Mickey Mouse at Walt Disney World in 2020. (Photo by Kent Phillips/Walt Disney World Resort via Getty Images)The treacherous politics of DeSantis versus Disney. Continue reading Mouse Trap »
Publication: disney
Truth or Fiction?→ Disney ‘Pulls Plug’ on Billion Dollar Florida Campus
On May 18 2023, a flurry of posts about Disney “pulling the plug” on a billion-dollar planned investment began appearing across social media, with popular posts on r/politics and r/LeopardsAteMyFace (twice): Disney Pulls Plug on
The Dispatch→ Rivals Ding DeSantis on Disney Dispute
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis gives a speech during the Jerusalem Post conference April 27, 2023. (Photo by Amir Levy/Getty Images)Plus: Who will Wisconsin Republicans get to challenge Sen. Tammy Baldwin?Continue reading Rivals Ding DeSantis on Disney Disp
The Dispatch→ Did Ron Get Rolled?
(Photo by Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images)He fights! But does he win?Continue reading Did Ron Get Rolled? »
Truth or Fiction?→ DeSantis, Disney, and the ‘Rule Against Perpetuities’
On March 29 2023, two popular posts on Reddit referenced a conflict between Disney and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), part of broader discourse involving a “rule against perpetuities.” Background In April 2022, we published a fact check abo
Snopes→ Malaysia: Disney Refused to Cut Gay Scenes in ‘Lightyear’
Malaysia's film censors said that it was Disney's decision to ax the animated film “Lightyear” from the country's cinemas after refusing to cut scenes promoting homosexuality.
Snopes→ Was Johnny Depp Offered ‘$301M Disney Deal’ for ‘Pirates’ Return?
We looked into the origins of a rumor alleging that Depp was being offered a deal worth $301 million for a new "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie and a Disney Plus series.
Snopes→ Disney Government in Dark About Effect of Law Dissolving It
Officials said they were still confused about what the new legislation meant, even as some ripple effects were starting to be felt.
Snopes→ Disney Government Dissolution Bill Signed by DeSantis
The law would eliminate the Reedy Creek Improvement District, as the 55-year-old Disney government is known, as well as a handful of other similar districts by June 2023.
Truth or Fiction?→ Florida, Disney, and Taxes
On April 21 2022, several news organizations reported that Florida revoked Disney’s tax status in retaliation for the company’s position on the “Don’t Say Gay” (formally called the Parental Rights in Education) bill —
Snopes→ Florida Gov DeSantis Pushes to End Disney Self-Government
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis asked the Legislature to repeal a law allowing Walt Disney World to operate a private government over its properties in the state.
FactCheck.org→ Posts Spread Unfounded Claims About Disney Company’s Financial Health
Quick Take The Disney Company opposed Florida’s “Parental Rights in Education” law, also referred to by critics as “Don’t Say Gay.” Disney’s actions sparked calls from conservatives for a boycott of Disney R
Snopes→ 350K Disney+ Cancellations? Evidence-Free Rumor Spreads Online
Unsourced Facebook posts aren't the most reliable places to find accurate news.
Snopes→ Does Disney Gift Card Feature Hidden Penis?
Some phallic shapes are in the eye of the beholder.
Snopes→ The ‘Aladdin Exception’? No, Aladdin is Not Allowed to Kill Disney Guests
Unlike James Bond, neither the Disney character Aladdin, nor the actors portraying him at Disney parks, has a license to kill.
Snopes→ Was the CEO of Disney Arrested for Child Trafficking?
Four Disney employees were among 108 arrests in a Florida human trafficking sting. But was Disney’s CEO arrested, too?
Snopes→ Was ‘Anastasia’ Removed from Disney+ To Protest Invasion of Ukraine?
The movie "Anastasia" is no longer available on Disney+, but its removal was unrelated to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Snopes→ WATCH: Pixar Releases Trailer for New Buzz Lightyear Flick
The feature film is set to hit theaters in Summer 2022.
Snopes→ Vid Shows Lincoln Animatronic Partially Collapsed at Disney World’s Hall of Presidents
We also found a second video of Lincoln falling at the Hall of Presidents attraction in 1992.
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘The Starlight Barking’
On August 6 2021, the Facebook page “Premium Internet Curation” shared screenshots of a Twitter thread, the latter pertaining to The Starlight Barking — a purportedly bizarre sequel to the book from which 101 Dalmatians was adapted
Snopes→ Was Snow White Originally Named for Her Appearance?
