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New York Times
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
The NBA bubble, 5 years later: ‘The most exclusive basketball camp in world history'
It's been more than five years since the first people arrived at Disney World for the NBA bubble. Wednesday marks the anniversary of the first games played there, and the Los Angeles Lakers were crowned champions at the iconic amusement park in October 2020. To mark the occasion, I reached out to a few of the players, coaches, NBA executives and journalists who lived the experience as I did. These are our stories. Whether it was LeBron James, the world's most famous basketball player, or Malinda Adams, super producer for ESPN who does her work behind the camera, for the most part, the rules and conditions were the same. There were differences, of course, but we all were subjected to the same COVID-19 testing and safety protocols and had to stay inside the walls at Disney. Advertisement Adam Silver, NBA commissioner: I am proud of how the entire NBA community came together to pull off something that had never been done before. Looking back at the bubble — a name I resisted at the time — I marvel once again at sports' unique ability to galvanize people and inspire creativity and innovation, especially during challenging times. Mike Breen, play-by-play, ESPN and ABC: The league had their job to do, the media, the players, the coaches, and the referees, too, but there was a bond there that, 'Hey, listen, this is a difficult time. This is not the norm. We're all in uncharted waters, but we're all in it together.' Jordi Fernández, assistant coach, Denver Nuggets (now head coach, Brooklyn Nets): Going into the bubble, at least you felt like you were entertaining people. You were the only live show in the world. Ben Golliver, journalist, Washington Post (and author of 'Bubble Ball,' a book about our time at Disney): Adam Silver's 'collaborative' approach to being commissioner really paid dividends in 2020, and the bubble should be remembered as one of the signature moments of his tenure. Without a strong working relationship between the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association, the bubble could have popped before it got off the ground or as soon as the players came to terms with being physically trapped in Disney World. Billions of dollars were at stake, and the two sides pulled off the endeavor despite many complications. Kyle Goon, journalist, Orange County Register (now columnist for the Baltimore Banner): It's strange that we created a metaphorical safety net so people could play basketball. But it also was one of the last times I remember when people universally respected COVID as a vital threat. Sam Amick, journalist, The Athletic: Once I got past that first week of quarantine, which included a near-ejection for breaking COVID protocols (drinking wine with front-office executives outside of our respective rooms was a no-no), it was honestly a whole lot of fun. We got to watch high-level NBA playoff action up close with a few dozen other media members every night, then type our tales while working at the lakeside office inside the resort where we stayed. Rest, rinse and repeat — with a whole lot of pickleball played with the NBA officials in between. Advertisement Tim Reynolds, journalist, The Associated Press: If you survived the bubble, you proved your mettle. It was three months away at the most exclusive basketball camp in world history. All we did in there was watch, talk, think, eat, drink and sleep ball. No family, just the fellow residents and games. We watched the world stop while we kept going. It was hard. It was too hard, sometimes. I wanted to go home. Daryl Morey, general manager, Houston Rockets (now president of basketball operations, Philadelphia 76ers): A strange combination of The Colosseum for fans outside the bubble and a luxury purgatory for those of us within it. Outside, audiences were entertained by competition in isolation. Inside, players and executives battled opponents and the mental challenge of not being able to leave. Marc Spears, journalist and Naismith Hall of Fame inductee, Andscape: The accommodations for the media were mediocre, as we were actually staying in a motel (Oh, it wasn't THAT bad — Vardon), which made it hilarious to me that the players were complaining about being in four- and five- star accommodations with the ability to bring a loved one (later during the playoffs). They also had their own chefs and commandeered a few restaurants that media couldn't go to. To mentally survive, I made my accommodations fit as best as possible for me with things that were important to bringing me joy daily. I had a wine fridge stocked, I had a toaster oven to warm my food, I made my own coffee every day with very good bottled water and I had a speaker for my music. Some referees would come get my coffee. Adams, ESPN producer: We did 10 days of quarantine (most only served seven days in quarantine, but Adams and Malika Andrews were there before the players), which was the WORST part of it to me. We only left our room for daily testing and then right back in. We couldn't