WALT DISNEY WORLD

I spent two years working at the Orlando theme parks, and even though there are tons of rides and shows, only a few of them are worth waiting for.

A 33-year-old aspiring Olympian has set a Walt Disney World marathon weekend record, sweeping all four races in Florida.

The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays is well underway at Walt Disney World.

Horticulture teams at Walt Disney World have their hands full ahead of the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival.

Some online fans criticized the two-day immersive experience for its cost, which can reach $5,999 for its most expensive package.

As the tourism industry bounces back from COVID-19, Miami is one of the top search destinations on several travel websites.

From a bachelorette party at Magic Kingdom to the ceremony at Epcot's Italy Pavilion, here's what my wedding week at Disney World was really like.

Walt Disney World has shared details on its blog about some of the delicious food and drinks at its resort hotels for the holiday season.

Halloween will be an even better experience visiting these spots around the U.S.

As Walt Disney World continues to celebrate the World’s Most Magical Celebration for its 50th anniversary, things are about to get even more festive for the holiday season.

There are nine rides that this Insider reporter - who's been going to Disney World since he was a child - always skips.

These Disney World attractions were there on opening day on October 1, 1971, and on the resort's 50th anniversary they're still standing.

The park, which celebrates its anniversary on Friday, says it has a couple of dozen employees who were on the job when the gates opened on the first day in 1971.

More companies are requiring COVID-19 vaccines and taking actions to motivate employees into getting their shots.

Disney World is known for its iconic snacks, like Dole Whip, churros, and Mickey-shaped waffles. Insider's reporter ranked them all.

Whether it’s your first time visiting or the 50th, here is our list of hidden gems to take in at the Magic Kingdom.

The deal requires workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 22 but they can apply for a medical or religious exemption. Disney cruises will soon require passengers 12 and up to get the shots.

Disney reached the agreement with union leaders after the FDA's vaccine approval announcement.

From Walt Disney World to Goldman Sachs, a flurry of private and public employers are requiring workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19 after the federal government gave full approval to the Pfizer shot.

Disney has reached a deal with unions to require all of its unionized employees working at Disney World to be vaccinated against Covid-19 by October 22, 2021.

Walt Disney World shared more details Friday about the all-new nighttime show coming to Magic Kingdom for the 50th anniversary celebration.

Disney won this earnings season by adding 12 million Disney+ subscribers while Netflix's growth stalled. Here's where the major streaming players stand.

They are among 17 people charged in "Operation Child Protector," law-enforcement officials in Florida said.

Federal health officials say Florida has reported more than 21,600 new cases of COVID-19, the state’s highest one-day total since the start of the pandemic.

Hospital admissions of coronavirus patients continue to soar in Florida with at least two areas in the state surpassing previous peaks reached during last summer’s surge.

Disney World issued a face mask mandate for all guests, as Orange County, Florida, where the resort is located, declares a state of emergency over record-high cases.

It's finally happening, the moment an exhausted country of Disney adults has been waiting for since November. Donald Trump's bizarro Clinton animatronic will recede back into the...

Walt Disney World has announced a number of new entertainment experiences returning to the resort next month.

Is that President Joe Biden at Walt Disney World?

Is that President Joe Biden at Walt Disney World?

Forget an inauguration ceremony. The true indicator of having made it as president is being added to the Hall of Presidents at Walt Disney World in Florida, an honor President Joe Biden will soon receive. Disney World officials said Monday that they were putting the finishing touches on the animatronic Biden replica ahead of its debut next month at the Magic Kingdom attraction that features a tableau of the nation's presidents.

Walt Disney World gave new details Monday about its upcoming holiday celebrations.

One of the most traveled portions of Florida’s Turnpike in getting to Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort will be shut down nightly for a few days, impacting summer travel plans.

Walt Disney World is planning an 18-month celebration in honor of its 50th anniversary, starting in October.

Firework spectaculars are returning to Walt Disney World.

