La Crêperie de Paris Offers More Casual French Cuisine at EPCOT

 by Beth Keating

Disney, France & the Olympics

August 4, 2024

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With the summer Olympics upon us, maybe you are celebrating the spirit of international competition, and getting a peek at the City of Light has inspired you to think about dining on French cuisine.  If you find yourself in Florida instead of France, you have your pick of three different table service eateries and three other counter service gems to nosh your way through EPCOT’s miniaturized version of Paris.

Disney’s three table service locations showcase the cuisine of chef Jérôme Bocuse, son of the famed restauranteur/chef Paul Bocuse, who brought fine French dining to EPCOT from his homebase in France.  Chefs de France is the glass-fronted cafe-style location facing the EPCOT promenade (see our recent review), and Monsieur Paul is the elegant second floor signature dining spot formerly known as Bistro de Paris.  “Monsieur Paul” was actually chef Paul Bocuse’s nickname - he’s also rumored to have been the inspiration for Chef Gusteau in the Disney animated film Ratatouille. Fitting that his restaurants are just steps from Remy’s ride!  The third restaurant, La Crêperie de Paris, is more casual fare, and one of the newest additions to the France pavilion. Tucked away in the back of the pavilion near Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, La Crêperie serves – yes, you guessed it – a variety of crêpes...

Read the rest of this article at DisneyBizJournal.com.

The French Origin of Disney’s Fairy Tale Films

 by Beth Keating

Disney, France & the Olympics

July 31, 2024

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With the Summer Olympics in full swing in Paris, France, we started talking the other evening of the French origin of many of Disney’s films, particularly some of their animated classics. Actually, the conversation began with Disney’s use of IP, rather than original stories for their movies and rides, and the acknowledgement that from the very early days, Disney wasn’t shy about “repurposing” ideas from other places.  But I digress…

Read the full article at DisneyBizJournal.substack.com.

Is It A Breakfast Stop? Or an After-Dinner Treat?

 by Beth Keating

Disney, France & the Olympics

July 29, 2024

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In the early days of visiting EPCOT, when we’d rope drop with the kids to get to the best rides before everyone else, we’d hit up a ride or two, and then grab breakfast, just as the bigger crowds were streaming into the park.  Usually it was grab-and-go at a quick-serve location, so we could get back to it.  If we were at EPCOT, that sometimes meant Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie in the France Pavilion...

Read the full article at DisneyBizJournal.substack.com.

Two Very Different Shows Take Place in EPCOT’s France Pavilion

 by Beth Keating

Disney, France & the Olympics

July 27, 2024

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Athletes from all over the world have touched down in Paris, France, for the 2024 Summer Olympics. Our family has always invested [inordinate] amounts of time watching the Olympics, and while some of us typically prefer the Winter Games to the summer ones, cheering for our favorite athletes is nonetheless a fun time.  We have, in the past, even set up snacks and meals to match the country hosting the challenges, and have a giant Olympic flag (which we actually purchased in Lake Placid, host to the 1980 games) that graced the living room when the kids were younger.

In the warm-up leading to the Olympics, we headed to the France Pavilion in EPCOT, since an actual trip to France wasn’t in the cards.  We wanted to see the Impressions de France film that has been at the pavilion forever, giving ourselves a preview of the country hosting the athletes.  We hadn’t seen the short movie in a while, and we were surprised to learn that it is now one of two films showing in the theater...

Read the full article at DisneyBizJournal.substack.com. 

With the Olympics Starting in Paris, A Look at Disneyland Paris

 by Ray Keating

Disney, France & the Olympics

July 26, 2024 

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When it comes to watching the Olympics, it’s all about Disney’s competitor Comcast, which owns NBC, the television and streaming home (via Peacock) of the Games. And of course, the Paris Olympics officially kick off on July 26 with the Opening Ceremonies from Paris, including on the River Seine.

