MickeyBlog News for August 3, 2020
What happened at Disney parks recently? Well, we’ve got hurricanes, temperature screenings, awards, and basketball games that count.
We run the gamut in the latest edition of MickeyBlog News.
Let’s Talk about the Weather
Look, I’m just going to say it. If one of you angered a voodoo queen early this year, it’s time for you to apologize.
The year 2020 will be remembered for its consistent horrors, and the latest stressor comes from the seas.
Hurricane Isaias started as a tropical storm earlier this week. Then, it reached hurricane status right as it approached landfall.
The weather event recently downgraded its status again.
However, weather prognosticators believed that it would become a hurricane once again before reaching the Florida coast.
Residents of Brevard and Volusia County could have faced a Category 1 on Sunday afternoon.
Thankfully, the tropical storm never returned to hurricane status, maxing out at winds of 65 miles per hour.
The current trajectory still hints that Isaias could reach the Outer Banks of North Carolina by Monday morning.
Folks, be honest. At this point in 2020, if you opened up your window and saw frogs falling from the sky, would you even feel surprised?
I’m trying to help you laugh your way through the latest catastrophe. Let’s be honest, though.
All joking aside, please take this weather event as seriously as you have with Coronavirus.
Hurricane season is here, and some forecasters believe it’s going to be a bad one.
How about Some Good News?
Since we all need a pick-me-up at the moment, let’s talk about something long overdue.
Each year, TripAdvisor compiles its user ratings to create the Travelers’ Choice Awards.
I would describe these awards as the people’s choice votes in the travel industry.
For the past three years, people have lauded Universal’s Islands of Adventure as the best theme park in the world.
I happen to like Islands of Adventure a lot; let’s be real, though. It’s not Disney. So, we’ve had a pretender on the throne.
This year, voters took the matter more seriously, as they selected the right park.
Yes, the winner for Best Theme Park in the Traveler’s Choice Awards is the Magic Kingdom.
And I know what you’re all thinking. “Duh.”
Walt Disney World claimed two other spots in the top 12. Disney’s Animal Kingdom finished 4th while Disney’s Hollywood Studios earned 12th.
The good news wasn’t exclusive to theme parks, either. Both Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Disney’s Blizzard Beach finished in the top 20 in the water park voting.
I have no idea why EPCOT didn’t receive more love, though. Maybe it had to do with the park being under construction for much of the past year.
Seriously, though. TripAdvisor users need to do better with their voting.
Disney Restaurant Changes
Okay, this move is way overdue.
Disney reopened some of its hotels back in mid-June, and several others returned by mid-July.
Before Disney’s comeback, park officials had indicated that they would require temperature checks everywhere.
When Disney Springs triggered the phased reopening, guests had to pass their temperature tests before entering the entertainment district.
A visit to the theme parks comes with the same restriction. You cannot get in without proving you have a normal temperature.
Oddly, one exclusion has existed, though. Disney hadn’t forced guests to take their temperatures before entering restaurants.
Why is this decision problematic?
Some diners never go to the theme parks or Disney Springs. However, they do show up for meals at Disney resorts and the like.
These guests have never passed a temperature test, which means that they haven’t proven that they’re healthy.
Yes, I realize that some guests with average temperatures have COVID-19, but they’re in the minority. So, you understand the problem here.
A few folks have waltzed into Disney restaurants and sat down to eat. At no point did they prove they were healthy.
Well, Disney has finally updated its policy to close this loophole. From now on, you must take your temperature before you can enter a restaurant.
This change protects all of us.
By the way, if you’ve forgotten, Disney will allow you to enter a facility as long as your temperature is lower than 100.4 degrees.
Disney Attraction Updates
I know that there’s been a lot of intrigue about a few Disney attractions.
For starters, Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress has reopened after some unexpected downtime.
What happened? Here, see for yourself:
John clearly hasn’t been rehearsing during his vacation time pic.twitter.com/U5dKRYfb47
— The Magic Blitz (@TheMagicBlitz) July 7, 2020
Yeah, John suddenly became a headbanger, and the funniest part is that the dog looks up at the perfect time.
You wouldn’t expect an audio-animatronic dog to display concern, but that’s sure what it looks like.
Thankfully, John seems fine now, but he’s the latest Audio-Animatronic to go nuts recently. Last week, we discussed Jose’s collapse:
JOSE DOWN. #disneyworld #epcot pic.twitter.com/uJakPTPK0B
— MagicalNewsLIVE (@MagicalNewsLIVE) July 21, 2020
Jose is one of the hosts of Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros. So, his absence proved noticeable. Like John, he’s since made a triumphant return.
Still, Walt Disney World has had kind of a Westworld vibe lately, as the audio-animatronics threaten to run amok.
Of course, one park attraction’s absence has confused guests.
The Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover failed to reopen with Magic Kingdom.
Every day since then, guests have visited Tomorrowland to check whether it’s come back yet. Alas, as of now, the status of the PeopleMover remains a mystery.
The attraction infamously suffered a strange smoking incident just before the pandemic struck.
Guests watched in confusion as black smoke rose from the entrance area. The ride temporarily closed in March but eventually came back.
So, nobody knows why Magic Kingdom has kept the PeopleMover closed. It doesn’t seem like a health risk, but who knows?
MickeyBlog will continue to monitor this story as we’re passionate about the PeopleMover.
Other Disney News
The other Walt Disney World news of note involves the return of the NBA.
After weeks of Coronavirus tests and practices, the NBA regular season restarted the other day.
Disney and the NBA have received many commendations for their work with the sports bubble, especially given what’s transpired elsewhere.
Major League Baseball couldn’t make it through a single weekend without a COVID-19 outbreak.
Within the first week, two different MLB teams had to stop playing due to infected players.
Meanwhile, the NBA has returned without incident…unless Lou Williams counts.
The rest of the Disney updates this week come from the entertainment industry.
Disney+ earned more bragging rights, as the already successful service earned some Emmy nominations.
Most of them involved The Mandalorian, which earned a prestigious Best Drama nod among its 15 nominations. Overall, Disney+ gained 19.
In other awards news, Disney Legend Alan Menken joined an exclusive club this week.
The musician earned a Daytime Emmy Award, completing his EGOT. Menken is one of only 17 people to win an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony.
Finally, the world lost one of its kindest souls, as Regis Philbin died at the age of 88.
A brilliant conversationalist, Philbin will forever hold a place in the hearts of Disney fans.
The Notre Dame superfan hosted the annual Disney Christmas parade for nearly 20 years. He’ll be missed.
Okay, that’s the big stuff from the past few days. I know that there’s a lot of bad things in the world right now, but try to have a great week, my friends!