Latest news with #WaltDisneyWorld
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
A Man Was Allegedly Injured on a Disney World Water Slide While 34 Lbs. Over Ride Weight Limit. Now, He's Suing the Park
Eugene Strickland is accusing Walt Disney World of negligence and seeking more than $50,000 in damages, according to a complaint filed on May 29 Strickland sustained an injury on the Downhill Double Dipper water slide at the resort's Blizzard Beach park during a July 2021 visit, he claims in the complaint At the time of the incident, he was approximately 34 lbs. over the attraction's 300 lb. weight limitA man is accusing Walt Disney World of negligence and suing for damages, claiming he sustained enduring injuries on a park water slide. Eugene Strickland filed a complaint against the theme park on Thursday, May 29. He is seeking more than $50,000 in damages for the incident, which occurred at the Blizzard Beach water park in Bay Lake, Fla., and allegedly left him with injuries he is still dealing with nearly four years later. While riding the Downhill Double Dipper during a July 2021 park visit, Strickland 'became momentarily airborne" and suffered 'permanent catastrophic injuries as a result,' according to the newly filed complaint. At the time, Strickland weighed approximately 334 lbs., which surpassed the stated weight limit of the ride, which was 300 lbs., the complaint states. It is not clear in the complaint whether he was aware of the limit before entering the slide. While on the water slide — which the Walt Disney World website describes as 'side-by-side high-speed slides' — Strickland caught air thanks to the attraction's design and 'exhilarating speeds,' the complaint states. This allegedly caused his inner tube to dislodge from beneath him and made him 'land with force onto the hard plastic surface of the slide." As a result, Strickland claims he 'suffered serious bodily injury and resulting pain and suffering, disability, scarring, disfigurement, mental anguish, loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life,' according to the complaint. Strickland argues that Walt Disney World was negligent and failed to maintain safe premises. He also claims that the theme park was aware of the 'safety hazard' and 'concealed trap' that led to his injuries. The park, the complaint claims, had a responsibility to remedy — or least warn him of — the 'dangerous conditions' of the attraction. 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. The case is scheduled for a jury trial beginning in May 2027, according to court documents viewed by PEOPLE. Strickland's attorney, Alberto Oliveri, did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on Sunday, June 1, nor did a spokesperson for Walt Disney World. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Man sues Walt Disney World over Florida water slide's ‘exhilarating speeds'
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — Walt Disney World is facing a lawsuit after a man was hurt on a high-speed water slide at its Blizzard Beach water park, according to a complaint filed Thursday. The lawsuit claimed that the man, Eugene Strickland, had visited the water park in July 2021 to try out the Downhill Double Dipper slide. According to the lawsuit, Strickland weighed about 334 pounds at the time, exceeding the slide's weight limit of 300 pounds. Buc-ee's sues Florida store over knockoff merchandise However, Strickland got on the ride and 'became momentarily airborne as a result of the ride's 'exhilarating speeds' and design,' the lawsuit claimed. Strickland said he forcefully landed onto the hard plastic surface of the slide, suffering 'permanent catastrophic injuries.' He accused Walt Disney World of negligence and failing to maintain safe premises. He argued that Disney had a responsibility to fix the water slide's 'dangerous conditions.' He is asking for more than $50,000 in damages, according to the lawsuit. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


Gizmodo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
Walt Disney World Finally Gets a Nighttime Parade This Summer
Also at Disney World, spooky season starts early: there's a new Disney Villains show, and tickets to Magic Kingdom's Halloween party are on sale now. With summer vacations on the horizon, Disney Experiences are popping off at their bi-coastal theme parks, Disney Cruises, and international destinations. Walt Disney World is getting a nighttime parade featuring new Pixar and Disney Animation Studios favorites, while Mickey Mouse and the Fab Five get dapper outfits to shine along with Starlight. Spooky fun is already beginning with the Disney Villains getting their own show at WDW's Hollywood Studios and Halloween party tickets going on sale. Over at Disneyland, the 70th anniversary party is in full swing with fun festive foods and more. At Disneyland Paris, the theme park dances the summer away with a new music festival. And Disney Cruises prepares to set sail with the fleet's newest ship in this week's theme park news. Walt Disney World – Starlight This summer brings an all-new nighttime parade, Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away, which will debut July 20, 2025. The Magic Kingdom Park exclusive will bring back nighttime parades to the Walt Disney World resort and will feature classic and new Disney and Pixar fandom faves along the parade route on Main Street. The sparkling floats will light up the night and of course we're excited to see the updates to Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Daisy's costumes for the summer premiere. Walt Disney World – Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After There has been a need for more indoor shows as Walt Disney World's humid summer gets underway, so why not some chilling tales from the Disney Villains to beat the heat? We're excited to check out Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After for a fun musical romp through villain