2 Years Worth of Disney News Happened Yesterday
New Disney Dining Plan. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance recovery. Jungle Cruise boat sinks. Magic Happens at Disneyland. Food & Wine starts early. Baby Yoda merch cart. Disney Co. stock slides. SWAT Team at Yacht & Beach. Tokyo Disneyland closes. FastPass+ down for maintenance. Bob Gurr is a Pawn Star. We didn’t start the fire. It was always burning…
Unfortunately, Billy Joel was sick, so the union sent me. My name is Tom, and I’ll be your skipper today on this world tour of Disney news…and if you don’t laugh at my jokes, your swim instructor. (Too soon?)
But seriously, we have a lot to cover in this Disney news round-up, so let’s start with the big story yesterday before the parks even opened–Walt Disney World released the new Disney Dining Plan Plus while also increasing prices on other tiers of the DDP. We already covered that story, so let’s move along…
The next story, or perhaps non-news, is that Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance boarding groups were distributed smoothly, with no redux of the glitch that allowed people outside of Walt Disney World to join the virtual queue. (“Smoothly” should probably be in air quotes–it was still a very busy day with boarding passes going in around one minute.)
To go out of order a bit and bring this story full circle, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance had its worst day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios yet yesterday. Only the first 46 boarding groups were guaranteed (a new low) and the attraction only got through 68 boarding groups (also a new low). That follows another weak performance the previous day, during which it only got through boarding group 76.
RIP Jungle Cruise 🙁 pic.twitter.com/K1p8GQXR89
– Y Have Feet Fetish When U Could Have Yeet Fetish? (@nahtanoJcimsoC) February 27, 2020
However, it wasn’t until lunchtime when things really went downhill…err, underwater.
That’s when one of the boats at Magic Kingdom’s Jungle Cruise attraction began sinking while guests were onboard.
– Matthew Vince (@synewaves) February 27, 2020
Reedy Creek Fire Department responded to the scene, and the attraction was temporarily closed while riders were unloaded from the “Bomokandi Bertha” boat.
Just pause for a second and imagine riding Jungle Cruise for the first time. Water starts appearing at your feet…coolest attraction effect ever or cause for concern?
Photo of The Jungle Cruise sinking #JungleCruise pic.twitter.com/12ZRLCfYQB
– ThemePark Clickbait (@TPClickBait) February 27, 2020
Everyone was able to get off quickly, no one was injured, and the world famous Jungle Cruise resumed departures only a couple of hours later.
With everyone safe and things in the clear, that meant one thing: open season on memes.
There are many other jokes that could be made here in the spirit of Jungle Cruise, but literally every snarky remark I can think of has already been said (probably better) on social media at this point. The internet is a treasure trove of Titanic overlay, the Rock movie synergy, and the underside of water jokes right now.
For its part, Disney calmed the waters by releasing an official statement about the incident to the Laughing Place: “A boat took on some water. Reedy Creek Fire Department responded immediately to this event. Everyone got out of the boat safely. We worked with guests individually so that they could enjoy the rest of their day in the park. The attraction has reopened.”
LUCASFILM: “You can’t sell Baby Yoda merch in Galaxy’s Edge.”
DISNEYLAND MERCHANDISING: “Not in Galaxy’s Edge. Got it. We read you loud and clear.” pic.twitter.com/FVWcFBYX7L
– David Daut (@DavidMDaut) February 27, 2020
Things settling down after that, with some good news out in California as Disneyland’s new Magic Happens parade and Disney California Adventure’s Food & Wine Festival both had soft openings/preview days. (Out of spoiler courtesy, I’m going to avoid sharing photos of the new parade, but there are already tons of photos and video out there if you so desire.)
However, it was a relatively trivial thing that got the internet all riled up: the Baby Yoda merchandise cart stationed right outside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, “carefully” skirting any thematic integrity and timeline issues on Batuu itself.
UPDATE: @OrangeCoSheriff at Walt Disney World’s Beach Club after false alarm about someone who thought they saw a man with a gun under a jacket. @MyNews13 @bn9
Photo: Sue Wilson / @chipandcompany https://t.co/LTysayvPTM pic.twitter.com/PXJcEpkl9V
– Greg Angel (@NewsGuyGreg) February 28, 2020
Just as everything was starting to settle down and the internet was readying for bed, reports emerged of a huge police vehicle and helicopter presence in the Crescent Lake area. Orlando Police Department and the SWAT Team closed off Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts, putting the area on lockdown following reports of a suspicious individual who was reported to have been carrying a gun.
About an hour after these reports began to circulate, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department issued a statement calming things down: “Deputies were at the Disney Beach Club Resort in reference to a suspicious person. Someone thought a man had a gun under a jacket. Deputies determined there was no threat. Guests at the resort are safe. We take all threats seriously and will always respond and investigate.”
The momentum continued as users began reporting having issues with My Disney Experience or DisneyWorld.com (the same was true with the latter in the early morning hours).
A “Pardon the Inconvenience” notification message then appeared on DisneyWorld.com and began popping up in the My Disney Experience app notifying users of unplanned maintenance that might result in plans being unavailable and FastPass+ booking not working. Fortunately, this seems to have been resolved overnight.
Next, Tokyo Disney Resort Closed Due to Coronavirus.