even keep our doors open. I did a 5K in my room daily, and I brought my bands and weights from home, thank goodness. We took COVID tests daily, for 108 days straight, and had to follow strict protocols. We also got to test new technology like ŌURA rings and KINEXON tracking and tracing devices. So, it was really exciting to be on the front lines of that. In my opinion, we proved that following protocols works. No one got COVID. Marc Stein, journalist, New York Times (now publishing on Substack): Five years later, honestly, I would use the same word that I used frequently back then: unmissable. As soon as we started hearing about it, I viewed the bubble as a had-to-be-there assignment, and I'm so grateful in retrospect that I was a resident of the NBA's first-of-its-kind village for 50-something days … even though I can also admit that I'm not in a real rush to deal with all those rules, regulations and restrictions again. I'm not sure we'll ever see the whole league (or two-thirds of it) congregated in one place again to build up to an NBA Finals that takes place in, uh, October. Advertisement Adams: I asked to go. I wanted to work and be a part of history. Vardon: So did I. Kyle Korver, guard, Milwaukee Bucks (now assistant general manager, Atlanta Hawks): I think the legacy is tied around like, humans can figure things out. In part because there were no fans, and in part because NBA teams and media don't typically live together, perhaps never before have reporters gotten quite as close a look at the players they cover as during the bubble. Breen: Even without the fans, how hard the players played, how intense those games were, just goes to show you how much they crave and love the competition. I mean, there's nobody there cheering them on. Some of these guys make these spectacular plays, and there's no crowd roar. It was odd, but it had zero impact on the player's intensity, and that wasn't easy. Fernández: I thought that some of those games were really cool. We got to two Game 7s, and we came back from a 3-1 deficit (against the Utah Jazz). So, for us, it was very special. And we didn't have enough with the Lakers (in the conference finals). They were very good, ended up winning. But I thought the guys were impressive. Jamal (Murray), Nikola Jokić, the whole group. Spears: What doesn't get talked about enough about the bubble was how amazing the basketball was there. It was truly basketball heaven. We basically were at an AAU tournament that included NBA players. It was absolutely incredible. There were three gyms next to each other, and games being played in two of them. I will never forget seeing Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals and then walking 15 yards to a gym to watch one of the craziest games ever in Game 7 between the underachieving Clippers and the Nuggets. Keep in mind that the media was able to sit close to the floor for games just like it was in the earlier part of my career. Advertisement Vardon: There were a bunch of tables outside the Gran Destino Tower at Coronado Springs, where the teams stayed. I was throwing a party for my fellow media members, and we had boxes of pizza and endless bottles of wine assembled. We were eating and drinking at dusk when, on a bicycle, wearing a helmet, LeBron James pulled up. 'Hey, LeBron,' I shouted to the noted wine connoisseur and fellow Akron, Ohio, native, 'Come have a drink with us.' 'Y'all got any tequila?' he countered. A little perplexed and on my heels, I said no, but we had plenty of wine, and good red at that, and added something to the effect of 'When would we have a chance to have a drink like this?' He wasn't moved, declared he was looking for tequila and rode his bike back toward the hotel – the doors opened automatically, and he pedaled through the carpeted hallway. … I also remember seemingly dozens of players, few if any of them playing for the LA Clippers, gathering around then-Clippers assistant Tyronn Lue to talk and laugh and listen on those same outdoor tables, and then-Nuggets coach Michael Malone, before the Nuggets' first game, putting name tags on the bench for each player to sit, socially distanced, with his own dedicated water bottle. The summer of 2020 would have been a tumultuous time in the United States even without a pandemic. The murder of George Floyd sparked protests across the country, and in the bubble, almost all the players knelt during the national anthems to protest police brutality and racial injustice. The season almost stopped again, and for good, when the Bucks forfeited a playoff game against the Orlando Magic in protest of the shooting of Jacob Blake in suburban Milwaukee. Amick: The country was on edge. Korver: The cultural issues, the George Floyd movement, Black Lives Matter movement, people feel quite a bit differently today than people were feeling about that during that time. There's been a shift in the culture in the country, an unfortunate shift, in my opinion, just where we're trying to move collectively or where many people are trying to move collectively. I think the NBA tried to empower the players to use their voice and to use the platform that they have. Those are challenging issues