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

[scrappinginontario]

Now if only they would actually remove the barges

Harmonious is running through Apr 4, 2023. Barges cannot be removed until after that but hopefully it will be soon after that date!

 

[Douglas Dubh]

Harmonious is running through Apr 4, 2023. Barges cannot be removed until after that but hopefully it will be soon after that date!

I heard they are going to pull them out one at a time to disassemble them.

 

[OKW Lover]

I heard they are going to pull them out one at a time to disassemble them.

That's logical. They have limited room in the marina/dry dock area backstage.

 

[jpeterson]

I heard they are going to pull them out one at a time to disassemble them.

There was a spring update video for TAs that described it as a "phased removal". So I think what you said is probably accurate

 

[HokieRaven5]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1640338062252167170

 

[HokieRaven5]

Menus and pricing released for the return of Disney Princess breakfast and lunch at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in EPCOT

Akershus Royal Banquet Breakfast Menu and Pricing​

$53 per adult (ages 10 and up), plus tax and gratuity
$34 per child (ages 3-9), plus tax and gratuity

• Breakfast Pastries and Accompaniments
• Mixed Fruit
• Potato Casserole
• Scrambled Eggs
• Bacon
• Sausage
• Norwegian Waffles

Akershus Royal Banquet Lunch Menu and Pricing​

$63 per adult (ages 10 and up), plus tax and gratuity
$41 per child (ages 3-9), plus tax and gratuity

• Field Greens Salad with Lingonberry Vinaigrette
• Lefse with Cardamom-Cinnamon Butter
• Traditional KjØttkake: Norwegian Meatballs
• Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
• Grilled Salmon with Herbed Butter
• Green Beans
• Red Cabbage
• Macaroni & Cheese
• Kylling og Melboller: Norwegian Chicken and Dumplings
• Corn Dog Nuggets

 

[Gary Stocker]

Ah yes, the traditional Norwegian dish Corn Dog Nuggets haha... Seriously the one time we did eat here I thought the meatballs were amazing...but this is all about meeting the princesses. Got some really good pics here a few years back of my much younger children.
Great place to get your signatures too!

 

[NJlauren]

Menus and pricing released for the return of Disney Princess breakfast and lunch at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in EPCOT

Akershus Royal Banquet Breakfast Menu and Pricing​

$53 per adult (ages 10 and up), plus tax and gratuity
$34 per child (ages 3-9), plus tax and gratuity

• Breakfast Pastries and Accompaniments
• Mixed Fruit
• Potato Casserole
• Scrambled Eggs
• Bacon
• Sausage
• Norwegian Waffles

Akershus Royal Banquet Lunch Menu and Pricing​

$63 per adult (ages 10 and up), plus tax and gratuity
$41 per child (ages 3-9), plus tax and gratuity

• Field Greens Salad with Lingonberry Vinaigrette
• Lefse with Cardamom-Cinnamon Butter
• Traditional KjØttkake: Norwegian Meatballs
• Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
• Grilled Salmon with Herbed Butter
• Green Beans
• Red Cabbage
• Macaroni & Cheese
• Kylling og Melboller: Norwegian Chicken and Dumplings
• Corn Dog Nuggets

I haven’t really been following this restaurants reopening, but I think I read the buffet is gone is that accurate?

My daughter has requested a Princess meal for our trip, and I’m trying to decide what the better option is. We loved the breakfast buffet with smoked salmon and meats last time but with out that breakfast won’t work for us…so I guess I’d do lunch then….

 

[HokieRaven5]

Disney Eats: Foodie Guide to Can’t-Miss Earth Month Treats 2023
We’re continuing to show our appreciation for our planet with special items inspired by Earth Day! While Earth Day and the 25th Anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park both fall on April 22, Walt Disney World Resort is celebrating the world around us and its creatures all throughout the month with the help of the talented Disney chefs and mixologists!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney Resort Hotels are bringing the beauty of Earth to the plate with delicious dishes like the Elephant Cupcake at Pizzafari and Restaurantosaurus, the plant-based Chaat at Sanaa, and the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail Sundae from Tamu Tamushowcasing our very own gorilla – Kejana!

