Voter Control of Gambling in Florida

In Florida, Disney has teamed up to support an anti-casino initiative. The bill is referred to as Amendment 3 or “Voter Control of Gambling in Florida.” The bill only permits new casinos to open on the provision that 60% of the entire state of Florida votes in agreement. The idea is to give residents greater control over new gambling entertainment venues and facilities being open in the state. However, some critics argue that actually this does not give more power to voters. Instead, it is purely a protectionist move by big business to prevent new competition entering the market. This would allow the Seminole group of casinos to remain dominant in the state. Of course the amendment can not prevent the spread of online casino gaming. Casinos Jungle and other online information sites guide gamblers to where they can play on their mobile phones.

What are the stakes?

Nearly $37million US dollars have been spent on the bill with over 90% coming from Disney and the Seminole Tribes. Perhaps it is obvious what the Seminole Tribe casino owners have to gain from the bill. What does Disney stand to gain? Consider this.  DisneyWorld Florida is made up of 4 huge theme parks. Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disneys’ Animal Kingdom. They also have water parks Blizzard Beach and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon. Perhaps more key to this protectionist policy is they own 24 hotels, 5 golf courses plus spas, shopping and restaurants.  Any new Vegas style casino resorts would directly threaten Disney revenues.  Whilst you may think the Disney studios, movies and TV shows generate a lot of revenue; the real money is in the theme parks. On admission revenue alone Disney globally generated more that 7 billion USD in 2018. 

Incidentally, it is estimated that due to covid, Disney is losing over 16million per day being closed. This is due not only to admission ticket sales, but all the extras – hotel bookings, concession stands, merchandise.

Who are the opponents?

MGM Resorts International is in opposition to the bill. MGM Resorts is a massive enterprise with casino resorts all over the USA. Notably in Las Vegas they own The Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mirage, Aria, New York New York and Luxor. It’s easy to understand why another major player in the casino hotel business would oppose restrictions on increasing its share of the market.

The Seminole Tribe who are backing the bill have the controlling share of casinos in the state. You can play casino at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tampa and Hollywood, plus Coconut Creek Casino, Immokalee and Brighton host gambling venues. Reportedly they make $2.5billion every year in gaming revenue. So again, extremely strong incentive to prevent new casinos muscling in on the action! By the way, this article represents merely our opinions of the situation!

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Disney is a large company and the section that runs the parks is called “Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, Inc”. But before the parks were even conceived Walt and his brother Roy came up with the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio located in Hollywood, California. That was 1923 and the parks would be opened quite a few years after.

In the 1950s Walt Disney made a series of deals with regards to a project called Disneylandia. Of course, that name wouldn’t stick through the life of the project and Walt Disney announced in April 1954 that Disneyland would open its gates in July of 1955. Walt wanted the park to be educational and entertaining for both children and their parents. Disney bought land in Anaheim California, which at the time was farmland, so could be purchased for a reasonable cost.

Disneyland opens it’s doors

Disneyland officially opened its doors on July 17, 1955, although the opening wasn’t as smooth as expected. Originally passes were mailed out to a smaller group of people as an invitation to come to enjoy the park. However, the passes were quickly counterfeited and the crowds that showed up were overwhelming to the newly opened park. Disneyland started to run out of food and drinks as the crowd swelled and the Mark Twain Steamboat ride almost tipped over from too many people.

Even though Disneyland had a rocky start, it recovered quickly. Rides like Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Snow White’s Adventures, and the Jungle Cruise, caught on with parents and children immediately and remain popular to this day. And in 1963 Disney opened the Enchanted Tiki Room, which left audiences amazed at the advanced mixture of audio and animatronics. With these measures, Disneyland quickly became one of the most popular family attractions in the country.