showstoppers and more. Walt Disney World – Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Haunted Mansion's Butler Broom extends the invitation for what's sure to be a swinging wake. New this year will be a Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse spooky meet and greet at the Town Square Theater. For those of us with little tots, the Storybook Circus will get a 'happy haunt' transformation to help the smallest of Disney fans ease into the spirit of the season—since it is Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween after all. Along with popular returning faves, the event will run August 15 to October 31. Tickets here. Disney Imagineering tour of Epcot's Moana: Journey of Water Delight in one of our favorite walkthrough attractions at Walt Disney World to keep summer visitors cool with Imagineering's fun-fact filled behind the scenes look at Moana: Journey of Water. Disneyland 70th Food This summer, aside from watching all the nighttime shows and scavenger hunting with the key to Disneyland, we'll be eating our way through the parks. Our current fave dish is the 70th celebration Mickey Waffles at Schmoozies which are like confetti cake in flavor and have a creamy strawberry center that's not to be missed. Disneyland France – Disney Music Festival Disneyland Paris makes a debut as a music festival destination from now until September 7 with the Disney Music Festival. The event will combine all genres of music with experiences inspired by Pixar and Disney Animation favorites, with hubs dedicated to various genres of music. That includes a mariachi band with Coco's Miguel in Frontierland, jazz with Mary Poppins in Town Square, rock n' roll with Elvis Stitch in Discoveryland, and more characters getting in on the fun. I want to know to know the story of DJ Chip and Dale, who just by the looks of their outfits look like they mean house music business. Disney Cruise – The Disney Destiny The comic book action and fairytale magic of Disney, Pixar, and Marvel heroes and villains will soon take over the Disney Destiny, the newest ship set to embark on ocean adventures in the Disney Cruise Line fleet. The Destiny will begin its trips later this year on November 20 with 4-5 night cruises taking off from the port of Fort Lauderdale to the Bahamas and Western Caribbean. We're excited for the ship's epic looking Hercules show and the gorgon battle teased in the image above. Duffy and Friends Celebrate 20 years at Tokyo DisneySea The iconic international bear Duffy and his friends are turning 20. The celebration is hittingTokyo DisneySea for seaside fun this year with special food, entertainment and merch. I hope we get some stateside soon! We need LinaBell and other plushes for those of us collecting. Star Wars BDX Droids on a World Tour – Tokyo Disneyland International Disney fans can meet the Star Wars droids which will be featured in Jon Favreau's The Mandalorian and Grogu until June 30 at Tokyo Disneyland. Spider-Man themed land breaks ground at Shanghai Disney Resort The Marvel Cinematic (theme park) Universe expands at Shanghai Disneyland with a new Spider-Man inspired land which will host new shows, dining, and attractions. Notably there will be a high-octane coaster that will swing you around on a heroic action encounter with Spidey. Land broke on May 18 for the area which will neighbor the recently opened Zootopia land. Makes sense, the Wonderful World of Disney insects living next to animals and all.


USA Today
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
I got engaged at Disney World! Here's some magical tips to keep in mind
I got engaged at Disney World! Here's some magical tips to keep in mind Here's what you should know before you propose at the most magical place on Earth. Show Caption Hide Caption Disney launches new Florida resident ticket deal Walt Disney World has announced the launch of a new ticket deal for Florida residents just in time for the summer. Fox - 35 Orlando As a little girl, I always dreamed about what it would be like to be proposed to in front of Cinderella castle, and I know I'm not the only one. So here's a former Disney World photographer's guide on how to propose to your Disney princess or prince in the most magical place on Earth. For many Disney adults, Disney World, specifically Magic Kingdom, is the epitome of a fairytale come to life. So it's no wonder that so many, including myself, dreamed about what it would be like to have the love of their life propose to them at their favorite place on earth. As someone who used to be a Photopass photographer at the Magic Kingdom and, more recently, as someone who got engaged in the Magic Kingdom, I have all sorts of tricks and tips I WISHED I could've bestowed on all the poor unfortunate souls who could've made their proposals even better. But, fear not, while I may not be a magical fairy godmother, I wrote this guide to make sure your favorite Mouseketeer has the engagement of their dreams. Please tell your photographers before you pop the question While it's a wonderful surprise, your photographer shouldn't be the one you're surprising! Warn the photographer and let them know you're going to propose, or have someone in your party do so. This way, the photographer can mentally prepare for what's about to happen and plan out the poses and shots they want to take. Photographers can also make the moment even more magical by taking Magic Shots, which is a photo that is digitally-enhanced to include Disney characters, balloons or famous Disney snacks and more. Additionally, if the photographer has the time, they can take you to other locations in the park near their station. More Disney news: Disney World reveals start date for new Disney Starlight nighttime parade Prepare for the heat As a Miami native, I'm no stranger to the heat. However, something about Orlando's heat and humidity is significantly worse than anywhere in South Florida. We ended up having to leave the park right