As part of Disney Planet Possible, we’re dedicated to reducing our environmental footprint, supporting conservation efforts, and finding ways for us all to take part in the magic of nature this Earth Month. With so many ways to enjoy Earth Month this year through your taste buds, be sure to continue that love of our planet all year long. Now, let’s explore this year’s Foodie Guide to Earth Month at Walt Disney World Resort.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park ​

Creature Comforts (Available March 28 through April 30)

• Bee Hive Mousse Dome: Honey mousse on top of a brownie base with sugar bees
• and white chocolate honeycomb (New)

Dawa Bar

• Rum and Pineapple Cocktail: Parrot Bay Coconut Rum, Blue Curaçao Liquor, sour mix, pineapple juice garnish with pineapple wedge showcasing the ocean. The drink takes its name “bahari” from the Swahili word for “ocean.”

Flame Tree Barbecue (Mobile order available)

• Flamingo Cupcake: Strawberry cake, strawberry compote filling, guava buttercream, pink crispy pearls, sugar flamingo, and white chocolate wings (Available starting March 28)
• Bubbling Pink Lagoon: Strawberry lemonade, Sprite, and kiwi flavoring (Also available with glow cube and available with vodka for guests 21 and over) (Available March 28 through April 30) (New)

Nomad Lounge (Available March 31 through April 30)

• Gin and Bitters Cocktail: Cruxland Gin, bitters, and soda water garnished with a lemon wheel and honey simple syrup Inspired by the use of strategically placed beehives to protect the crops of African farmers from elephants (New)

Pizzafari (Available March 28 through April 30; mobile order available)

• Elephant Cupcake: Graham cracker cake, pineapple filling with matcha buttercream, crispy pearls, and a stunning white chocolate elephant celebrating Earth Month (New)
• Viva Gaia Tonic: Minute Maid Zero Sugar Lemonade, Sprite, and cotton candy flavor with mint leaves (Also available with glow cube and available with vodka for guests 21 and over)(New)

Restaurantosaurus (Available March 28 through April 30; mobile order available)

• Elephant Cupcake: Graham cracker cake, pineapple filling with matcha buttercream, crispy pearls, and a stunning white chocolate elephant celebrating Earth Month

Tamu Tamu (Available March 28 through April 30)

• Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail Sundae: Brownie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, and trail crunch mix topped with a white chocolate image of Kejana (New)

Terra Treats

• Roasted Mushroom & Leek Pizza: Plant-based offering with IMPOSSIBLE Meatballs, roasted mushrooms, braised leeks, and a dash of truffle oil (New) (Plant-based)

Tusker House

• Bee Mini-cupcake included with buffet
• A variety of plant-based items including Cauliflower Bunny Chow, Black-eyed Pea Salad, IMPOSSIBLE Bobotie, Feisty Green Beans, Tandoori Tomatoes, Carrot and Chickpea Salad, Jollof Rice with Plant-based Sausage, Garlic-leek Hummus, and Harira Soup

Available at Isle of Java, Terra Treats, Thirsty River Bar, and Outdoor Ice Cream Carts (Available March 28)

• Tiger Eye Gold: Refreshing, light golden ale brewed with a blend of malt and rice and finished with hops from the Pacific Northwest that impart a hint of citrus flavor and the aroma of mandarin orange blossoms

Available at Dawa Bar, Eight Spoon Café, Restaurantosaurus Lounge, Thirsty River Bar, TriloBites, and Warung Outpost (Available April 2 through 30)

• Honey Bee Citrus Ale: Celebrating our pollinators, this ale is a light, slightly sweet, honey ale with a crisp clean finish

Disney Resort Hotels ​

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

The Mara (Available April 22 only; mobile order available)