Expansion across America and beyond

While Disneyland continued to innovate and have successes, Walt Disney was hatching plans for a second park, this time in Florida. He actually purchased 43 acres of land in a desolate part of Florida in 1965. Unfortunately, before Walt Disney could see Disneyworld come to fruition, he passed the following year. Roy Disney picked up the project and Disneyworld would open in 1971. After the initial opening, the park continued to expand and eventually became a sprawling resort covering over 47 square miles. And what started out as a single amusement park turned into four, the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. In addition, two water parks and dozens of hotels and restaurants would populate the area.

The two Disney theme parks would soon be joined by Disney parks around the world. There are several parks around the globe; California Adventure, Disneyland Paris, Shanghai Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland, and Hong Kong Disneyland. From the humble beginnings and somewhat rocky start of Disneyland, the Disney parks have grown into a worldwide phenomenon, that welcomes millions of visitors each year.

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Where to Stay

For Disneyland park, there are plenty of options, especially off property. In fact, the city of Anaheim seems uniquely set up to support the park. Just outside the gates, you’ll find a plethora of hotels and dining options, with many offering special rates and discounts for families going to Disney. Also, be sure to check for hotels that offer free nights for extended stays as this is a common practice. Check all the travel sites and compare prices, then call the hotels directly and see if they can offer anything better.

For Disneyworld, off-site options include hotels and also Airbnb stays. Because of the high volume of travelers to Florida and the 2nd homes down there, you can find many rentals that are relatively close to the theme park.

Keep in mind that you can also stay on property, although during peak season rooms fill up fast and are generally more expensive than staying elsewhere. You have to balance the convenience of being on the property and the perks that Disney gives their hotel guests versus the lower-cost options outside the park.

Finding Affordable Flights

Obviously avoiding peak season travel is the best way to score cheaper flights to the Disney Destination. So think about travel during January, February, and September. The more expensive flights are going to be during the summer season and peak season where the Disney parks have events. You can search for flights on any of the travel sites or apps to see when the best prices are. Another trick is to pair your travel dates up with the calendars on the Disney sites and see what events are happening. Avoiding big park festivals will reduce your travel costs unless of course, you want to attend one of the park’s offerings.

Park Ticket Options

Ticket prices are set by Disney, but that doesn’t mean you can find some affordable options. If you choose 2-day tickets, cost-savings are built-in as are adding extra days to whatever ticket type you choose. Buying a 1-day ticket probably doesn’t make much sense unless you live in the area. The Park Hopper ticket offers the most value, but not necessarily the most savings. But these tickets are immensely popular as they offer the ability to go from one park to the other anytime you choose. But the one park per day tickets offer a much more affordable option, so if you don’t want the flexibility of the Park Hopper tickets, these tickets offer the greatest savings.

Vacation Packages

If planning a Disney vacation seems daunting you can always go with a vacation package. You can find them on many of the larger travel sites where they combine flights, tickets, rental cars, etc. Or you might choose to work with an independent travel agent (Disney has agents too). They can often research and uncover great deals for travel almost any time of the year, and a travel agent with Disney experience can be beneficial to getting the most out of your Disney trip.

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_{History of the parks}

Both Disneyland and Walt Disney World are rich in history. Disneyland is the original park though. It was built in 1955 when Walt Disney was still alive. He was very hands-on with the creation. His vision for Walt Disney World was to create an even bigger Disney park, with room to grow. The design was based on the success of Disneyland. Sadly, Walt Disney passed away before Walt Disney World was opened in 1971.

Location

The first difference between Disneyland and Walt Disney World is location. They are on opposite sides of the United States. Disneyland is located in Anaheim, California. Walt Disney World is located in Orlando, Florida. Both locations provide bright, sunny days most of the time. Disneyland was constructed in the middle of a populated urban area, whereas, Walt Disney World was constructed in a private, secluded area.

Size of the parks

The most notable difference between these two Disney parks is size. Disneyland is about 500 acres and Walt Disney World is about 27,000 acres. Disneyland offers a more compact and manageable experience with two theme parks and three on-site resorts. Walt Disney World offers a more grand experience with four theme parks, two water parks, five golf courses, and over 25 resorts.