 

However, since those of us at DisneyBizJournal enjoy the Olympics, we thought it would be fun to delve into the links between France and Disney throughout the Games. And in this first piece, it’s time to take a look at Disneyland Paris, which opened on April 12, 1992...

Read the entire article at DisneyBizJournal.substack.com and please subscribe today!

Disney Food Review: Fatburger for Lower Cost Dinner Near Disney World

 by Beth Keating

Review

July 25, 2024

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We all know how pricey a dinner at Disney can be, especially if you’re toting a passel of young Jedi along with you (who may, or may not, eat the entrée anyway).  While there are all sorts of “cheats” to try to lower those costs, some folks choose to eat offsite before or after they hit up the parks to keep costs in check.  If you are staying offsite, renting a local Air BnB, and/or have access to a car, there are loads of options within a stone’s throw of Disney that can satisfy for a less expensive meal.

One of the newest additions to the neighborhood is California-based Fatburger, and if you are looking for a quick dinner offsite, but still want something you can’t get at home, you might want to pay the nearby Fatburger a visit...

Read the entire article here – at DisneyBizJournal.substack.com.

Disney and NBA Reach Major 11-Year Deal

 by Ray Keating

News

July 24, 2024 

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The Walt Disney Company and ESPN announced today an agreement with the NBA that will extend their agreement for 11 years.

Read the full article at DisneyBizJournal.substack.com.

Disney and Disneyland Unions Reach Agreement

 by Ray Keating

News

July 24, 2024 

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Well, that didn’t take long. After labor unions representing 14,000 Disneyland employees voted late last week to authorize a strike at some point in the future, The Walt Disney Company and the unions reportedly have come to an agreement.

Read the full article at DisneyBizJournal.substack.com.

When Bad News for Comcast is Bad News for Disney

 by Ray Keating

Analysis

July 23, 2024 

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Yes, Comcast and Disney are rivals in the theme park, resorts, and movie businesses. But sometimes bad news for your competitor is bad news for you as well.

 

Read the full article at DisneyBizJournal.substack.com.

What Does Disney Need from “Deadpool & Wolverine” at the Box Office?

 by Ray Keating

Analysis

July 22, 2024 

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DisneyBizJournal has noted several times that Disney’s inability to control the costs of producing movies has turned several recent potential box office moneymakers into losers.

 

Keeping that in mind, all eyes are on the opening of Deadpool & Wolverine this coming weekend...

Read the full article at DisneyBizJournal.substack.com.

 

Disney’s Labor Union Issues – A Private-Sector Rarity

 by Ray Keating

News/Analysis

July 18, 2024 

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The Walt Disney Company is in the midst of negotiating with assorted labor unions that represent some 14,000 workers at Disneyland in California. And it was reported on late Friday (July 19) that union members overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike. Disney and four unions are in the midst of negotiations, which reportedly resume on July 22-23.

 

Read the full article at DisneyBizJournal.substack.com.

Disney’s Poor Stock Performance

 by Ray Keating

Analysis

DisneyBizJournal.com

July 18, 2024

 

There’s been a good deal of talk about the underperformance of The Walt Disney Company’s stock. Since Disney is a company that seems to get a great deal of criticism – sometimes for good reason and many times without a sound basis – DisneyBizJournal has been overdue in taking a look at the Disney stock over the long haul.

 

It's standard practice to see how a stock performs compared to the market overall. The following chart comes courtesy of PortfoliosLab.com, and it compares the Disney stock price (DIS) versus the S&P 500 Index (as captured by SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)). By the way, these prices are adjusted for stock splits and dividends.

The chart goes back ten years. From July 2014 to March 2021, Disney’s stock largely went along with the S&P 500. However, since March 2021, the divergence has been stunning, with the market climbing higher and Disney declining. Over this ten-year period, as PortfoliosLab noted, “DIS has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 2.19%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 12.93% annualized return.”

