Gabrielle Russon
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gabriellerusson.bsky.social
Gabrielle Russon
@gabriellerusson.bsky.social
120 followers 120 following 38 posts
Freelance writer in Orlando. Uncovering stories nobody else is telling on the theme parks beat. Writes also about politics, true crime & education. Ex-Orlando Sentinel biz reporter. Proud but pudgy 27X marathoner. Mom of 3 littles. Sparty on!
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gabriellerusson.bsky.social
Disney doesn't want the public to see the food testing results in the wrongful death lawsuit after a woman died from her severe food allergies. She died after her dinner at a popular Disney Springs restaurant.

floridapolitics.com/archives/761...
Disney wants to keep food testing results confidential in wrongful death lawsuit
A widower's lawyer accused Disney and Raglan Road of being heavy-handed in trying to keep records confidential.
floridapolitics.com
October 28, 2025 at 3:25 PM
gabriellerusson.bsky.social
No jail time, but a European vacation (and probation) for the man who left his puppies in his car at Disney Springs last May.

floridapolitics.com/archives/762...
Man gets probation and goes on vacation after leaving his puppies in Disney Springs parking garage
One of the puppies was euthanized after it got tangled up and nearly suffocated in a collapsible crate in his car filled with bags and clothes.
floridapolitics.com
October 28, 2025 at 3:24 PM
gabriellerusson.bsky.social
I'm posting some recently #DisneyWorld scoops gleamed from public records.
October 28, 2025 at 3:23 PM
gabriellerusson.bsky.social
Even in the Disney World bubble, you can't escape the heat. Dozens feel sick in heat wave last month in Orlando.

floridapolitics.com/archives/753...
Even in the Disney World bubble, you can’t escape the heat. Dozens feel sick in heat wave
People in distress during July's heat wave include a baby at Epcot and an 81-year-old woman at Disney Springs.
floridapolitics.com
September 2, 2025 at 6:21 PM
gabriellerusson.bsky.social
Woman sues after Disney World stampede last year caused by false active shooter

My latest story:

floridapolitics.com/archives/748...
Woman sues after Disney World stampede last year caused by false active shooter
Fear of an active shooter sparked Disney World attendees to panic and run at the Magic Kingdom last year.
floridapolitics.com
July 25, 2025 at 8:45 PM
gabriellerusson.bsky.social
3 Epic Universe visitors were hospitalized since the park opened.

My story on the latest theme park injury report.

floridapolitics.com/archives/747...
State report: 3 Epic Universe visitors were hospitalized, guests got sick at Universal, Disney, SeaWorld
Millions of Spring Breakers and Summer vacationers traveled to the theme park capital of the world from April through June.
floridapolitics.com
July 16, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Reposted by Gabrielle Russon
scottfist.bsky.social
Very proud of my former colleague, friend, and Roofball adversary Gabrielle Russon, named one of three finalists for Journalist of the Year in Florida, in the SPJ Sunshine State Awards. @gabriellerusson.bsky.social
Congrats Gabby! Great work does get recognized.
Sunshine State finalists 2025
Here’s the list. Winners will be announced in September in downtown Fort Lauderdale.
spjflorida.com
June 26, 2025 at 8:45 PM
gabriellerusson.bsky.social
My weird little scoop today. Did Margaritaville fall victim to an email scam over its CEO's $1M bonus?

floridapolitics.com/archives/738...
Did Margaritaville fall victim to an email scam targeting its CEO’s bonus money?
Prosecutors won't comment, but clues abound.
floridapolitics.com
May 14, 2025 at 9:10 PM
gabriellerusson.bsky.social
Disney Cruise Line settles lawsuit over man dying after having stroke on Disney Dream

floridapolitics.com/archives/737...
Disney Cruise Line settles lawsuit over man dying after having stroke on Disney Dream
The terms of the settlement are not disclosed in court documents.
floridapolitics.com
May 14, 2025 at 11:43 AM
gabriellerusson.bsky.social
#WaltDisneyWorld planned the most magical princess party for some girls who needed it the most.

My latest story:

floridapolitics.com/archives/737...
Disney World throws a party for the ages for Make-A-Wish kids
Every year, about 8,000 Make-A-Wish kids come to Disney World, but the recent Princess Ball was only the second time Disney World hosted an elaborate group party.
floridapolitics.com
May 10, 2025 at 1:01 PM
gabriellerusson.bsky.social
Vekoma, which built #DisneyWorld favorites, opens office in downtown Orlando and plans to keep expanding.

floridapolitics.com/archives/737...
Vekoma, which built Disney World favorites, opens office in Orlando
'This is the place to be for theme parks,' an executive said.
floridapolitics.com
May 7, 2025 at 10:51 PM
gabriellerusson.bsky.social
Disney's legal fight over Disney Genie hasn't gotten a ton of media attention. There was a ruling in Disney's favor this week. Here's my write-up diving deeper in the world of patent law!