Face masks optional for vaccinated visitors to theme park, though Disney workers won't require proof of COVID-19 shots.

Hawaii says a vaccinated Oahu resident who traveled to Nevada last month has tested positive for the delta variant of COVID-19.

In the eight years before the death of Lane Thomas Graves, wildlife trappers removed an average of 23 alligators a year from Disney property, but after the attack, substantially more alligators have been removed each year, state records show.

FILE - In this Jan. 9, 2019, file photo, guests watch a show near a statue of Walt Disney and Micky Mouse in front of the Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. But the results Thursday surpassed Wall Street's expectations thanks to subscribers flocking to Disney+ and other of the entertainment giant's streaming services. Disney+ subscribers totaled 94.9 million at the end of the quarter, more than double the subscriber base a year ago, when the service had been operating for only about two months. For Disney's fiscal first quarter, net income totaled $17 million, or 1 cent per share, compared with $2.1 billion or $1.16 cents per share a year earlier. Excluding one-time items, net income totaled 32 cents per share, compared with $1.53 per share in the prior-year quarter.

Workers in several states are beginning to see the latest enhanced unemployment benefits hit their bank accounts this week, following the long awaited Covid stimulus package that was finally signed into law Dec. 27, 2020. That's the sentiment of Debbie Fletcher, 57, who lost her job as a bartender in Massachusetts back in March 2020. While Senate Republicans and House Democrats spent the remainder of the year sparring over extending the supplemental aid, Fletcher said she resorted to opening new credit cards to pay her bills. The hospitality sector has still not recovered 3.9 million jobs lost to the pandemic, according to the latest jobs report. Roberts' son has epilepsy, so she sent her new employer documentation from her son's neurologist that showed her household was recommended to self-isolate during the virus outbreak.

(AP Photo/Michael Probst)FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Kentucky reported a near-record number of new coronavirus cases Friday as the surging outbreak continued sending more people to hospitals, Gov. Total statewide COVID-19 cases surpassed 105,000, and the virus-related death toll reached at least 1,476. The new virus cases brought the number of cases statewide to 13,520, according to the Department of Health. The announcement comes as Kenya’s government says a second surge in coronavirus cases has begun in East Africa’s economic hub. The Czech Republic has 310,068 total confirmed cases, with 161,050 cases in the last two weeks.

Today is Thursday, Oct. 1, the 275th day of 2020. In 1910, the offices of the Los Angeles Times were destroyed by a bomb explosion and fire; 21 Times employees were killed. In 1971, Walt Disney World opened near Orlando, Florida. Guests wear masks as required to attend the official reopening day of the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Saturday, July 11, 2020. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP) (Orlando Sentinel)In 1982, Sony began selling the first commercial compact disc player, the CDP-101, in Japan.

FILE - In this March 16, 2020, file photo, the entrance to the parking lot at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World is closed in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Squeezed by limits on attendance at its theme parks and other restrictions due to the pandemic, The Walt Disney Co. said Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020, it planned to lay off 28,000 workers in its parks division in California and Florida. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

Stitch juice, jungle juice, POG juice -- the names go on and on. Rumor has it, there is a popcorn stand in Animal Kingdom called Mahindi that even serves up a Jungle Juice Slushy. Combine 21 ounces passion fruit juice, 21 ounces guava juice and 14 ounces orange juice (pulp-free). If following a recipe isn’t your forte, Welch’s Guava Pineapple juice is the closest thing to POG juice in a carton. Whether you make it, buy it, or order it, be sure to have yourself a glass of POG juice the next time you sit down for breakfast.

Actors' Equity Association signed a memorandum of understanding allowing the actors, singers and stage managers to return to their jobs after Disney agreed to have a state-run drive-thru COVID-19 testing site for workers and others at the Florida theme park resort, according to the union, which represents 750 Disney World workers. We have been consistent that testing is an important part of ensuring a safe workplace for Equity performers, and today, Im pleased to see that Disney World has agreed, Kate Shindle, President of Actors Equity Association, said in a statement. Actors Equity Association filed a labor grievance against Disney World, saying its members faced retaliation for demanding the coronavirus tests before Disney World's theme parks reopened to visitors last month after being closed since March because of the pandemic. About 220 actors and singers initially were called back to work, but that invitation was rescinded after the union made public its concerns about the lack of testing, according to the union. It was unclear how many actors and singers would be called back now that an agreement has been signed.