Ticket access

The ticket prices for Disneyland and Walt Disney World are comparable per theme park. However, there are a different number of theme parks at each location. Disneyland has two theme parks; Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. Walt Disney World has four theme parks; Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios, as well as, multiple other paid attractions. Each theme park requires a separate ticket to enter.

Attractions

Despite the vast size difference, they both offer roughly the same amount of attractions. Both Disney parks have their own exclusive rides that can only be found at that location. There are a few rides that can be found at both Disney parks, but they are still very different from one another.

Transportation

Disneyland has a monorail system to help guests get around. However, transportation is not required as everything is within walking distance. This includes both theme parks, all three on-site resorts, and the Downtown Disney shopping center. Walt Disney World is much bigger, so transportation is required. They offer shuttle buses, monorails, skyliners, boats, and ferries to help guests navigate between resorts, theme parks, and the Disney Springs shopping center. Guests are also welcome to bring their own car or pay for a ride-share option.

Disneyland and Walt Disney World are both magical vacation destinations that offer great memories and experiences. The differences are mainly in size and geography. You will have an awesome time at either one! They may share a lot of similarities, but there is still something special and unique about each one. 

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One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)

This iconic movie is one of the top grossing Disney films because it brings in a dramatic adventure for the people watching the movie. The movie is based on a book about a woman who wants to kidnap puppies and sell their fur for a lot of money. The book followed the parents of these puppies on their adventure to rescue the pups from the evil woman.

The movie takes the original meaning of the story, but sets it out to be a little bit more realistic, even in cartoon form, allowing the human owners to take the lead in rescuing and protecting these puppies from the evil hands of Cruella de Vil and her minions.

The movies were so popular that there were at least 3 other adaptions released and plenty of reboots to redo the story with whatever new technology became available.

Avengers: Endgame

Ever since Disney bought rights to Marvel films, these movies have started climbing their way up to the top of the popular movies in Disney’s hands. One of the most popular, and most grossing, Marvel movies that Disney helped create was Avengers: Endgame. This is the final Avengers movie, at least for the Avengers we have grown to know and love, which is why it takes second place.

The Lion King (1994)

This is another older film that is still considered one of the most popular movies that Disney has ever released. This was the first ever movie that Disney had released that was entirely based on an original idea rather than a fictional world or a fairy tale that you grew up reading about. The movie is based on a lion kingdom and how the cubs learn to take care of it as they grow older. The evil villain is another lion and the rest of the characters are animals that you would find in Africa.

It is still one of the most popular Disney films, even if it isn’t bringing in as much money as it did when it was originally released. This is why it is taking third place in the top grossing Disney movies list.

Fantasia

For a movie that came out way back in 1940, this movie is still one of the top grossing movies that Disney has ever had a hand in releasing. The movie is one of the top grossing because it features a whole new realm of magic that no one could have ever imagined seeing back then.

And even now, the movie remains popular due to the iconic main character that everyone knows and loves, Mickey Mouse, being the star of the show in this musical adventure. Kids and adults alike enjoy the movie to this day as if it were brand new.

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Rides

There are so many amazing rides to experience at Disney! From The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train to Space Mountain, the park has so much to offer and so many fun rides to climb aboard. One of the best roller coasters is right in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Expedition Everest. It’s a magical trip through a Tibetan village that allows you to board a train that takes you to the top of beautiful mountain peaks, then you race through twists and turns until you are plummeted into the darkness of a cavern with a monstrous secret. Kids will want to experience Frozen Ever After. This magical ride let’s your kids see all their favorite friends from Frozen on a song filled adventure through ice and snow. They even get to see their favorite frozen queen, Elsa! The park also offers Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin and a ride where they can soar with their favorite flying elephant, Dumbo! Whether you are there for the roller coasters or the fun adventure rides, make sure you pick up a Fastpass so you can skip the pesky lines and move straight to the fun!

