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The "happiest place on Earth" heading Down Under

<p>Australia could be getting its first Disneyland theme park, after one state capital claim they have the "perfect spot for it". </p> <p>Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp has thrown her support behind the idea of a Down Under Disney, while also pitching the perfect location. </p> <p>“As Australia’s capital city of fun, of course we should have a Disney theme park in Melbourne. We’ve even got the perfect spot for it – Fishermans Bend,” Ms Capp told the <em>Herald Sun</em>.</p> <p>“We saw with the Firefly Zipline just how much Melburnians love a thrilling ride. At Fishermans Bend, exhilarating roller-coasters could soar over the Yarra as part of a Disneyland, Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom."</p> <p>“Melbourne also offers visitors the best tourism experience available in Victoria, from world-class hotels, unbeatable retail offerings and some of the best food and drink in Australia."</p> <p>“I know a Disney theme park in our municipality would be a huge hit with residents — myself included — visitors, students and traders.”</p> <p>Another piece of land has been floated for the location, with a prime spot north of Geelong, 30 minutes from the CBD, seeming to be a more achievable spot for a theme park. </p> <p>A third site has also been proposed, with David Fox, the son of billionaire trucking magnate Lindsey Fox, confirming an entertainment precinct is already earmarked for the huge block of vacant land near Avalon Airport.</p> <p>“There’s an entertainment precinct that we’ve defined. I wouldn’t say (for a) Disneyland at this moment in time, but anything is possible,” Mr Fox said.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p>

Domestic Travel

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Shanghai Disneyland reopens with social distancing measures

<p>Shanghai Disneyland reopened on Monday after 107 days of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.</p> <p>The park is now open to public with 30 per cent capacity. Visitors are required to book tickets online, have their temperatures checked ahead of entry and wear face masks. Hand sanitisers are also made available at queue entries and attraction exits.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Tears! Long time no see my pals! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ShanghaiDisneyland?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ShanghaiDisneyland</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SHDL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SHDL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E4%B8%8A%E6%B5%B7%E3%83%87%E3%82%A3%E3%82%BA%E3%83%8B%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A9%E3%83%B3%E3%83%89?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#上海ディズニーランド</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Disney?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Disney</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Disneypark?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Disneypark</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Disneyland?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Disneyland</a> <a href="https://t.co/Bsv51z84Ha">pic.twitter.com/Bsv51z84Ha</a></p> — DONGDONG (@gourmetdyy) <a href="https://twitter.com/gourmetdyy/status/1259672695668539392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2020</a></blockquote> <p>The park also features yellow tape markers as part of social distancing efforts. Most of the park’s attractions – including rides, live shows, stores and restaurants – are accessible, but theatre shows are cancelled and the daily float parade is downsized.</p> <p>Cast members have also reportedly been trained to carry out <a href="https://deadline.com/2020/05/disneyland-shanghai-reopen-date-may-11-coronavirus-1202926767/">contactless guest interaction</a>.</p> <p>“We have cast members throughout the park. They’re continuously wiping down and making sure that everything is as disinfected and sanitized,” Andrew Bolstein, senior vice president of operations at Shanghai Disney Resort, told <a href="https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/travel/story/opening-day-disney-shanghai-looked-70613135"><em>Good Morning America</em></a>.</p> <p>The reopening came after Disney reported a $1 billion hit on its parks, experiences and products segment during the second quarter “primarily due to revenue lost as a result of the closures”. All other parks remain closed.</p>

International Travel

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Quaden Bayle’s family rejects $700,000 Disneyland trip