Each team will donate $1 million annually, or $30 million collectively, over those 10 years. NBPA President Chris Paul had said earlier in the season restart at Walt Disney World that $300 million would be the start, and now those plans are complete. All NBA team governors recognize our unique position to effect change and we are committed to supporting and empowering young Black men and women in each of our team markets as well as communities across the U.S. and Canada, NBA Board of Governors Chairman and Toronto Raptors Governor Larry Tanenbaum said. These are the three main areas of our social responsibility work at Monumental Sports & Entertainment and where we personally invest in our community, Washington Wizards owner Ted Leonsis said. Efforts will be centered on helping people get a first job, finding careers after high school or college, then career advancement.

ORLANDO, Fla. It's hard to scare the bejesus out of someone in a haunted house while socially distancing, which may explain the decision by Universal to cancel its Halloween Horror Nights this year at its U.S. theme parks. The company said Friday it wouldn't be hosting the celebration of all things scary at its Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood so that it could focus on operating its theme parks for daytime guests under pandemic restrictions. Halloween Horror Nights typically lasts more than a month starting in September, but its planned for more than a year. Last month, Walt Disney World canceled its annual after-hours Halloween party at Magic Kingdom that typically begins in mid-August. Universal Orlando reopened last month, and Disney World started welcoming back visitors two weeks ago.

Harden came to Disney earlier this week, satisfied his league-mandated quarantine requirements and got cleared to participate. Harden has been working out, but said Thursday was his first time playing actual 5-on-5, contact-laden basketball in more than a month. He looked good, Houston coach Mike DAntoni said. But Harden arrived fully ready, in DAntonis eyes, showing that whatever regimen he was following had paid off. If Harden played in seven of the eight games and went completely scoreless in each, he would still finish ahead of Beal.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Walt Disney World is set to once again open its gates to the Magic Kingdom following a lengthy closure due to the coronavirus pandemic. But with most families staying inside and not traveling, how crowded will the theme parks really be when they reopen? Park Capacity Capacity at 25% Magic Kingdom 57,000 people 14,250 people Epcot 34,093 people 8,523 people Hollywood Studios 30,843 people 7,710 people Animal Kingdom 37,671 people 9,417 peopleA park at 25% capacity would mean very minimal wait times. As we can all imagine, visiting a Disney theme park when it reopens will be a new experience for all -- no matter how many times you’ve visited. The Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom parks will open first July 11, with Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios reopening July 15.

Cars drive under a sign greeting visitors near the entrance to Walt Disney World, Thursday, July 2, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)ORLANDO, Fla. Forget about up-close meet-and-greet" sessions with Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck when Walt Disney World parks reopen. Despite a huge surge of Floridians testing positive for the new coronavirus in recent weeks, two of Disney World's four parks are reopening Saturday. Also this month, the NBA and MLS are restarting their seasons at Disney World, which has a massive sports complex featuring multiple playing arenas. Clinton, whose members are custodians, housekeepers and park greeters, said a visit to Disney World is now safer than going to the grocery store.

According to Disney, buses and monorails will implement a combination of physical distancing and physical barriers to provide separation between guest parties. Ground markings will help promote proper physical distancing in attraction queues at Walt Disney World Resort theme parks in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)In order to provide appropriate social distancing, Walt Disney World is only allowing a limited number of guests to visit each theme park per day. “Ground markings will help promote proper physical distancing throughout the parks, including attraction queues,” Disney said. Guests at Walt Disney World Resort theme parks in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., are encouraged to use cashless payment options whenever possible when making purchases as the parks begin their phased reopening July 11, 2020.