to have a strong voice in. I think it's a huge credit to the league for standing with, and again, trying to empower players to use their voice and to stand for issues that matter to them, to us, important issues. Golliver: In hindsight, that experience, which included the Milwaukee Bucks' decision to protest a police shooting by refusing to take the court, now feels like an inflection point. The NBA garnered praise and prompted backlash for its players' activism, and the league returned to a less polarizing reality for its 2020-21 season. The national anthem kneeling, jersey slogans and 'Black Lives Matter' signs are now a distant memory, and most star players kept a lower profile politically during the 2024 presidential election. Vardon: I nearly missed one of the biggest stories in NBA history. I had decided to take a nap and skip that Bucks-Magic game, because Milwaukee was up 3-0 in the series and the Lakers were playing later — they were appointment viewing. But I couldn't sleep and hopped the last bus to the Wide World of Sports Complex to catch the Bucks and Magic, who were supposed to be the first game of the day. Within minutes of arrival, I was standing outside the Bucks' locker room, reporting from my phone in real time as the players holed themselves up in there, refusing to come out. We could hear the Bucks through the walls, on the phone with the Wisconsin lieutenant governor. Korver: Playing that game that day didn't matter the most. And I think there's going to need to be more time before you really create a legacy of that moment. I don't know that there's been enough time. But again, I think it just goes back to the league being brave and being willing to speak out and stand up. And players have each other's back. I think it started off in our locker room, where we had a couple of players who felt like it wasn't the right decision (to play that day), and the rest of the locker room had their back. And then a team decides not to play, and the other players in the league had that team's back. And I just think that's the legacy of a true brotherhood. Advertisement Stein: I'm not sure I'll ever cover anything like the Bucks' playoff walkout and the powerful aftermath again. Vardon: With the fate of the bubble hanging in the balance that night, all of us who were there will remember the players from Eastern European countries, including superstars like Luka Dončić and Nikola Jokić, gathered at the island restaurant in the middle of a lake on the Coronado Springs property, singing together at the top of their lungs. I suppose any discussion of the bubble must include the, what's the word, legitimacy of the Lakers' championship? I promise I'll weigh in. Morey: Had the Rockets won the title, I absolutely would have celebrated it as legitimate, knowing the immense effort and resilience required. Yet, everyone I speak to around the league privately agrees that it doesn't truly hold up as a genuine championship. Perhaps the lasting legacy of the NBA bubble is that the NBA should be proud of its leadership at both the beginning and end of the pandemic, even though the champion will forever be marked by an asterisk. Goon: There should never be an asterisk to go with the Lakers' championship. That title, and everything about the bubble, was hard as hell. Reynolds: It's funny how the word 'bubble' has a different meaning now. The Lakers were bubble champions. Lakers-Heat was the bubble finals. These are not disrespectful terms. … Some say the Lakers won a watered-down title. I say they won the toughest one to win in NBA history. Amick: And yes, for the record, I believe the Lakers' bubble title truly counts as much, if not more, than any other. Vardon: Everyone played by the same rules, and the Lakers were a great team that year anyway. While I echo what my colleagues say about the difficulty of winning the bubble playoffs, I do have a 'Yeah, but…' One of the hard parts of the postseason is the air travel — especially on older players because of their recovery times. LeBron took one flight in three months, and I don't know what to do with that. Everyone in the Lakers played against in the bubble had the same set of circumstances, but when comparing the 2020 champs to preceding and succeeding champions, the Lakers and their aging vets didn't have to play a game, get on an airplane and play another game within 48 hours. There were, of course, no fans at these games. When families were allowed in, toward the end, they were seated, albeit socially distanced, in the stands, and other teams and league officials could sit and watch. The league tried something different — putting up a huge video board along the edge of the court and streaming in fans who were watching at home. Advertisement Breen: Somebody wrote a line that I thought was brilliant, that fans are the oxygen of pro sports. And I thought that was just perfect. … Not having the fans there and the reaction of going crazy or booing or being shocked — there was an element that was really missing, and without them there, your appreciation of what they bring and their passion that they have and how they motivate players, having motivated announcers, coaches, referees. Really, to