Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #76: Disney on Encouragement and Motivation – Good thoughts on motivating people, but does everyone want to be motivated?
The “Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating” podcast serves up a Disney or Disney-related quote each day, with DisneyBizJournal’s Ray Keating offering brief, additional thoughts on how each dose ties in to life, career, business, entrepreneurship, creativity, storytelling, work, or just plain fun.
Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #75: Ray Bradbury’s Thumbs Up for Imagineering – A much-deserved to the creativity of Imagineers from a great author.
The “Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating” podcast serves up a Disney or Disney-related quote each day, with DisneyBizJournal’s Ray Keating offering brief, additional thoughts on how each dose ties in to life, career, business, entrepreneurship, creativity, storytelling, work, or just plain fun.
After “WandaVision” and “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” fell short, Ray argues that Disney really needs “Loki” to excel. Tune in now!
by Beth Keating
News
DisneyBizJournal.com
June 28, 2021
Once again, COVID-19 has thrown a boatload of cold water on Disney’s cruise plans.
The Disney Cruise Line was scheduled to embark on a two-night test sailing of the Disney Dream from Florida’s Port Canaveral tomorrow, but the ship will remain docked. The voyage, relying on volunteer passengers, was slated to be part of the steps the Disney Cruise Line needed to take to receive a conditional sailing certificate from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“We are delaying our simulation cruise due to a small number of inconsistent COVID-19 test results, which are considered positive by the CDC. The rigorous health and safety protocols we have in place helped us identify the situation, though the test results were ultimately negative,” said a statement from Disney Cruise Line. The test cruise will be rescheduled for a future date.
Disney was one of the cruise lines that had opted to utilize the test sail under the CDC’s conditional sail orders, while other cruise lines utilized a second option, which allowed them to sail with at least 95% of their passengers fully vaccinated. For Disney, though, that wasn’t much of an option, given the fact that as “Disney,” a majority of their guests would be families with children, and vaccines for children, particularly for those under the age of 12, are not yet available.
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Beth Keating is a regular contributor to DisneyBizJournal.
Please support the efforts of DisneyBizJournal.com to bring news, analysis and commentary on Disney to readers such as yourself. Make a contribution right here via PayPal. Thanks!
Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #74: Disney and Teamwork – The Walt Disney Company wasn’t all about Walt. He understood the value of teamwork.
by Ray Keating
News/Analysis
DisneyBizJournal.com
June 27, 2021
Walt Disney World might be the Most Magical Place on Earth, but it’s also part of a business. And like other businesses, the Walt Disney Company is confronting labor shortages.
Need evidence? Head over to the Disney Careers website, and you’ll find the company offering $1,000 hiring bonuses for housekeepers, cooks and chef assistants.
In terms of hourly pay, housekeepers start at $16, cooks at $18, and chef assistants at $19.
The labor shortage issue has been widely recognized and discussed. For example, it was noted in the latest Federal Reserve Beige Book, “It remained difficult for many firms to hire new workers, especially low-wage hourly workers, truck drivers, and skilled tradespeople. The lack of job candidates prevented some firms from increasing output and, less commonly, led some businesses to reduce their hours of operation. Overall, wage growth was moderate, and a growing number of firms offered signing bonuses and increased starting wages to attract and retain workers. Contacts expected that labor demand will remain strong, but supply constrained, in the months ahead.”
Leisure and hospitality labor shortages have been noted in particular.
As for causes, there is a great deal of speculation, including enhanced unemployment benefits, which are scheduled to expire in early September, making it less enticing for many workers to return to the labor force.
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Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant 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 has three new books out. Vatican Shadows: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel is the 13ththriller/mystery in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com. Past Lives: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story is the 14th book in the series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed book at www.raykeatingonline.com. And order the 15th book in the series What’s Lost? A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story.
Also, check out Ray’s podcasts – the Daily Dose of Disney, Free Enterprise in Three Minutes, and the PRESS CLUB C Podcast.
You also can order his book Behind Enemy Lines: Conservative Communiques from Left-Wing New York from Amazon or signed books at RayKeatingOnline.com. His other recent nonfiction book is Free Trade Rocks! 10 Points on International Trade Everyone Should Know.
Please support the efforts of DisneyBizJournal.com to bring news, analysis and commentary on Disney to readers such as yourself. Make a contribution right here via PayPal. Thanks!
Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #73: Are There Walt Disneys Today? – Do we have people like Walt Disney today to meet challenges and seek opportunity?
