On July 19th a very minor fire broke out on the roof of Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. Looks like either a firework misfired or lit some leaves and other detritus on fire during a show. A technician was there very quickly… Read More »Cinderella Castle Catches Fire at Magic Kingdom
Did you know that Disney World Cast Members have their own private pool and beach area to relax at? Me neither until a few years ago. It’s called Mickey’s Retreat and sadly it was in the news last night. A male visitor at the pool… Read More »Man rescued from drowning at Disney Cast Member Pool
While the construction walls are still up in the area formerly known as Downtown Disney’s Pleasure Island, the concept art for new construction has been removed and work has stopped on the area that was once destined to become Hyperion Wharf. For now that concept… Read More »Disney shelves Hyperion Wharf, Bowls a Strike on the Westside of Downtown Disney
Disney has released a new video hosted by Imagineer Chris Beatty who gives us a sneak peek at the making of Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid. The video includes some never-before-seen sketches, artist renderings, attraction maps and more, and shares some details on Prince Eric’s castle and the attraction’s creative queue.
Also included is a brief talk by Imagineer Eric Miller with some behind the scenes glimpses of rock work from a few weeks ago.
Read More »Behind the scenes of Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid at Magic Kingdom
I am very seldom disappointed by Disney walk-around characters at the meet and greets. They do such a good job maintaining character, handling the little challenges that come with interacting with all sorts of guests, and enduring extremes of heat and humidity often while wearing… Read More »Rapunzel and Flynn Meet the iPad, Viral Video
This lawsuit against the Walt Disney Company for allegedly failing to meet the minimum standards set forth by the American Disabilities Act required to accommodate blind visitors to its parks and websites has been working its way through the courts for a long time. However, the a Federal Judge has just certified a class action lawsuit against Disney clearing the way for the company to potentially face a lot more damages.
The chief complaints, mostly against the Parks & Resorts division are:
1) Disney does not provide schedules, menus and maps in formats which are accessible to blind persons, such as in Braille, large print, or electronic form;
2) Disney does not accommodate the needs of guide dogs;
3) Disney does not accommodate the needs of blind persons during live parades and shows;
4) Disney does not permit any discounted admission for sighted companions who must accompany and support blind persons in the theme parks; and
5) Disney’s websites do not accommodate blind persons who use screen reader programs to access information.
I’m not a lawyer, thus this is just my layman’s observation, so take it with a large grain of salt. I think Disney stands heads and shoulders above almost every other theme park in the USA. However, are they perfect when it comes to ADA compliance? No. As far as point #1, I think Disney can easily refute that (at least in Orlando) as they provide a great mobile tool that provides almost all of that (and there are definitely braille maps in the parks). For #2, while I’ve not had a guide dog myself, Disney has no issues at all with guide dogs in their parks, I see them all the time. There might be some safety reasons while a dog cannot accompany a rider on certain rides, but you have to put safety first. Plus certain rides will be grandfathered in where changes would change the nature of the attraction. As to #3, see #1. With regards to #4, if this is something the law requires, I would be surprised if Disney does not provide it. #5, this appears to be most valid complaint. But then again, it’s a complaint that’s valid against most every website. Targeting Disney is a high visibility move for the cause. I know Disney is rolling out an updated website for Disney.com, so perhaps that will be included then. So, yes, Disney does have room for improvement, but does it rise to the level of a lawsuit? I guess a Federal Judge thinks so.
The full text of the press release is below the jump:
Read More »Class Action Lawsuit Certified Against Disney for ADA Violations Against the Blind
Yesterday Orlando Harley-Davidson owners Steve and Anne Deli opened their newly expanded and interactive Harley-Davidson store at Downtown Disney West Side; moving from a smaller location in the former Pleasure Island area. The 3,635-sq.-ft. store was designed to create a unique interactive Harley environment featuring… Read More »New Harley Davidson Location open at Downtown Disney Orlando
After some political struggles, and a delay after visitor tax revenues declined during the recession, the city of Orlando will finally be getting a world class center for the performing arts. To commemorate the start of construction on the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing… Read More »Disney helps celebrate Groundbreaking of new Performing Arts Center for Orlando