This includes Tokyo Disneyland, DisneySea, and Ikspiari, and comes as a result of Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe request that large public gatherings scheduled for the next two weeks be avoided during a critical time for stemming the spread of COVID-19 infections.
During a day that felt like it lasted about a year, a bunch of other stuff undoubtedly happened that we’re glossing over. However, let’s end this wild ride of a day on a positive note: Imagineer and Disney Legend Bob Gurr announced that he’ll be appearing in an episode of Pawn Stars because of course he will.
If you’re unfamiliar with Bob Gurr, you should be. He’s an absolute hoot, one of the most colorful characters who makes the rounds at D23 and other Disney history-focused events. Gurr developed more than 100 designs for attractions including Autopia, Matterhorn Bobsleds, the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Monorails, and much more. As he often says, “if it moves on wheels at Disneyland, I probably designed it.” Now he’s adding reality TV star to his resume. I’m not surprised by that move–I always just figured he’d do Survivor or The Masked Singer first. Perhaps those are next on the agenda.
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Your Thoughts
What do you think of this slew of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and beyond news stories? Thoughts (or jokes) about a Jungle Cruise boat sinking? What about the Baby Yoda merchandise “store,” the police being called to Crescent Lake, a return to “normal” for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, or anything else covered here? Any questions? We love hearing from readers, so please share any other thoughts or questions you have in the comments below!
Disney is building all these new rides and hotels but they aren’t making sure that the old standby’s are being taken care of. Whats up with Disney any how? They really aren’t looking out for the well fare of the people by not making sure that these boats and rides are being checked out regularly to secure the well being of the fans visiting the parks. I’m sick and tired of money grubbing companies raising prices but never doing the right thing by the people. The prices are sky high for the tickets , rooms , food, etc. and they have even had bedbugs WHY?????????? Disney isn’t worth it any more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Some years ago, my sons were on one of the Grizzly River Rapids rafts at Disney California when it slid under another raft, stopped at the top of the falls, and sunk. My two sons and two other guests were in the water up to their chests, unable to unlatch their seat belts, while three guests on the other side of the raft were tipped up in the air. The ride was stopped, the river drained and my sons were locked in their raft until guests from all the other rafts were removed. They were wet and cold and my oldest son was pretty cranky about the whole affair. Disney gave us vouchers for clothing replacement but the older son refused his, so the younger son and I bought his clothing for him, making sure there was a Grumpy name or picture on each item. I later heard of a similar river ride in Australia, where the raft overturned and occupants drowned because they could not release their seat belts.
When something untowrd happens at one of Disney’s Parks, they hand you a fast pass and expect you to be happy. It happened o me back in august. Of course, in that instance, I didn’t wind-up waist deep in dyed water.
Glan no one was injured in the Jungle Cruise Sinking.
I have to wonder if the misshap has anything to do with the rumored Apocalypse Now Overlay there was talk about?
Almost funny, Di. You’re attempting to sound logical based on community with the other willing victims. Rules don’t apply when the one making them doesn’t follow through on their obligation. In areas where they don’t provide 100% security screening and armed security, I will always carry. Like a hotel room. Or any publicly accessible area. Or places like movies theaters that don’t secure all exterior doors. I hope you and your family are never the subject of a violent crime attempt, but in the end, YOU are responsible for your own safety, no one else. Trying to conflate responsible people taking that responsibility seriously with irrational fear and mindless compliance with any random rule is ridiculous. Before I take Dale Carnegie’s advice here I’ll just remind you that Disneyland is the Happiest Place on Earth, whereas WDW is the Most Magical Place on Earth.
So, “Ni”, you’re a former Magic Kingdom cast member and state you’re a professional who has designed and built anti-terrorism protections . . . and yet you “don’t care” about Disney’s no-weapons policy, and violate the rules because, what, they don’t apply to you, just to all of the rest of the Disney guests? I’m neither paranoid nor irrationally fearful; I suppose if I were I might feel the need to carry a gun with me everywhere I go. Making ad hominem attacks on me does nothing to make your case sound reasonable, nor does it justify that you should be carrying a loaded firearm in the Happiest Place on Earth when their policy strictly forbids it.
By all means, keep attacking me all night long. I’ve got better things to do than express my disgust. Oh, and if I see you packing a gun on my family’s Disney vacation? I’ll call the police. I hope you won’t mind some midnight SWAT action at your resort room door. Have a Magical day.
Sorry you’re so paranoid and irrationally afraid, Di. I guess you’d be horrified to know that you almost certainly come within 20 feet of a hundred or more people carrying a pistol every day without knowing it. I advise you to take a class, go to a local range and meet some great people. Are you terrified of everyone in a black leather jacket or on a motorcycle too? I hope not.
Tom, would you do the new Disney plus plan? Would you do all table service for the best value? Why doesn’t it include snacks?
Hi Lisa! Well I’m not Tom, but will answer, the plan DOES indeed include 2 snacks per person, per day. And YES use both meals for table service meals! Not only is it the best value, but the food is way better than quick service meals. Character meals are a really good way to get value for the money too. If you can book Storybook Dining at the Wilderness Lodge with Snow White, Grumpy, Dopey & the Evil Queen, do it! The meal is amazing & the price tag of $60 per adult is a GREAT use of 1 table service credit!