 

Over the past five years (see the first chart below from PortfoliosLab.com), the S&P 500 gained 102.8 percent, while Disney declined by 29.5 percent. And over the past year, the S&P was up by 24.1 percent, with Disney experiencing a gain of 12.7 percent (the second chart is below).

Finally, what about stock performance since Bob Iger returned as CEO on November 20, 2022? The S&P has been up 40.5 percent, while Disney’s down by 34 percent.

 

__________

 

Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com; and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries, the Alliance of Saint Michael novels, and assorted nonfiction books. Have Ray Keating speak your group, business, school, church, or organization. Email him at raykeating@keatingreports.com.

 

The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right? Keating also own stock in Disney.

 

The Disney Planner: The TO DO List Solution combines a simple, powerful system for getting things done with encouragement and fun for Disney fans, including those who love Mickey, Marvel, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Pixar, princesses and more.

 

Never miss any new book by Ray Keating by joining the Pastor Stephen Grant Fellowship with Ray Keating at

https://www.patreon.com/pastorstephengrantfellowship.

 

Various books by Ray Keating…

 

• The Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries. There are 19 books in the series now.

 

• The Alliance of Saint Michael novels – Cathedral and Subversion – are at Amazon. 

 

• Order The Weekly Economist III: Another 52 Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist, The Weekly Economist II: 52 More Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist, and The Weekly Economist: 52 Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist at Amazon.com.

 

• Signed editions of Ray’s books are at www.raykeatingbooksandmore.com. 

 

Also, check out Ray’s podcasts – the Daily Dose of Disney, Free Enterprise in Three Minutes, and the PRESS CLUB C Podcast.

DOLE Whip Day Comes to Disney World This Week

 by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

July 17, 2024

 

If DOLE Whip Day isn’t a national holiday, maybe it should be – and I’m NOT including the fake hard-frozen DOLE Whip desserts you can get in your supermarket freezer.  Those just aren’t real DOLE Whip.

Thursday, July 18, marks the fourth annual celebration, which apparently takes place the third Thursday of July each year (who knew?), and this year the dessert-fest runs through July 21. Disney Parks Blog has released a rather extensive Foodie Guide for the DOLE Whip, and it includes the location not only of all the existing offerings, but of a few new treats for this year’s commemoration.

Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

Back in the early days of our vacationing at Disney World, you could only get one flavor of DOLE Whip (pineapple), and it was only available at one location (Aloha Aisle) in the Adventureland section of Magic Kingdom.  So important to our Disney vacations was it that I actually used to carve out space for DOLE Whips in my printed-paper-spreadsheets of our visit for the day, just to make sure we didn’t accidentally miss it.  (Those were the days before phone apps kept track of all these things for you!).

 
Fast forward a few decades, and DOLE Whips have multiplied across the Disney-sphere, with myriad flavors and locations. (We are kind of partial to the coconut flavor as well.). There’s even a newer cherry flavor mixing it up with a pineapple swirl in the far corner of EPCOT at Refreshment Outpost.  We tried it, and found the strong cherry-flavored portion a touch “artificial” tasting, but the pineapple smoothed it out enough that it was a cool and welcoming treat in the middle of a sweltering Florida evening. The cherry was definitely the dominant flavor, though, so if you like cherry, this is the choice for you.  If not, maybe stick with the OG whip.

These days, instead of just a cone or a cup, your DOLE Whip can be served as a more artistic novelty, with colored cones, real flowers, chocolate medallions and embellishments, and cute names like The Lost Princess Cone or the Tropical Serenade. The I Lava You Float, the Orange Bird Float, and the Bathtub Float add in your favorite sodas for the thirst-quenching ride (and yup, it’s actually served in a plastic bathtub dish!)  There are now some DOLE Whip concoctions available in certain table-service restaurants, and you can get your DOLE Whip in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions of some creations. A few confectionary counters even have adorable  “DOLE Whip” cupcakes on the menu.