The “Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating” podcast serves up a Disney or Disney-related quote each day, with DisneyBizJournal’s Ray Keating offering brief, additional thoughts on how each dose ties in to life, career, business, entrepreneurship, creativity, storytelling, work, or just plain fun.
Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #72: Hard Work is Disney Magic – Tiana from “The Princess and the Frog” has a good thought of the magic of hard work.
The “Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating” podcast serves up a Disney or Disney-related quote each day, with DisneyBizJournal’s Ray Keating offering brief, additional thoughts on how each dose ties in to life, career, business, entrepreneurship, creativity, storytelling, work, or just plain fun.
Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #71: Eisner on Learning from Others – Michael Eisner, former Disney CEO, notes that we can learn from the journey of others toward success.
Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #70: Wendy, Peter Pan and Family – Wendy tells Peter Pan about what matters in life, that is, family.
Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #69: Walt Disney and Quality – Walt Disney understood that as a customer and a provider, one should demand quality.
by Beth Keating
News
DisneyBizJournal.com
June 22, 2021
So many new shows and experiences are coming to Disney World for its 50th anniversary in October! As a Disney fan, I should be happy… And I mostly am, except I just found out my beloved “Happily Ever After” fireworks show is being replaced.
I’m sure that the new Magic Kingdom fireworks show, “Disney Enchantment,” will be phenomenal. I have long wondered why Disney’s Florida park wasn’t taking advantage of the entire stretch of Main Street for their projections and shows, the way they sometimes do in Disneyland in California. Given the fact that they have captive crowds from hub to train station, it seemed like a lot of wasted real estate. Now, the new “Disney Enchantment” show will feature fireworks and projection effects “that extend from Cinderella Castle down Main Street USA” for the first time, according to Disney. The show is designed to take guests “on a journey filled with adventure, wonder and empowerment.”
It will be amazing, I’m certain. But I will have to make sure I get to the Magic Kingdom one last time before “Happily Ever After” ends. (It begins its temporary return on July 1st.) As many times as I have seen that show, it never fails to make me cry – even if I am watching it on YouTube because I can’t get to the park.
In addition to the new fireworks show at Magic Kingdom, “Harmonious” will make its long-anticipated debut on October 1 in the center of World Showcase at EPCOT. “One of the largest nighttime spectaculars ever created for a Disney park,” the show will feature floating set pieces, custom-built LED panels, moving fountains, lasers, and pyrotechnics, all choreographed to a new soundtrack with “interpretations of classic Disney songs as you’ve never heard them before, reimagined in more than a dozen languages by a diverse group of 240 artists from around the world.” Some of the enormous pieces of staging have already been installed in the center of the lagoon.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom has not been forgotten in the festivities, either. Over at the Discovery River Amphitheater, performers bearing larger-than-life windcatchers and kites will bring “Disney KiteTails” to life on both land and water. Some of the pieces are 30 foot long, elaborate three-dimensional kites! The show will be staged multiple times per day, beginning October 1, and will feature characters such as Simba and Zazu from The Lion King and Baloo and King Louie from The Jungle Book.
While you are at the parks, keep an eye out for a special collection of golden statues, tucked among the paths and attractions at Disney World. Fifty Disney characters for the 50th anniversary will be portrayed in whimsical gold likenesses, and scattered throughout all four theme parks. Visitors will be able to interact with the sculptures in surprising ways, according to Disney.
Mickey and Minnie aren’t the only ones getting festive new party clothes for the celebration, either. Donald and Daisy Duck, Goofy, Chip and Dale will be attired in specially designed EARidescent outfits to match Mickey and Minnie’s clothes as they appear throughout the parks. You’ll also get a chance to see them in Mickey’s Celebration Cavalcade when it kicks off in the Magic Kingdom on October 1.
While Disney World will officially mark the beginning of its 50th anniversary that day, “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” itself will run for 18 months. As previously announced, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure ride and the La Creperie de Paris restaurant at EPCOT’s France pavilion will also be opening October 1, and Cinderella Castle has already started getting its makeover for the big day, with shiny new golden ribbons and embellishments. The other parks’ icons will soon be getting celebratory “Beacons of Magic” transformations as well.
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Beth Keating is a regular contributor to DisneyBizJournal.
Please support the efforts of DisneyBizJournal.com to bring news, analysis and commentary on Disney to readers such as yourself. Make a contribution right here via PayPal. Thanks!
Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #68: Wonders of Storytelling and Reading Per Stan Lee – Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee offers a simple but important reminder on storytelling over the ages.
Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #67: Walt Disney and “Carpe Diem!” – Chris Lucas, author of “Top Disney,” declares that “Seize the day!” from “Dead Poet’s Society” captures Walt Disney’s philosophy. He’s right.
by Ray Keating
Review
DisneyBizJournal.com
June 19, 2021
A big pretzel for dinner? Don’t roll your eyes. Don’t judge. Just head to Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar at Disney Springs.
Being a big Indiana Jones fan, Jock Lindsey’s has been a favorite of mine since it came on the scene in September 2015. Indeed, I was glad to find out that Jock continued his entrepreneurial efforts after his Air Pirates adventures. According to information from the Hangar Bar’s website:
Fans of Raiders of the Lost Ark can’t forget Indy’s easygoing pilot Jock Lindsey—owner of a pet snake named Reggie—but how did Jock arrive here?
The two globetrotters stumbled on Disney Springs in 1938 while chasing down a mythology-based tip in central Florida. Attracted to the town’s natural springs and lush terrain, Jock bought some waterfront property and eventually settled down, piloting seaplane tours across the fast-growing Sunshine State.
Jock eventually built an airplane hangar, air tower and runway, and invited fellow members of The Society of Explorers and Adventurers to pay him a visit. His home base soon became a popular stopover and watering hole for world travelers and locals alike.
Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar was born!
The décor fits for a 1940s bar near an airfield, with plenty of news clips and souvenirs from Jock’s adventures.
As for food and drink, my most recent visit to this delightful watering hole featured a simple drink that quenched the thirst on a warm evening – the Diving Bell, which is a combination of lemonade and watermelon.
What to eat? Well, this is where the pretzel comes into play. Among the appetizers is the Air Pirate’s Cargo Loaded Pretzel. If you’re with two or three other people, would this serve as a fine shared beginning to a meal? Absolutely. But if you’re a lone diner, as I was recently, this makes for a meal – a big, tasty meal.
The giant pretzel was soft and well-seasoned. And piled inside were flavorful prosciutto, nicely grilled brats, hearty pepperoni, and smoked and black diamond cheddar cheese. As for the dipping sauces, the spicy mustard was fine, but it was vastly outshined by the smooth and delicious beer cheese fondue. That fondue simply rocked. As for the caraway pickles – let’s just say they had an unexpected kick.
There’s a great deal more to sample at Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, especially in terms of drink specialties, and I’ll return to give many a shot. But for this visit, the Air Pirate’s Cargo Loaded Pretzel was a great adventure.
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Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant 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 has two new books out. Vatican Shadows: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel is the 13ththriller/mystery in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com. Past Lives: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story is the 14th book in the series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed book at www.raykeatingonline.com. And pre-order the 15th book in the series What’s Lost? A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story.
Also, check out Ray’s podcasts – the Daily Dose of Disney, Free Enterprise in Three Minutes, and the PRESS CLUB C Podcast.
You also can order his book Behind Enemy Lines: Conservative Communiques from Left-Wing New York from Amazon or signed books at RayKeatingOnline.com. His other recent nonfiction book is Free Trade Rocks! 10 Points on International Trade Everyone Should Know.
Please support the efforts of DisneyBizJournal.com to bring news, analysis and commentary on Disney to readers such as yourself. Make a contribution right here via PayPal. Thanks!
by Ray Keating
News
DisneyBizJournal.com
June 18, 2021
As life moves ever closer to greater normalcy thanks to COVID-19 vaccines, more magic is returning to the Disney parks.
For many Disney parks lovers, a biggie is the return of fireworks shows. Nightly fireworks performances are coming back to the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT in Walt Disney World on July 1. And in Disneyland in California, the fireworks return on Independence Day, July 4th.
Of course, for those in France, Disneyland Paris re-opened on June 17. With this, now all of the Disney parks around the world are open to guests.
Regarding Walt Disney World resorts, the Boardwalk Inn re-opens on July 2, the Polynesian Village Resort in late July, and the Animal Kingdom Lodge on August 26, along with the Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House.
Also, Tusker House in Animal Kingdom is scheduled to re-open on June 20, with character dining modified.
More food options are coming online as well.
At Disneyland…
• Alien Pizza Planet reopened on June 17, offering breadsticks and pizza.
• On June 24, Edelweiss Snacks will return with turkey legs among the delicious treats.
• Also on June 24, Maurice's Treats, the snack wagon named for Belle’s father, will be serving pastries and drinks.
• Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante reopened on June 17 to meet cravings for Mexican cuisine.
• The Tiki Juice Bar re-opened on June 17 as well, so you can grab a Dole Whip just outside the Enchanted Tiki Room.