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>Just a week after hundreds of thousands of dollars was raised to send Quaden Bayles and his family on a trip to Disneyland, Quaden’s Aunty Mundanara Bayles have spoken exclusively to<span> </span><em><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/2020/02/27/exclusive-quaden-bayles-family-declines-crowdfunded-trip-disneyland-would-prefer" target="_blank">SBS NITV</a></em><span> </span>saying that they are declining the trip.</p> <p>This is due to the fact that they want the funds to go to the charities who need it, which include Dwarfism Awareness Australia and Balunu Healing Foundation.</p> <p>"What kid wouldn't want to go to Disneyland, especially if you have lived Quaden's life. To escape to anywhere that is fun that doesn't remind him of his day to day challenges," she said.</p> <p>"But my sister said 'you know what, let's get back to the real issue'. This little fella has been bullied. How many suicides, black or white, in our society have happened due to bullying."</p> <p>"We want the money to go to community organisations that really need it. They know what the money should be spent on, So as much as we want to go to Disneyland, I think our community would far off benefit from that."</p> <p>The charities are earmarked for a specific reason, according to Quaden’s Aunty.</p> <p>"We need to come together and work out how to make sure young people like Quaden don't have to deal with what they have been dealing with," Ms Bayles said.</p> <p>"We've had seven kids at the Murri School in Brisbane, where I am on the board, take their lives in the last ten years."</p> <p>American comedian Brad Williams set up the GoFundMe page on February 21st, and since then, it has raised over $AUD 700,000 thanks to twenty thousand donors around the globe.</p> <p>The page was set up after a video of Quaden went viral that showed the aftermath of a bullying incident that happened at school.</p> <p>As Quaden was born with Achondroplasia, which is the most common form of dwarfism, he has had to deal with constant health complications as well as being bullied since the age of three.</p> <p>As the video went viral in Australia and overseas, many celebrities and NRL players have reached out to Quaden to do what they can to help. Despite the heightened media attention, Quaden’s mother Yarraka says he’s doing well.</p> <p>“It’s a bit overwhelming but we are doing good considering. It’s pretty full on but we are strong enough to get through especially with all the mobs support and unconditional love," she told NITV News.</p> <p>“Quaden is ok. He is spinning out a bit, we just have to protect our boy as best we can. We’ve got a good team around us now.”</p> </div> </div> </div>

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Disney’s US theme parks are expanding their vegan menu

<p>For people with dietary restrictions, dining at the amusement park can be less than festive with limited variety and food options. But now Disney has made an effort to cater to vegetarians and vegans as it expanded its <span><a href="https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/disney-theme-parks-vegan/index.html">plant-based offerings</a></span> at all of the major restaurants within its US theme parks.</p> <p>Hundreds of plant-based options will be added to the menu at all of Disney’s major quick and table service restaurants, with a green leaf symbol to denote the vegan- and vegetarian-friendly meals.</p> <p>The new menu items will be rolled out in Florida’s Walt Disney World starting October, and in Anaheim’s Disneyland starting spring 2020. Visitors will find more than 400 plant-based dishes, including steamed Asian dumplings at Le Cellier, chili-spiced crispy fried tofu bowl at Animal Kingdom and cashew cheesecake at California Grill.</p> <p>The initiative to include vegan options on every menu is limited to the US. However, there are also animal-free options at international parks, such as caramel mix nuts banana cake at Shanghai Disney Resort and risotto-style spelt with mushrooms in Paris.</p> <p>Previously, herbivore visitors had to sort out their meals on their own. A blog titled <span><a href="https://vegandisneyworld.com/vegan-options/vegan-animal-kingdom/"><em>Vegan Disney World</em></a></span> listed all the vegan food options within the Disney Parks, ranging from pineapple Dole Whip to roasted vegetable bowl.</p>

International Travel

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“Completely drunk”: Woman banned for life from Disney World after attacking taxi driver

