Disney News, Discussion & an Element of Fun - 2023 Edition

[HokieRaven5]

Hollywood Studios Extends Twice-Nightly Performances of Fantasmic in April

• April 2-22: 8:30pm and 10pm performances (previously only 8:30pm)

 

[HokieRaven5]

Actor Lance Reddick Passes Away at 60



This heartbreaking news comes on the heels as he just recently wrapped production on the Disney+ series Percy Jackson & The Olympians and will appear in John Wick Chapter 4, which is garnering tons of buzz ahead of its release later this month.

His cause of death is currently unclear, but according to law enforcement it appears to have been natural causes, sad nonetheless and he will be deeply missed.

For Disney, he voiced Cutler in the Disney XD animated series Tron: Uprising and General Lunaris in the DuckTales reboot. He was also the voice of Falcon in The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. He will play Zeus in Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

Born and raised in Baltimore, Lance earned a music degree from the University of Rochester and he got his MFA from Yale. Our hearts go out to Reddick’s friends and family at this time.

*He’s fantastic in The Wire.

 

[Lsdolphin]

Hollywood Studios Extends Twice-Nightly Performances of Fantasmic in April

• April 2-22: 8:30pm and 10pm performances (previously only 8:30pm)

We have tix for the HS After Hours event on 4/19 and booked the Fantasmic Dining pkg for the same night ....but now I’m thinking that if they are having 2 shows there are going to be tons of people around during the After Hours event who haven’t bought tix...and we probably don’t even need the Fantasmic dining pkg to get seats for either show.

 

[HokieRaven5]

Typhoon Lagoon Reopening Delayed Due to Cold Weather

Operating hours for the reopening of Typhoon Lagoon on March 19th have been removed from the Walt Disney World website. It’s likely that the reopening of Typhoon Lagoon, which was originally scheduled to take place on March 19th, will be delayed until March 20th or beyond. The forecast calls for cooler weather on Sunday, March 19th (high of 60°) and Monday, March 20th (high of 67°).

Currently, the Walt Disney World website shows no operating hours for March 19th, but normal operating hours for March 20th.

As a reminder, Blizzard Beach will be closed starting March 19th and there is no reopening date. It’s possible that Typhoon Lagoon may be the only water park open at Walt Disney World this summer.

 

[zebrastreyepz]

The only thing I've seen Lance Reddick in was LOST, where he played Matthew Abaddon. And for a character that was on minimally, he had a tremendous impact on me due to Lance's portrayal.

 

[The Foolish Mortal]

Kind of creepy, I was thinking of this Lance Reddick scene that I really love just a few minutes before reading of his passing:

 

[Suger Mag]

Hollywood Studios Extends Twice-Nightly Performances of Fantasmic in April

• April 2-22: 8:30pm and 10pm performances (previously only 8:30pm)

how does this work if the park closes at 9:30?

We have tix for the HS After Hours event on 4/19 and booked the Fantasmic Dining pkg for the same night ....but now I’m thinking that if they are having 2 shows there are going to be tons of people around during the After Hours event who haven’t bought tix...and we probably don’t even need the Fantasmic dining pkg to get seats for either show.

My first reaction is this is not cool.... I am feeling a little bait and switch.. like they do a bang up job on the first sets of AH events and then start screwing with it.... no RnRC... . no buffer with cloisng time and now a Fantasmic show during the After Hours event.... i do not see this helping crowds for the event, unless the show is just for the AH party?

 

[ak517]

how does this work if the park closes at 9:30?

My first reaction is this is not cool.... I am feeling a little bait and switch.. like they do a bang up job on the first sets of AH events and then start screwing with it.... no RnRC... . no buffer with cloisng time and now a Fantasmic show during the After Hours event.... i do not see this helping crowds for the event, unless the show is just for the AH party?

I was a regular day guest at DHS on January 4th, the first DHS after hours event, and we watched the second showing of Fantasmic! which occurred at 9:30 while the park closed to day guests at 9. The show was not just for AH attendees, which I was concerned about since it was my DH's first time seeing it (and our only chance that trip). The show was not crowded despite going into Marathon Weekend and being an AH event, but I cannot speak to the crowds at the rest of the AH event because we were funneled towards the main entrance to vacate the park after the show. Personally if I was to attend a DHS after hours, I would attend the first showing of Fantasmic! to take advantage of lines without regular day guests afterwards during party time.

