Welcome to DisneyBizJournal.com - News, Analysis and Reviews of the Disney Entertainment Business!

Brought to fans, investors, entrepreneurs, executives, teachers, professors, and students by columnist, economist, novelist, reviewer, podcaster, business reporter and speaker Ray Keating

Thursday, July 29, 2021

Mask Use Returning to Disney Parks in the U.S.

 by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

July 29, 2021

 

Like the rest of the world at large, Disney has been experiencing the forward-and-back dance that has become life in a COVID-19 world. 



Starting tomorrow (Friday, July 30, 2021), Disney World in Florida will be bringing back the use of masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status, as COVID numbers surge nationwide with the proliferation of the Delta variant. Masks will be required while “entering and throughout all attractions.”  Face coverings are still optional outside, and guests younger than 2 will not be required to wear a mask.

 

Prior to Friday, vaccinated guests on Disney World property were only required to wear masks while on resort transportation such as buses, the Skyliner, and monorails. Unvaccinated guests were required to wear masks upon entering and throughout all attractions, on transportation, and at all indoor locations, including restaurants, except when actively eating or drinking. 

 

The CDC’s latest recommendations on mask-wearing urges fully vaccinated people to wear masks while indoors in areas of high COVID-19 transmission.  (Orange County, Florida, where much of Disney World is located, is considered an area of high transmission, and has re-entered a state of emergency.) 

 

On the West Coast, in California, Disney says, “Beginning July 30, face coverings are required for all Guests (ages 2 and up) in all indoor locations, regardless of vaccination status. This includes upon entering and throughout many attractions and in enclosed transportation vehicles, including shuttles and buses. Face coverings remain optional for Guests in outdoor common areas.”

 

The U.S. parks are not the only locations experiencing COVID-19 changes in recent days. Disneyland Paris is now requiring proof of a COVID vaccine in the form of a Health Pass, or a negative COVID test before guests can enter the park.  The U.S. parks do not require vaccine proof. Additionally, all guests ages six and older are required to wear masks at the Paris park, except when actively eating or drinking. 

Stay tuned to Disney World’s “Know Before You Go” page as conditions continue to develop, and for specifics on the types of masks acceptable in the parks.

 

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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!

Eisner on Creativity Coming First

Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #101: Eisner on Creativity Trumping Finances – Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner got it on creativity and finances.


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.

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Get Comfortable with Failure, But Not Too Comfortable

Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #100: Get Comfortable with Failure, But Not Too Comfortable – Disney’s Bob Iger talks failure.


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.

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Marvel's Stan Lee on Creativity Being Fun

Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #99: Stan Lee on Doing What Hasn’t Been Done – Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee on creativity being fun. 


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.

Catch Up on Daily Disney with Ryan Gosling and Jack Kirby

Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #97: Ryan Gosling on Walking Around in Disney’s Ideas – Actor Ryan Gosling has a fascinating way to be inspired by Walt Disney. Listen here!

Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #98: Jack Kirby’s Refreshing Politics – Jack Kirby was a great comic books artist and writer, and his politics were pretty straightforward. Listen here!

 


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.

Friday, July 23, 2021

Walt Disney Didn't Play It Safe

Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #96: Walt Disney Didn’t Play It Safe – “Top Disney” author Chris Lucas notes that Walt never played it safe.


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.

Thursday, July 22, 2021

Disney Institute on Competition

Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #95: Competition Remains Hot – The Disney Institute gets it right on competition.


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.

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Walt Disney Did Not Repeat Himself

Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #94: Walt Disney Didn’t Repeat Himself – Movie critic Leonard Maltin reminds us that Walt Disney would not be making the same movies today as he did in 1941.


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.

Disney’s “Black Widow” Decision Takes Hits from NATO and Other Critics

 by Ray Keating

News/Analysis

DisneyBizJournal.com

July 21, 2021

 

NATO is very upset with Disney. No, not that NATO. The National Association of Theater Owners.

 

NATO issued a press release earlier this week that praised Black Widow as “a well-made, well-received, highly anticipated movie.” But it also pointed out that the movie experienced “a surprising 41% second day drop, a weaker than expected opening weekend, and a stunning second weekend collapse in theatrical revenues.”



Indeed, the second weekend theatrical box office numbers for Black Widow dropped by 67 percent, which was the largest decline of any MCU movie. Disney also has been silent on Disney+ Premier revenues for the film after the opening weekend. For good measure, Black Widow ranked as the most pirated movie during its opening week.

 

NATO makes a case that Disney and the industry is leaving money on the table with the dual in theaters and at home release. NATO might be right … for now. But the movie business is in the midst of great change and experimentation.