It’s transformation central at Disney Parks in the U.S., as Disney officially announced that it has big plans for Splash Mountain at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. MORE: Petition calls for Disney Parks to change theme of Splash MountainIf you haven’t heard of the film, you’re not alone. If you’re unfamiliar with Splash Mountain, here’s a little background. Splash Mountain follows happy-go-lucky Br’er Rabbit as he looks for his “laughing place.” All the while, Br’er Bear and Br’er Fox are in hot pursuit of Br’er Rabbit. “Many adults and children ride this attraction because it brings back childhood memories,” the “Keep Splash Mountain” petition said.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Disney is no stranger when it comes to hiding bits of magic throughout its theme parks. If you were paying close attention on your last voyage, you probably noticed the small details that Imagineers placed throughout the ride. It is here where you can find some hidden Disney magic. The chess pieces were placed in a way that would leave the pirates playing the game for the rest of eternity. Clever illusionsOnce you begin your water journey, you’ll come up to one of our favorite bits of visual hidden magic in Walt Disney World.

Disneys nearby parks will wait until next month, but there won't be any parades, firework shows or character greetings. Theme parks in many states have been among the last businesses allowed to reopen because of worries over crowds. We have to look at each and every situation.At most theme parks, the new normal will be apparent before visitors arrive, starting with online admission reservations to manage the daily crowds. Cedar Fair Entertainment, which operates theme parks across North America including Ohio's Cedar Point, will require guests to fill out health screenings before they show up and to go through temperature checks at the gate. While some parks will rely on state guidelines to determine whether their guests should wear masks, most of the big theme parks will require them, even on the rides.

If you’re like us and are no longer following your quarantine diet, Disney’s favorite frozen snack can be yours to make at home. Dole Whip has become a must-eat for families and Disney fans alike. The theme parks remain closed, however, you can bring the park magic home by creating your own Dole Whip treats. There are two ways to create a Dole Whip: Dole’s recipe and Disney’s recipe. Share your Dole Whip creations with us in the comments below!

The NBA has told the National Basketball Players Association that it will present a 22-team plan for restarting the season at Disney. If all 22 teams that are going to Disney play their allotted eight games before the postseason begins, the NBA would play 1,059 games in this regular season. That means 171 regular season games would be canceled, which could cost players around $600 million in salary. Those 22 clubs would play somewhere between 71 and 75 regular season games if the Disney portion of the schedule is completed, down from the customary 82-game slate. He appeared in 1,541 NBA games, behind only Robert Parish (1,611) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1,560) on the leagues all-time list.

Ron DeSantis, SeaWorld will open June 11 and Disney World will reopen the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on July 11. The parks will introduce new social distancing and cleaning policies, as well as training for employees. AdvertisementPeople recognize that we live in a different time today, said Marc Swanson, the interim chief executive of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. Steve Sisolak signed off on the reopening of casinos on the Las Vegas Strip starting June 4. Many states and the District of Columbia have also clashed with the Trump administration over when theyll reopen.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. SeaWorld and Walt Disney World will reopen in Orlando, Florida, in June and July after months of inactivity because of the coronavirus pandemic, according to plans a city task force approved Wednesday. Disney plans a tiered reopening, with Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom opening on July 11, followed by Epcot and Hollywood Studios on July 15. Disney World also plans smaller, soft openings prior to July 11, but no specifics were provided. When Disney Springs, a complex of restaurants and shops near Disney World, reopened, the company formed social distancing squads," which McPhee said have been popular with guests. Disney employees will be required to do temperature checks before heading to work, McPhee said.

ORLANDO, Fla. Walt Disney World is presenting its plans for reopening after being shuttered along with Florida's other theme parks since mid-March because of the new coronavirus. Disney World and SeaWorld Orlando will present their proposals for phased reopenings before an Orange County task force on Wednesday, said Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings. With 77,000 workers, Disney World is central Floridas biggest employer. Last week, Disney World allowed third-party businesses at its Disney Springs dining and shopping complex to open with new restrictions. Crosstown rival, Universal Orlando, presented its reopening proposal last week to county officials, saying it was aiming to reopen June 5.

