Plans for a Virgin Trains USA station at Walt Disney World have gone beyond the memorandum of understanding signed between the two companies last year, according to an article from the Orlando Business Journal.
In November 2019, Disney and Virgin Trains (which is in the process of rebranding from its old name of Brightline), confirmed that they were in talks for a station at Disney World as part of a line between Tampa and Orlando International Airport, with a connection to Miami’s seaport. The idea of a Disney World station was discussed even earlier under the Brightline name.
OBJ reported that a monthly revenue and ridership report from Virgin Trains said the expansion Disney World would be the first phase in building a route to Tampa. By connecting Disney World and PortMiami, the report said “cruise passengers would more conveniently be able to supplement their cruise voyage with a visit to Disney theme parks.”
It’s not the first time a direct rail connection to Disney World has been proposed. The Orlando Sentinel reported in 1986 that Japanese National Railways wanted to build a 310-mph train system to Orlando International Airport — a plan that was never realized.
Secret “Chewie mode” reportedly uncovered on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
A Disneyland YouTuber claims to have found secret mode on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run that lets Chewbacca’s voice take over the typical ride experience.
According to a video from Fresh Baked Disney, the secret requires cooperation from everyone in the Falcon’s cockpit, beginning with pilots pushing their controls all the way up, down, left, or right (depending on their position) and hitting their activation button. Gunners and engineers then need to hit white buttons on their consoles before activating their own positions — and all of this must take place before the Disney employee checks everyone’s seatbelts and hit their own cast member activation button.
If done correctly, according to Fresh Baked’s video, Hondo Ohnaka’s voice on the Falcon ride will be replaced by the inscrutable howls of Chewbacca.
ComicBook.com, WDW News Today and Blog Mickey have reported on the sequence, but their articles rely solely on the claims in the original YouTube video. Orlando Rising has not verified whether this “Chewie Mode” sequences works — or even if the mode exists — and as YouTube is a platform, not a news site, it does not verify information presented in its videos by users.
Icon Park offers new all-for-one pass
Icon Park on International Drive has introduced a new one-day that combines access to all its attractions for one price.
The $65 Icon Park Play Pass includes one entry to Madame Tussauds Orlando and Sea Life Orlando Aquarium, as well as one ride on The Wheel (formerly known as the Orlando Eye), Orlando Starflyer, Pearl Express Train, and 7D Dark Ride Adventure.
Additionally, the pass comes with a $5 credit at Arcade City and discounts at Icon Park shopping and dining locations, including Shake Shack and Sunglass Boutique.
Customers have 30 days after purchase to use all the benefits.
“Whether you’re a tourist or a local, our new Play Pass is the perfect way to experience Icon Park Park,” park president and CEO Chris Jaskiewicz said in a press release. “We have so much to offer at ICON Park and we are eager to share our attractions, restaurants and shops. The Play Pass is a fun and affordable option for everyone.”
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