me, that was something that I thought was wonderful for us to realize and appreciate just how important the fans were. Spears: The fake crowd noise was terrible, but to be in a gym of 100 people watching the NBA Finals was one of the most amazing moments of my career and life. It's something barring crazy I will never experience again. The 'bubble' was a success by almost any measure. There were zero cases of COVID among the 700 NBA players and team staff who were there. Vendors working inside the bubble did get sick — 24 cases of COVID-19 identified among non-team personnel — but there was no forward transmission to campus residents. The league regularly shared its protocols, best practices and findings with the CDC, FDA and Tokyo Olympics, and no fewer than 10 scientific journals documented what the science and medical communities learned from what the NBA pulled off. No playoff games were canceled, and a champion was crowned, which meant there was no violation of the league's multibillion-dollar TV contract. And yet, the experience felt so … difficult. The isolation. Time away from home. The social movements. Challenging food. Florida weather in July and August. Bonkers air conditioning. Which is why takeaways from our time there are always so mixed. Fernández: My son was 9 months old when I left. He was 9 months old. And when I came back, he was a little over 1, so I missed his first birthday. I was kind of sad. I remember we were playing Utah, Game 7. And if we win, we get to stay. And if I lose, I get to go to my son's birthday. … I would never want to go through that again. Also, I'm glad I did it because it was, you know, I can always say that I was there. Adams: As I look back, being in the NBA bubble is the hardest thing I have ever done mentally, emotionally and physically. It tested me, but I am so glad I did it. Once I found a rhythm, I got my footing. I found a way to fit in my workouts early in the morning. Working out is my mental health. I found community in the other journalists. We were all experiencing the same things: Isolation, being away from our families, eating food we didn't prepare and being in confined spaces. … I can honestly say, when I see people that were in the bubble with me, I smile bigger, and I hug them harder. It was an experience I will never forget and cherish. An example of the NBA bubble love, I celebrated my 60th birthday in the bubble. They threw me a big surprise birthday party. I was shocked and speechless. I was overwhelmed with emotion and cried many times during the evening. The bubble love is real. Reynolds: The legacy of the bubble has so many layers now. Unless you were there, you still don't — and can't — understand what it was like. It worked. The NBA pulled it off. The season was saved. The outside world had the escape it desperately needed from fear and uncertainty and anger and boredom and everything else that came with the lockdown days. Would I do it again? God, I hope not. But I'm proud to say that I was there and was one of the few who covered a season like none other. We all went through hell but were very lucky to have that privilege. Goon: The mental trial to finish an already-trying season was something that folks who didn't experience it have never fully appreciated. Advertisement Stein: The bubble was historic and invigorating and taxing all at once. You just had to be there if you were lucky enough to get an invite. Spears: I was able to be in a room that only a select few people could say they ever entered. And I will forever cherish having had that assignment. Vardon: At the outset of my trip five years ago, in a story, I called the bubble 'the last, great American sports writing assignment' — which, sue me, may have been a bit hyperbolic at the time. But at the end of it, I wrote it was 'the assignment of a lifetime,' which was, and remains, correct. We, as a country and even as an industry, rebounded from that hot summer. Life returned. Fans came back. I've been to two Olympics, to Paris three times, to the Middle East and Mexico twice, to Southeast Asia, Spain and London, all on assignment. But the 54 days I spent at Disney World, how I feel about them is captured here, by all the people who were kind enough to share their thoughts. It's strange — of the 22 teams in the bubble, only one head coach is still with the team he coached there (Erik Spoelstra with Miami, though Lue was an assistant with the Clippers then). It's a sign of how fast and often things change in the NBA. And yet, when 10 years have passed since the bubble, the memories republished here, and the ones still in my head, will still be there. (Top photo of Disney's Coronado Springs Resort: Joe Murphy / NBAE via Getty Images)
Thrill Geek
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Thrill Geek
Disney World Shares Sneak Peek at 2025 Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Merchandise