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Walt Disney World has taken action against an intoxicated woman for slapping a cab driver as well as kicking a police officer. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ellen McMillion, 53, from Florida slapped unsuspecting cab driver Adel Mahmoud after she asked him for a cigarette.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When he said he didn’t smoke, she slapped him several times.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“A minute or two after I told her I don’t have a cigarette, she hit and slapped me,” Mr Mahmoud told </span><em><a href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/drunk-florida-woman-banned-from-disney-world-for-assault-130639643.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Yahoo Lifestyle</span></a></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">. “She didn’t have control, she was completely drunk, out of her mind.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Disney security guard Barbara Somoano observed the assault and said to police that McMillion caused a disturbance at the Hollywood Studios entrance.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">An Orange County police officer stationed at Disney World told Ms McMillion to sit down, but she became “verbally belligerent...She had bloodshot eyes, an unsteady gait, was slurring her words, and had a strong odour of alcohol emanating from her facial area. She also verbally stated she was drunk multiple times.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After McMillion was asked for her driver’s licence, she threw her small black purse on the ground and said “HERE”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She was also yelling profanities as families passed by and was led into a squad car, where she kicked a female officer in the leg twice.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer and disorderly intoxication.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The police report obtained by </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Yahoo Lifestyle</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> said that Disney Security asked for McMillion to be banned from all Walt Disney World Properties.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A Disney spokesperson tells </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Yahoo Lifestyle</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">, “We have no tolerance for violence.”</span></p>

Travel Trouble

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Disneyland Paris evacuated after suspicious package found

<p>The main train station servicing Disneyland Paris has been evacuated after a suspicious packages was discovered inside, with police reportedly on standby.  </p> <p>The package was found inside Marne-la-Vallée station, which is about 32km from the centre of Paris, and neighbours the popular European theme park.</p> <p>Reports suggest officials have decided to evacuate the whole park, with police and soldiers armed with assault rifles reportedly investigating the scene.</p> <p>Tom Wiseman, who has been visiting Disneyland Paris, described the frantic evacuation to<a href="http://www.thesun.co.uk" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong> The Sun</strong></span></a>, stating, “I just left Disneyland Paris. It was bedlam getting on buses.”</p> <p>A local resident called Lisa added: “It seems to be the train station. All taped off and police everywhere. Stay safe. We are in village.”</p> <p>France remains in a state of emergency after the deadly attacks last November.</p> <p><em>More details to come…</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/travel/international-travel/2016/08/this-family-was-treated-to-a-night-in-the-eiffel-tower/"><strong>This family was treated to a night in the Eiffel Tower</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/travel/travel-tips/2016/08/is-it-safe-to-travel-to-france/"><strong>Is it safe to travel to France?</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/07/class-action-against-cruise-line-over-european-cruise/"><strong>Class action against cruise line over European cruise</strong></a></em></span></p>

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Grandpa builds Disneyland-inspired backyard theme park for grandkids

