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Author Archives: Alessia Dunn

Orlando theme park lover who loves thrills and theming, with a side of entertainment. You can often catch me at Disney or Universal sipping a cocktail, or crying during Happily Ever After or Fantasmic.

Day One: Disney World Closes Orlando Theme Park, Operations Cut

An entrance sign to walt disney world, featuring a large blue banner with the park's name in stylized white lettering, flanked by flags, under a clear blue sky with fluffy clouds.

Water parks at Walt Disney World Resort have operated on seasonal schedules for decades, with the alternating closure strategy ensuring at least one facility remains available to guests year-round while allowing necessary maintenance and refurbishment work on the other. Credit: Julie, Dave, & Family, Flickr This operational model reflects both practical considerations and strategic planning, balancing guest demand across different ...

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Disney Breaks a 54-Year Streak With Bold New Mickey Mouse Experience

Mickey Mouse is waving and smiling while standing on a stage. He is wearing his signature outfit, which includes red shorts with white buttons, a black tuxedo jacket, a white shirt, and a yellow bow tie. Sparkling golden lights and a dark background create a festive atmosphere.

Character interactions define the Disney Parks experience in ways that distinguish these destinations from ordinary amusement parks. Meeting Mickey Mouse, posing for photos with princesses, or catching a wave from Goofy creates magical moments that families treasure long after returning home. Credit: Inside The Magic However, how characters appear and interact with guests varies dramatically between Disney’s different resort locations ...

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Universal Shuts Down Era-Defining ‘Harry Potter’ Attraction Today

A train conductor in a red uniform stands in front of the Hogwarts Express steam train at Hogsmeade station, with stone buildings and a sign reading “Hogsmeade” in the background.

The moment guests step onto Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross Station, something shifts. The ordinary world falls away, replaced by the anticipation of boarding the scarlet steam engine that will transport them between two distinct corners of the wizarding world. For millions of Universal Orlando visitors, the Hogwarts Express represents more than efficient park-to-park transportation. It embodies the threshold moment ...

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Disney World Park Hit by Fire After 42 Years of Operation

Epcot Monorail

EPCOT has weathered countless transformations since opening in 1982, evolving from Walt Disney’s original vision of an experimental prototype community into a celebration of human achievement, technological innovation, and global culture. Credit: inazakira, Flickr The park occupies a unique position within Walt Disney World, appealing to guests who appreciate subtle storytelling, architectural beauty, and experiences that educate while entertaining. Unlike ...

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Report: Disney World Adds New Price Surge to Most Purchased Souvenir

Disney World Entrance

There’s something almost ritualistic about shopping for Minnie ears at Disney World. Credit: Disney For generations of guests, selecting the perfect pair has marked the beginning of a magical vacation, a tangible symbol that you’ve arrived and the adventure is officially starting. Whether you gravitate toward classic red polka dots, seasonal designs celebrating holidays, or elaborate limited-edition releases featuring intricate ...

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Universal to Shut Down Revolutionary ‘Harry Potter’ Attraction Tomorrow

Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley looking shocked

Few attractions at Universal Orlando carry the emotional weight of the Hogwarts Express. Credit: Warner Bros. It’s more than just a convenient way to move between Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. For Harry Potter fans, boarding the scarlet steam engine at King’s Cross Station or Hogsmeade Station represents a threshold moment, the exact instant when the ordinary world ...

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Disney Houses “Endangered” Autistic Man in Hotel After Escaping Group Home

The intersection of mental health care, family guardianship, and theme park security rarely makes headlines, but a recently released Orange County Sheriff’s report reveals a troubling incident that highlights gaps in how vulnerable adults navigate both residential care systems and public spaces. In May 2024, a 23-year-old man with autism and other mental health needs left his New Jersey group ...

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Update: Disney World Closes Orlando Theme Park in 6 Days

Typhoon Lagoon

On February 15th, 2026, Disney World will execute its seasonal water park rotation. Blizzard Beach reopens after closing last September for annual maintenance, while Typhoon Lagoon simultaneously closes for its own refurbishment period. This alternating schedule has been Disney’s standard operating procedure for years, allowing continuous water park access while maintaining facility quality and operational reliability. Credit: Disney Blizzard Beach ...

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Children Publicly Hit at Disney by Adult Stranger After Marvel Attraction Debacle

The exterior of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT.

A physical confrontation in the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind queue at EPCOT has brought renewed attention to an ongoing problem that Disney seems unable or unwilling to adequately address. According to a report shared on Reddit, security was called to remove a guest from the attraction line after that guest physically pushed a child who was attempting to ...

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CEO Bob Iger Abandons The Walt Disney Company, Female Replacement Rejected

Disney Bob Iger

The waiting is finally over. After years of speculation, board deliberations, and intense scrutiny from Wall Street and Disney fans alike, the company has made its choice. Josh D’Amaro, the current chairman of Disney Experiences, will succeed Bob Iger as CEO of The Walt Disney Company. The announcement ends one of the most closely watched succession processes in corporate America ...

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