• Cactus Cake: Chocolate cake, peanut butter filling, strawberry jam, and buttercream (New)

Sanaa (Available April 1 through 30)

• Chaat: Seasonal vegetables from The Land at EPCOT and potato croquette with chana masala, kale pakora, tamarind, coriander chutney, and coconut raita (New) (Plant-based)

Available at Various Table-service Restaurants and Disney Resort Hotel Lounges including California Grill, Jiko: The Cooking Place, Boma: Flavors of Africa, Victoria Falls, Flying Fish, Belle Vue Lounge, and AbracadaBAR (Available April 1 through May 31)

• Honeycomb Cocktail: A tribute to global conservation through bee pollination featuring Four Roses Bourbon, lemon juice, and honey garnished with a dehydrated blood orange and honeycomb (New)

Available at Various Pool Bars Across Disney Resort Hotels (Available April 1 through May 31)

• Cucumber Gimlet: Inspired by bright, refreshing flavors of spring and garden vegetables like cucumber, lime juice, and simple syrup topped with soda water with a chili-lime rim and cucumber garnish (New)

Happy Earth Month! Remember to continue your support of the planet beyond just the month of April. And be sure to take your own foodie adventures all throughout Disney Parks – the possibilities are endless.

 

[HokieRaven5]

First Round of Layoffs Begins This Week at Disney

According to a memo from Disney CEO Bob Iger, The Walt Disney Company will begin its first round of layoffs this week. The layoffs were originally announced by then-CEO Bob Chapek and approved of and are soon to be enacted by Iger.

A second round of layoffs is expected in April and a third round is expected this summer.

 

[Gary Stocker]

First Round of Layoffs Begins This Week at Disney

According to a memo from Disney CEO Bob Iger, The Walt Disney Company will begin its first round of layoffs this week. The layoffs were originally announced by then-CEO Bob Chapek and approved of and are soon to be enacted by Iger.

A second round of layoffs is expected in April and a third round is expected this summer.

I hope the employees impacted were notified prior to this release. Learning about layoffs in your company via the media would be pretty stressful otherwise.

 

[wabbott]

I hope the employees impacted were notified prior to this release. Learning about layoffs in your company via the media would be pretty stressful otherwise.

Here's the full memo:

Dear Fellow Employees,

As I shared with you in February, we have made the difficult decision to reduce our overall workforce by approximately 7,000 jobs as part of a strategic realignment of the company, including important cost-saving measures necessary for creating a more effective, coordinated and streamlined approach to our business. Over the past few months, senior leaders have been working closely with HR to assess their operational needs, and I want to give you an update on those efforts.

This week, we begin notifying employees whose positions are impacted by the company’s workforce reductions. Leaders will be communicating the news directly to the first group of impacted employees over the next four days. A second, larger round of notifications will happen in April with several thousand more staff reductions, and we expect to commence the final round of notifications before the beginning of the summer to reach our 7,000-job target.

The difficult reality of many colleagues and friends leaving Disney is not something we take lightly. This company is home to the most talented and dedicated employees in the world, and so many of you bring a lifelong passion for Disney to your work here. That’s part of what makes working at Disney so special. It also makes it all the more difficult to say goodbye to wonderful people we care about. I want to offer my sincere thanks and appreciation to every departing employee for your numerous contributions and your devotion to this beloved company.

For our employees who aren’t impacted, I want to acknowledge that there will no doubt be challenges ahead as we continue building the structures and functions that will enable us to be successful moving forward. I ask for your continued understanding and collaboration during this time.

In tough moments, we must always do what is required to ensure Disney can continue delivering exceptional entertainment to audiences and guests around the world – now, and long into the future. Please know that our HR partners and leaders are committed to creating a supportive and smooth process every step of the way.

I want to thank each of you again for all your many achievements here at The Walt Disney Company.