The National Basketball Players Association is also part of the talks with Disney. Games would be held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, a massive campus on the Disney property near Orlando. Space wont be an issue, even if Major League Soccer which is also in talks to resume its season at Disney is there at the same time as the NBA. The entire Disney complex is roughly 40 square miles, with nearly 24,000 hotel rooms owned or operated by Disney within the campus. The list of NBA players who were known to test positive eventually grew to 10 not all were identified and Commissioner Adam Silver said last month that the actual total was even higher.

This meant that families were unable to experience the magic or thrill of the Disney theme parks, however, that didn’t stop families and friends from making the best of a bad situation. Since the closures, Disney fans from around the globe have been posting videos of their DIY Disney attractions. From nighttime fireworks to swashbuckling pirates, it's clear that when Disney fans are bored, something good is sure to come out of it. Once Upon a TimeWho needs to go back to the parks when you can have this at home? Pirates of the CaribbeanWhen will they ever learn that the dog is never going to give them the key?

Disney cast members have officially been away from their jobs for about two months now -- and some are taking their skills and talents to social media to give those bored at home a taste of the Disney magic everyone has been missing. Walt Disney World furloughed its approximately 43,000 workers in April after the theme park closed in mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic. Only about 200 workers remain on the job performing “essential duties" during the closure, officials said. For the cast members not working, the only way they have been able to “make magic” is from inside their own homes. If you’re missing your favorite attractions, you might want to check out how these Disney fans created their favorite rides at home.

But one Central Florida pilot was given the opportunity to fly over the happiest place on earth and give us the view we’ve been waiting on. Disney parks have a temporary flight restriction that limits pilots from flying within 3,000 feet of any of the parks. But with Disney parks in the U.S. closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, some pilots have been granted permission by local air traffic control to fly over the deserted theme parks. “I hope this will bring some joy to everyone currently in quarantine and missing the beloved parks.”Seeing an empty Disney World has become a common sight to most of us during quarantine. [MORE: Helicopter pilot shares breathtaking view of Disneyland during coronavirus closure]Walt Disney World has been closed since March 15 after rising concerns about spreading COVID-19.

But one man in California went a step further and was lucky enough to get a birds-eye view of Disneyland Resort without pixie dust, a magic carpet or a lucky feather. Disneyland has a temporary flight restriction that restricts pilots from flying anywhere near the park, within 3,000 feet. During his flight, Muzio visited much of Orange County, which included stops at Angel Stadium, El Dorado Park and Long Beach Airport, to name a few. However, our favorite sight was that of a closed Disneyland park without a single person to be seen. While the view from above is great, anyone who’s been there would likely agree: nothing beats the view from the ground.

Disney tunes have a way of getting us out of the rut we’re in and putting a smile on our face. Each music provider has a Disney playlist filled with hundreds of songs from every Disney film known to man. Having the right playlist is an important task -- and choosing the right playlist shouldn’t be taken lightly. Everyone should have a Disney playlist saved, ready to be played at any moment. The playlist is a melting pot of classic Disney hits, Disney covers and songs you can hear when visiting a Disney theme park.

ORLANDO, Fla. – SeaWorld Entertainment's chief executive has resigned only five months into his job, becoming the third leader of the theme park company to depart in just over two years, according to a company filing released Monday. The spread of the novel coronavirus has paralyzed the theme park industry. Like most other theme park companies operating in the U.S., SeaWorld's 12 theme parks have been closed since mid-March. The company said he would stay in the job at least until the theme parks reopen. “The board will review the role once the company reopens its theme parks," the SEC filing said.