 

[Bibbidi_Boo]

Typhoon Lagoon Reopening Delayed Due to Cold Weather

Operating hours for the reopening of Typhoon Lagoon on March 19th have been removed from the Walt Disney World website. It’s likely that the reopening of Typhoon Lagoon, which was originally scheduled to take place on March 19th, will be delayed until March 20th or beyond. The forecast calls for cooler weather on Sunday, March 19th (high of 60°) and Monday, March 20th (high of 67°).

Currently, the Walt Disney World website shows no operating hours for March 19th, but normal operating hours for March 20th.

As a reminder, Blizzard Beach will be closed starting March 19th and there is no reopening date. It’s possible that Typhoon Lagoon may be the only water park open at Walt Disney World this summer.

I am going go be so sad if BB is not open for summer. I can respect only one open at a time but then rotate them more even like may june one and july august the other. But my guess is they want TL open since they sell the H2O Night parties and make more money.

 

[Brocktoon]

Actor Lance Reddick Passes Away at 60

View attachment 747129

This heartbreaking news comes on the heels as he just recently wrapped production on the Disney+ series Percy Jackson & The Olympians and will appear in John Wick Chapter 4, which is garnering tons of buzz ahead of its release later this month.

His cause of death is currently unclear, but according to law enforcement it appears to have been natural causes, sad nonetheless and he will be deeply missed.

For Disney, he voiced Cutler in the Disney XD animated series Tron: Uprising and General Lunaris in the DuckTales reboot. He was also the voice of Falcon in The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. He will play Zeus in Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

Born and raised in Baltimore, Lance earned a music degree from the University of Rochester and he got his MFA from Yale. Our hearts go out to Reddick’s friends and family at this time.

*He’s fantastic in The Wire.

As your average film/TV/video game geek ... this loss is huge for me. Mr Reddick crushed it whether drama or comedy / major or minor role.

It's going to be rough watching season 1 of Percy Jackson on D+, where I believe he completed the season's filming.

 

[kylenne]

Kind of creepy, I was thinking of this Lance Reddick scene that I really love just a few minutes before reading of his passing:

The Wire was a big deal in my house and he will always and forever be Cedric Daniels to me. I can’t believe we lost him and Michael K Williams.

 

[Brocktoon]

The Wire was a big deal in my house and he will always and forever be Cedric Daniels to me. I can’t believe we lost him and Michael K Williams.

My friends and I were just discussing Michael K Williams career on Thursday ... Wire through Lovecraft Country (where's my 2nd season?). My texts were lighting up last night from them with 'now Lance Reddick?' texts

Definitely 'not safe for work', but every time I see Cedric Daniels I now think of Lance Reddick's classic Eric Andre Show appearance referencing LeVar Burton ... and Burton's eventual response as Cedric Daniels ... RIP

 

[The Foolish Mortal]

The Wire was a big deal in my house and he will always and forever be Cedric Daniels to me. I can’t believe we lost him and Michael K Williams.

Indeed

 

[HokieRaven5]

Not that it’s really a positive, but the layoffs seem to have dropped from 7,000 to 4,000 Disney employees.

Disney Executives Ordered to Identify Thousands of Layoff Candidates as Iger Aims to Cut $5.5 Billion in Spending

According to Business Insider, managers at the company must identify candidates for layoffs by April, per a Disney source. Layoffs will impact about 4,000 employees, with the rest of the cuts coming from open roles. Additionally, targets have been given for reducing spending and headcount to each of these departments. Iger is reportedly on “a push for profitability” as his return to the company continues.

Much effort has is being undertaken to eliminate redundancies and even executives where they can. These executives have been directed to prepare budget cuts and lists of employees to be laid off, with sources telling Business Insider that these will begin in April. However, it’s unclear whether the layoffs will occur in waves or all at once, as they did during the COVID-19 furloughs.

 

[maryblanchard49]

Disney Eats: First Look at Brand-New Energy Bytes at Magic Kingdom Park
This new kiosk will be serving up some tasty eats and sips for you to grab, drawing inspiration from the futuristic environment around you. Whether you’re looking for some breakfast bites, savory snacks, sweet treats, or refreshing beverages, this new spot will soon become a go-to pitstop as you venture into the world of Tomorrowland.