Disney World shared a sneak peek today of the 2025 Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party merchandise. Let's take a look at it! Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 2025 kicks off on select nights from August 15 to October 31. This year's Not-So-Scary Spirit Jersey is a boo-tiful addition to your collection, featuring flying bats and a fun, ghoulish Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. Plus, the fan favorite 'Boo to You' lyrics are boldly included on the back. Your favorite graveyard diggers are dying to follow you home … on the back of Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party glow-in-the-dark tee! With a ghoulish glow mixed with Disney magic, this is the perfect item to add to your closet … if you dare. This Loungefly backpack will definitely put a spell on you and anyone who sees it! With Mickey Mouse in his Halloween best, plenty of space for all your trick-or-trinkets, and the cutest pumpkin coin purse attachment, it's the ultimate functional-yet-frightful fashion piece to accompany you on your Not-So-Scary adventure. Perfect for your favorite fall beverages, you'll also want to sip in spooky style with this year's Halloween Tervis tumbler and a fang -tastic mug complete with bat wings that's sure to fly off the shelves. If you're a collector at heart, this 'Hocus Pocus'-themed pin is the souvenir for you. And don't miss the Boo-To-You picture frame – the perfect way to display your Not-So-Scary memories all season long. Looking for spooky keepsakes that will last a lifetime? Haunted Mansion fans will love bringing a touch of Halloween cheer to their holiday décor with these festive ornaments. And don't forget the postcards; They're the best way to share your howling good time with loved ones near and far. To purchase tickets for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, happening on select nights at Magic Kingdom Park, visit Make sure you're following ThrillGeek across all of our social media channels for the latest spooky season news from Disney World and beyond! Clint Gamache is the owner of ThrillGeek. He started ThrillGeek to share his love of theme/amusement parks and pop culture with the world. You can find him at Halloween Horror Nights. Also, be sure to follow him on Twitter/X, Instagram @iamcg83
Business Insider
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
I'm a Disney World fan who went to Dollywood for the first time. It was cheaper, less crowded, and exceeded my expectations.
I'm a longtime Disney World fan, but this summer, I visited Dollywood for the first time. The park in Tennessee was cheap, had fewer crowds, and had great snacks. Dollywood pleasantly surprised me and will make me think twice before booking another Disney trip. Disney World has long been my dream vacation. Since I was a kid, I've loved heading down to Florida and spending time in the parks, jumping on some of my favorite rides like "Soarin'" and " Pirates of the Caribbean." I'm a far cry from a Disney Adult, but I've also been going to Disney every few years with friends. This summer, I decided to switch it up. I've heard great things about Dollywood in Tennessee, but I was unsure if it would be worth the trip. After talking with a few friends, we decided to bite the bullet and book the trip. I was pleasantly surprised. Immediately, I was impressed with the cheaper ticket prices. The grand entrance rivaled that of a Disney park. Magic Kingdom's Main Street USA is a staple at Disney World, and I was surprised to find Dollywood had its own version. The buildings at the front of the park housed theaters, shops, and restaurants. It was my first indication that Dollywood could stand against Disney World. My first stop at the park was the Dolly Experience: Songteller, which is a museum of the singer's life. Walking through a museum while at an amusement park was a new experience, but it set the tone for the rest of the day. This wasn't an amusement park set around an IP of movies and TV shows. It was a place to celebrate Dolly Parton's life. Exploring an amusement park devoted to one celebrity was unique and fun. Disney World is obviously centered on the many different characters and franchises that Disney owns. On the contrary, Dollywood is focused solely on Dolly Parton — her childhood, her music, and her other achievements. This helped the park feel cohesive and completely immersive in a way Disney does not. From the moment you enter the park, you explore different parts of Dolly's life. I entered replicas of her childhood home and schoolhouse. The whole park is a celebration of her hometown: the Smoky Mountain region. I wasn't expecting much from the rides at Dollywood, but there was plenty to do. As someone who hates roller coasters, I always loved Disney World because the parks are home to calmer, iconic rides. When I saw the list of rides at Dollywood, I was hesitant. There were a lot of roller coasters, and I am decidedly not a thrill seeker. Even though I only went on a few rides, they were comparable to some of my favorites at Disney. Plus, there were plenty of shows to keep me busy throughout the day. There was no Dole Whip, but Dollywood's cinnamon bread changed me. Disney's frozen treat, Dole Whip, is iconic, and I certainly missed it while in Tennessee, but Dollywood arguably had something better: cinnamon bread. Throughout the park, you could smell the warm scent of cinnamon all day long. When I