after he proposed because I wasn't feeling well, and the heat was getting to me despite the copious amounts of water I was drinking. To avoid any of these issues, I would suggest doing the following: Propose first thing in the morning when you get to the park. Take a break at the hotel when temperatures are at their highest and propose when you come back refreshed and ready. Sunsets at the parks are always gorgeous and look great in photos. Bring a change of clothing if your partner is the kind of person who likes to stay at the park from open to close. Finally, don't forget to pack the following: Sunscreen Sun protection, like baseball caps Portable fans Cooling towels Water bottles Photo ops Photopass photographers are stationed all over the Walt Disney World Parks. Many are stationed in front of the castle, but you can find photographers in front of the Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Belle's castle. For $99, guests can also sign up for a private, 20-minute session called Capture Your Moment, where photopass photographers will follow you around the park and conduct your own personal photoshoot. Sessions booked between May 26 and September 1 will receive a $20 discount, according to Disney World's website. Capture your moment can be booked at the following parks: Animal Kingdom EPCOT Hollywood Studios Magic Kingdom Don't bring the real ring One of the brilliant things my fiancé did was that he didn't bring my actual ring to the parks! I'm a very clumsy person, and I lose almost anything, so I know I would've been petrified to carry around my actual ring. So, instead, my darling fiancé proposed to me with a $20 ring featuring a heart-shaped moonstone in the center, which he purchased on Amazon. It was the only ring I wore throughout the engagement, and I was so proud to show it off whenever I told a cast member we were engaged. Additionally, I was able to wander throughout the park and ride the attractions without worrying that I might lose my very expensive engagement ring. Don't just propose in front of the castle Personalize your engagement! A castle proposal isn't the end-all be-all of Disney proposals. Tailor your engagement to what your fiancée likes about Disney. You can propose just about anywhere! You can even propose during a hot air balloon ride at Disney Springs, but make sure to have a backup plan in case it's shut down. And they lived happily ever after... Be sure that this is the kind of proposal your partner wants! There are always people around the parks, and proposals, especially the ones that take place on Main Street U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom, which is the street that leads to the famous castle, tend to draw an audience. But, as long as you've done your homework and made sure this is what your partner wants, your Beloved is sure to adore the proposal no matter what. So here's to you and your future happily ever after! Good luck! Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@


Thrill Geek
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Thrill Geek
All Aglow: What to Expect from 'Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away' at Magic Kingdom
Get ready to dream big—'Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away' is set to make its dazzling debut at Magic Kingdom on July 20, 2025, bringing a whole new level of sparkle to Walt Disney World's nighttime entertainment lineup. First announced at D23 Expo 2023, this all-new nighttime parade blends tradition and innovation, weaving together classic characters, contemporary favorites, immersive lighting technology, and a brand-new soundtrack designed to 'touch every heart.' A Parade of Magic and Light 'Disney Starlight' invites guests into a glowing dreamscape brought to life through the Blue Fairy's magic. The parade opens with a shimmer and ends in spectacular style—with a finale float inspired by the Main Street Electrical Parade, reimagined for a new generation. You'll spot Goofy, Pluto, Donald, Daisy, Snow White, Rapunzel, Aladdin, and Mickey & Minnie as they ride through the stars in glittering fashion. Characters to Watch For This radiant procession features a lineup of beloved characters including: The Blue Fairy Peter Pan & Wendy Asha The Madrigal Family (Mirabel, Isabela, Bruno) Elsa, Aurora, Tiana, Belle, and Cinderella with their princes Miguel & Pepita Moana Each float becomes a moving canvas of light and music, using cutting-edge LED technology and curved video panels to animate the parade in ways never seen before. Soundtrack & Performance The parade features an original theme song, explicitly crafted to match the emotion of watching the parade glide past Cinderella Castle. The score will include subtle nods to past Disney Parks favorites, and the choreography is timed down to the beat, combining influences from the stories represented. Must-Have Merch and Tasty Treats To mark the launch, guests can pick up themed merch, including: Light-up Mickey Ears A logo tee and collectible pin A bubble wand synced to the show's soundtrack And a cozy 'Starlight' blanket Plus, don't miss the new exclusive popcorn mix debuting at Main Street Confectionery on July 20: a sweet and crunchy blend of Bubble Gum & Blue Raspberry Candy Popcorn, mini marshmallows, M&M's®, and white chocolate drizzle. The Dream Begins July 20 With nods to classics like 'SpectroMagic' and 'Main Street Electrical Parade,' 'Disney Starlight' is poised to become the next great chapter in Disney's legacy of nighttime parades. Follow @ThrillGeek on Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube for full coverage when the parade lights up Magic Kingdom this summer. Janine is a theme park and pop culture nerd from an early age. Since 1994, she's been traversing the theme park world and has enjoyed all things from Halloween events to new ride releases and beyond. When she's not at a theme park, she's probably at a concert or doing something fun with her kiddo.