However you prefer your DOLE Whip (and did you really go to Disney if you didn’t get one?), here is the Foodie Guide for DOLE Whip Day 2024 for the Disney World Resort in Florida. If you find yourself in Disneyland instead, Disney Parks Blog has a section in the Dole Whip Foodie Guide for the west coast, too, as well as for those of you sailing the high seas on the Disney Cruise Line. Just imagine yourself watching the sunset over the ocean while spooning up a scoop of frozen heaven...

Walt Disney World Resort  

Magic Kingdom Park 

Aloha Isle Refreshments (Currently available)  

• DOLE Whip 

• DOLE Whip Float: DOLE Pineapple Juice served with a choice of DOLE Whip, vanilla soft-serve, or swirl (Non-alcoholic) 

• Pineapple Upside-Down Cake served with choice of DOLE Whip, vanilla soft-serve, or swirl  

• DOLE Whip Raspberry Swirl  

• DOLE Whip Raspberry Swirl Float (Non-alcoholic)  

Sunshine Tree Terrace (Currently available, mobile order available)  

• DOLE Whip Orange (Available with vanilla soft-serve swirl)  

• DOLE Whip Strawberry 

• I Lava You Float: Fanta Strawberry and passion fruit flavor served with DOLE Whip orange and topped with popping candy 

• DOLE Whip Float: DOLE Whip or vanilla soft-serve with your choice of assorted beverages (Non-alcoholic)  

Jungle Skipper Navigation Co LTD Skipper Canteen (Currently available)  

• Enchanted Orange Dream: DOLE Whip Orange blended with vanilla soft-serve and served with an orange candy rim (Non-alcoholic)  

Storybook Treats (Currently available)   

• Rapunzel Sundae: Shortcake with DOLE Whip lemon and wild berry soft-serve topped with berry compote and sugar flowers  

• Aurora Cone: DOLE Whip strawberry and blue soft-serve topped with white chocolate crisp pearls in a sugar cone

  

EPCOT 

Refreshment Outpost  

• DOLE Whip (Currently available)  

• DOLE Whip Cherry-Pineapple Swirl (New) (Available July 14 through 21)  

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park  

Tamu Tamu Refreshments (Currently available)  

• DOLE Whip  

• DOLE Whip Float: DOLE Pineapple Juice topped with DOLE Whip (Non-alcoholic) 

• DOLE Whip Pineapple-Orange Soda Float: DOLE Whip with Fanta Orange and strawberry syrup (Non-alcoholic)  

• DOLE Whip with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum  

• DOLE Whip Float: DOLE Whip Pineapple Juice and Parrot Bay Coconut Rum topped with DOLE Whip 

• DOLE Whip Pineapple Hard Cider Float served with ACE Pineapple Hard Cider  

Trilo-Bites (Available now through Sep. 9)   

• Zazu DOLE Whip Lime and Coconut Float: DOLE Whip Lime swirled into Sprite with coconut and blue curaçao syrup and topped with a white chocolate medallion  

Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

Disney Resorts Collection 

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort  

Pineapple Lanai (Currently available) 

• DOLE Whip: DOLE Whip, vanilla soft-serve, or swirl  

• Pineapple Float: DOLE Pineapple juice served with choice of DOLE Whip, vanilla, or swirl (Non-alcoholic)   

• DOLE Whip with Rum Floater: DOLE Whip with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum 

Barefoot Pool Bar and Oasis Bar & Grill (Currently available)  

• Frozen Margarita with DOLE Whip Lime: Corazón Blanco Tequila blended with DOLE Whip lime and chili-lime seasoning 

• Frosty Pineapple: DOLE Whip with Captain Morgan Private Stock Rum 

Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace and Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto (Currently available)  

• Spikey Pineapple: Cruzan Mango Rum blended with DOLE Whip 

Capt. Cook’s (Currently available; mobile order available)  

• Pineapple Cupcake: Vanilla cupcake, DOLE Whip pineapple cheesecake, and pineapple buttercream with white chocolate décor