floridapolitics.com/archives/733...
Disney wins big victory in Genie dispute in a complicated legal fight
Disney was sued by a pair of former employees who accused The Mouse of patent infringement.
floridapolitics.com
April 19, 2025 at 6:33 PM
gabriellerusson.bsky.social
Disney employee fired after having a three-hour panic attack during labor talks, a pill found, new federal lawsuit says

floridapolitics.com/archives/727...
Disney employee fired after panic attack during labor talks, a pill found, lawsuit says
Kilgore had been involved in negotiating with several Disney unions.
floridapolitics.com
March 21, 2025 at 6:22 PM
gabriellerusson.bsky.social
Bob Iger faces shareholder questions on Disney World crowds, ticket prices, Figment and more during Thursday's annual shareholders meeting. My story:

floridapolitics.com/archives/727...
Bob Iger faces shareholder questions on Disney World crowds, ticket prices, Figment and more
The annual shareholder's meeting is a time for Iger to face questions about theme parks.
floridapolitics.com
March 21, 2025 at 2:09 PM
gabriellerusson.bsky.social
This coaster looks cool!

Disney teases what you’ll see on Cars and Monsters, Inc. rides during SXSW talk.

floridapolitics.com/archives/725...
Disney teases what you’ll see on Cars and Monsters, Inc. rides during SXSW
One of the coasters will have two features never seen before at a Disney theme park.
floridapolitics.com
March 8, 2025 at 7:28 PM
gabriellerusson.bsky.social
I've been covering this Disney wrongful death lawsuit since the beginning. My latest story.

floridapolitics.com/archives/725...
In Disney wrongful death lawsuit, widower fights for restaurant records
It’s unlikely the public will ever see any of these records.
floridapolitics.com
March 7, 2025 at 6:39 PM
gabriellerusson.bsky.social
Court documents tell the story. My latest for Florida Politics.

floridapolitics.com/archives/721...
Pro-Palestinian protester arrested in Orlando fights to return to UCF
Christopher Gibson’s legal problems came as Florida schools were caught up in cultural wars and pro-Palestinian protests.
floridapolitics.com
February 18, 2025 at 3:18 PM
gabriellerusson.bsky.social
I am both excited and terrified to watch this because I am in it.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGB0...
Stolen Kingdom | Official Trailer
YouTube video by Bright Sun Films
www.youtube.com
February 15, 2025 at 3:30 PM
gabriellerusson.bsky.social
I have an interesting scoop on the higher ed beat today.

UCF professor was suspended after a night of partying with students. His defense? He didn't recall behaving inappropriately. The school says he might have been too drunk to remember.

floridapolitics.com/archives/719...
UCF professor was suspended after a night of partying with students
The investigative report said another faculty member had warned Berman about drinking with students.
floridapolitics.com
February 6, 2025 at 8:06 PM
gabriellerusson.bsky.social
If you're in the mood to binge true crime, all 3 parts are officially out for my Court Junkie series w/ @jillianjalali.bsky.social!

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c...
Court Junkie
True Crime Podcast · 4 Seasons · Updated Weekly
podcasts.apple.com
February 4, 2025 at 8:51 PM
gabriellerusson.bsky.social
Walt Disney World's government settles a lawsuit for $50K after A paralyzed boy was injured getting out of a Magic Kingdom coaster when the ride broke.

My story:

floridapolitics.com/archives/718...
Disney World's government settles ride evacuation injury lawsuit for $50K
The family sued in 2022 for a claim of more than $100,000.
floridapolitics.com
January 31, 2025 at 5:20 PM
gabriellerusson.bsky.social
Sad news out of Legoland today.

floridapolitics.com/archives/717...
Legoland Florida guts entertainment department with 234 layoffs
Out of the employees losing their jobs, about 75% are performers.
floridapolitics.com
January 25, 2025 at 9:57 PM
gabriellerusson.bsky.social
My story: The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Orlando at SeaWorld canceled the Arab America Foundation's annual conference in 2023. The feds sued, calling it discrimination.

floridapolitics.com/archives/716...
Lawsuit: Orlando hotel canceled Arab foundation's event over Middle East conflict
'My vote is forget softening, cancel the event and deal with any repercussions,' the general manager texted.
floridapolitics.com
January 17, 2025 at 7:31 PM
gabriellerusson.bsky.social
Jurassic World VelociCoaster, which launches riders 70 mph in less than three seconds, was the ride with the most reported incidents this quarter, the state report showed.

My story:

floridapolitics.com/archives/715...
Disney World, Universal Orlando report guests' injuries in late 2024
The state report is one of the rare areas where theme parks disclose information on visitors' injuries.
floridapolitics.com
January 15, 2025 at 7:10 PM
gabriellerusson.bsky.social
The plea deal has new details about the havoc a disgruntled ex Disney World employee caused hacking the restaurant menus. "Nearly every menu in the system was impacted."

floridapolitics.com/archives/715...
Ex-Disney World employee pleads guilty to hacking menu
Because of the cyberattack, the menu system was down for days at one of the biggest tourism attractions in the world.
floridapolitics.com
January 11, 2025 at 2:09 PM