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Disney Theme Park Entry Level Wages to Climb to $10 an Hour

Cast Members warm up as part of 2011 fitness training at Walt Disney World

Cast Members warm up as part of 2011 fitness training at Walt Disney World

A bit of good news for the cast of Disney’s domestic theme parks and their guests. The starting hourly wage of the entry level cast member could be rising to $10.00. According to a report in Bloomberg news, the 25% raise would roll out over two years. Last week, Disney made the offer to the Service Trade Council, a group of labor unions that represents almost half of Walt Disney World’s employees.

I see a couple of factors behind this offer. First, there is a nationwide push to raise the minimum wage to $10.10. Disney can show that companies can make this leap on their own by making this move now. Second, Disney has successfully recovered from the down economy and reported record profit last year; $6.6 billion is a lot of Disney dollars. Third, Disney has been investing a ton of money in capital improvements, they have to balance that with some concern for the personnel side of the ledger too.

Of course, there are concessions Disney wants from the unions in return. Switching from Pensions to 401(k) style retirement plans is one. I’m sure there are many others. But hey, that’s what collective bargaining is all about.

There’s one big reason for the offer that Bloomberg doesn’t mention, the Orlando labor market is once again becoming very competitive. In February of 2014 it dipped to 5.5% unemployment rate. That’s nearing the 4% that’s typically considered full-employment (everyone who wants to be working is). Wage inflation is one result of low unemployment, so Disney might be forced to raise wages, even if they weren’t negotiating a new contract with its employees.Read More »Disney Theme Park Entry Level Wages to Climb to $10 an Hour

BabyCakes NYC Still Available Despite Closure of Downtown Disney Location

Friends, the gluten-free, health-nuts, and lovers of delicious desserts lend me your ears. I come not to disappoint you with news of the closure of the BabyCakes NYC Bakery at Downtown Disney, but to reassure you that you can still get your healthy gluten-free vegan… Read More »BabyCakes NYC Still Available Despite Closure of Downtown Disney Location

Newborn Dolphin at Discovery Cove

For today’s moment of ultimate cuteness we have a newborn female dolphin who arrived into this world at Discovery Cove in Orlando on Tuesday, March 18, at 3:45 a.m. The calf now weighs approximately 48 pounds, is 47 inches long and is nursing and bonding… Read More »Newborn Dolphin at Discovery Cove

Universal Orlando’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort Welcomes First Guests

Universal Orlando opened the next chapter in their quest to grow their share of the vacation market. Cabana Bay Beach Resort, the first value hotel at Universal, celebrated its very first guests to check-in today, March 31. The Hicks family of St. Petersburg, Fla. received… Read More »Universal Orlando’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort Welcomes First Guests

A Delicious Way to Support Give Kids The World – O-Town Mac Down

Give Kids The World is introducing a new event this year. The “O’Town Mac Down,” is a mac-and-cheese cook-off at the Orange County Convention Center on Saturday, August 23rd. It will be fun for the whole family and support a great cause – Give Kids… Read More »A Delicious Way to Support Give Kids The World – O-Town Mac Down

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Construction Update – March 2014

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As we saw in February’s 2nd update, the walls are down around a small section of Snow White Mountain at the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. It will be the last area to open as part of Magic Kingdom’s New Fantasyland expansion. Since February a lot more landscaping work has been done, to the point where it is practically a forest in some parts. But in other areas there is still a ways to go on just covering the dirt. As we saw in the ride-through POV video, there is also a lot of finished touches on buildings and interior sets.

We still have no word on an official opening date, but some say soft opens could come as soon as late April or early May. We do know that the media event will be the last few days of April. Cast member previews usually start either shortly before media events or shortly after them and then once cast members are done, annual passholders get a chance, and finally soft openings. But sometimes that’s all thrown out the window too. So don’t make any plans until it is official or if you do make plans, have a backup ready in case it isn’t ready. Those coming in June should most likely be able to ride, but nothing is certain. This is a completely unique ride system that Disney had built. Nothing like it exists.

As usual, we have both video and photos from all around Snow White Mountain.

Photos are below the jump:
Read More »Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Construction Update – March 2014

Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade To Debut March 9 at Magic Kingdom

The Disney Parks Blog just announced March 9 as the date for the first official appearance of the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade in the Magic Kingdom. The new parade celebrates Fantasyland with nine floats, an original soundtrack, and costumes designed by Mirena Rada. I’m… Read More »Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade To Debut March 9 at Magic Kingdom

Ihu’s Breakaway Falls to take Aquatica to New Heights and Big Thrills on May 9th

Ihu's Breakaway Falls med

It’s not as well themed as Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, but Seaworld Orlando’s Aquatica water park has become my favorite destination for the family waterpark experience. They have a great range of water rides and a few unique experiences that make me want to return again and again. With Ihu’s Breakaway Falls, Aquatica is adding a new ride high on the thrill spectrum.

Those brave enough to ride will experience a watery free-fall when Ihu’s Breakaway Falls – the tallest, steepest and only multi-drop tower slide of its kind in the southern United States – opens on May 9.

This balloon represents the height of 80ft from which riders will drop into the slide.

This balloon represents the height of 80ft from which riders will drop into the slide.

At nearly 80 feet tall, Ihu’s Breakaway Falls is where thrill seekers face their fears and each other. After stepping into one of three clear “breakaway boxes,” they’ll watch each other fall one-by-one as the floor underneath them disappears. They’ll never know who’s going to breakaway first – and the anticipation of who drops next is part of the wild ride!

“With four unique slide paths, Ihu’s Breakaway Falls brings a whole new level of thrill to Aquatica Orlando,” said Bryan Nadeau, Aquatica Orlando vice president. “Riders can step into three breakaway boxes or test their bravery on a fourth open slide for a different, but just as thrilling experience. No matter which slide you choose, once you get to the top, the only way down is down.”

We were able to conduct a quick interview with Nadeau and then took a hard hat tour o the construction site where Nadeau offered a few more details.

Follow below the jump for some Fun Facts about Ihu’s Breakaway Falls:

Read More »Ihu’s Breakaway Falls to take Aquatica to New Heights and Big Thrills on May 9th