California Archives - Page 4 of 58 - Uncle Walt's Insider

Disney Parks to rebrand as health care, will accept Medicaid, Medicare

The fact that Disney will now get federal health care funds is "not another money grab," according to CEO Chapek. BURBANK, CA -- In a recent call with investors, Bob "Bob" Chapek, CEO of the Disney Company, announced plans to relabel the Disney theme parks as health care facilities, primarily to be able to rake in federal health funds. The newly renamed "Disney Parks, Experiences, and Hospice Care" division will begin accepting Medicare/Medicaid payments within a few months. Citing lower guest satisfaction, ... Read more
Not pictured: dozens of homeless people camped on the sidewalks. Photo courtesy Orange County Archives.

The best time to visit Disneyland

Trust the experts with your vacation planning! Or us. UNCLE WALT'S INSIDER H.Q., SVALBARD -- So you're planning a trip to Walt Disney's original Magic Kingdom, and you want to know the best time to go? Well, fear not! The experts at Uncle Walt's Insiders have calculated the best travel date for the most enjoyable vacation: 1974. That's right, 1974. That, we figure, is the best time to visit Disneyland. Really, any time in the park's first 25 years Why 1974? Well, Reagan was governor, ... Read more
LittleKnownFacts-Club33

33 (give or take twenty) little-known facts about Club 33!

Our little-known facts series continues, in spite of underwhelming demand! We recently had an Actual ReaderTM [Ed.: We keep forgetting we have those] write to our Step-planDisney (Step)Mom's Panel, asking about how to get in to dine at Club 33. We, of course, were able to help her immensely (mainly by lowering her expectations). In the process, we revealed that each and every one of us on the Uncle Walt's Insider staff has dined at Club 33, which, as you can imagine, ... Read more

15 little-known facts about the Candlelight Processional!

Our little-known facts series continues, in spite of underwhelming demand! It's a spectacle of Christmas spirit like no other at Epcot and Disneyland! The Candlelight Processional combines an orchestra, massive choirs, and a celebrity narrator to celebrate the true meaning of the holiday season. (At least until Disney's current bent toward political correctness / inclusiveness / cultural sensitivity / etc. gets hold of it and turns it into a Kwanzachristmachanukafestivus show, led by Olaf singing "That Time of Year.") But do you know ... Read more
Oh, yeah. There's also a giant mask on Cinderella Castle. Photo by Michael Gray [CC BY-SA 2.0] via Flickr.

14 unusual Covid protocols in effect at Disney parks

Question: will more people stay home because of the fear of Covid, or because of all the restrictions? While some live entertainment has returned to Disney Parks, Resorts and Spas (the spa live entertainment is worth the extra charge!), guests have noticed something unusual: the perfomers stay away from each other, never touching. Not even in the climactic romantic parts of Beauty and the Beast Live: Belle and the prince just smile and hold out their hands towards each other. So... romantic? With ... Read more