Barbara Walters, trailblazing journalist and Disney Legend, has passed away on December 30, 2022, at age 93. Her Early Years Barbara Jill Walters was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on September 25, 1929, to Dena and Lou Walters. She earned a B.A. in English from Sarah Lawrence College, after which she joined NBC New York affiliate… Read More »Trailblazing Journalist Barbara Walters Passes at 93
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Universal Orlando Resort is closing most of their designated smoking areas in their theme parks. This seems to be the first step to eventually making the parks smoking-free.
There will now be only one smoking location in each Universal Orlando Resort theme park. In Universal Studios Florida, the smoking area is in Gramercy Park, in front of Revenge of the Mummy. In Universal’s Islands of Adventure, the smoking area is in front of the lagoon in the Port of Entry land.
CityWalk smoking areas remain the same.
While the transition is completed, old smoking areas are still listed on the virtual Universal Orlando Resort park maps and may be available, but will be closed soon.
Smoking areas may be reduced at Universal Studios Hollywood soon, too.
Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort parks went smoking-free in 2019, moving their designated smoking areas to spots outside of the park entrances. Of course, guests still try to get away with smoking inside the theme parks.
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An opening date has been revealed for Adventureland Treehouse, the new “Swiss Family Robinson”-inspired attraction replacing Tarzan’s Treehouse in Disneyland.
According to the Disneyland Resort calendar, the “refurbishment” of Tarzan’s Treehouse is scheduled through February 10, 2023. It is no longer listed on the calendar after that date, implying Adventureland Treehouse is scheduled to open on February 11.
Before it was Tarzan’s Treehouse, the attraction was Swiss Family Treehouse, based on the 1960 film “Swiss Family Robinson.” It opened on November 18, 1962, at Disneyland Park and was an opening day attraction at Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Paris. It remains the Swiss Family Treehouse at Magic Kingdom, Disneyland Paris, and Tokyo Disneyland.
Swiss Family Treehouse closed at Disneyland Park in 1999 and reopened as Tarzan’s Treehouse later that year. After another 22 years of operation, it suddenly closed in September 2021. Disney announced in April 2022 that it would be rethemed and revealed the Adventureland Treehouse concept in November 2022.
The full title of the new attraction is Adventureland Treehouse Inspired by Walt Disney’s Swiss Family Robinson. Instead of being inspired by a different IP (it was rumored it could be “Encanto”-themed), it will have an original story about a family living in the treehouse on Jungle River. It will look more like the original 1962 Swiss Family Treehouse, including a water wheel at the entrance, but the family is different, hence the name Adventureland Treehouse.
It was also rumored that the attraction would become S.E.A.-themed. While it may not be an entirely S.E.A. attraction, there is a Society of Explorers and Adventurers banner in the concept art.
A “Swiss Family Robinson” remake for Disney+ was announced in 2020 but there has been no word on the new film since.
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A Florida man was arrested after he apparently got caught trying to sneak into the Magic Kingdom Utilidors last month.
When confronted, the man took a stroller and ran over a Disney security guard’s foot repeatedly, according to an arrest report.
Now the man, Eugene Zehner, is charged with battery on a uniformed security officer — which is a third-degree felony —according to Orange Circuit Court records. He pleaded not guilty.
Zehner, 62, of St. Cloud, likely knows something about Disney backstage areas and bad guest behavior. On his LinkedIn profile, he says he previously worked in Guest Relations at Walt Disney World for nearly seven years.
His lawyer did not respond immediately to a request for comment.
The situation that led to Zehner’s arrest unfolded on November 17, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s arrest report that was released this week.
The arrest report notes Disney Security alerted a sheriff’s deputy about a “verbal argument turned battery that occurred in the park by the tunnels near the entrance.” By tunnels, the deputy is referring to the Magic Kingdom Utilidors, an infamous series of tunnels beneath the park.
