and Animator Bill Justice.

Justice is getting ready to celebrate his 96th Birthday, but he’s been in a rehabilitation home for the last few years and not receiving many visitors.

Here’s a note sent to me from a source I trust on how you can make a difference.

We need your help flooding Disney Legend Bill Justice with cards and letters. He has been residing in a convalescent home the past few years.

For those of you unfamiliar with his name, Bill Justice is best known for his work as an animator of Chip & Dale, and directed several cartoons including “What’s the Truth About Mother Goose?” He also programmed the Country Bear Jamboree, Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion. He was very active at fan events such as Disneyana Conventions and NFFC events in the 80’s and 90’s.

We’ve been asked to share an address where cards and letters can be sent. Please help us show him that we still remember him and appreciate what he has given us as fans. Perhaps send him a picture that you took with him or just a simple card. You can send the cards and notes to:

Bill Justice
Arbor View Wellness & Rehabilitation Center
1338 20th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90404

Thanks for helping out. Let’s show Bill how much we appreciate the joy and fun he has brought into the world.

Quebec’s citizens looking to get a flu shot for the H1N1 Virus have a health official’s trip to Walt Disney World to thank for their short wait to get vaccinated. Inspired by the Fastpass system that saves guests a virtual place in the queue for attractions like Peter Pan and Space Mountain, a coupon tells each patient when to return for their flu shot.

Lines are still forming at some vaccination centres, where people are queuing up early just to get their coupons. But officials say the system has been effective. At one vaccination centre in Montreal’s Plateau Mont Royal district recently, nurses and health workers outnumbered people in line.

“The system is marvellous,” said Johanne Spencer, who’d whisked through her vaccination. “You know what time you’re going to have your turn and you know how long you’ll have to wait. You don’t waste three, four hours in line.”

I’m pretty sure Disney won’t be promoting this as they don’t want the parks identified with Swine Flu at the moment.

More here (Hat Tip to BoingBoing’s Cory D.)

New Walt Disney Studios President Rich Ross is already making big waves by canceling production of the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea remake. Obviously, this either upsets or excites you depending on your feelings about the film. I definitely thing it had the potential to become a 3 or 4 film franchise like Pirates, but I am also happy that the original will remain as Disney’s classic take on the story.

What Disney attraction would you like to see get the Pirates Of the Caribbean movie treatment next? I still think they could do a better job with Haunted Mansion (perhaps a series of Halloween time PG13 scare flicks) and I’m dying to see a film based on Space Mountain.

Just wanted to quickly highlight some of the new merchandise that’s available at Walt Disney World these days.

Haunted Mansion Action Figures! They’ve done something like this before, but these are more affordable.

This new Pirates Mickey Ears actually looks like a dead mouse skull if you ask me. Not exactly a Disney image.

If you like Disney’s new Vinylmation collectibles, then you’ll love these plush versions. I like the monorail one myself.

Even if you can’t make it to the parks, you can find some of the best Disney Themepark Merchandise available on the LaughingPlace.com Store.

Last night, all danced thrice. Tonight, three will remain. Who does America like the least? Let’s find out, after 55 minutes of filler, on … Dancing with the Stars!

The encore dance is, unsurprisingly, Mya & Dmitry doing their Salsa. It earned a perfect 30, and we once again get to see why. I always secretly hope someone falls down during the encore dance, but my secret hopes are always dashed. They’re just as awesome, and get a huge standing ovation.

It’s time for recaps of last night. We find out that Kelly’s Rumba solo was almost completely improvised because she forgot her choreography, and they were concerned about top-poppage in her yellow dress. Joanna savored comments from the judges. Donny suffered Dressgate 2009, but came back with two great dances. Mya slaughtered all three dances and got Len to remark not once, but TWICE about her posterior.

Who’s going home? Find out after the cut, and 50 more minutes of filler. [Read more →]

Downtown Disney Orlando recently added a tethered balloon experience, Characters In Flight. It takes guests 400 ft into the air for a glorious panoramic view of the Lake Buena Vista area. When it opened the attraction was notorious for closing down for safety with even a light breeze in the area. It’s rumored that they brought in a new operations team and these days the balloon flies in even a stiff breeze.

Of course, this can make things interesting from time to time. From what I’ve seen the flight up is fine, but sometimes the landings can be a bit shakey. The video below wasn’t even the roughest landing I saw all day, but it’s still an e-ticket experience. Check out the passengers clapping at the end. Happy they all survived it sounds like.