Uncle Walt's Insider California Archives

The new Fantasmic "fire dragon" effect at Disneyland. Photo courtesy CNN.

Disneyland adds amazing new fire effect to Fantasmic show

Burn, dragon, burn! Disney inferno... ANAHEIM, CA -- Guests viewing the Saturday evening performance of Disneyland's Fantasmic show were given a special treat: the addition of a new fire effect! During the Maleficent dragon scene, rather than just breathing fire, the dragon itself turned into a spectacular, menacing "fire dragon," composed of flames from head to tail! Guests report that the effect was stunning and very unexpected. (Several Cast Members said the same thing.) While the new fire effect is amazing, insiders tell ...

Heaven forbid you don't need to go when your reservation time arrives. Photo composite from like, the internet.

Disney’s new marketing campaign: “There’s a reservation for that!”®

Better get your bathroom breaks scheduled early. BURBANK, CA -- During the recent earnings call, temporary Disney CEO/Grand Poobah Bob "Bob" Iger revealed the next big celebration coming to Disney Parks and Resorts. The new "There's a reservation for that!"® marketing campaign will highlight all of the fun ways you can experience Disney Parks and Resorts, provided you have a reservation. During the slide show part of the presentation (using Walt Disney's own slide projector), Iger walked through some of the new images ...

April 7, 2023 by Walt in California, Florida, World

The deal would include Universal's new Texas park, if only it existed.

Universal to discount new Passes based on time left on Disney Annual Pass!

But there are some caveats, provisos, quid pro quos... ORLANDO, FL -- Universal Studios Orlando apparently has a new plan to woo Disney Annual Passholders to switch to Universal, pro-rating the cost of a comparable Universal Annual Pass based on the remaining time of their Disney pass. A draft press release leaked to Uncle Walt's Insider gave details: Based on the type of Annual Pass you currently have with Disney and months you have left on it, Universal will pro-rate the cost of ...

March 28, 2023 by Walt in California, Florida

Bob, and Bob. Not pictured: Bob. Photo credit: Getty Images.

Disney boss Iger reversing bad decisions by former CEO Chapek

Apparently Chapek didn't go far enough? BURBANK, CA -- As we predicted, Bob "Bob" Iger has returned as CEO of the Disney Company. In his first week, Iger announced he will reverse all of the poor decisions he blamed on Bob "Bob" Chapek, returning Disney to its full glory. With our incredible inside contacts and sources [Ed.: Wait, Google counts as an inside source?], Uncle Walt's Insider is able to give you a first look at the list of decision changes. They ...

December 9, 2022 by Walt in California, Florida, Spotlight

PhotoPass photographers are going to have a tough time getting them to stand still when the wind blows. Photo by Walmart.com.

Disney to replace live characters with inflatables

More of Chapek creating magic! (For his accountants.) WALT DISNEY WORLD, FL -- The Walt Disney World Resort is known for its world class hotels, restaurants, and theme parks. It's also the place where children of all ages can meet their favorite characters, such as Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, and Ensign Thomas Garland. But as Uncle Walt's Insider has learned, there are some changes coming to the character-meet experience. In a recent interview, Disney CEO Bob "Bob" Chapek discussed his history ...

October 31, 2022 by Walt in California, Florida, World