Uncle Walt's Insider California Archives - Page 49 of 58

Mickey and Minnie wave to the crowds. Photo source Depositphotos_69250695_original.jpg.

Update: characters, parks changing under “radical” Disney plans

Turns out the previously-announced changes were just the beginning. The winds of change continue to blow at The Walt Disney Company. After the controversial measures were first reported by Uncle Walt's Insider last November, Disney fans and detractors alike have been lighting up the internet arguing the pros and cons of the moves. In spite of the response, the company forged ahead with making the modifications permanent in January. And now, Uncle Walt's has learned, more radical changes are on their way that ...

March 16, 2018 by Marty in California, Florida, Other, World

Did these companies "borrow" decades-old self-driving technology from Disney? Photo includes image by Jishnuzz [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Disney outrage: ‘Tesla stole our self-driving technology’

Disney claims technology from several attractions has been 'stolen' by large companies Shocking news from the Glendale, California, offices of Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) today: an Imagineer says that several major companies have stolen research about self-driving cars from WDI. The Imagineer pointed to several examples of self-driving technology in Disney parks, including Jungle Cruise boats and Tomorrowland Speedway cars. A race for the first (?) self driving car Several companies are currently in a race to develop the first widely-accepted self-driving cars. Notable ...

March 14, 2018 by X in California, Florida, World

Tesla's new self-driving ECV, coming soon to Disney parks.

Tesla bringing self-driving ECVs to Disney parks

No longer will the scooters be driven by humans. Ankles everywhere rejoice. Following the recent announcement of an overhaul of Mission: Space to feature a Tesla Roadster, Disney has announced another partnership with Tesla. Disney has contracted with Tesla to provide the tech company's new self-driving Electronic Convenience Vehicles (ECVs) for rent in the Florida and California parks. The new, fully automated ECVs, code-named ECV+, will completely replace the current fleet. Driver - and everyone else - beware One of the biggest problems with ...

March 9, 2018 by X in California, Florida

Gorton’s to acquire struggling Sea World theme parks

"We know how to best serve the sea life in our care." GLOUCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS -- In a statement released Thursday morning, frozen seafood company Gortons, Inc., announced that they had acquired SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment. The SeaWorld parks, which have seen falling attendance following criticism of their handling of the sea creatures in their care, have been looking for a buyer for several months. Gorton's spokesman Rudy Hartell tells Uncle Walt's Insider, "It's synergy. They have sea creatures, we need sea creatures. ...

March 8, 2018 by Marty in California, Florida, Other, World

The Dapper Dans perform. Inset photo by Daniel Orth via Flikr, Creative Commons (CC BY-ND 2.0).

News Brief: Dapper Dans to add hiphop, grunge to repertoire

The popular music styles have been around for decades, after all. ANAHEIM, CA & WALT DISNEY WORLD, FL -- Sources within Disney Parks and Resorts have confirmed that the Dapper Dans, the popular barbershop quartet that resides on Main Street USA in California's Disneyland Park and Florida's Magic Kingdom Park, will be adding barbershop arrangements of hiphop and grunge classics to their repertoire. While some see the move as controversial and possibly out of place for Main Street's turn of the 20th ...

March 6, 2018 by Marty in California, Florida