It’s been a mystery for more than 40 years. Did the infamous Hatbox Ghost ever really appear inside Disneyland’s classic Haunted Mansion attraction after it opened in August of 1969? Well film footage, taken by a park guest, has finally surfaced that answers the question… Read More »Video of the Hatbox Ghost in the Haunted Mansion, Finally Discovered
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
In a long internal memo today, Tom Staggs made official the organizational shakeup everyone knew was coming after Staggs took over the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts division. It’s nothing earth shattering, but it does flatten some of the levels of hierarchy that were said to have frustrated Staggs since he took over.
In short, current WDW president Meg Crofton expands to oversee all the domestic parks and the two parks in France. Karl Holtz, who a few years ago was rumored to be leaving Disney, is instead adding DVC to his DCL and Adventures by Disney responsibilities. Leslie Ferraro becomes executive vice president, Global Marketing and Sales combining those two closely related departments and Erin Wallace, executive vice president, Operations Integration also adds revenue management to her desk. The move also creates a new executive council under Staggs.
While Staggs’ reorganization did not cut any of the deadwood certain segments of Disney fans wanted to see go, I believe the general movement here is a good one. It will allow for efficiencies where they need to exist and independence, with oversight, as required for the parks. Combining marketing and sales is a no-duh in my book, they are both measured by the same final metrics (butts in beds and asses through the gates), so unifying them is good. The only move that looks questionable to me is giving the extra power of revenue management to operations. However, they are the yin and the yang of theme park operations. Having one person keep a close eye via her myriad of spreadsheets and minions (and I mean that in the nicest possible way), could be very positive.
Let’s keep a watch on this for the next 3-year planning cycle and see if there really is any improvement. Meanwhile, the pressure is kicked up a notch for these people to get things done or they too could be reorganized right out of a job.
The full text of Tom Staggs’ announcement is below the jump:
Read More »Promotions Shake Up Disney Parks & Resorts under Tom Staggs
Disney fans who will be in the Southern California area on July 10th should check out this opportunity to buy tickets for a special fan organized “Be Our Guest” legend dinner at the Disneyland Hotel Steakhouse 55 restaurant. Among the “Legends” scheduled to attend are… Read More »“Be Our Guest” Legend Dinner, July 10th
One part of the renovation of California Adventure’s Paradise Pier is now open. Disney has released this short promotional video for Goofy’s Flight School tying it into one of the short animated films that stars our lovable Goofy. What do you think? Have you been… Read More »Goofy’s Flight School Open at California Adventure
click to embiggen Looking for a way to enjoy the new Star Tours attraction but can’t make it back to Disneyland or Disney’s Hollywood Studios anytime soon? Well, faster than it takes to fly a parsec, Disney.com has whipped up a new Star Tours intergalactic… Read More »Disney.com Launches New Star Tours Mini-Website
If you’ve been reading The Disney Blog for a while, then you might remember that one of the attractions I feel a close attraction to is The Matterhorn in Disneyland. It was the first attraction my grandfather Vic Greene was show producer on while at… Read More »Matterhorn Movie
Disneyland has just released their latest video in the “Every Role a Starring Role” look at backstage and how the magic gets made. Good stuff, exactly what I want from the parks… of course I want more. This video that features maintaining Pirates of the… Read More »Backstage with Pirates of the Caribbean Maintenance Team