DizNews - 8.19.08

Disney Prepares for Fay

Disney is expecting Tropical Storm Fay to hit Lake Buena Vista tomorrow. The parks will open an hour early, at 8 am, in order to allow guests more time at the parks. This may be in anticipation of the parks possibly closing early, but Disney is not reporting this. They are also stating that they will not waive cancellation fees on Magic Your Way Vacations unless the storm is upgraded to a hurricane.

Disney Dean at MyDisneyBlog has a ton of Hurricane resources. Disney Dean also reported that Disney’s customer service has been particularly helpful with his family that will be traveling to “The World” this week.
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Disney VolunEARS Deliver School Supplies

Castmembers filled more than 6,000 back packs with school supplies for kids across Orange County. This annual program is put on with S.T.A.R.S of West Orange, a community group. Each year they gather supplies so kids can start the year right.

Castmembers not allowed to Bring Guns to Work

The state of Florida has a new law allowing employees with concealed weapons permits to bring guns to work but they must keep them at work. The Walt Disney Company has declared their 43 square mile property in central Florida largely exempt from the law (although the articles that I found did not state why, my guess is that the Reedy Creek Improvement District technically has it's own government that doesn't have anything to do with the state laws, no one there can vote). Disney, Florida's largest single site employer, maintains its zero tolerance policy against employees bringing weapons to work. The NRA (National Rifle Association) is fighting Disney on this stating that they are ignoring employees' second amendment rights.

What do you think? Should Disney Castmembers be allowed to have weapons in their cars on Disney Park property?

Disneyland Compendium Features 1974 Ambassador Application

Nice article including the actual application for being a Disneyland Ambassador in 1974.

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Wanna Be a CM?

Ever wanted to be a Disney Cast Member? Here is the place to start your job search.

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Disney Celebrates, Creates Magic for One Family and Makes a Big Announcement

Today marks the 10th Anniversary of the Animal Kingdom Park. There will be several ceremonies and goings on throughout the parks today. WDWcelebrations.com is spearheading the fan turnout with their own magic.

Disney will also crown it's first ever DreamCMO today. As I was writing this, Justin Muchoney, was named the first ever DreamCMO in a ceremony in front of Cinderella Castle. Justin hails from Seven Fields, PA.

Disney Cast Members created some real magic for a Massachusetts family today after they waded and sorted through a mountain of trash to find a wedding and engagement ring accidently thrown away by one visiting family. Dad had accidently thrown away mom's rings not knowing that they were in a cardboard cereal bowl at the Wilderness Lodge. Seven
volunteer employees and executive housekeeper Drew Weaver waded through the garbage and found the ring before the family left Disney Property. This to me the real Disney Magic, the castmembers! Way to go Wilderness Lodge Staff!!

Happy Earth Day!

Disney made a huge announcement this week, they are starting a new movie production banner, Disneynature. Many sites are saying that this is in response to the success of March of the Penguins. Not just for movies this arm of the Disney company will cover publications,
park initiatives and educational outreach. While it is not in the press release I think that this banner will also be used for some of Disney's conservation efforts.

Jim Hill Talk about Stardardized Scrips for the Haunted Mansion

Jim Hill writes about how the North American Parks are going to standardize the scripts followed by cast members at the Haunted Mansion. Apparently some guests felt the some of the lines that were said like, "Kindly drag your wretched bodies into the dead center of
the room!" were inappropriate. One of the great things about the Mansion is the cast members ad-libbing. We'll have to see what the Imagineers come up with for CMs to say.

Toys for Tots and Disney gets Sirius

Disney cast member will be helping the Marines in delivering Toys for
Tots to 16,000 families in Osceola, Orange and Seminole Counties.

Disney will be broadcasting ESPN on Sirius Radio. Programs offered
will be simulcasts, SportsCenter and ESPN the Magazine.