Yes, I think I prefer Disney's version of them too, even tough it's hard to compare the original story with the movie like that. Esmeralda was always one of my favorite Disney characters when I was a kid.

Yes, it seems like it's getting better - apparently the volcano has calmed down (or well, entered another phase of the eruption), and the ash is drifting away (at least that's what the latest reports said) even if things remain pretty uncertain. Most airports are open now, but the situation's still chaotic for all the travellers that have been stuck, and enormous amounts of money have been lost. It will probably take a while before things calm down, even if the volcano activity stops soon.