finally got my hands on a loaf, I instantly melted. The fluffy dough was the perfect treat in the middle of the day. Though it wasn't as refreshing as Dole Whip, it was as delicious. Dollywood wasn't as crowded as I expected. No matter how much you enjoy Disney, it's just not a pleasant experience in the summer. The crowds are unimaginable. I've been to the parks in July and August, and during that time, the crowds are seemingly never-ending, and the lines for rides can go up to two hours. Thankfully, Dollywood was the opposite. Even though it was July, the park was not packed, so I felt more relaxed. It was easy to move around. Lines for rides were manageable, too; none of them exceeded 45 minutes. Unfortunately, Dollywood doesn't come to life at night like Disney does. The one aspect I really missed about Disney while at Dollywood was how the park transforms at nighttime. The castle in Magic Kingdom lights up, and the fireworks show is something you just have to brave the busy crowds for. Plus, the concession stands stay open and offer food through the closing of the park. Main Street USA also becomes a prime spot, as crowds fill the street, shopping and eating. However, at night, Dollywood seemed to lack any energy. The park emptied out entirely. While the rides were still open, all of the restaurants and concession stands closed. There was a fireworks show at night, which also included a drone show, but we didn't stick around because the park just didn't seem lively enough. Pigeon Forge has just as much to offer as Orlando does. Disney World is located in a large city, Orlando, which has a lot to offer. Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is also a tourist town, and I loved visiting. It's filled with every activity you can imagine: mini golf, go-karting, dinner shows, shopping, carnivals, and world-class restaurants. I stayed on Margaritaville Island in Pigeon Forge and loved being close to the stores and restaurants. The view of the Ferris wheel from the hotel pool was also great. My first visit to Dollywood far exceeded my expectations. I didn't know what to expect when I first booked my trip to Dollywood, but I was pleasantly surprised at every turn. Dollywood was a great vacation spot because of the rides, the immersive theme, and the food. Since I saved money and felt more relaxed at Dollywood, I might think twice before booking my Disney trip next time.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Woman Reports 'Altered State of Consciousness' While Riding Dr. Seuss Carousel, Plus More Strange Theme Park Injuries This Year
There have been 12 injury incidents at Orlando's Walt Disney World, Universal Resort and SeaWorld in the second quarter of 2025 A number of injuries have been reported across various Florida theme parks — including the Walt Disney World Resort, the Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando — in the second quarter of 2025. According to an updated report from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which is reworked multiple times a year, there were 12 injury incidents between April and July at the Orlando-based travel destinations. At Disney World, two injuries took place at the Magic Kingdom Park, when a 76-year-old woman fell and injured her right leg while exiting Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin in April, and when a 44-year-old man had right arm pain while at the Liberty Bell attraction in June. In May, an 87-year-old guest with a pre-existing condition lost consciousness after riding Dinosaur at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Multiple injuries took place at the Universal Orlando Resort, including one in April, when a 60-year-old woman suffered wrist pain while riding One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish at Islands of Adventure. A 77-year-old man dealt with chest pain after riding The Incredible Hulk Coaster at the park in June, and a 22-year-old woman said she suffered an altered level of consciousness after riding the Carou-Seuss-el that same month. Over at the theme park's Universal Studios, a 72-year-old woman reported feeling weak and dizzy after spending time on the Jimmy Fallon Race Through New York attraction in May. At Universal's newest theme park, Epic Universe, which opened in May, a 32-year-old man dealt with chest pain after riding Hiccup's Wing Gliders that month, and in June, two resort goers faced issues after riding Stardust Racers — a 63-year-old man who suffered from dizziness and an altered state of consciousness, as well as a 47-year-old woman who was numb and had visual disturbance. Both riders had a pre-existing condition, per the report, but further details about those were not shared. The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! At SeaWorld Orlando, two total injuries were reported within the four-month timespan. A 78-year-old woman became unresponsive while on the Sunny Day Carousel in June, and a 24-year-old woman experienced a medical condition while on the Infinity Falls attraction that same month. Meanwhile, Busch Gardens, which is located in Tampa, and the Legoland Florida Resort, situated in Winter Haven, reported no injuries. Both