 
Disney’s BoardWalk  

BoardWalk Joe’s Marvelous Margaritas (Currently available)  

• DOLE Whip Smoothie (Non-alcoholic)  

• Captain’s Seaside Sensation with DOLE Whip

 
Disney’s Contemporary Resort  

Contempo Café (Currently available; mobile order available)  

• DOLE Whip Cupcake: Yellow cupcake filled with DOLE Whip pineapple mousse garnished with a cherry 

Disney Springs  

Swirls on the Water  

• DOLE Whip (Currently available)  

• DOLE Whip Sampler: DOLE Whip swirled with vanilla soft-serve garnished with a pineapple wedge, DOLE Whip Strawberry swirled with coconut soft-serve topped with strawberry sauce and coconut flakes, and DOLE Whip Mango swirled with DOLE Whip Lime topped with chili-lime seasoning and diced mango (Currently available)  

• Key Lime Sundae: DOLE Whip Lime in a waffle bowl topped with whipped cream and a lime garnish (New) (Available through Aug. 11)  

• Orange Bird Cone: DOLE Whip Orange in an orange cone with sprinkles and a chocolate piece (New) (Available through Aug. 11) 

• Orange Bird Float: DOLE Whip Orange and watermelon swirl with Fanta Orange in a souvenir cup (Non-alcoholic) (New) (Available through Aug. 11) 

Wine Bar George (Currently available)  

• Frozen Old Fashioned made with DOLE Whip Orange  

• Frozcato made with DOLE Whip  

Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park  

Snack Shack (Currently available) 

• DOLE Whip Soft-serve in a Cone: DOLE Whip, DOLE Whip Strawberry, green matcha tea soft-serve, or vanilla soft-serve served in a cone  

• DOLE Whip Soft-serve in a Cup: DOLE Whip, DOLE Whip Strawberry, green matcha tea soft-serve, or vanilla soft-serve served in a cup 

• DOLE Whip Bathtub Sundae: DOLE Whip Pineapple, DOLE Whip Strawberry, and green matcha tea soft-serve 

• Bathtub Float: DOLE Whip, DOLE Whip Strawberry, and green matcha soft serve served with Sprite, liquid blueberry candy, whipped cream, popping boba, and cherries (Available exclusively at Disney H20 Glow After Hours at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon)  

• DOLE Whip Strawberry and Green Matcha Soft-serve Swirl Cone (Available exclusively at Disney H20 Glow After Hours at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon)  

Leaning Palms (Currently available) 

• DOLE Whip Floats: DOLE Whip or DOLE Whip Orange with Fanta Orange or DOLE Pineapple Juice 

 

__________

 

Beth Keating is a theme parks, restaurant and entertainment reporter for DisneyBizJournal.

 

Get The Disney Planner: The TO DO List Solution by Ray Keating. More information at

https://raykeatingbooksandmore.com/shop/ols/products/disneyplanner.  A PDF version is available here.  And please listen to the Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating podcast. 

 

Disney Faces Challenges Given Cautious Consumers

 by Ray Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

July 16, 2024

 

Since attendance appears to have been on the light side at Walt Disney World recently, the Disney speculation machine has shifted into high gear. But let’s look at some actual developments in the economy. In particular, like other businesses, The Walt Disney Company faces challenges regarding consumer spending.

As DisneyBizJournal noted, during Disney’s May 2024 earnings call, CFO Hugh Johnston noted that the Experiences division – parks and resorts, cruise line and consumer products – “will face some challenges in the coming quarter, namely, higher wages, increased costs due to cruise line expansions, and some demand moderation due to a return to pre-COVID levels.”

 

Fair enough, but there’s more behind “demand moderation.” The latest retail and food services sales report from the U.S. Census Bureau makes clear that consumers have been reining in their spending overall. Retail and food services sales in June came in flat (+0 percent). For good measure, retail and food services sales have seen no growth from December 2023 to June 2024. However, since these numbers are in nominal dollars, once inflation is factored into the equation, real retail sales have declined this year. In fact, going back to the start of 2023, real sales are down.  