 

Other than simply raising questions, the key NATO points were:

 

• “Based on comparable Marvel titles, and other successful pandemic-era titles like F9 and A Quiet Place 2 opening day to weekend ratios, Black Widow should have opened to anywhere from $92-$100 million. Based on preview revenue, compared to the same titles, Black Widow could have opened to anywhere from $97 to $130 million.” (See the actual opening numbers for Black Widow here.)

 

• “Premiere Access revenue is not new-found money, but was pulled forward from a more traditional PVOD window, which is no longer an option.”

 

NATO concludes that “simultaneous release is a pandemic-era artifact that should be left to history with the pandemic itself.” 

 

Of course, no one should be surprised that theater owners aren’t keen on home offerings like Disney+ or Disney+ Premier Access. And one can easily make the case that with more videos offered via streaming, including extra dollars from PVOD (premium video on demand), the movie business will face revenue losses and a rejiggering of business models. That process is well under way.

 

In a Deadline piece, the author, Anthony D’Alessandro, argued what “Disney’s CEO Bob Chapek, the studio’s Media and Entertainment Distribution Chairman Kareem Daniel, and Wall Street need to wake up to is that this Disney+ Premier theatrical model is a greater fugazi than Dogecoin itself, a means of decimating a great business model whereby consumers previously bought the same piece of IP twice: in theaters and later in an ancillary window. Those who purchased Black Widow on Disney+ won’t buy it again.” And he goes on berating Disney and others in the industry, noting, “The Napster millennials have grown up, Disney, and they’re used to getting their media for free. Is this really a road you want to continue on with future theatrical films?”

 

This is kind of funny. Mr. Alessandro, and many others in and around the industry seem to think that Hollywood CEOs are calling the shots. For their respective studios, they surely are. But entrepreneurs pushing technology forward, and consumers making decisions about options in the marketplace, are calling the ultimate shots. Companies like Disney are at least smart enough to see that vast changes are upon us, and business models must be adjusted, accordingly. The music industry failed to see what was happening, and it took Steve Jobs to save them. Newspapers never got it – with a tiny number of exceptions – and were decimated as a result. 

 

Fighting consumers and resisting technology are surefire paths to business oblivion. Streaming is here, and it is the future of the movie and television industries … for now, that is, until something else comes along to disrupt things. And that’s free enterprise, and it always has been. But now, in this high-tech, digital age, change simply comes a heck of a lot faster.

 

Yes, it’s a time of great experimentation in terms of how movies are presented to consumers. But make no mistake, it will be consumers who decide which model works and which doesn’t. If you’re in the movie business and that makes you uncomfortable, it’s time to pick another career.

 

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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.comPast Lives: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story is the 14th book in the series. Again, 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 – grab it at Amazon.com or signed editions at www.raykeatingonline.com

 

Also, check out Ray’s podcasts – the Daily Dose of DisneyFree 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!

Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Who Left Darcy in Charge?

Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #93: Who Left Darcy in Charge? – Darcy in ”Thor: The Dark World” is lost when in charge. What about you and your people?


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.

Monday, July 19, 2021

Eisner and the Edge of Risk

Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #92: Eisner and the Edge of Risk – Michael Eisner talks about creativity and the edge of risk. But it’s even beyond that.


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.

Sunday, July 18, 2021

Chris Evans is Captain America?

Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #91: Chris Evans is Captain America? – What happens when the absolute right actor plays the absolute right role? What happens when a company does such a good job that they become the product?


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.

Saturday, July 17, 2021

Perspective from Star Wars Dave Filoni

Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #90: Perspective from Star Wars Dave Filoni – Dave Filoni knows Star Wars, and he understands the mix that creates opportunities.


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.

Friday, July 16, 2021

Walt Disney on Family and Business

Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #89: Walt Disney on Family and Business – Walt Disney had his priorities straight.


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.

Disney Moving 2,000 Jobs Out of California – Joins a Big Trend

 by Ray Keating

News/Analysis

DisneyBizJournal.com

July 16, 2021

 

People and businesses have been moving out of California for some time now, and in significant numbers. Disney has joined the exodus with an announcement that the company will be moving some 2,000 jobs out of California and to Florida.



The Orlando Sentinel reported: “Most of the Disney Parks, Experiences and Products professional roles based in southern California that are not fully dedicated to Disneyland Resort, or in some cases the international parks business, will be asked to relocate to Orlando, said Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products.” The jobs will be relocated over the coming year-and-a-half to a hub Disney is developing in the Lake Nona area, about 20 miles east of Disney World.

 

In a letter to employees quoted by the Sentinel, Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, explained, “As someone who has moved with my family from California to Florida and back again, I understand that relocation is a big change, not only for the employee, but also for their families. Therefore, moving these roles to Central Florida will take place throughout the next 18 months, providing flexibility in timing to accommodate individual situations and needs.”

 

The New York Times quoted D’Amaro adding, “In addition to Florida’s business-friendly climate, this new regional campus gives us the opportunity to consolidate our teams and be more collaborative and impactful both from a creative and operational standpoint.”

