Travisma

https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2018/03/12/a-heavily-rumored-mary-poppins-attraction-is-starting-to-look-more-real-at-epcot
Take it with a grain of salt...
The most notable promotion during the recent shake-up is Jim MacPhee. Previously the Senior Vice President of Parks, MacPhee is now the Sr. VP of Operations, where he’ll oversee all operations including Food and Beverage, Transportation and Parks, Live Entertainment, and Disney Springs. 
According to insiders familiar with the discussions, certain projects like the Coco update to the boat ride in the Mexico pavilion are being slowed down for more in-depth review, while other projects have gained new cheerleaders for them. Just across the lagoon from Mexico, we found a project where this is likely the case. 

Mary Poppins has been rumored for the United Kingdom pavilion for years now, but more recently this small addition, that would’ve included a carousel and a recreation of Cherry Tree Lane, was believed dead. This concept was replaced with a Brave-themed dark ride. The Brave ride wasn’t the first dark ride proposed for the land, but unlike the earlier Loch Ness Monster-themed ride, it was one of the first to feature Disney intellectual property. 

But now, with early reviews of the still under development Mary Poppins Returns showing promise for the franchise, Disney looks to be wanting to cash in on this iconic franchise in new ways.
Last year, insiders known for their accurate leaks regarding upcoming projects began indicating that the Brave dark ride was moving forward. Numerous respected users on the WDWMagic forums including marni1971 and WDW1974, both known for their inside knowledge of upcoming WDW projects, indicated that the Brave ride was indeed happening. Then Marni1971 announced in December that the project was “in flux” with Brave possibly getting the boot for a different intellectual property. 

In early February, the YouTube channel Mickey Views announced an Imagineer’s private Instagram account that they had been following was now confirming Poppins was headed to the pavilion. Roughly four weeks later, Marni1971 mentioned the project now in the works for the pavilion would open by the end of 2020. Then, late last week another insider on the message boards confirmed a Mary Poppins dark ride was coming and should break ground by the end of this year. 
There’s no indication on when Disney plans to announce the United Kingdom project, but with the tight timeline on the project it should happen within the next year, possibly as part of a WDW media blitz in May where other new additions may be announced, including a possible new nighttime show, or as part of the marketing around the new film this winter. 

And they were blind if they haven't seen the crowds increasing.
Plans should have been made long ago to somehow either expand the foot prints of the parks or build a new WDW somewhere else in the US or this hemisphere.
They saw the crowds increase, but I guess the per person spending didn't, so they just decided to do nothing as far as expansion.
New rides in the existing parks are good, but it's only going to put a huge strain on the already overcrowded parks.

Was it wrong of me to start reading this and think "a site just opened up at the Fort!"  and then I got to the bottom and said "crap, never mind..."   
 

 

They need to bring some the parks stroller wranglers over to the resorts and go hide them!

https://www.abcactionnews.com/traffic/traffic-news/traffic-alert-travel-trailer-dangles-over-i-275-in-st-petersburg
Follow the link for more photos and a video
The video showed how they looped a huge strap under the rear of the TT, and that tow truck lifted it and re-positioned it onto the highway.
I would venture to say between the bash in the side from the accident and the stress on the TT frame from dangling and being lifted, they are going to have a lot of issues with their stay.
Travel trailer removed from I-275 overpass in St. Pete after crash
Initial reports indicate a family was on the way to Walt Disney World when their trailer was rear-ended by another vehicle. The camper, being pulled by a Ford Explorer got pushed over the overpass and dangled over the edge. 
A tow truck responded to remove the trailer. The trailer was removed at approximately 12:40 p.m.. 
No one was hurt in the accident.
 
Supposedly the SUV had a flat tire, and after it was changed they continued on their way to WDW.

We stayed at a hotel in Salt Lake City.  They charged for parking, but it was because they had to pay the city for spaces in the city parking garage.
I can see a downtown core hotel charging, because like others have said, they don't own enough property to have parking lots.
But there is no excuse for Disney or other suburban type hotels with huge open lots or parking garages to charge other than "they can".
And if you don't like it go somewhere else... oh wait, we've colluded with all of the neighboring hotels and we all agreed to charge for parking and resort fees so there...!

