Disney Reorganizes WDW Transportation Management
Disney announced that Jim Vendur will oversee both operations and maintenance of the Walt Disney Word transportation system that includes the 15-mile monorail, ferryboats and a fleet of about 300 buses, according to the Orlando Sentinel. Vendur is a vice president who was previously in charge of the transportation maintenance. Disney stated that this restructuring was already in the works before →
Fantasyland Expansion Rumors at Walt Disney World Are True!!!
Disney executives are planning the largest expansion in the history of Walt Disney World in central Florida. The development will nearly double the size of Fantasyland and include a new, lavish ride based on the Little Mermaid. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo made the announcement Saturday. Analysts predict it will re-ignite travel to Orlando, which has lagged in the →
Mitchel Musso to appear at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and House of Blues
Mitchel Musso, who plays Oliver Oken on Disney Channel's Hannah Montana will be signing autographs of his new, self-titled (and debut) album at Disney's Hollywood Studios on Sept. 18 from 1 pm to 2 pm. He'll be in town for a concert at House of Blues that night with guest KSM and Jimmy Robbins. Regular theme park admission is required for the →
Terrance to Join Faires in Pixie Hallow at Magic Kingdom
Terrance, the fairy who "hands out the pixie dust to other fairies each day so they may do their magic" is now joining Disney Faires at the Pixie Hollow meet and greet area at the Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort. Tinker Bell, Iridessa, Fawn, Silvermist, and Rosetta already are available to guests for a meet and greet. Which →
Welcome Foolish Mortals…Walt Disney Records Celebrates the 40th Anniversary of The Haunted Mansion with Two CD Releases
On September 9, 2009 Walt Disney Records celebrates the 40th Anniversary of The Haunted Mansion with two CD releases -- The Story and Song From The Haunted Mansion and The Haunted Mansion. Both CDs were produced, fully restored and compiled by Grammy®-winning producer Randy Thornton. Forty years ago, 999 happy haunts took up residence in Disneyland at the personal invitation of Walt →
Walt Disney World returns to 180-day booking window in October
Starting Oct. 27, 2009, guests can start booking their Advanced Dining Reservations, Recreation Activities and Tours at the Walt Disney World Resorts up to 180 days prior to their arrival at the Magical vacation destination. Not too long ago - and those that travel to WDW regularly remember that the booking window was 180-days out. Then earlier this year, Disney decided →
Pembe Savanna Opens Today at DVC Kidani Village
The newest guest room wing of Kidani Village is a Disney Vacation Club property with a stunning view. The new Pembe Savanna, adjacent to the expansion, treats Kidani guests to a rare look at okapis, a typically shy animal closely related to the giraffe. The distinctly marked okapis, along with red river hogs, impala, waterbuck, blue cranes and spur-winged geese, →
Disney performer fatally injured in Hollywood Studios accident
Walt Disney World stunt performer Anislav Varbanov, 30, was fatally injured during a rehearsal for the " Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular" at Disney's Hollywood Studios. He was doing a tumbling roll after 7 p.m. Monday when he was hurt. Disney workers dialed 911 at 7:34 p.m. to report that a cast member sustained a head injury. Varbanov was rushed to →
Want to Join the Disney Mom’s Panel?
Disney announced Monday on their Twitter Page that the Disney Moms Panel will be accepting applications for new members in September! Very exciting news for sure. These "Moms" have been selected to be panelists because they have demonstrated an excellent knowledge of Walt Disney World® Resort. Being familiar with the Parks, Resort hotels, dining and entertainment, shopping, and recreational activities, they →
NTSB Agency Says It Could Be 6 Months Before Final Report on Disney Monorail Crash
The Federal agency said Wednesday they have received most of the documents they requested in the investigation of the July 5th Disney World monorail crash that killed monorail pilot Austin Wuennenberg. The National Transportation Safety Board said in an e-mail to the media that "the documents that will become part of the investigation are employee records showing training, work history and →
Disney World Tests Centrailized FastPass System at Animal Kingdom
Under the current system, guests must go to each individual attraction that participates in the FastPass system to gain a ticket. Last week, Walt Disney World is experimenting with a new system that would centralized the FastPass distribution method. This test began at Disney's Animal Kingdom where guests can visit vending machines at the centralized location of It's Tough to →
Disney World Releases AP Discounts For Most Nights October 4 through December 24 2009
The Walt Disney World Resort has just released amazing Annual Passholder (AP) discounts for the stays most nights October 4 through December 24, 2009!! This is occuring during some wonderful times at WDW, including Epcot's International Food and Wine Festival, the eerie Halloween season and the most magical Christmas season! Also during this time you have the hard-ticket events →
