Uncle Walt's Insider Marty, Author at Uncle Walt's Insider

Mount Kilauea erupts at Walt Disney World. Photo courtesy of topbreaking.news.

Hawaiian volcano eruption affects Disney parade

Apparently a lava fissure opened under Maleficent's head. WALT DISNEY WORLD, FL -- The ongoing eruption of Mount Kilauea in Hawaii has claimed a new victim -- Maleficent the fire-breathing dragon, until now a fixture in the Magic Kingdom Park's Festival of Fantasy Parade. A spokesperson for Disney Parks and Resorts and Spas tells Uncle Walt's Insider that during Friday's parade, a lava fissure from the volcano opened in midair, directly beneath the head of the dragon, causing it to burst into flames. ...

The face of indentured servitude? Photo by Dinosaur918 [CC BY-SA 4.0] via Wikimedia Commons

Unpaid house elves working at Universal’s Wizarding World

Guests describe the place as magical, but does it operate using slave labor? UNIVERSAL CITY, CA -- For Harry Potter fans, a visit to "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" is almost like actually being a part of the magical world of J.K. Rowling's books and the resulting movies. But Uncle Walt's Insider now reveals a dark secret lurking out of sight at Universal Hollywood: the park apparently has hundreds of house elves working in secret, for little or no pay. A legacy ...

May 10, 2018 by Marty in California

Pyongyang Park. Photo by Kristoferb [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Rumor: Epcot to add North Korea pavilion!

The thaw in international tensions may affect Walt Disney World. WALT DISNEY WORLD, FL -- As people around the world continue to closely watch the drama unfolding on the Korean peninsula, Disney fans may have an additional reason to cheer. With decades-old tensions relaxing, giving rise to the possibility of reconciliation between North and South Korea, rumors are flying that Epcot may add another country to World Showcase: North Korea! Given the success of Disneyland Pyongyang, it was likely only a matter of time ...

May 7, 2018 by Marty in Florida, World

Disneynature's all-new feature film "Penguins" is a coming-of-age story about an Adélie penguin named Steve who joins millions of fellow males in the icy Antarctic spring on a quest to build a suitable nest, find a life partner and start a family. None of it comes easily for him, especially considering he's targeted by everything from killer whales to leopard seals, who unapologetically threaten his happily ever after. From the filmmaking team behind "Bears" and "Chimpanzee," Disneynature's "Penguins" opens in theaters nationwide in time for Earth Day 2019. Photo © 2018 Disney.

Fans react to DisneyNature “Penguins” trailer

A loveable penguin named Steve is coming to the big screens in 2019. DisneyNature has released its first glimpse into its 2019 EarthDay offering: an Antarctic adventure following the life and antics of a penguin they call "Steve." The movie trailer for Penguins (see the link below) suggests that the movie will be lighthearted, educational, packed with beautiful scenery and fascinating animals, and will have only a few cameos by the Avengers. Uncle Walt's Insider reached out to its devoted fans for their ...

May 5, 2018 by Marty in Other

Theme parks in summer: tips for beating the heat

Forget hi-tech towels and misting fans -- Uncle Walt's Insider tells you the best ways to stay cool. UNCLE WALT'S HQ -- As we approach the summer months, theme park visitors will soon be dealing with high temperatures (except at Universal Studios Idaho, of course). Although many travel sites provide tips for staying cool, Uncle Walt's brave correspondents aren't afraid to think outside the box when it comes to heat-busting ideas. [Ed.: Some aren't even aware there is a box, Ub.] Here are some tried and ...

May 4, 2018 by Marty in California, Florida, World