 

Inflation, recession expectations, political uncertainty, and slowing economic and job growth have combined to make the consumer cautious. That, in turn, points to short-term challenges for companies like Disney.

 

__________

 

Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com; and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries, the Alliance of Saint Michael novels, and assorted nonfiction books. Have Ray Keating speak your group, business, school, church, or organization. Email him at raykeating@keatingreports.com.

 

The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?

 

The Disney Planner: The TO DO List Solution combines a simple, powerful system for getting things done with encouragement and fun for Disney fans, including those who love Mickey, Marvel, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Pixar, princesses and more.

 

Never miss any new book by Ray Keating by joining the Pastor Stephen Grant Fellowship with Ray Keating at

https://www.patreon.com/pastorstephengrantfellowship.

 

Various books by Ray Keating…

 

• The Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries. There are 19 books in the series now.

 

• The Alliance of Saint Michael novels – Cathedral and Subversion – are at Amazon. 

 

• Order The Weekly Economist III: Another 52 Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist, The Weekly Economist II: 52 More Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist, and The Weekly Economist: 52 Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist at Amazon.com.

 

• Signed editions of Ray’s books are at www.raykeatingbooksandmore.com. 

 

Also, check out Ray’s podcasts – the Daily Dose of Disney, Free Enterprise in Three Minutes, and the PRESS CLUB C Podcast.

Youth Baseball Coming Back to Walt Disney World

 by Ray Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

July 15, 2024

 

The All-Star Game is this week, so it’s a natural time to hit on some baseball news. Last Thursday, Ripken Baseball and Walt Disney World announced that the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex would host four week-long tournaments each year during the summers of 2025 and 2026.

In a statement, Ripken Baseball noted, “The Ripken Experience at Walt Disney World Resort will be a unique opportunity for teams from around the country to compete in world-class tournaments for ages 10U to 16U. The games will take place across 11 ballfields – six youth-sized baseball fields equipped with lights for night games and five professional-sized fields, including The Stadium at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, a venue that has hosted Major League Baseball spring training games and regular-season games for over two decades.”

 

Cal Ripken, Jr. said, “We are excited to collaborate with the iconic and globally recognized Walt Disney World to deliver unforgettable experiences for teams and their families.”

 

It also was noted: “Teams will enjoy a spectacular opening ceremony and have leisure time to explore Disney parks, where they can experience classic attractions as well as exciting new ones.”

 

The dates for 2025 have been announced: 

 

Week 1: June 8-13. 

Week 2: June 15-20.

Week 3: June 22-27.

Week 4: July 6-11.

 

For more information about Ripken Baseball, go to www.ripkenbaseball.com. Ripken Baseball has worked with Disney World in the past.

The Stadium at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex has a rich baseball history, including hosting Spring Training for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2023; serving as the Spring Training home of the Atlanta Braves for 22 seasons, most recently in 2019; and the Rays played six regular-season games there during 2007 and 2008.

 

Count me among those who would like to see the ESPN Complex, once again, serve as a Spring Training home to a Major League club. But I’ll take whatever baseball I can, and this Ripken-Disney World partnership looks like a great experience for young players and their families.

 

__________

 

Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com; and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries, the Alliance of Saint Michael novels, and assorted nonfiction books. Have Ray Keating speak your group, business, school, church, or organization. Email him at raykeating@keatingreports.com.

 

The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?

 

The Disney Planner: The TO DO List Solution combines a simple, powerful system for getting things done with encouragement and fun for Disney fans, including those who love Mickey, Marvel, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Pixar, princesses and more.

 

Never miss any new book by Ray Keating by joining the Pastor Stephen Grant Fellowship with Ray Keating at

https://www.patreon.com/pastorstephengrantfellowship.