The security guard said he saw the Hawaiian shirt-clad Zehner “lift and remove the security ropes which is designed to keep people from entering the secured area,” the arrest report said.
Zehner ignored the security guard telling him to stop. Instead, he lifted up the ropes to help his wife through.
The security guard “approached them and attempted to tell them to stop as they violated company policy, but they kept yelling at him to move out of their way as they continued into the park,” the arrest report.
The security guard ordered them to stay put so he could report the incident to his supervisor. Then Zehner took a stroller he had been pushing and ran it over the security guard’s foot.
It happened again. The security guard ordered them to stay, and Zehner rammed the guard with the stroller.
Disney could not provide surveillance footage of the alleged attack, the report noted.
The security guard, who wasn’t injured, said he was run over intentionally and wants to pursue criminal charges against Zehner.
When speaking with law enforcement, Zehner accused the security guard of being overly aggressive with him but wouldn’t elaborate with more details, the deputy said in the arrest report. Zehner’s family refused to give statements to law enforcement.
Zehner said he just wanted to leave the Magic Kingdom with his family. Instead, he was arrested and transported to the Orange County Jail. Disney Security trespassed Zehner’s wife and son, according to the arrest report.
Zehner claimed he didn’t have an ID and said his name was Robert Jones. When the deputy patted Zehner down to search for weapons, he found Zehner’s wallet with his ID that showed his real name.
“Due to this process not clearly hindering my investigation for an unreasonable amount of time, I will not charge him for providing false information,” the deputy wrote in the arrest report.
In Orange Circuit Court records, Zehner submitted a reference letter in December written by his former U.S. Army Colonel David Moran.
“Eugene embodies the highest levels of professional character and moral fortitude in the most stressful situations, ” Moran wrote, adding that Zehner tallied 32 years of active service in the military.
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With less than three days left until the New Year, 2023 themed merchandise is popping up all over Walt Disney World. Check out these new items we found today!
We found this new 2023 Apple Watch band at World of Disney in Disney Springs!
This band is compatible with Apple Watch Series 1-8.
It has one side with a 2023 pennant, and the other with Mickey and Minnie Mouse in their classic garb.
These 2023 boxer shorts look incredible comfy. They have an elastic waistband with a drawstring tie.
The boxers are dark blue, with different size pennants all over. If you look closely you can spot Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Donald, Daisy, and even Chip & Dale!
We also found this die cut magnet that showcases the park icons from all four Walt Disney World theme parks!
If you love the design of that magnet, you can also prepare for next holiday season early by matching it with this ornament!
This ornament is made out of acrylic and has a plain white back.
Are you hoping to add any of these items to your collection before the New Year? Let us know in the comments.
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This week Jimmy Kimmel Live! will welcome a number of special guests including actors and musical guests who will discuss current projects, business successes, and perform their latest hits. What’s Happening: Every weeknight, comedian Jimmy Kimmel entertains audiences across the nation with his wit and fun take on the world at large. The show features a […]
The post “Jimmy Kimmel Live” Guest List: Nancy Pelosi, Laura Dern and More to Appear Week of January 2nd appeared first on LaughingPlace.com.
GMA3: What You Need to Know has announced their guest list for the week of January 2nd-6th. Among those joining for a virtual visit are actors, doctors, public figures and more who will discuss current projects, and some of the popular topics facing our nation. What’s Happening: Every afternoon, ABC’s news program, GMA3: What You Need to […]
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As we enter a new week of television programming, Good Morning America has announced their guests for January 2nd-7th. The show will welcome actors, authors and musicians who will discuss their current and upcoming projects. What’s Happening: Every day millions of Americans tune in to ABC’s long running morning news show Good Morning America or GMA for the […]
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Next week, The View will welcome special guests to the daily talk show including actors and authors who will discuss their current and upcoming projects and topics relevant in today’s world. What’s Happening: The View is the place to go for daily conversation about hot button issues including politics, arts and entertainment, business and more. Each day, […]
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