Sincerely,
Bob

 

[Gary Stocker]

Here's the full memo:

Dear Fellow Employees,

As I shared with you in February, we have made the difficult decision to reduce our overall workforce by approximately 7,000 jobs as part of a strategic realignment of the company, including important cost-saving measures necessary for creating a more effective, coordinated and streamlined approach to our business. Over the past few months, senior leaders have been working closely with HR to assess their operational needs, and I want to give you an update on those efforts.

This week, we begin notifying employees whose positions are impacted by the company’s workforce reductions. Leaders will be communicating the news directly to the first group of impacted employees over the next four days. A second, larger round of notifications will happen in April with several thousand more staff reductions, and we expect to commence the final round of notifications before the beginning of the summer to reach our 7,000-job target.

The difficult reality of many colleagues and friends leaving Disney is not something we take lightly. This company is home to the most talented and dedicated employees in the world, and so many of you bring a lifelong passion for Disney to your work here. That’s part of what makes working at Disney so special. It also makes it all the more difficult to say goodbye to wonderful people we care about. I want to offer my sincere thanks and appreciation to every departing employee for your numerous contributions and your devotion to this beloved company.

For our employees who aren’t impacted, I want to acknowledge that there will no doubt be challenges ahead as we continue building the structures and functions that will enable us to be successful moving forward. I ask for your continued understanding and collaboration during this time.

In tough moments, we must always do what is required to ensure Disney can continue delivering exceptional entertainment to audiences and guests around the world – now, and long into the future. Please know that our HR partners and leaders are committed to creating a supportive and smooth process every step of the way.

I want to thank each of you again for all your many achievements here at The Walt Disney Company.

Sincerely,
Bob

Thanks. As someone who has been "RIF"ed before it really stinks. Hope they get decent packages.

 

[SealedSeven]

I heard they are going to pull them out one at a time to disassemble them.

easiest would be to have a barge blowout like Illuminations had, but just blow them up...

 

[HokieRaven5]

Questlove To Direct Live-Action/Hybrid Adaptation Of ‘The Aristocats’ For Disney

 

[HokieRaven5]

The Muppets Mayhem is ready to jam in first look at series focused on the Electric Mayhem

 

[HokieRaven5]

The Walt Disney Company to Webcast Annual Shareholder Meeting

The annual meeting of shareholders of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS), including remarks by management regarding the Company, will be available live via webcast at www.disney.com/investors beginning at 1:00 p.m. ET/ 10:00 a.m. PT on April 3, 2023. The webcast presentation will be archived.

 

[HokieRaven5]

Disney General Entertainment Layoffs Include Mark Levenstein, Jayne Bieber & Elizabeth Newman As TV Production Gets Consolidated, IP Acquisitions Dissolved

Details are starting to emerge about the first wave of Disney layoffs. It involves a consolidation of production operations across Disney TV Studios, Hulu, Freeform and FX under Carol Turner and the shutdown of the studio operation’s Creative Acquisitions department.

Mark Levenstein, SVP Production for Hulu, and Jayne Bieber, SVP, Production Management & Operations for Freeform, are leaving as Turner, EVP and head of production for ABC Signature, is taking on an expanded role, with Network and Platform production for scripted television across Disney Entertainment getting consolidated under her. 20th Television EVP and head of production Nissa Diederich, and Nick Lombardo, SVP and head of production for FX, will now to report to her.

 

[Ensusieasm]

Personally, I think the best night time show/event they have added in a long time is Spaceship Earth lighting... I could watch for a really long time!

Yes! I agree! Recently I was sent a survey about the 50th and I wrote a whole paragraph
to say that the Spaceship Earth lighting “show” was the number one best thing they did for the 50th by far!

 

[soniam]

Yes! I agree! Recently I was sent a survey about the 50th and I wrote a whole paragraph
to say that the Spaceship Earth lighting “show” was the number one best thing they did for the 50th by far!

I spent 2 hours taking photos of it one night with my camera and tripod. I need to process the photos, but some of them were surprisingly really good. I want to get one printed large on metal.