• Your favorite Star Wars places to grab drinks and/or grub – Oga’s Cantina and Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo – re-opened in Galaxy’s Edge on June 17.
At California Adventure…
• Wine offerings once again could be found at Mendocino Terrace as of June 17.
• If you prefer beer over wine, Bayside Brews reopened on June 17 offering assorted, well, brews.
• June 24 will bring the return of Jack-Jack Cookie Num Nums – cookie lovers alert!
• The Cozy Cone Motel’s Popcone also re-opens on June 24.
• Water views, a pub-style menu and a wide range of drinks will be available on June 24 at the Lamplight Lounge – with Lamplight Lounge Brunch starting on July 9.
• On June 17, Wine Country Trattoria re-opened with its offerings of Napa Valley wines and seasonal fare.
Meanwhile, over at Hong Kong Disneyland, a new Castle stage show – described as a “unique, live outdoor 20-minute daytime musical party … created as a continued celebration of the resort’s 15th anniversary” – starts on June 30.
For good measure, debuting on Disney+ on July 21 will be a 10-part series titled “Behind the Attraction.” According to Disney, it will provide “an exclusive peek ‘behind the curtain’ of the most beloved attractions and destinations at Disney Parks and Resorts around the world, from Jungle Cruise to ‘it’s a small world’ to the Haunted Mansion to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.”
More to come, no doubt.
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Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant 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 has two new books out. Vatican Shadows: A Pastor Stephen Grant Novel is the 13ththriller/mystery in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com. Past Lives: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story is the 14th book in the series. Get the paperback or Kindle edition at Amazon, or signed book at www.raykeatingonline.com. And pre-order the 15th book in the series What’s Lost? A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story.
Also, check out Ray’s podcasts – the Daily Dose of Disney, Free Enterprise in Three Minutes, and the PRESS CLUB C Podcast.
You also can order his book Behind Enemy Lines: Conservative Communiques from Left-Wing New York from Amazon or signed books at RayKeatingOnline.com. His other recent nonfiction book is Free Trade Rocks! 10 Points on International Trade Everyone Should Know.
Please support the efforts of DisneyBizJournal.com to bring news, analysis and commentary on Disney to readers such as yourself. Make a contribution right here via PayPal. Thanks!
Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #66: Is Entrepreneurship Easy? – Walt Disney, one of the most successful entrepreneurs in history, makes clear that building a business isn’t easy.
The “Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating” podcast serves up a Disney or Disney-related quote each day, with DisneyBizJournal’s Ray Keating offering brief, additional thoughts on how each dose ties in to life, career, business, entrepreneurship, creativity, storytelling, work, or just plain fun.
Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #65: Maintaining Energy and Creativity – Don’t let the fires of energy and creativity go out – in life, career and business.
Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #64: The Meaning of Disney Magic – What does magic for guests mean for those providing the magic?
Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #63: Values Matter – Knowing your values makes it easier to make decisions important for life, career and business.
Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #62: The Vital Spark of Inspiration – Always keep an eye out for anything – a little spark perhaps – that will ignite inspiration and creativity, As Dr. Nigel Channing knows.
Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #61: It’s About More than Dreaming and Creating – Walt Disney on what’s needed beyond dreaming, creating, and building. You can’t do it alone.
by Chris Lucas
Guest Column
DisneyBizJournal.com
June 12, 2021
Forty years ago today, Raiders of the Lost Ark made its debut on the big screen and its hero, Indiana Jones (originally created by George Lucas in 1973 and named Indiana Smith) became part of our pop culture forever.
Disney officially purchased the rights to the Indiana Jones universe and characters in 2012, but Indy had already been around in their theme parks since 1989, with both the live stunt spectacular and animatronic version on the Great Movie Ride at Disney-MGM Studios in Florida. In 1993, an Indiana Jones roller coaster opened at Disneyland Paris, followed by an attraction at Disneyland in Anaheim in 1995 and Tokyo in 2001.
Paramount Pictures still co-owns the first four movies in the series, but Disney is currently shooting a fifth Indiana Jones feature film of their own, with Harrison Ford returning in the familiar fedora and leather jacket, scheduled to be released in July, 2022.
What’s your favorite Indiana Jones moment?
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Chris Lucas is the author of Top Disney: 100 Top Ten Lists of the Best of Disney, from the Man to the Mouse and Beyond.
On the PRESS CLUB C Podcast, enjoy Ray’s discussion with Chris Lucas about his career as an actor, author and Disney expert. Tune in right here!