You should try the Wild Walk at the Wild Center in Tupper Lake  It's 30 miles west of Lake Placid
http://www.wildcenter.org/visit/wild-walk/
It was fun, but we drove up from the Poughkeepsie area and back in one day.  It was a loooong drive.  About 4 hours 230 miles one way.
I think I would've enjoyed it more if it was only like an hour to get there.

They need to bring some the parks stroller wranglers over to the resorts and go hide them!

Yeah, it may all be a bunch of crap, but it's fun to see what crazy ideas people "hear" about, claim they are set in stone, and pass along.
I mean, lets build a land based on a 7 year old film about blue people that the majority of the population never saw, and the ones that did weren't crazy about.

Reports of the chairs return to the Settlement today are flooding the inter web!

what if.... 
Space Mountain cars could fly off the tracks
Ferry boat could sink
Chunk of Cindy's castle could fall off and impale a passerby.
Door could open on a moving monorail...oh wait that did happen....

I've seen parts of the MK one a while ago, but according to this article and others posted in the news, they have expanded their menu.
 
The date on the MK view was Feb. 2016, the Pandora and Disney Springs were May 2017
 
https://www.theverge.com/2018/3/6/17084348/google-maps-disneyland
You can now pretend you’re in Disneyland on Google Maps
If you’ve always wanted to visit Walt Disney World in Orlando or Disneyland in California, but don’t like the idea of long lines, humid weather, and thousands of people then there’s good news today. Google is bringing 11 Disney parks to Google Maps Street View, allowing you to virtually visit the tourist destinations from the comfort of your home. There are a variety of parks to choose from, including Epcot, Magic Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios, and you can cruise around them freely to look at all the attractions and imagine you’d paid the entry fee and secured your special Fastpass tickets for all the rides.
While it’s all make believe, the Street View experience of Disney parks could come in useful if you’re a particularly meticulous planner and boss of the family. Otherwise, you could play the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse album at full volume and put your favorite VR headset on to experience Disney in all its glory. All of the Disney Street View locations are right here:
Pandora the world of Avatar Epcot Epcot, Morocco Magic Kingdom Disney Springs California Adventures Guardians of the Galaxy Mickey and Minnie’s houses Disney Hollywood Studios Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park

Welcome to Florida!
https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2018/03/01/a-burmese-python-in-florida-broke-a-record-by-regurgitating-a-deer-bigger-than-itself
A Burmese python in Florida broke a record by regurgitating a deer larger than itself
An invasive Burmese python in Florida pulled off arguably one of the most metal feats of nature this week. 

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida announced they found a Burmese python attempting to digest a white-tailed deer that was 111 percent its size in Collier-Seminole State Forest on Thursday.

The fawn weighed 35 pounds while the 11-foot python came in at 31.5 pounds, which the Conservancy called "not a big python by any stretch of the imagination." The ratio of predator to prey is believed to be the biggest ever documented of a Burmese python and could possibly be the biggest of any python species.

When the team found the python they were amazed by the size of the bulge in the snake and could tell it had bitten off more than it could digest.
After it was moved from where it was found, the distressed snake regurgitated the deer.

WFTS has a few incredibly gross photos of the snake barfing out the deer, if you're into that. 

The non-native species of python is considered invasive with no natural predators to hunt it. The Conservancy attempts to keep the population down and the South Florida Water Management District has even hired bounty hunters to help the problem.  

How about they don't use DDC, and don't accept reservations, walk up only.  Just like the good old days!
 

Years ago it was reported that Bill Gates and his wife were setting up a foundation and donating $$X amount ( I don't remember the figure) but the author likened it to an average person donating the change in their pocket.
People/companies do good deeds all the time, but people always want them to do more, while they sit back on their butts, write articles, and complain.

