Disney Building Employee Health Center

WDWNT on December 13, 2007

Disney announced plans Wednesday to build a $6 million health facility on its property for the use of its cast members and their dependents who participate in the company’s health plans.

The 15,000-square-foot facility will give cast members access to primary care doctors and other medical professionals, as well as a pharmacy, lab, basic radiology and wellness and behavioral health resources.

The facility will open in 2009 and will be operated by a health management company to be chosen in the coming months.

The new health center will provide:

  • Longer-than-average visits with health care professionals
  • Convenience through extended operating hours, weekend availability and its close proximity to work-coordinated treatment

More than 40,000 Walt Disney World cast members and dependents are currently eligible for benefits.

Podcast Notes

WDWNT on December 12, 2007

Here is a little look at the Dreamlights parade as promised on the podcast:

Finally, Some Imagination

WDWNT on December 12, 2007

In what will probably be the first of many, a permit has been filed to refurbish and change the post show area of the Imagination pavillion at Epcot.  This will most likely be the first step in revamping the pavillion, which as spent almost a decade in dismay. These plans have been sitting around for a while, but it appears that the conclusion of work on Spaceship Earth has finally opened the door for this project. This particular permit can be found HERE.

Discuss this developement HERE.

Spaceship Earth Videocast Available

WDWNT on December 12, 2007

Just wanted to let everyone know that a videocast of the new Spaceship Earth at Epcot is now available for your enjoyment. You can get directions on how to download the video for Itunes by going to our podcast page. To download it for your computer, go to http://podcast.wdwnewstoday.com. This will be the first of many videocasts released by WDW News Today. Enjoy!!!

Something to Treasure

WDWNT on December 12, 2007

Walt Disney Home Entertainment continues its esteemed Walt Disney Treasures series with Wave VII — three new 2-Disc DVD volumes available December 11, 2007 in a limited supply, just in time for the holidays and in honor of Walt’s birthday. Each volume, with material all new to DVD, is hosted by film historian Leonard Maltin; each is individually numbered, with an authenticity certificate, and each includes an exclusive lithograph. Adding to the value is the collectible packaging. The Adventures of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit will be housed in a handsome gold tin; Chronological Donald, Volume 3 and Disneyland: Secrets, Stories and Magic in distinctive silver tins.

The Adventures of Oswald The Lucky Rabbit
This double disc set features the legendary and rarely-seen Oswald, Walt Disney’s first big animated star (predating Mickey Mouse), who recently returned home to the Walt Disney Company. Produced from 1926 to 1928 with Walt’s personal touch, this collection of some of these silent shorts are revitalized with brand-new musical scores by well-known silent film accompanist and composer Robert Israel . Several of the shorts offer audio commentary from Animation Film Historians Leonard Maltin, Mark Kausler and Jerry Beck.

“Chronological Donald, Volume 3”
Features the most prolific character of “Walt’s Fab Five,” the short-tempered but hilarious Donald Duck in 31 solo shorts from 1947 through 1950.

“Disneyland: Secrets, Stories and Magic”
This comprehensive look at the “Happiest Place on Earth” features never-before-seen documentaries and featurettes that show the creativity and magic behind one of the world’s most famous and beloved destinations. The set will also include a vintage collectible of one of the original Disneyland Theme Park tickets.

Note: Episode 21 of the WDW News Today Podcast will have a full review of all 3 of these DVD sets.

Football Teams Get The Boot

WDWNT on December 10, 2007

A group of young athletes was kicked out of Walt Disney World in the middle of the night Saturday.

Disney made the decision to kick out three teams participating in the Pop Warner Superbowl competition — two from Hawaii and one from Baltimore — because of a fight between some of their athletes.

According to Disney, it is written into their policy for group packages that everyone will be forced to leave if even one member of the party is involved in a violent act on property.

However, parents said the way they were treated just wasn’t right.

“They could have handled it so much better, you know? They really could have. They could have said look you know what? Fine, you guys have to leave in the morning. Then our babies. We have one year old, two year old, three year olds, that we had to just jerk out of bed and they were just crying. You know it was just a bad scene. It was really a bad scene,” said Labryanna Kubo, a parent traveling with the Hawaii team.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is still investigating the incident.

Woman Tries to Bring Gun To WDW

WDWNT on December 10, 2007

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Security at Walt Disney World discovered a loaded semi-automatic handgun during a routine safety check at the theme park on Sunday. They said the weapon belonged to Mary Ann Richardson, 63 of Pennsylvania. Richardson was trying to enter Walt Disney World with her family. She told security that she traveled with the handgun and forgot it was inside her purse. Along with the loaded 32 caliber semi-automatic handgun, security also found a pair of scissors and a locked blade knife in the purse. Walt Disney World Security notified the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies took Richardson into custody and charged her with possession of a concealed weapon. She is held in the Orange County Jail on a $2,000 bond.

Episode 20 Now Available

WDWNT on December 9, 2007

You can download episode 20 of the podcast through Itunes as of right now. On this week’s show, we have the very first look at the new Spaceship Earth, WDW News and Rumors, and a tribute to Walt Disney. Enjoy the show!!!

This show can also be downloaded HERE