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Author Archives: Rick Lye

Rick is an avid Disney fan. He first went to Disney World in 1986 with his parents and has been hooked ever since. Rick is married to another Disney fan and is in the process of turning his two children into fans as well. When he is not creating new Disney adventures, he loves to watch the New York Yankees and hang out with his dog, Buster. In the fall, you will catch him cheering for his beloved NY Giants.

Trump’s Immigration Policy and Tariffs Impact Disney’s Expansion Plans

Mickey Mouse character meet and greet at Fantasyland in Disneyland Paris

In the fall of 2024, college campuses started booming again. For the first time since the pandemic, college enrollment increased by 4.7 percent to nearly 16 million students. While these statistics are great news for colleges, it’s bad news for the construction industry. With more high school graduates heading to college, there are fewer going into the skilled trades at ...

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Florida Lawmakers Face Criticism Over Use of State Funds for Disney World Tickets

A young girl stands next to a person in a Mickey Mouse costume on a paved street, pointing to the side. A man in a white uniform with a tall feathered hat is nearby. A crowd of onlookers in casual clothing lines the sidewalk, watching the interaction.

Last year, as states faced increased pressure on their budgets, the Florida Legislature attempted to restrict what students could use their school choice voucher money on. Just before the legislature took up this issue, it came to light that there were virtually no restrictions on what parents could use the money for, including Disney World tickets and flat-screen TVs. Instead ...

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What Even Is It Anymore?’ Guests Lament Changes at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Crowd gathered outside the entrance of Disney's Hollywood Studios, with art deco architecture and palm trees. Three flags are flying, and the sky is overcast.

When it first opened, the concept was pretty simple: take guests back to the golden age of Hollywood. Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Disney/MGM Studios, as it was known when it first opened, demystified the movie-making process and showed guests everything that went into creating their favorite works. As guests walked down Hollywood Boulevard, they were transported back to the glitz ...

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Survey Reveals Bleak Future for Disney Fans—Unless You’re Among the Wealthiest

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.

Every year, Katapult, the international guest experience design company, releases its survey on theme park trends and guests’ wants/needs. This year’s survey looked at the impact of guest behavior and how theme parks can change over the next five years to meet that need. According to the survey results, guests are looking for more immersive lands based on pre-existing intellectual ...

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The Construction Zone: Yet Another Magic Kingdom Attraction Shuts Down Yesterday

Hall of Presidents in Liberty Square

Disney fans better prepare themselves for what 2025 is going to bring to the Magic Kingdom. If you’re planning a trip to the “Most Magical Place on Earth,” you can expect a lot of construction and ride closures. Today marks the final day for another Magic Kingdom opening-day attraction, joining the ever-growing list of rides and attractions that are closed ...

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Is a Magic Kingdom Transformation Coming? Disney’s Next Big Plans Revealed

A fantastical landscape featuring a castle atop a rocky mountain, surrounded by glowing pools and jagged formations. Birds fly in a colorful, twilight sky. Small figures wander in a magical, illuminated valley.

It’s no secret that Magic Kingdom will be a construction zone for the foreseeable future. Big Thunder Mountain has already shut down for a year-long refurbishment that has already started. Soon enough, Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island will close to make room for the new Cars and Villains Land. That will create construction zones throughout most of Frontierland, ...

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Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland Slowly Vanishes—Here’s What’s Next

A serene lake is surrounded by lush trees and wooden buildings with their reflections mirrored in the water. In the background, a castle stands under a partly cloudy sky, reminiscent of a Disney World parade backdrop. Some docking structures are visible in the foreground.

The beauty of a Walt Disney World Resort vacation is that it is completely immersive. Once you drive through the Disney World arch, everything in the real world seems to disappear. When guests walk down Main Street, U.S.A., they’re not in Central Florida. Somehow, Disney World transported them to Main Street during Walt Disney’s childhood. It’s the same feeling at ...

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