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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.

Florida’s Tourism Tax Reform to Directly Impact Future Disney World Vacation Budgets

Ron DeSantis with fireworks at Walt Disney World

Florida Legislature’s Approval of TDT Amendments The Florida Legislature has recently approved significant amendments to the Tourism Development Tax (TDT), which will directly impact upcoming Disney World vacations. With a current tax rate of six percent in Orange County, travelers should anticipate that this figure may rise as the state shifts its focus toward generating more revenue from tourism. This ...

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Did Disneyland Just Create a Tribute to Donald Trump for Park’s 70th Anniversary?

Concept art for the Disneyland70 sculpture celebrating Sleeping Beauty Castle

Disneyland is just days away from opening its 70th Anniversary celebration. Disneyland Park and Disney’s California Adventure will be transformed to ring in the celebration, including an updated look for Sleeping Beauty Castle. The park’s real 70th birthday isn’t until July 15, when Walt Disney officially welcomed the world into his dream. While most of the festivities will begin on ...

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Florida Bill Banning Pride Flag at Some Disney World Locations Fails

Bob Iger Disney Castle

The 2025 Florida Legislative session ended last week. While it did not finalize the state’s budget, the legislature did pass several laws that directly impact your next Walt Disney World Resort vacation, including a new law governing how tourist tax dollars are spent. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis initially proposed removing property taxes and replacing them with a larger tourism tax. ...

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Second Chance for Australia Slips Away With Latest Disney Park Decision

The image features a composite of two landmarks: on the left, Cinderella Castle at Disney World in Orlando during twilight, and on the right, the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge illuminated at night, reflected in the water.

Disappointment in Australia Australia has once again found itself in a state of disappointment following Disney’s latest announcement regarding the establishment of a new theme park in the United Arab Emirates. This decision marks yet another chapter in Australia’s long-standing hopes of hosting a Disney Park. The nation has expressed a dream of welcoming the beloved brand since the 1990s, ...

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Trump Replaces Walt Disney in Controversial Sculpture for Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary

Concept art for the Disneyland70 sculpture celebrating Sleeping Beauty Castle

Controversial Sculpture Sparks Debate A recently unveiled sculpture at Disneyland, created to commemorate the park’s 70th Anniversary, has ignited widespread buzz and controversy among visitors. Designed to showcase Walt Disney alongside Mickey Mouse, many onlookers have expressed surprise at the sculpture’s uncanny resemblance to President Donald Trump. Observers have pointed out that features such as hairstyle and facial structure bear ...

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Bob Iger Lays Out a Realistic Timeline for the Opening of Disney Park in Abu Dhabi

A glowing, futuristic blue and purple tower rises under a translucent dome against a night sky, with light reflecting on water below, creating a surreal, sci-fi atmosphere.

Disney shocked the world earlier this week by announcing a partnership with Miral, Abu Dhabi’s leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences, to open Disney’s first Middle Eastern theme park in the United Arab Emirates. It’s been 15 years since Disney announced its last theme park opening, with Shanghai Disneyland opening in 2016. Miral will own and operate the new ...

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Iger Outlines Timeline for Disney Park Abu Dhabi Development

A vibrant, futuristic cityscape seen from above, featuring glowing, colorful buildings, lush greenery, winding roads, and bright lights near a body of water, with a large, illuminated tower at the center.

Overview of Disney Park Abu Dhabi Disney’s announcement regarding establishing its first theme park in the Middle East has generated considerable excitement. The venture results from a partnership with Miral, a significant regional player known for creating immersive destinations. There’s Disney magic in the sky. 🌌 Breathtaking views, iconic imagery, and beautiful music come together to celebrate the announcement of ...

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Changes in Disney’s Stance Toward Trump Administration Amid Industry Challenges

A man in a suit and tie, smiling with an American flag partially visible behind him on the left, is next to a large costumed character resembling Mickey Mouse, who has a surprised expression and is standing against an orange background on the right. This moment quickly caught the attention of news media outlets.

Shift in Disney’s Approach to Trump The Walt Disney Company has recently signaled a significant shift in its stance towards the Trump administration, showcasing a newfound readiness to collaborate on various initiatives that could bolster the film and television industry. This change comes after multiple challenges and an often adversarial relationship between entities. Disney’s Chief Financial Officer, Hugh Johnston, noted ...

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