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Parking Lot Security & Safety Troubles at Walt Disney World

No cameras in this parking lot

The first and last moment of many a guest’s day at the vacation kingdom is an encounter with a huge asphalt parking lot. There, they are parked like sheet metal sardines, seemingly always at the farthest point possible from the tram. At the end of the night, there is the long (and sometimes windy, wet, and/or cold) tram ride back to the car, which hopefully is where they remember it being and not in some other whimsically named section.

So imagine the anguish of a family who returns to their vehicle after a long day of Disney fun only to find someone has stolen pretty much everything from your car. It happens all the time including this story on WESH. Later when security & police arrive, the family learns that this is a regular problem at Walt Disney World with thieves driving the parking lots with special devices that attempt to unlock car doors remotely.

The nature of a family vacation makes these parking lots a target rich environment for thieves. Many a family checks out of their hotel on the last day, but still spends time in the parks before heading back home. For most families there is little choice but to leave your luggage in your car during this process.
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Festival of the Lion King Relocation Plans Revealed

Back in August we had the news that the most popular and best rated show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and, quite possibly, on property, the Festival of the Lion King, was scheduled to move to a new location. The biggest open questions where when and where. We now know the where and it’s likely the when will come soon.

FotLK had to move to make way for Avatar, which will be coming to where Camp Minnie Mickey is now. Cast members were notified that it would shuttering early in 2013, but so far there hasn’t been much progress as to how the move would be made.

In paperwork filed with the Florida water district management agency, we now know that the FotLK theater will be moved to a new plot of land in Africa. It will be to your left as you cross over the bridge, behind the Tusker House restaurant. Imagineers have been spotted in the area taking a few measurements. So its possible work on fencing in and clearing the plot could begin any day now.

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Full Newsies Performance at Disney Christmas Parade

You know you’re a diehard Disney fan when you sit through the entirety of the Disney parks Christmas parade on ABC. I managed it this year, but only with some fast forwarding through the musical performances from bands I’ve never heard of. The TV version… Read More »Full Newsies Performance at Disney Christmas Parade

Disney CEO Bob Iger talks Marvel Theme Park

In an interview from earlier this year, Disney CEO Bob Iger talks with with Bloomberg’s Carol Massar about the recent acquisitions, Marvel’s movie properties and the possibility of a Marvel theme parks. Of course, he says its still early, but it sounds like wheels are… Read More »Disney CEO Bob Iger talks Marvel Theme Park

Kodak Sponsorship Era Ends in a Flash

Say goodbye to the ubiquitous Kodak photo spot signs as the company is pulling the last vestiges of its sponsorship from Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Kodak was one of three original Disneyland sponsors who remained at the park. Coca-cola and Carnation (now owned by… Read More »Kodak Sponsorship Era Ends in a Flash

Imagineer Chris Beatty on Creative Process Behind New Fantasyland

As part of the New Fantasyland grand opening event, I had the opportunity to interview Imagineer Chris Beatty who was creative director for the expansion. During the roundtable discussion Beatty explained the process of designing a new attraction with a focus on the Seven Dwarfs… Read More »Imagineer Chris Beatty on Creative Process Behind New Fantasyland

Shanghai Disneyland to get Exclusive Metro Line

Shanghai Disneyland is being built a bit off the beaten track, but relatively close to a major freeway that helps outline the future expansion for the city. It was just announced that Shanghai’s Metro (a system of mass transit that includes Subway, Light Rail, and… Read More »Shanghai Disneyland to get Exclusive Metro Line

Boy Band Medley Sung By Dapper Dans – Limited Time Magic Demo

The domestic Disney Parks announced their 2013 marketing promotion “Limited Time Magic” with a giant ice sculpture castle in Times Square back in October. It was announced that for 52 weeks there would be something special going on in the parks. It might be a… Read More »Boy Band Medley Sung By Dapper Dans – Limited Time Magic Demo