Last month Disney rolled out its first “Destination:Disney” interview clip with CEO Bob Iger. Today there’s more to share. This time Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Chairman Tom Staggs, in some groovy purple pants, talks about the “Disney Difference” aboard the Dream. Previously: Bob Iger… Read More »Disney Parks Boss Tom Staggs with Samantha Brown
As you may have heard Mickey and Minnie are moving to a new meet and greet location in Town Square at the recently renamed, but not yet open, Town Square Theater. We posted recently about how this will be the first character meet and greet to feature a Fastpass option. There is still quite a bit of construction going on around the area, but rumors of exactly how the Fastpass system will work are beginning to circulate.
A big rumor and some thoughts below the jump:
Read More »Will Mickey and Minnie Photo-Op say ‘No’ to Late Guests?
Okay. Here’s the problem with private equity firms, they’re only in it for the money. That’s not a secret, but it is problem if your brand depends on consistency of service. That’s exactly the situation Universal Orlando Resort faces now that the Blackstone Group has… Read More »Universal Orlando Faces Forced Sale by Private Equity Firm
There is little doubt Universal Orlando’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter addition was the main driver behind the park’s reported 20% attendance growth and a profit of $261 million, which is more than the estimated cost for the whole addition. While it’s unlikely Universal Orlando… Read More »Will London Harry Potter exhibit slow Universal Orlando’s growth?
The above is a beautiful sight that millions of visitors have seen at the Magic Kingdom. At first it was home to the Fantasyland station of the Skyway. But since that closed it has just sat there used mostly for stroller parking and the occasional… Read More »Work begins to expand Peter Pan queue at Magic Kingdom
Some of the changes coming to this years 18th annual EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival includes an expanded butterfly garden, new topiaries, and HGTV stars. The festival runs March 2-May 15 and will feature over thirty million blooms, half a million plants, and an amazing… Read More »18th Annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Fun Facts
Last weekend I was invited to Universal Studios Florida for a lesson in fun. We got to see behind the scenes at Mardi Gras, learn how to cook up some authentic New Orleans gumbo, caught some beads, and then partied into the night at a marvelous concert featuring the B-52s. It as an amazing experience.
The night started off with a cooking lesson from the resort’s executive chef Steven Jayson.
Thankfully there was no slicing and dicing required. All the ingredients for our gumbo were ready to go when we arrived as well as a cooking station.
The final product was supposed to look like this
but mine was more like this…
we didn’t really have the time required to bring out all the flavors, but it was still pretty good.
Read More »Party With Friends at Universal Studios Florida Mardi Gras
Early this morning a Disney airport bus shuttle was involved in a traffic accident on the way to Orlando International. It was hit from behind by a semi-truck. (Update: It appears the collision was more serious, see updated OS article.) Five passengers were taken to… Read More »Disney’s Mickey’s Magical Express Bus Accident Injures 5