AUTHOR: Leah Zanolla

Leah grew up in a little farming town in Illinois, right on the Mississippi River. Her Chicago-born husband, David, left the city for her, and they're now raising their three children (Jacob, Jonah and Lydia) just 12 miles from her hometown. As the Senior Editor of the DIS (wdwinfo.com), Leah spends a lot of time writing about, reading about, and discussing Disney. So, it should come as no surprise that one of her family's favorite ways to spend time is going to Walt Disney World and traveling on Disney Cruise Line. She also enjoys shopping, watching movies with her husband and doing crafts with and for her kids.



Royal Court Royal Tea experience to be offered on all four Disney Cruise Line ships

The Royal Court Royal Tea experience on Disney Cruise Line will now be available on all 4 ships. This event was previously just offered on the Disney Fantasy and recently became available on 4-night sailings on the Disney Dream as well, but within the next month, will move to the other two ships also. Children Royal Court Royal Tea experience to be offered on all four Disney Cruise Line ships

Disney and Universal to honor Halloween event tickets from hurricane closure

Guests who had tickets for Disney’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights on the nights the parks closed for the hurricane may not be out the money for their unused ticket. Walt Disney World will honor those tickets for any other upcoming Halloween Party, exchange them for a ticket for Mickey’s Very Disney and Universal to honor Halloween event tickets from hurricane closure

Flag waving act cancelled in Epcot’s Italy Pavilion

The flag waving act in Epcot’s Italy Pavilion will no longer be performing. Sbandieratori Di Sansepolcro began performing at Epcot in October 2014, using hand-painted flags, period costumes and live music to entertain the crowd with their choreographed flag-throwing.  This kind of flag waving is a 500-year tradition in Italy. No reason was given for the Flag waving act cancelled in Epcot’s Italy Pavilion

Orlando International Airport to replace shuttles

Orlando International Airport posted on their Twitter account that they are replacing the shuttles that take passengers between gates 1-59 and the main terminal. The shuttles on the other side are still in operation.  The post reads: After over 35 years of service, we’re replacing the iconic shuttles on our original airsides. Your upcoming visit Orlando International Airport to replace shuttles

Galaxy Note 7 smartphones banned from many cruise lines due to overheating

  Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones are being banned from many of the major cruise lines after reports of the phones overheating. Samsung recalled the phone last month; in the U.S. alone, there were 92 reports of the battery overheating. Those include 26 reports of burns and 55 reports of property damage. Included in the Galaxy Note 7 smartphones banned from many cruise lines due to overheating

Update on Port Canaveral and Disney Cruise Line altered itineraries

Due to the path of Hurricane Matthew, Port Canaveral was evacuated at noon on Wednesday, October 5, 2016. As the storm moves further up the coastline and away from the area, Port Canaveral posted an update on their website: As Port Canaveral continues to experience impacts from Hurricane Matthew, officials are preparing to assess facilities Update on Port Canaveral and Disney Cruise Line altered itineraries

Photos: Hurricane preparations taking place at the Walt Disney World monorail hotels

Local resident and friend of the DIS, Linda Andrews, sent us photos of the Walt Disney World resorts preparing the grounds for Hurricane Matthew to make its way past Central Florida.  All photos were taken the afternoon of Thursday, October 6.  The theme parks closed at 5:00pm that night and remained closed Friday, October 7. Photos: Hurricane preparations taking place at the Walt Disney World monorail hotels