Walt Disney Co.

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Man Says Disney Stole His Work to Make Moana
Jury Rejects Claim That
Disney Stole Moana
UPDATED
Mar 10, 2025 5:16 PM CDT

Jury Rejects Claim That Disney Stole Moana

Writer, animator said filmmakers lifted his ideas from 'Bucky the Surfer Boy' script

(Newser) - A jury on Monday quickly rejected a man's claim that Disney's Moana was stolen from his story of a young surfer in Hawaii. The federal jury deliberated for less than three hours before deciding that the creators of Moana never had access to writer and animator Buck Woodall'...

Disney Accuses Employee of Dangerous Menu Changes

Fired employee listed foods as free of peanuts when they weren't, complaint says

(Newser) - As a menu production manager at Walt Disney World, Michael Scheuer was responsible for creating and publishing menus for all of the company's restaurants. A federal criminal complaint says that after he was fired in June for misconduct, Scheuer hacked the company's menu-creating software to show that some...

Man's Free Disney+ Trial Now a Headache After Wife's Death

Company says man whose wife died after eating at restaurant agreed in streaming contract not to sue

(Newser) - A widower suing the Walt Disney Co. over his wife's death in a restaurant at one of the company's Florida entertainment complexes has discovered there's a wrench in his complaint—all because he took advantage years earlier of a free trial of the Disney+ streaming service.
  • Death:
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'Most Expensive Corporate Proxy Fight' Ever Is Over

Peltz loses bid for board seats after expensive proxy battle

(Newser) - Disney held its annual shareholder meeting Wednesday—and CEO Bob Iger prevailed in a long-running battle over board seats. Shareholders voted to re-elect all 12 of the company-backed board members, including Iger, Variety reports. They rejected a slate that included activist investor Nelson Peltz of investment firm Trian Partners and...

Deal Ends Disney's Legal Battles in Florida

Company, DeSantis allies welcome 'new chapter'

(Newser) - The long-running legal battle between Disney and allies of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is over—in the Florida courts, at least. The board of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, installed by DeSantis to oversee Disney's special tax district, has agreed to a settlement that will end numerous legal...

Disneyland Looking to Make Big Changes

Disney wants to expand California theme parks, without expanding footprint

(Newser) - Walking through the frosty, snow-covered hamlet of Arendelle from Frozen or the bustling, critter-filled metropolis of Zootopia might be possible one day for visitors to Disney's California theme parks, the AP reports. That's only if Disney wins approval from local officials to expand its Anaheim resort over the...

One of Disney's Most Lucrative Characters: the 'Disney Adult'
A Look at What Makes
'Disney Adults' Tick
longform
Mar 3, 2024 9:30 AM CST

A Look at What Makes 'Disney Adults' Tick

'New Statesman' notes many are unwitting creations of the company itself

(Newser) - If you want to start a surefire online debate, mention the idea of "Disney adults." You know, those who regularly visit the parks sans children or remain superfans of the movies, merchandise, and characters well past childhood. Critics will say they need to grow up and get a...

Disney Announces 'Biggest Entry Ever Into World of Games'

Company is investing $1.5B in Fortnite maker Epic Games

(Newser) - The Walt Disney Co. said Wednesday it is paying $1.5 billion for a stake in Fortnite maker Epic Games, working with the game developer to create a "games and entertainment universe" that will feature games, shows, and characters from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, Avatar, and more. "...

Disney's Florida Suit Is Tossed
Disney's Florida Suit Is Tossed
Jan 31, 2024 4:13 PM CST

Disney's Florida Suit Is Tossed

Company suggests it will appeal ruling in First Amendment case

(Newser) - A federal judge threw out Disney's First Amendment lawsuit against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday, finding that the company doesn't have legal standing to bring the case against the governor and the secretary of the state's Commerce Department. And the suit against members of the board...

Disney Relents After Players Say They Want Their ESPN

US Open competitors were unable to watch their rivals play because of Disney-Charter lockout

(Newser) - A lot of people complained when Disney cut off its ESPN programming from Charter Spectrum last week during a dispute over fees. But the company was listening when tennis stars such as Coco Gauff and Daniil Medvedev publicly objected to not being able to watch their rivals' matches at the...