<p>A grandpa has created a magical Disney-inspired theme park in his backyard for his lucky grandkids to enjoy.</p> <p>Steve Dobbs, 68, of Fullerton, California, has built his very own backyard theme park, aptly named Dobbsland. The amusement park has everything a kid could desire: a 30 metre-long working roller coaster, a “Sleeping Princess” castle and a “Winifred-the-Poof” ride, just to name a few.</p> <p>“He’s always wanted to build a ride at Disneyland,” Dobbs’ daughter, Cori Linder, told <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/grandpa-builds-disneyland-inspired-backyard-theme-park-grandkids/story?id=40276633" target="_blank">ABC News.</a></strong></span> “He’s such a visionary and I love that and he was like, ‘Why not build it in my backyard for my grandkids?’”</p> <p>For Dobbs, a retired Boeing aerospace engineer who now teaches engineering at university, it was an easily accomplished task.</p> <p>“He hadn’t ever planned on doing a theme park,” said Linder. “He had my kids over and thought, ‘How can I keep them entertained and make it fun and get their imagination going?’ He put them in this whole fantasy type of thing as pirates. It was very homegrown. I don’t think he ever thought he’d build a theme park, he just got carried away and more grandkids came and it’s just magical.”</p> <p>Dobbsland kept growing and eventually Dobbs enlisted the help of his students at California State Polytechnic University in Pomona. Together they created the “Madderhorn Roller Coaster” out of PVC plastic pipe, which can run at an impressive 20kmph.</p> <p>“It was done in May. He had a launch party,” Linder said. “He had a guy certify it as a legit roller coaster.”</p> <p>Dobbsland also boasts working teacups that spin, an airplane learning station, a car land and a “Finding Nemo”-esque submarine.</p> <p>So what do they grandkids think of their personal amusemenet park?</p> <p> “They love it,” said Linder. “They just see him as the most creative person in the world. He wanted all his grandkids to have that magical experience. My kids aren’t even surprised. They’ve grown up with this very creative grandfather.”</p> <p>She added: “To me what’s really inspirational about this whole story is that, here’s a guy who’s accomplished a lot in his life and he’s still finding the joy in giving that experience to others. He didn’t do this for himself. To create that experience for people to remember and celebrate, you see the joy on his face watching people enjoy it, and that to me is timeless and absolutely precious.”</p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/06/having-a-sibling-makes-boys-selfless/"><em>Having a sibling makes boys selfless</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/06/sibling-rivalries-in-my-childhood-shaped-who-i-am-today/"><em>Sibling rivalries in my childhood shaped who I am today</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/05/kids-are-the-worst-instagram/"><em>In pictures: Kids behaving badly</em></a></strong></span></p> <p> </p>

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Australia may be getting a Disneyland

<p>If you've ever wanted to take the grandkids to the "Happiest Place on Earth" but been unable to do so due to distance or cost, you maybe in luck!</p> <p>New reports suggest our neighbours could be getting their very own Disneyland, after China's richest man Wang Jianlin obtained land rights in Coomera on the Gold Coast.</p> <p>While he hasn't yet commented on rumours that the site will become a Disney park, General Manager of Jianlin's company Wanda, Xie Hong, told the Gold Coast Bulletin that the site is perfect for a multi-million dollar attraction.</p> <p>"Wanda in Australia has already acquired the biggest cinema company in the country and theme parks are one of the things Wanda wants to invest in in the future," Hong said.. "It is Wanda's intention to set a theme park up on the Gold Coast but this major project is still under negotiation with the State Government."</p> <p>Here's hoping Mickey and his pals will be making Australia home in the near future!</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/travel/international-travel/2016/06/disney-world-zika-virus/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Experts warn against visiting Disney World due to Zika fears</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/05/teaser-for-disneys-beauty-and-the-beast-live-action/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Teaser trailer for Disney’s new “Beauty and the Beast” film has people in awe</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/05/twitter-campaign-to-make-elsa-first-lgbti-disney-princess/"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Twitter petition to make Frozen’s Elsa Disney’s first LGBTI princess</strong></span></em></a></p>

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Disneyland's Star Wars attraction takes over park

<p>Disneyland will have to shut down 10 attractions to make way for its unprecedented Star Wars expansion.</p> <p>In August, The Walt Disney Company chairman and chief executive Bob Iger announced the empire's plan to open Star Wars-themed lands at its parks in Anaheim, California and Orlando, Florida.</p> <p>Iger said the ambitious plan to bring Star Wars to life included creating Disney's largest single-themed expansion at 14 acres (5.7 hectares) each.</p> <p>"We are creating a jaw-dropping new world that represents our largest single themed land expansion ever," he said.</p> <p>"These new lands at Disneyland and Walt Disney World will transport guests to a whole new Star Wars planet, including an epic Star Wars adventure that puts you in the middle of a climactic battle between the First Order and the Resistance."</p> <p>But in order to make way for the expansion, Disney will be shutting down a chunk of its Anaheim park, the Los Angeles Times reported.</p> <p>In January, 10 attractions and eateries will close - some temporarily and some permanently, according to the Los Angeles Times.</p> <p>The news comes only a few months after the resort hiked the price of its annual passes as much as 31 per cent.</p> <p>Meanwhile, Disneyland's biggest rival, Universal Studios Hollywood, plans to unveil its much-anticipated Harry Potter attraction early next year.</p> <p>Disneyland's Tomorrowland section has already undergone changes to incorporate special effects from the recently released Star Wars: The Force Awakens into its Space Mountain and Star Tours rides.</p> <p>Other recently added attractions like the Jedi Training Centre had also proved a hit with fans both young and old.</p> <p>First appeared on <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/www.Stuff.co.nz" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz</a></strong></span>.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2016/01/sheep-missing-six-years-finally-gets-sheared/"><strong>Lost sheep has 20 kilos of wool shorn at first haircut in 6 years</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2016/01/horses-photobombing-people/"><strong>7 hilarious photographs of horses photobombing people</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2016/01/girl-tries-to-scam-extra-holiday-with-letter/"><strong>Girl tries to scam extra week's holiday with fake letter</strong></a></em></span></p>