theme parks didn't report any injuries in the first quarter of 2025 as well. According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the report "is a compilation of data collected from the exempt facilities and reflects only the information reported at the time of the incident." "Due to privacy-related concerns, the Department does not receive updates to initial assessments of a patron's condition," the organization added. is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! Major theme parks within Florida must self-report visitor injuries and require at least 24 hours of hospitalization, per Florida Politics. The Walt Disney World Resort, the Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando did not respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. Read the original article on People
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Travel + Leisure
4 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Travel + Leisure
I'm 30 and My Mom Is 58, and We Both Swear by Teva Sandals for Logging 25,000+ Steps During Summer Trips
As a New York City resident of 10-plus years and a frequent Disney World visitor (some might say a Disney adult, but that's neither here nor there), comfortable walking shoes are a major priority. I've tested out brands like Adidas, Brooks, Ryka, and more, and while I have favorite pairs from each of them, nothing quite compares to my beloved Teva sandals. In particular, the Teva Flatform Sandals are my go-to pair for warm weather, whether I'm trekking through the sweltering summer city streets or racking up 25,000+ steps across the Disney World parks. I've even got my mom hooked on Teva sandals, and we're often sporting our pairs together, whether on our annual trip to Disney or to the beach in our hometown. I've been wearing Tevas for years, but the flatform style is easily my favorite; I love that this design keeps my feet elevated above the ground (crucial when walking through New York City), yet it offers a supremely comfortable base for all-day walking. $70 $52 at Amazon $75 at Zappos $75 at The first time I wore these Teva sandals was on a week-long Disney vacation. Like previous Tevas I've owned, these didn't require a break-in period, which was great because I wore them for a full 15,000-step day before running a 10K race the next morning. I certainly couldn't afford any blisters! From first wear, I found the platform base to be extremely supportive and comfortable. The EVA midsole is designed with a heel cup for stability, while there is plenty of arch support in the middle to save my flat feet during a long day of walking and standing in lines. And, their ultra-lightweight design makes these sandals easy to pack in my carry-on. What I love about these sandals is that they offer an often much-needed break from restrictive sneakers on a walking-heavy vacation. Yet, unlike many other sandals, you aren't sacrificing support for comfort. I was so happy to wear these sandals after one of my most intense Disney days to date, which included 44,000 steps. My feet were unsurprisingly exhausted when I woke up the next day after being shoved into sneakers for roughly 20 miles—so I slipped on my Teva Flatforms instead. I racked up 25,000 steps with zero foot, leg, or back pain, despite the trials I put my body through the day before. $75 at Amazon $75 at Zappos $75 at Clearly, my Teva platform sandals are comfortable, but the perks don't stop there. These shoes double as waterproof sandals and are ready for everything from the beach to the waterpark. I wore them all day at Blizzard Beach, one of Disney's water parks, and was shocked at how quickly they dried, even after submerging them completely underwater on the lazy river and down a few waterslides. I thought for sure they would rub and give me blisters, but I was left in complete comfort all day. But don't just take my word for it—my mom swears by her Teva sandals at the parks, too. Because she's a waitress who is on her feet for hours, my mom takes her footwear pretty seriously. Although her pair is thrifted and isn't sold in stores anymore (it's the Terra-Float 2 Knit Evolve Sandals), these sandals are the first thing she packs, right alongside her MagicBand and sunscreen. 'My Tevas are not only comfortable, but they make everything so easy,' she says. 'They provide excellent arch support, so my feet never get tired, and they're adjustable so I can make them a bit tighter if I'm on a crazy ride, or I can loosen them when I'm resting in the shade, having a snack on top of a Disney garbage can.' (If you know, you know.) Because they're thrifted and a discontinued style, her shoes definitely had a life before her—so the fact that they're still holding up to tens of thousands of steps is a testament to Teva's durability. $70 at Amazon $75 at Zappos $75 at Clearly, my mom and I have nothing but fantastic things to say about our Teva shoes, whether you're headed to Disney or on a walking-heavy vacation (like the time we wore our Tevas during a 10-day Italian vacation!). For more supportive, comfortable sandals for women, read on for styles at Amazon, starting at $36. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.
