Ever wonder what the cast members who play Walk Around Princess characters in the parks experience on a day to day basis? One former cast member took to Reddit for an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session. And it went a little weird. Kristen Sotakoun (who… Read More »Former Disney Princess does Reddit AMA
Artist Tom Hodges, whose punk Little Mermaid “Undersea Underground” t-shirt you may have seen on TeeFury recently, created this excellent map for a Star Wars theme park. Featuring the tried and true hub and spoke model, the map of a Star Wars theme park looks… Read More »Star Wars Theme Park Fan Made Map
In a ceremony broadcast live to all three of its parks, SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. just announced that it plans to build new, first-of-its-kind killer whale environments at all three of its SeaWorld parks. It will also fund new programs to protect ocean health and killer whales in the wild. The new projects will build on SeaWorld’s legacy of providing state-of-the-art, innovative homes for its animals, and will offer park guests unique and inspiring killer whale encounters for generations to come. As part of its vision for the future, the company also pledged $10 million in matching funds for killer whale research and is embarking on a multi-million dollar partnership focused on ocean health, the leading concern for all killer whales and marine mammals.
“For 50 years, SeaWorld has transformed how the world views marine life. The unprecedented access to marine mammals that our parks provide has increased our knowledge of the ocean and inspired generations,” said Jim Atchison, Chief Executive Officer and President of SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. “Our new killer whale homes and research initiatives have just as bold a vision: to advance global understanding of these animals, to educate, and to inspire conservation efforts to protect killer whales in the wild.”
Here’s a video of the announcement and an interview with SeaWorld Orlando park president Terry Prather:
Much more on this expansion including my thoughts on whether it will make a difference for SeaWorld, the animals, and guests below the jump:
Summer break is winding down and teachers from across Central Florida are preparing to receive a fresh crop of eager young students for the year. For the eleventh time since 2003, Mickey Mouse and VoluntEARS from Walt Disney World Resort are helping kids and teachers… Read More »Disney and its Cast Members donate 2.5 million back-to-school supplies in Central Florida
Disney’s Magic Band and the related MyMagic+ and Fastpass+ are just three elements of a skunk works type division charged with creating Next-Gen experiences for guests at Walt Disney World. Just how revolutionary are these changes? One Tampa Bay Tribune business columnist has gone so… Read More »Is Disney’s Magic Band the Future of Retail
Voices of Liberty, EPCOT’s talented acapella group, sing a variety of shows daily inside the America Pavilion. It’s one of my favorite stops in the park. With songs arranged by Derric Johnson, they have a unique sound that wraps itself in the harmonies of Americana.… Read More »Voices of Liberty sing “Let it Go” from Disney’s Frozen
We finally got the entire Frost family on Seven Dwarfs Mine Train together. Of course, I had to break out the camera and record the moment resulting in this on ride POV video taken from the back row. There is a bit of an extended… Read More »Seven Dwarfs Mine Train – On Ride POV Video
Last year Walt Disney World has the great idea to hold a Villains themed party at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The event on Friday the 13th, was a disaster. As it was included as part of regular guest admission, every passholder and their sister with in… Read More »Villains Unleashed Special Event Announced for August 23 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios