AUTHOR: Tom Bell

Tom is the former host/producer of the Disneyland Edition podcast and is currently the co-host of the Connecting With Walt podcast, plus is also providing Disneyland content from the parks. He enjoys traveling with friends and spending time with family, including his son and grandson. In his spare time he volunteers with Scouts BSA and Cub Scouts, and helped found his son's former Cub Scout Pack. His favorite Disneyland attraction is Space Mountain.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Again Earns Its Association of Zoos and Aquariums Accreditation

By Tom Bell | Published April 16, 2020

Despite the theme parks and resorts being closed right now, the teams at Disney’s Animal Kingdom continue to provide expert care to the creatures that live there. To that end, both Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge recently completed their accreditation with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) once again. According to the … Disney’s Animal Kingdom Again Earns Its Association of Zoos and Aquariums Accreditation

Cast Members Share the Aulani Hula From Their Homes

By Tom Bell | Published April 16, 2020

While Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, is still closed, Cast Members wanted to get together virtually to share a special tradition with their guests and Disney Vacation Club members, the Aulani Hula. The dance, which is simple enough for the entire family, was choreographed by Kumu Hula Kaleo Trinidad to music by award-winning Hawaiian … Cast Members Share the Aulani Hula From Their Homes

Orlando International Airport Could See Traffic for 2020 Cut in Half

By Tom Bell | Published April 15, 2020

Due to theme park closures and other COVID-19 related travel cancellations, Orlando International Airport (MCO) is anticipating half the number of travelers will pass through the terminal in fiscal 2020, compared to last year. According the Phil Brown, the airport’s CEO, they estimate 25 million passengers will use MCO by the end of the fiscal … Orlando International Airport Could See Traffic for 2020 Cut in Half

Bob Chapek Elected to The Walt Disney Company Board of Directors

By Tom Bell | Published April 15, 2020

The Walt Disney Company has added CEO Bob Chapek to its board of directors. In a joint statement, Susan Arnold, independent lead director of the board, and Bob Iger, Disney executive chairman, said: “Bob Chapek has demonstrated remarkable leadership in the face of unprecedented challenges that were unimaginable when he became CEO just seven weeks … Bob Chapek Elected to The Walt Disney Company Board of Directors

runDisney Adjusts On-Sale Dates for Several Races

By Tom Bell | Published April 15, 2020

runDisney has adjusted the on-sale date for its Virtual Series, along with several 2021 races that have yet to go on sale. With circumstances continuing to change rapidly around the globe because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been making critical and timely decisions based on guidance from local, national and international governments and health … runDisney Adjusts On-Sale Dates for Several Races

New Mandalorian Documentary, Finale of Clone Wars Coming to Disney+ for Star Wars Day

By Tom Bell | Published April 15, 2020 | Updated May 4, 2020

Disney+ has announced that it will celebrate Star Wars Day on May the Fourth with the premiere of an exciting new documentary and the conclusion of a fan-favorite animated series. Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian will take fans behind-the-scenes of the hit Disney+ series. During the eight-episode documentary, Executive Producer Jon Favreau will share interviews, never-before-seen … New Mandalorian Documentary, Finale of Clone Wars Coming to Disney+ for Star Wars Day

Florida Governor Says State May Auto-Enroll Furloughed Disney Cast Members into Unemployment System

By Tom Bell | Published April 14, 2020

With more than 70,000 Walt Disney World Cast Members being furloughed on April 19th, some are concerned that Florida’s unemployment system won’t be able to handle the increased number of applicants. In a press conference today, Governor Ron DeSantis says the state is working on a way to auto-enroll those workers to help avoid any … Florida Governor Says State May Auto-Enroll Furloughed Disney Cast Members into Unemployment System

TSA to Accept Expired Identification at Checkpoints

By Tom Bell | Published April 14, 2020

For travelers that have been unable to renew their identification cards, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said today that it will accept an expired driver’s license or state-issued ID at their checkpoints, provided that it expired on or after March 1, 2020. TSA will continue to accept those expired IDs for a year after their … TSA to Accept Expired Identification at Checkpoints

Broadway Cares to Stream Disney on Broadway 25th Anniversary Concert

By Tom Bell | Published April 14, 2020

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS has scheduled a special online event on April 17 to be hosted by Ryan McCartan which will include performances from the November concert “Celebrating 25 Magical Years of Disney On Broadway.” The streamed event was originally for April 13, but had to be rescheduled when the organization couldn’t reach an agreement … Broadway Cares to Stream Disney on Broadway 25th Anniversary Concert

The Walt Disney Company Signs Additional $5 Billion Credit Agreement

By Tom Bell | Published April 13, 2020

In an attempt to strengthen their liquidity, The Walt Disney Company has entered into another credit agreement for $5 billion, which gives the company up to $13 billion in credit should it be needed. The 364-day credit agreement with Citibank matures April 9, 2021, but can be extended with approval from the lender. This is … The Walt Disney Company Signs Additional $5 Billion Credit Agreement