Years ago it was reported that Bill Gates and his wife were setting up a foundation and donating $$X amount ( I don't remember the figure) but the author likened it to an average person donating the change in their pocket.
People/companies do good deeds all the time, but people always want them to do more, while they sit back on their butts, write articles, and complain.

Oh, so the incessant horn honkers are just trying to make the roads safer for walkers and bikers !
I guess we should stop and thank them for disturbing everyone in all of the surrounding loops, after all it's a safety issue.
Here I thought they were just being obnoxious jackwagons!

Wow, the menu sounds great and a fantastic price!
I hope that it really happens, and it would be nice if they only offered it to walkups!
Magic Kingdom could soon get another table-service meal to help break down the late-night crowds.
 
There has been a lot of uproar lately with the fact that Be Our Guest restaurant in Magic Kingdom is changing to a two-credit table-service meal for dinner, but there will be other options. Many have stated that they may not dine there as often with it needing two credits and the new menu, but Disney is trying to appease those who are upset. A new table-service dinner buffet will begin later this year at Walt Disney World, and it will take place inside Pinocchio Village Haus.
With the changes coming to Be Our Guest in the mid-summer, some guests have already said that they weren’t thrilled with the new dinner menu. Others believe it looks great and can’t wait to try it out, but what about those who want something a bit simpler?
According to WDWNT, a new dinner-style buffet is going to start later this year at Pinocchio Village Haus, and it will give guests another late-day dining option. The restaurant will continue to be quick-service during the daytime operating hours but change over for dinner.
This is the same practice that Be Our Guest uses, as it is quick service for breakfast and lunch before becoming a table service for dinner.
The new dinner will be a buffet-style meal called Geppetto’s Village Haus Buffet, and it will be priced at $22 for each adult and $12 for each child. With those kinds of prices, it isn’t likely that Geppetto, Pinocchio, or Jiminy Cricket will be walking around to make it a character meal.
The new dinner buffet will have Italian offerings such as chicken parmesan, flatbread pizzas, meatballs, pasta dishes, salads, baked ziti, breadsticks, and pasta alfredo. There will also be desserts such as Italian cakes and cannolis, according to some Fantasyland cast members.
Pinocchio Village Haus is usually open at 11 a.m. each day and serves flatbread pizzas and some pasta dishes during the day. It is not yet known what time it would transfer over to dinner service for the new buffet once it begins, but typical time for other Walt Disney World restaurants is around 4 p.m.
The exact start date for Geppetto’s Village Haus Buffet is not yet known, but reservations are expected to open soon. Until Disney officially announces it, though, anything is possible to change including the food options or even the idea of the new table-service dinner buffet entirely. Magic Kingdom honestly needed a few more table-service options and transforming Pinocchio Village Haus into one for dinner works perfectly.

I'm just saying that with all the hype and lengthy construction, it could've been a lot more.
Yes FOP is a great ride, the river so so. 
Food was OK ( but we ate there during the sneak peek). 

Disney has a lot of fun events scheduled for DAK's 20th and that includes the appearance of rare characters.
 