ESPN Cuts Top Commentators
ESPN Cuts Top Commentators
Jun 30, 2023 4:43 PM CDT

ESPN Cuts Top Commentators

NBA analyst Jeff Van Gundy is among on-air employees laid off

(Newser) - About 20 of ESPN's most prominent on-air commentators are being laid off as part of cutbacks by Disney, the network's owner. Those who lost their jobs include Jeff Van Gundy, Jalen Rose, Max Kellerman, Steve Young, Suzy Kolber, Keyshawn Johnson, Ashley Brewer, Todd McShay, and LaPhonso Ellis. "...

Miami Herald Editorial: We Hope Nation Is Watching

Newspaper blames governor for loss of huge Disney development, but not all agree

(Newser) - Disney has pulled the plug on a $1 billion project in Florida, and most (but by no means all) see the company's ongoing feud with Gov. Ron DeSantis as the primary reason. That feud, of course, started last year when the company criticized the state education law that detractors...

Disney Cancels $1B Office Plan for Florida

Iger had suggested company could cut back during feud with DeSantis

(Newser) - After CEO Bob Iger hinted last week that the company might do something like this, given what it sees as the hard time Gov. Ron DeSantis is giving it, Disney dropped its plans to build a $1 billion office complex in Florida. Josh D'Amaro, the head of theme parks,...

DeSantis' Disney Fight Worries Republicans


Did DeSantis
Miscalculate
Against
Disney?
the rundown
Apr 28, 2023 12:24 PM CDT

Did DeSantis Miscalculate Against Disney?

Even fellow Republicans are questioning his escalating fight against the company

(Newser) - Now that Disney has fired back in a big way at Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a common theme in coverage has emerged, one that questions whether DeSantis has taken on too big of a fight ahead of his expected entry into the 2024 race. He may well prove the naysayers...

Disney-DeSantis Feud Hits Next Level: Disney Sues

Entertainment giant alleges 'targeted campaign of government retaliation'

(Newser) - The Disney-DeSantis feud just leveled up in a big way. The Walt Disney company filed a federal lawsuit against the Florida governor on Wednesday, alleging he waged a "targeted campaign of government retaliation" after the company opposed the so-called "Don't Say Gay" bill last year, reports CNBC...

Disney Has a Big Surprise for DeSantis

Surprise language in 11th-hour deal effectively wrests power away from Florida governor's board

(Newser) - Last month, Ron DeSantis declared himself the "new sheriff in town" at Disney World, after he hand-picked members for a board that oversees what was formerly known as the Reedy Creek Improvement District, the special tax district for Disney's Orlando-area theme parks. His move came amid a contentious...

Disney Has Another Throwdown for DeSantis

Company to host major LGBTQ conference in September

(Newser) - Ron DeSantis' very public battle with Walt Disney World continues, now with another move by the latter to support LGBTQ rights. Disney World will be hosting a major summit from Sept. 11-14 to help boost lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights in the workplace, with execs and team members from...

Disney Boss: Prices Got Too High at Theme Parks

But Disney+ should have cost more at rollout, Iger says

(Newser) - The head of the Walt Disney Co. has conceded that theme park admission prices might have gotten a little out of hand—under his predecessor. "I always believed that Disney was a brand that needs to be accessible," Bob Iger said at a conference Thursday, Deadline reports. "...

Man Who Worked for Disney Longer Than Anyone Has Died

Burny Mattinson was set to receive company's first 70-year service award

(Newser) - Disney's longest-serving employee—an animator, writer, and director who worked on films ranging from 1955's Lady and the Tramp to 2022's Strange World—has died. Burny Mattinson, described by CEO Bob Iger as a "legend" and "a true icon" of Disney Animation, died Monday at...

DeSantis Takes Control Over Disney District

Florida governor moved against company after it objected to parental rights legislation

(Newser) - Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday savored his victory over the Walt Disney Co., selecting new members of a governing board under legislation he sought after the company objected to a parental rights bill he favored last year. "Today, the corporate kingdom finally comes to an end," the...

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