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Ears the News: February 13, 2021 Edition

 Ears the News

Brought to you by our friends at WDWMagic.com


2021 Taste of EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival Preparations

 2021 Taste of EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival preparations

Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com 


In preparation for the 2021 Taste of the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival, the horticulture team has been busy installing beautiful displays.  The festival starts on March 3rd.

Reports suggest that the White House is considering domestic travel bans to Florida amid steeply rising U.K. variant COVID-19 cases in the state

Some news outlets are reporting that the White House is considering a domestic travel ban to Florida because of the rising of the  COVID-19 mutation cases.  The B.1.1.7 strain is surging in Florida.  Cases are doubling every 9 days and counts for 15% of all new COVID cases in Florida.  Florida is leading the case numbers in the United States.  

The Biden administration is concerned because the U.K. strain is more transmissible than the original COVID-19 virus strain.  It is unlikely that the Governor, Ron DeSantis will support any restrictions on travel to Florida.  

Guests are returning to Walt Disney World in greater numbers, but restrictions may be coming
Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com

Patina Restaurant Group is not hiring Cultural Representatives for the Italy pavilion at EPCOT

There has been reports that the Italy pavilion was recruiting cast members for the Disney's cultural representative program at EPCOT.  According to Patina Restaurant Group, this is not true.  The group is not hiring for the Italy pavilion.

Via Napoli is one of the Patina Restaurant Group's restaurants at EPCOT
Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com

Bob Chapek comments on Walt Disney World's growing attendance and mask use but no opening dates for upcoming attractions


Attendance from Q4 to Q1 has grown due to the increased of capacity at the parks and the wanting to visit Walt Disney World's theme parks.  Bob Chapek thanks the WDW industrial engineering for installing plexiglass dividers on many attractions.  Capacity is capped at 35% says CFO Christine McCarthy.    Capacity will be driven by rates of vaccination but we can expect to see mask wearing and social distancing through the remainder of the year.   Chapek expects masks and social distancing to be hopefully gone by 2022.  

Remy's Ratatouille Adventure, Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind, Harmonious and Galactic Starcruiser were mentioned as coming, however, no opening dates were given.

An opening date for Remy's Ratatouille Adventure was not given today
Photo courtesy of WDWMagic.com

Walt Disney Company reports Q1 2021 Earnings

Like many companies, the 2021 first quarter earnings report from The Walt Disney Company continues to show the effects of the COVID-19 shutdown and reduced capacity at the theme parks.  According to WDWMagic.com, "The total net adverse impact of COVID-19 on the Disney Parks, Experiences and Product segment operating income in the quarter was approximately $2.6 billion.  Revenue at the segment fell 53% to 3/58 billion.  Revenue was $16.25 billion vs $15.9 billion expected, and stock was up 1.5% as a result.  The star performed continues to be Disney+ which now has 95 million paying subscribers."

Walt Disney World began its phased reopening on July 11 2020Disney's theme parks were closed for nearly 4 months and have reopened with capacity restrictions

Photos courtesy of WDWMagic.com

The full earnings report can be accessible through this link.  Here is the statement from the Parks, Experiences and Products department:

Disney Parks, Experiences and Products revenues for the quarter decreased 53% to $3.6 billion, and segment operating results decreased $2.6 billion to a loss of $119 million. Lower operating results for the quarter were due to decreases at both the domestic and international parks and experiences businesses.

As a result of COVID-19, Disneyland Resort was closed and our cruise business was suspended in the current quarter. Disneyland Paris closed on October 30, 2020 and Hong Kong Disneyland Resort closed on December 2, 2020. Walt Disney World Resort and Shanghai Disney Resort were open in the current quarter. Our parks and resorts that were open during the quarter operated at significantly reduced capacities.

At our consumer products business, operating income growth was driven by an increase in games licensing revenue reflecting the release of Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales.
We estimate the total net adverse impact of COVID-19 on segment operating income in the quarter was approximately $2.6 billion.


Elisa loves helping others create magical memories with their family and friends. You can email Elisa at elisa@kingdomkonsultant.com. 


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