Food

As amazing as Disney is, it’s no wonder that the food there is completely up to their magical standards! For the best character meal you will certainly want to sit down at Cinderella’s Royal Table for the best treatment and most delicious dishes that Disney has to offer. If you are hurrying through the park and just want to grab a quick sweet treat, then the Dole Whip is the way to go. This pineapple soft serve swirled with pineapple juice is refreshing on a hot summer day and there are even places where you can add a shot of alcohol to give it an adult flavored kick. If you need to grab something good you can eat in line while you are waiting on some of the Star Wars attractions, then the Ronto Wrap should certainly be on your list. The grilled sausage wrapped in a warm tortilla even comes in a breakfast version for early goers that adds eggs to the mix.

Stage Shows

With all the rides and food to discover, you still need to make time for some of the best shows that Disney has. The Frozen sing along celebration is by far one of the most fun and memorable for children. They get to see all their favorite characters, sing their favorite songs, and laugh with the wonderful cast as hilarious things ensue during this amazing stage show. The Festival of the Lion King at Animal Kingdom is by far the one you don’t want to miss. The amazing acrobatics and the beautiful singing will leave your whole family in complete awe of the talent on this stage. In fact, the Animal Kingdom is the “reigning king” of the stage shows in Disney. Not only is there the Festival of the Lion King, but you can also enjoy shows like Finding Nemo, The Musical. Before heading out, check the times for the stage shows and plan your rides and food between those trips that way you are able to experience as much as possible while you are there.

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Purchasing Tickets

Tickets are available for purchase online and must be purchased in advance as they are not currently sold at the park entrances. Disneyland Paris has a wide range of tickets to fit different needs from one day to annual passes.

Weekend tickets are perfect for those looking for a perfect weekend getaway. They are available for purchase on the website under Multi Day tickets. These tickets are only valid on the date they are purchased and up to one year. It’s best to register your chosen visit dates which can be changed anytime until 10:00am on the date of your planned visit.

Personal Information Data Sheet

Complete your personal information sheet which is mandatory for non-French citizens over the age of 15 ahead of time in order to spend less time at the hotel reception.

Spend your entire weekend immersed in the magic by staying at one of the seven Disney Hotels.

Arriving to Disneyland Paris

The Park gates are a mere twenty minutes from Paris and approximately one hour away from the Paris airport if traveling by the shuttle or car. If you are already in Paris, you can access the park from the A4 autoroute. There’s just an additional two minute walk from Marne-la-Vallee or Chessy train station.

Check In

It’s best to check into your Hotel so you can pick up your tickets and other useful information for your stay. The Hotel will provide each member of your party with a MagicPass upon check in. This secure all-in-one pass allows you to effortlessly unlock almost all experiences of your booking including Park Tickets, meals, room key, pool and fitness access.

Your Luggage

Leave your luggage at your Disney Hotel’s Left Luggage room which is open twenty four hours or your car. If arriving via the Chessy station, your luggage will be directly delivered to your Hotel.

Access Parks

Parks are open daily from 6:30am to 11:00pm with a free shuttle service every 15 minutes. If you take your car, you will be able to access the park at 7:30am and until 30 minutes after the Park’s closing hours.

Magical Experience

The park consists of two theme parks plus numerous resort hotels which are perfect for a long weekend stay. Disney Nature Resorts, shopping, dining, entertainment and recreational activities such as swimming, golfing to name a few that delight everyone.

Check Out

Checkout anytime until 11:00am, after which your key will be deactivated and you will no longer have access to your room. There is no need to physically check out at the hotel reception. All remaining payments will be processed automatically at the closing of your account. You can review your bill in your room’s television. 

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A Long Time Ago in a Galaxy Far, Far Away

The first Star Wars movie hit theaters back in 1977. It’s not surprising that a franchise spanning 44 years would have fans of all ages. Fans that have grown up with Star Wars can be defensive and resistant to change. Many older fans have spoken out about Disney’s creative decisions. Disney’s choice to abandon the Extended Universe of the comics and novels also upset many long time fans.