Related: The best Disney Plus Star Wars, sci-fi and space movies and showsUpdates: The coronavirus pandemic impacts on space explorationWant to try Disney Plus? So imagine, if you will, showing up to immerse yourself in the "Star Wars" universe and the stress of parking completely evaporates. Disney's "Star Wars Galaxy's Edge." An early look at Disney's "Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser" hotel, which is still under construction. (Image credit: @bioreconstruct on Twitter)

Particularly how and when it could manifest itself in the U.S.,” said Dennis Speigel, president of International Theme Park Services Inc., an independent industry consultant. He's been watching the spread of the coronavirus for weeks, as theme parks in Asia have closed. He estimated the temporary closure of Disney parks in Shanghai and Hong Kong will cost the company anywhere from $175 million to $300 million dollars. Coronavirus concerns have impacted the state's cruise industry and convention business, but the theme parks have been spared so far, although that could change at any moment. Coronavirus fears hit Florida last week as Disney World opened a new ride based on Mickey Mouse, a park first.

Racially segregated movie theaters disappeared decades ago after court rulings struck down the legal framework of Jim Crow America, but another element of the era just wont die: Walt Disneys 1946 movie Song of the South. “Song of the South” is easily viewed on the internet either in whole or in pieces, and numerous websites offer versions of the movie or memorabilia for sale. Some have reinterpreted old, racist films in a new way rather than simply screening them in their original format. In “Rebirth of a Nation,” DJ Spooky (whose birth name is Paul D. Miller) trimmed the original film and applied new graphics and music he composed. In a live performance during the 2016 presidential campaign, he spliced together the original film with scenes from the civil rights movement and post-9/11 wars.

Eat Christmas cookies until you feel like you’re going to burst, see a special Christmas parade roll down Main Street U.S.A. -- and did we mention there will be tons of cookies? Visit Disney’s website for more info. Insider tip: Want to catch the Christmas parade but avoid paying for a special ticket? Some resorts also will have special holiday presentations, such as a walk-through gingerbread house at Disney’s Grand Floridian. Other festivities include the Sea of Trees, which is a show filled with synchronized Christmas trees shimmering and twinkling set to holiday music.

But when you visit Epcot's World Showcase at Walt Disney World in Florida, you can do just that. Related: 6 free things to do on your next Disney World vacation -- yes, really | Are you getting the most out of your Disney FastPass? | The Wonderful Walls of Disney: A trend that was never meant to beSome may say this is one of the more relaxing and scenic areas around Walt Disney World. Name a better morning routine than sipping a Joffrey's coffee on the banks of World Showcase Lagoon. This story is for those who think they know everything there is to know about World Showcase.

More than 400 vegan dishes will be available at quick-service and table-service restaurants in Orlando, Florida's Walt Disney World in early October, followed by Anaheim, California's Disneyland in spring 2020. A new green leaf logoThe new additions extend beyond park walls: every dining location inside Disney's 36 Orlando and three Anaheim hotels will also get vegan options. There are few places less hospitable for vegans and vegetarians than theme parks, where the standard fare is burgers and dogs. They are among the biggest sellers at Disney World, which serves 10 million burgers, 6 million hot dogs and 1.8 million pounds worth of its iconic turkey legs every year. The scarcity of plant-based meal options, plus the difficulty in identifying them, has led Disney's vegan fans to create their own online survival guides.

Whether you enjoy the day without kids or want to take the family to sample something new to celebrate Halloween, there are hotspots around the country to visit to enhance your Halloween experience. The Louisiana Children’s Museum hosts a kid-friendly “Museum Mash,” with games, prizes, a science lab and a dance party, and the French Quarter has a ghost tour for visitors. Chattanooga, TennesseeThis city is home to one of the top Halloween haunts in the country, Ruby Falls Dread Hollow. The Chattanooga Zoo also hosts a kid-friendly event called “Boo in the Zoo,” and Halloween-themed cruises can be taken on the Chattanooga River. Just south of Chattanooga in Rossville, Georgia, is an amusement park called Lake Winnepesauka (or WinnepeSPOOKah around Halloween) that has costumed characters, parades every hour and haunted rides.