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Walt Disney World is going to make sure that they will be celebrating in style. A number of events were announced today, and it will include an expanded “Party for the Planet” celebration, but it isn’t going to last overly long. All of the fun begins on April 22 and will run through May 5, 2018, so if you’re going to be in WDW at that time, make sure to head over for all the excitement.
The two-week celebration will bring new methods of conversation to guests as numerous animal-care experts give talks and presentations. They will have extra interactions with the thousands of animals at the park and show guests just how they can help even more to make sure they’re kept safe.
For those who aren’t aware, the celebration begins on April 22, 2018, as that isn’t only the 20th anniversary but also Earth Day. Guests can expect commemorative merchandise, prints by Imagineer Joe Rohde, and so much more.
Rohde will even be there on Earth Day to sign prints at the Discovery Trading Company from 1-4 p.m.
There will be food booths all around the park with brand new items, new backstage tours at Rafiki’s Planet Watch, and even new meal offerings at Tiffins. According to WDW Magic, the themed dinners at Tiffins will be called “Tiffins Talks” and include time spent with animal experts.
Beginning on April 22, 2018, will also be “UP! A Great Bird Adventure,” which will feature Dug and Russell from Pixar’s Up. The fun duo will discover new species of birds from around the world as reported by the Disney Parks Blog, and there will be exciting Up encounters with the feathered friends.
That attraction is scheduled to continue past the two weeks of the 20th-anniversary celebration.
One of the coolest things may end up being over in DinoLand U.S.A., where Donald Duck and his friends will host a “dino-tastic” celebration and dance party. It is going to begin Memorial Day weekend, where he will be joined by a DJ and rarely seen characters such as Launchpad McQuack, Scrooge McDuck, and many others.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is about to turn 20-years-old, and the anniversary will not go by unnoticed by Walt Disney World. Extra conservation efforts and talks on keeping our animal friends safe will educate guests. Russell and Dug will entertain them with the birds of the world. Over in DinoLand, Donald Duck and his pals will dance the day and night away. It’s going to be a great time for Earth Day and two weeks after, so don’t miss out on all of the fun.

Would be nicer if they repaired and put back items that made the Fort unique instead of add I g more carts for jerks thinking they are racing at Daytona!

Would be nicer if they repaired and put back items that made the Fort unique instead of add I g more carts for jerks thinking they are racing at Daytona!

Can you imagine the traffic and wait times, when Spring Breaks start?
We got to AK around 4:30 this past Saturday, and were parked in Yeti 57.  The rows stop at 59 or 60.

Make people sign a sheet when they check in with their own cart explaining the rules clearly and the consequences.
Make the consequences BIG. 
First infraction the cart is impounded for a day.
Second infraction cart is impounded until check out.
For the Disney rental carts same thing and no refunds.
And yes have more people patrolling with dash cams to back them up.

WWW.INQUISTR.COM
 
‘Star Wars’ Galactic Nights Returning To Disney’s Hollywood Studios In May 2018 – Full Details
The popular hard ticket event is returning again in 2018, and it will be bigger than ever before.
 
Fans are still going to have to wait for the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in 2019, but Walt Disney World is going to give guests something to tide them over. Yes, Toy Story Land will be opening this summer, but those who love “The Force” will have their chance for enjoyment as well. Star WarsGalactic Nights is returning for the third time and it will take place this May with some additional options and new things for all to partake in.
The first-ever Galactic Nights took place in April of last year and there was another in December to go with the theatrical release of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Along with photo opportunities and some unique food options, there will be celebrities, games, and so much more for guests to learn which side they belong on.
As reported by the Disney Parks Blog on Monday, the special event will take place during Memorial Day weekend on May 27, 2018. It will once again be held at Disney’s Hollywood Studios after the park closes regular operation for the day.
It is expected that the event will once again be held from 7 p.m. until midnight with all the fun of the Star Wars saga everywhere you turn.
A number of past activities and events will return from the first two Galactic Nights, but there will be some new offerings as well. Not everything has been revealed as of yet, but here is what has been officially announced by Disney.
Star Wars Galactic Destinations Projections transform The Hollywood Tower Hotel Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular and Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away will debut new saga elements for the first time Special photo opportunities with characters and unique backdrops Character encounters and a view of the Imperial Stormtrooper March with Darth Vader Exclusive Food & Beverage offerings Park attractions – Select attractions will be open during the event and some will have special Star Wars overlays   Tickets are not yet on sale for Star Wars: Galactic Nights, and that means pricing isn’t yet known either. Last year, adult tickets were $129 and child (3-9) tickets were $124. Anyone with a Walt Disney World Annual Pass or someone who was a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) member could receive a discount, but no word yet on this year.
There is at least a year until Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but there is still plenty of intergalactic fun to be had in that park every single day. Still, Walt Disney World is giving even more to the fans with a return of Star Wars: Galactic Nights for a third time, but be ready when tickets go on sale as they won’t last long.