Angry fans of the franchise that oppose Disney’s changes will probably never go away but they seem to just be a vocal minority. Most fans have been generally happy with new entries to the franchise.

A Fresh New Look

The 2015 release of The Force Awakens marked a shift in the galaxy. Disney has produced more Star Wars media in six years than George Lucas produced in 28 years. While this has definitely brought in new fans and renewed interest in an old franchise, not everyone thinks that Disney’s decisions have improved things.

Some fans applaud Disney for focusing on new stories and more diverse characters. The Mandelorian is incredibly popular among fans both new and old. While not every movie was an incredible success, reception has been positive overall.

New Fans for a New Era

With such a large franchise with so many fans it’s impossible to please everyone. There will always be fans that are unhappy with some new bit of lore or change to how the galaxy works. This is nothing new. Older fans should remember that here they found plenty to complain about even when George Lucas was still in charge. (Midichlorians, anyone?) New fans aren’t a bad thing either!

Disney has brought a burst of fresh air to a franchise that had grown stagnant. It is a new era in the galaxy and there have been growing pains. But Star Wars fans are used to the ups and downs. Most fans are excited to see where Disney might take the franchise now that the sequel trilogy has finished.

A Look Forward

Disney’s purchase of the Star Wars franchise was a good financial move on their part. As long as the franchise continues to be profitable fans can look forward to new additions to the galaxy. This alone proves that the fans are out there. The success of the TV shows, movies, video games, and even theme park attractions proves that the fans are there and they are happy with what they are seeing.

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Shanghai, Tokyo, and Hong Kong Disneyland, which is best? It would help if you weighed the advantages and disadvantages Of each to determine where you are going to head. These countries are distinct, and each has different costs. Besides, you may not have enough time to visit each country. So we figured we’d help you along and give you some answers to your questions.

What about Tokyo Disney Resort?

Tokyo Disney may be the reason you’re going to Asia in the first place. This Disney park is certainly worth the visit. Still, it might make sense to do a stopover at the Shanghai Disneyland or the Hong Kong Disneyland, but again that depends on your time and budget.

Okay, so assuming you’re not going to Asia just to see Disney, you still want to factor in other non-Disney attractions and points of interest. In this case, Japan is a gorgeous country, and there’s also a lot to do and see in Hong Kong and Shanghai.

With respect to the Tokyo Disney Resort, it is modern, innovative, and quite interesting for its similarities to Anaheim and its originality in Asian Culture. It is a well-designed park that stands out among all other Asian Disney parks. So, it’s way ahead of Shanghai and Hong Kong Disneyland.

Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea are out of this world gorgeous and look like a park straight out of Science Fiction.

That’s not to say that Hong Kong and Shanghai don’t have beautiful Disney parks. Both options are spectacular. But Tokyo far outweighs them, especially if you’re into science fiction and Star Wars. Even so, Shanghai and Hong Kong Disneylands are also worth seeing.

Shanghai Has Originality

The Shanghai Disneyland is very original and has a unique take on the original castle park. Almost everything in the Shanghai park is unique and distinct from the features and attractions of other Disney parks. Is it worth flying halfway across the globe? Yes. This is a park you will want to see at least once in your life.

In contrast, Hong Kong Disneyland is more traditional and built when Disney did not want to try anything really new. As a result, much of the style is that of Anaheim California, which is not that original but does give you a sort of deja vu feeling. Even though the additions made in the first ten years of operation are original, but not as unique as Shanghai.

Has that helped you decide?!

If you are visiting Asia and want to go to one of the Disney parks, you just can’t miss Tokyo Disney, but if you love Disney and want to see other options, cultures and features then Shanghai and Hong Kong are certainly parks you can’t miss either. As with everything Disney, each park has its distinct theme and look. If possible, we recommend visiting Tokyo and Shanghai and then Hong Kong

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