In early July 2021, a debate ensued on TikTok regarding the origins of the name "Snow White" after Disney announced a new live-action movie.
Snopes→ Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Jewel Appears to Fall Off Castle
All that glitters is probably just a broken decoration.
Snopes→ ‘White People at Disney World’: Guests on Broken Down Ride Sing ‘Sweet Caroline’ in Video
"This is like the whitest thing I've ever participated in," said the TikTok user, who was stuck on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in Orlando, Florida.
Snopes→ Live Blog: Happily Ever After Fireworks Return to Disney
The fireworks show returns for park guests at the Magic Kingdom in Orlando tonight after it was stopped for more than a year for the COVID-19 pandemic.
Snopes→ WATCH: Cruella Spots Service Dog in Disneyland, Yells ‘Stop the Car!’
The lighthearted moment was posted by TikTok user @disney.mom.101.
Snopes→ Woman Engaged at Disney World Looking for Man Who Shot Video of the Proposal
Disney fans are banding together to look for park guests who witnessed a proposal in front of Cinderella Castle on Wed., June 23, 2021, at around 5:00 p.m.
Snopes→ Gorillas Find Snake at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Viral Video
The videos were apparently first posted on TikTok, showing part of the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail.
Snopes→ Disney Stores in UK Reportedly Closing
At least one Disney Store in the U.K. was said to remain.
Snopes→ After Pandemic Pause, Avengers Swing, Soar into Disneyland
“We’re excited to finally open up the gates and let everybody in,” Scot Drake, a portfolio creative executive with Walt Disney Imagineering, said at the park.
Snopes→ Did Lea Salonga Say She Was Rejected From a Role for Being Asian?
Salonga's powerhouse vocals have made her a household name.
Truth or Fiction?→ Was Snow White ‘Cancelled’?
On May 3 2021, social media rumors that Snow White was “cancelled” by “woke mobs” began circulating, pushed along by the usual disinformation purveyors: Disneyland Revamps Snow White Ride, Adds Prince Waking Her With A Kiss. F
Snopes→ Does Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion Have a ‘Secret Entrance’?
Perhaps Disneyland has some fun surprises in store for its 2021 reopening after being closed more than a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Beauty and the Beast’ Animatronics at Disneyland Tokyo
On April 23 2021, a Reddit user shared a post (“Disneyland Tokyo is making a Beauty and the Beast ride, the animatronics look insane”) to r/gifs, including a short looping clip of the highly realistic attraction features: Disneyl
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Did You Know Disney Once Considered Building a Park Dedicated Entirely to Villains Called the Dark Kingdom?’
On April 6 2021, a popular Imgur post involved a purported Disney fact — namely that Disney once conceived, then scrapped, plans for a “Dark Kingdom” theme park, with its branding focused around Maleficent’s castle: The Imgur P
Snopes→ Is Tom Hanks’ Brother the Voice of Woody in ‘Toy Story’ Products?
As is bound to happen given shared familial genes, siblings often look and sound alike.
Truth or Fiction?→ Has Disney Canceled ‘Dumbo,’ ‘Peter Pan,’ and ‘The Aristocats?’
On March 9 2021, disinformation purveyor Sean Hannity tweeted at least twice to complain Disney had “canceled” the childrens’ films Dumbo, Peter Pan, and The Aristocats: THE PURGE! Disney Pulls Dumbo, Peter Pan, The Aristocats, Swi
Snopes→ Was ‘Slenderman’ Spotted in Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’?
Beauty and the Beast ... and the supernatural creepypasta character?
Snopes→ Does Tom Brady Hold Record for Getting Paid To Say ‘I’m Going to Disney World’?
Here's the origin story of the famous post-Super Bowl advertising slogan.
Truth or Fiction?→ Is a ‘Firefly’ Reboot Coming To Disney+?
On December 15 2020, rumors of a purported Disney+ Firefly “reboot” that was refashioned to be “family-friendly” spread on social media, with fans of the show registering opinions about the what that might mean: We have ex
Snopes→ Disneyland’s Snow White Grotto Employs an Old Trick
The Snow White figurine arrived at roughly the same height as the dwarves, so Disney found "an ingenious and elegant solution."