A New Jersey father has filed a lawsuit against Walt Disney World for injuries his son sustained on Peter Pan’s Flight, a dark ride attraction in Magic Kingdom. According to the lawsuit, the child experienced whiplash when the ride vehicle abruptly stopped and started several times during the ride. The lawsuit claims that Disney was negligent in maintaining and operating the ride, and that the child suffered physical and mental pain, as well as medical expenses.
The lawsuit was filed on September 13, 2023 in the Orange County Circuit Court. The father is seeking more than $30,000 in damages from Disney. Disney has not yet responded to the lawsuit.
Peter Pan’s Flight is one of the oldest and most popular attractions in Magic Kingdom. It opened with the park in 1971 and has been updated several times over the years. The ride takes guests on a flying journey through scenes from the classic animated film Peter Pan.
CFTOD Proposes Budget Cut for Roadway Maintenance Around Walt Disney World
The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) Board of Supervisors will discuss and likely adopt their proposed budget for fiscal year 2024 during a meeting on Wednesday evening. The proposed budget includes a $3.1 million cut to roadway repairs and maintenance around Walt Disney World.
The CFTOD is a special district that collects and distributes tourist development taxes from Orange County hotels and resorts. The district is responsible for funding various tourism-related projects and services, such as the Orange County Convention Center, the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, and the roadways around Walt Disney World.
The proposed budget cut for roadway maintenance is due to the decline in tourist development tax revenues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on travel and tourism. The CFTOD expects to collect $282 million in tourist development taxes in fiscal year 2024, which is $18 million less than the previous year.
The CFTOD Board of Supervisors will vote on the proposed budget after a public hearing on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Orange County Administration Center.
‘Nemo’ Seagulls Removed from The Seas with Nemo & Friends Entrance Sign
The seagull animatronics that used to shout “Mine! Mine! Mine!” at The Seas with Nemo & Friends entrance sign have been removed from EPCOT. The seagulls were part of the theming of the attraction, which is based on the Pixar film Finding Nemo.
The seagulls were installed in 2007, when the attraction was reimagined from The Living Seas to The Seas with Nemo & Friends. The seagulls were activated by motion sensors and would squawk whenever guests approached the sign. The seagulls were a popular photo spot for guests and a source of amusement for many.
It is not clear why the seagulls were removed or if they will return in the future. The Seas with Nemo & Friends is one of the attractions that will remain open during EPCOT’s ongoing transformation project, which will bring new experiences and enhancements to the park.
New ‘Encanto’ Merchandise Arrives at Walt Disney World
More new merchandise inspired by Disney’s upcoming animated film Encanto has arrived at Walt Disney World. Encanto is set in Colombia and tells the story of Mirabel, a young girl who is the only member of her family without a magical gift.
Some of the new merchandise items include:
- A Bruno shirt featuring one of Mirabel’s uncles who can see visions of the future.
- An Encanto glass with colorful designs and the movie logo.
- An Encanto backpack with embroidered details and a zipper pull shaped like a toucan.
- Isabela and Luisa plush dolls, representing Mirabel’s sisters who have super strength and flower power.
The new merchandise can be found at various locations throughout Walt Disney World, such as Mouse Gear in EPCOT and World of Disney in Disney Springs. Encanto will be released in theaters on November 24, 2023.
‘Rogers: The Musical’ Cast Recording Album Available for Streaming
Fans of Marvel’s Hawkeye series can now listen to the cast recording album of Rogers: The Musical, a fictional Broadway show featured in the show’s first episode. Rogers: The Musical is a musical tribute to Captain America and his fellow Avengers, with songs such as “Save the Day” and “I Can Do This All Day”.
The cast recording album was released on September 15, 2023 on various streaming platforms, such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. The album features 12 songs performed by Broadway actors and singers, such as Adam Pascal, Christian Borle, Renee Elise Goldsberry, and James Monroe Iglehart.
Rogers: The Musical is a parody of superhero musicals and a homage to Marvel fans. The show was created by Mark Shaiman and Scott Wittman, the composers of Hairspray and Smash. Hawkeye is a Marvel Studios series that follows Clint Barton and Kate Bishop as they team up to fight crime in New York City. The series is available on Disney+.