 

Various books by Ray Keating…

 

• The Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries. There are 19 books in the series now.

 

• The Alliance of Saint Michael novels – Cathedral and Subversion – are at Amazon. 

 

• Order The Weekly Economist III: Another 52 Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist, The Weekly Economist II: 52 More Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist, and The Weekly Economist: 52 Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist at Amazon.com.

 

• Signed editions of Ray’s books are at www.raykeatingbooksandmore.com. 

 

Also, check out Ray’s podcasts – the Daily Dose of Disney, Free Enterprise in Three Minutes, and the PRESS CLUB C Podcast.

Culinary Series Underway At Disney Springs

 by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

July 11, 2024

 

Until August 11, 2024, Disney Springs is playing host to “Flavors of Florida,” with dozens of dishes and beverages at the Disney Springs restaurants and kiosks saluting some of the best local flavors the area has to offer – from seafood and citrus, to Key Lime creations, twists on Cuban sandwiches, and unique desserts.

To accompany the menu selections, Disney Springs is also offering a Culinary Series hosted by Kroger Delivery, where guests can attend free demonstrations from a variety of Disney chefs, highlighting some of the plates you can order during “Flavors of Florida” at the Disney Springs restaurants.

All the demonstrations take place at Waterview Park (near The BOATHOUSE), and pre-registration is required.  Registration will be available via the Disney Springs Instagram page.

There are five demo days remaining in this summer’s series.

• From Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill

 

Chef Mike Tiva, who has more than 19 years of experience with the Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group to Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill at Disney Springs, will be cooking up Mushroom Gnocchi, a ricotta gnocchi topped with roasted Fungi Jon mushrooms, balsamic glazed shallots, wild arugula and shaved pecorino cheese. 

   

Date: July 12, 2024, at 9:30 AM

• From eet by Maneet Chauhan

 

Celebrity chef Maneet Chauhan will be demonstrating Sloppy Joe Rock Shrimp, a Florida rock shrimp seasoned with ginger, garlic and cilantro, served with kachumber salad.

  
You may already know Maneet Chauhan as an award-winning chef, author, and television personality, including from Food Network’s Chopped and Iron Chef.  She is the first-ever two-time champ of Guy Fieri’s Tournament of Champions (2021 and 2024).  The new “eet by Maneet Chauhan” opened at Disney Springs in the fall of 2023. 

 

Date: July 19, 2024, at 9:30 AM

• From the Disney Springs Culinary team

 

Chef Georg Paulussen will be making two menu items featuring the new Sunshine Stroll Orange Pilsner that will be available during “Flavors of Florida” at a number of Springs locations. This locally brewed orange pilsner is a Disney Springs exclusive item, and comes with a “hint of citrus.”

Chef Paulussen will be demonstrating an Orange Pilsner Goat Cheese Dip, a goat cheese whipped with beer and peppadew peppers; and the St. Augustine Pepper Frites, crispy pork with datil pepper sauce, complemented by beer cheese sauce, Florida hearts of palm and chayote squash.

Chef Paulussen has been featured in documentaries on the Discovery and Travel channels, and serves as a regional executive chef at Walt Disney World Resort.

 
Date: July 26, 2024, at 9:30 AM

• From Summer House on the Lake

 

Executive Chef Josh Williams will be teaching guests how to make Key West Shrimp Tostones, a dish with Key West shrimp with tostones, chile verde, Florida citrus salsa and black beans.

 
Date: August 2, 2024, at 9:30 AM

• From The BOATHOUSE

 

The BOATHOUSE’S Executive Chef, Tampa born Bradley Warner, will be demonstrating Roasted Golden Tilefish, paired with coconut ginger rice, topped with citrus escabeche and served with a cilantro aïoli.

 
Date: August 9, 2024, at 9:30 AM

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Beth Keating is a theme parks, restaurant and entertainment reporter for DisneyBizJournal.

 

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