Tyler Perry to Send 60 Philly Day Campers to Disney World
Media mogul Tyler Perry will send sixty Northeast Philadelphia children from the Creative Steps day camp to Walt Disney World July 31 to August 3, 2009. The children were recently disinvited from the Valley Club in Huntingdon Valley earlier this month. What a heart-warming end to a bad situation! Tyler Perry is proving to be a great role model and philanthropist. →
Don’t Miss Out on Walt Disney World Free Dining Offer – Ends July 26
Get FREE the Disney Dining Plan with the purchase of a specific 5-night/6-day Magic Your Way hotel and theme park ticket package. Travel dates are between August 20 and October 3, 2009 and must be booked by July 26. Hurry! Because rooms fill up and availability is limited! Go to disneyworld.com/freedine for more details. Don't forget to book your Advance Dining Reservations! You →
Twelve hurt when 2 Disney buses crash
At about 2:40pm today, a rear-end crash occurred, involving two Walt Disney world buses, reports the Orlando Sentinel. Twelve people were injured and taken to area hospitals. This accident comes 11 days after the deadly monorail crash that killed 21-year-old monorail pilot, Austin Wuennenberg. People quickly took to the social networks, such as Twitter, Plurk and Facebook to discuss the →
Disney Mononrail Crash Triggered by Employee Mistakenly Radioed He Activated Track Switch
The Orlando Sentinel has spoken with multiple sources with knowledge of the accident's investigation. The publication reports that a maintenance bay employee radioed incorrect information. This combined with a shift change when a sick employee was granted early dismissal lead to events to the deadly 2am July 5 crash which killed 21-year-old monorail pilot Austin Wuennenberg. Investigators still have work in →
Mother of Deceased Monorail Pilot Expects to Sue Disney
Christine Wuennenberg, mother of the Austin Wuennenberg, the monorail pilot killed in the July 5 crash, has filed a petition in Orlando state Circuit Court, according to the Orlando Sentinel. The petition filed July 9 is to preserve crucial crash evidence in Disney's possession that she feel may be destroyed, erased or altered. She is also asking the judge to →
Disney World Suspends Policy of Guests Riding in Monorail Front for Now
Not a surprising change in wake of last Sunday's monorail accident. Had guests been in the front of the monorail with pilot Austin Wuennenberg when the accident occurred, more lives would've been lost. Though I'm saddened by this policy change, as riding in the front of the monorail is quiet a magical experience. Watch the video Diane Cimino of Briton, →
Vigil Held For Disney Monorail Crash Victim
Family, friends and coworkers gather in Celebration for a vigil to celebrate his life. Four Facebook groups have been created dedicated to Wuennenberg's memory. The Facebook group, One Rail, One Family vigil for Wuennenberg organized the vigil. Former and current WDW Monorail Operations cast members created this group and have openned it publically for anyone wishing to celebrate the Wuennenberg's memory. Watch video. Click →
Suspended Disney monorail pilot releases statement
Distraught, surviving pilot from fatal monorail incident is under doctor's care. Alan Rubino, 62, piloted the reversing monorail that crashed into the train driven by 21-year-old Austin Wuennenberg, killing the young man. Rubino's friend Dennis Pickering read a statement from the pilot to local media. "Alan wishes to extend to family and friends of Austin his deepest and heart-felt condolences. Given the current →
Disney’s monorail procedures changed in years leading up to accident
Walt Disney World now requires drivers, when switching off the resort's Epcot loop, to operate their trains from twin controls in the rear cab. This policy change comes as a result of the pilot in last weekend's monorail collision remaining in the front cab, while attempting to make the loop switch. The Orlando Sentinel spoke with former monorail pilots, who stated →
3 Disney World monorail employees on paid leave during deadly crash investigation
Updating an earlier report from WESH 2 News, Walt Disney World has placed three Disney World monorail employees, who were working during the Sunday 2am accident, on paid leave, according to the Orlando Sentinel. WESH 2 News quickly updated the earlier article of two Disney employees on unpaid disciplinary leave, to reflect the statements coming from Disney spokespeople. The Orlando Sentinel quotes →
Disney Suspends 2 Employees After Monorail Crash
The on-duty manager and coordinator at the time of the deadly crash have been suspended without pay, reports WESH Orlando. Citing a source within Disney, the two Disney employees believed to be responsible for the switching of the two monorail trains during the 2am collision Sunday are facing disciplinary actions. This action is not surprising after WESH Orlando released information that →
Family, friends remember Austin Wuennenberg as more than a Disney monorail pilot
Most people know Austin Wuennenberg as the Walt Disney World monorail pilot who died in the Sunday 2am crash. During the Wednesday memorial service, his uncle Bill Shanahan reminded everyone that there was more to the 21-year-old than his death. A brilliant student. A thoughtful companion. A skilled computer programmer. A devoted family man. Someone that always made his friends smile. Click →