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The secrets of Disneyland revealed

<p>While continuing to delight visitors as the so-called "happiest place on earth" there are some quirky historical features about the original Disneyland. From secret clubs to urban myths, quite a few surprising facts lurk in Walt’s first magic playground.</p> <p><strong>A secret, private apartment exists above the Fire Department in Town Square –</strong> This was used as an actual residence of Walt Disney and his family when they stayed at the park, complete with a changing room, a front room with fold-out couches, a bathroom, a kitchen, and an outside lounge. A lamp in the window is kept eternally lit in respect and remembrance of the theme park creator.</p> <p><strong>There’s a secret club –</strong> Club 33 is one of the most elite and exclusive clubs in the world with a waiting list more than 10 years long. Built to host celebrities and dignitaries it costs $36,500 to join and another $14,400 a year to maintain memberships. Found in the New Orleans section behind an unassuming green door, Club 33 is the only place in the park where alcohol can be served, and it has a bar and restaurant designed around a plantation mansion.</p> <p><strong>Cats roam the park at night –</strong> Stray cats used to come to Disneyland to prey on discarded food scraps but now they are a permanent fixture used to keep rodents at bay. At night the wild cats are let loose among the rides preying on mice and rats, although it’s not unusual to see them during the day. The park has dedicated feeding stations for the cats and to help keep their population in check they neuter adult cats and put any kittens found up for adoption.</p> <p><strong>There’s a basketball court at the top of the Matterhorn –</strong> Most Disneyland goers will know the Matterhorn as a towering 45-metre mountain that has a roller-coaster ride twisting down the giant peak. But what most people don't know is that at the top of the mountain is a basketball court for workers and rock climbers to shoot hoops on their break. It’s hidden inside the mountain facade so you’d never know it was there.</p> <p><strong>Employees weren’t allowed to grow moustaches until 2000 –</strong> Walt Disney’s signature moustache was an American icon but ironically, Walt wanted his staff clean-shaven. For 43 years Disney staff were banned from growing facial hair until March 2000 when the company relaxed its rules. However management didn’t like the new stubbly look and amended the rules again so that in order to have a moustache, Disney employees must either have them when hired or grow them when on holidays.</p> <p><strong>Main Street used to have a lingerie shop –</strong> There's an elevated porch on the Eastern side of the street that originally belonged to the Intimate Apparel Shop (alternatively called the Corset Shop), which carried racy offerings like strapless Whirlpool bras. It only lasted from 1955 to 56.</p> <p><strong>There's an abandoned mine shaft in Frontierland –</strong> And until 1977, it was actually in service as part of the Rainbow Cavern’s Mine Train, a cargo-car train that would take you on a journey through the Frontierland wilderness and into a cave with neon-colored waterfalls, and glowing pools of luminescent water.</p> <p><strong>The drawbridge to Sleeping Beauty Castle  actually works –</strong> It's been raised only twice: once on Opening Day, and again for a rededication in 1983.</p> <p> </p>

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