If you’re kicking off your morning in Magic Kingdom Park, Energy Bytes has some breakfast delights for you. For those wanting a sweet start to the day, the tasty Chocolate Cake Doughnut Holes topped with mocha sauce are a perfect option. With each “byte” you’ll be begging for more! The coffee lovers out there will also have a new caffeinated beverage to try – Joffrey’s Cold Brew Coffee topped with a yummy mocha sauce. This iced sip is the perfect combination of that classic coffee flavor with a touch of sweetness. These will surely be on my list to start my Magic Kingdom morning!

Now onto the savory options. If you love buffalo chicken and dumplings, you’re in luck because Energy Bytes is combining both of these classics into one delicious concoction – Digital Dumplings – Buffalo Chicken. Yes, you heard that right. This bite perfectly combines chicken dumplings, blue cheese powder, and cayenne pepper broth.

And these aren’t the only dumplings coming to Tomorrowland. There is another dish soon to be served up. The Digital Dumplings – Beef & Broccoli is out of this world as it transforms this iconic dish into dumpling form with beef dumplings, broccoli pesto, and ginger-soy broth. How delicious! I don’t know about you, but these snacks are already making me hungry.

For those looking for a little sweet pick-me-up, Energy Bytes has you covered too. The Strawberry IceOform is the ultimate refreshing treat with the sweetness of the strawberry ice cream mochi, graham crackers, and even a little bit of cheesecake foam to finish it off. It not only looks beautiful but tastes great too!

Last, but certainly not least, we’ve got the Watermelon Refresher with yuzu and ginger. This frozen sip will take you to another world with tasty flavors. Just take a peek at how good it looks! It’ll be the perfect accompaniment for any of the other yummy items available at this location.

Well, there you have it – all the must-try items coming to the newest food and beverage location at Magic Kingdom Park. We can’t wait to welcome you to Energy Bytes soon!

I can't wait to try the Chocolate Cake Doughnut Holes topped with mocha sauce with a Cold Brew Coffee on the side!

 

[1lilspark]

Not that it’s really a positive, but the layoffs seem to have dropped from 7,000 to 4,000 Disney employees.

Disney Executives Ordered to Identify Thousands of Layoff Candidates as Iger Aims to Cut $5.5 Billion in Spending

According to Business Insider, managers at the company must identify candidates for layoffs by April, per a Disney source. Layoffs will impact about 4,000 employees, with the rest of the cuts coming from open roles. Additionally, targets have been given for reducing spending and headcount to each of these departments. Iger is reportedly on “a push for profitability” as his return to the company continues.

Much effort has is being undertaken to eliminate redundancies and even executives where they can. These executives have been directed to prepare budget cuts and lists of employees to be laid off, with sources telling Business Insider that these will begin in April. However, it’s unclear whether the layoffs will occur in waves or all at once, as they did during the COVID-19 furloughs.

There is speculation a good chunk of layoffs have recently occurred in the TV animation division with lots of Disney + projects in limbo

 

[HokieRaven5]

2023 Easter Egg Display Features Stitch, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, Merlin, and More at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

I asked this in a different thread yesterday and didn't get an answer and haven't found it when searching. The Eggstravaganza at EPCOT has prizes that are single plastic eggs. Are they empty inside? Just seems like a hefty price for a single plastic egg.

Here's a recent article from yesterday:

"The 2023 EPCOT Easter Egg Hunt Prize is your choice of 6 painted wooden Disney Easter eggs. The Disney characters include Dopey, Genie, Robin Hood, Cheshire Cat, Marie, and a Dalmatian."

So, I assume they are solid or otherwise unable to be opened? More like a painted rock than a plastic egg?

@MidnightMeeko

2023 Epcot Easter Eggstravaganza Scavenger Hunt Details

 

[MidnightMeeko]

Here's a recent article from yesterday:

"The 2023 EPCOT Easter Egg Hunt Prize is your choice of 6 painted wooden Disney Easter eggs. The Disney characters include Dopey, Genie, Robin Hood, Cheshire Cat, Marie, and a Dalmatian."

So, I assume they are solid or otherwise unable to be opened? More like a painted rock than a plastic egg?

@MidnightMeeko

2023 Epcot Easter Eggstravaganza Scavenger Hunt Details

That makes a lot more sense.

 

[HokieRaven5]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1637110525573189632