 

Indeed, while Florida has a friendly climate for businesses, as well as for employees and their families, California does not, at least from a governmental cost standpoint, such as taxes. And the Golden State has paid a price. 

 

Since 2000, no state other than New York has sent more people to other states than California. Net domestic migration (changes in a state’s population excluding births, deaths and international migration) captures the movement of people among the states, and California excels at exporting people. From 2000 to 2020, for example, California registered net domestic migration of -2.66 million, with only New York’s -3.27 million coming in worse. If it weren’t for international immigrants, both New York and California’s state population would be in decline. And in fact, California’s population declined in 2020 – which was the first time that happened since it became a state in 1850.

 

By the way, Florida gained 2.64 million people from other states from 2000 to 2020 – leading the nation as a net importer of people. It’s no mere coincidence that while California has some of the highest taxes in all of the land, Florida has some of the lowest, including no state personal income tax and a corporate income tax that’s about half of California’s.

 

What’s interesting and distressing is that it’s rare for any state that has gone so far down the road of taxing and regulating as California has, to actually reverse course and work to fix things. Instead, denial sets in, and a long stagnation and relative decline follows. California is a beautiful state, but quality of life for businesses, individuals and families includes being able to afford to live and thrive in a place.

 

__________

 

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.comPast Lives: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story is the 14th book in the series. Again, 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 – grab it at Amazon.com or signed editions at www.raykeatingonline.com

 

Also, check out Ray’s podcasts – the Daily Dose of DisneyFree 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!

Thursday, July 15, 2021

Wisdom from Marvel's Stan Lee

Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #88: Life Wisdom from Marvel’s Stan Lee – Stan Lee played a key role in giving great Marvel characters, along with some tidbits of wisdom.


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.

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

Very Merriest of All After Hours Parties Scheduled for Disney World

 by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

July 13, 2021

 

“The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” Disney World’s 50th anniversary festivities, will get a holiday twist with a new special-ticketed event kicking off on November 8th. “Disney Very Merriest After Hours” will be replacing “Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party” in the post-COVID days.



Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

Disney Very Merriest After Hours”  is a limited ticket, after hours event in the Magic Kingdom with special entertainment and access to more than 20 select attractions.  The four hour long party (from 9:00 PM to 1:00 AM) will be offered on select nights through December 21st, and will be highlighted by “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks.” As with other Disney After Hours events, Disney characters will put in appearances throughout the park (no meet-and-greets yet); and holiday music and festive décor; specialty treats; seasonal food and drinks; and, of course, holiday-themed merchandise will all be part of the event. Holiday overlays are being planned for certain attractions, and snow will be falling on Main Street to enchant party-goers. Unique holiday PhotoPass opportunities will also be available during the party.


A number of holiday treats, ice cream, popcorn and bottled beverages are included with the cost of admission. No word yet on specific pricing, but if the pent-up demand and change-over from “Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party” to the recently released “Boo Bash” is any indication, the tickets are sure to go quickly. Tickets for “Very Merriest” go on sale next month.  

 

In addition to the “Very Merriest” After Hours party, Mickey and friends will also be celebrating the holidays elsewhere in the parks.  In the Magic Kingdom, special holiday projections will appear most nights on Cinderella Castle.  Since the Castle will also be transformed into a “Beacon of Magic” for the Park’s 50th anniversary beginning October 1st, the holiday projections will be alternating with the anniversary décor.  Similarly, the Hollywood Tower of Terror in Hollywood Studios will alternate between its duty as a “Beacon of Magic” and the much-loved “Sunset Seasons Greetings” projections on the Hollywood Holiday Tower Hotel on Sunset Boulevard. At Animal Kingdom, the Tree of Life will do double duty as well, both as another “Beacon of Magic,” and as the holiday edition of Tree of Life Awakenings.  

 

The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will be returning this year, and will run from November 26 to December 30, with Holiday Kitchens throughout the park, traditions from around the world, musical performances by the Voices of Liberty, and the ever-in-demand Cookie Stroll. 

 

If you are looking to catch a glimpse of the big man himself – Santa, that is, not Mickey this time - he will be putting in an appearance at Hollywood Studios with his holiday motorcade making its way down Hollywood Boulevard. “For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration” will be returning to Hollywood Studios, and Minnie and friends, including Santa Goofy, will be welcoming guests at Hollywood & Vine, dressed in their holiday best.  

 

Over at Animal Kingdom, the Disney friends will be dressed in their holiday party outfits as they sail their way down the Discovery River on their character flotillas.

 

Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog


If you are looking to do a little holiday shopping for some unique gifts for your friends and family, Disney Springs is the place to go. Not only are there tons of shopping opportunities, but the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll, with elaborately decorated, Disney-themed trees, will be returning this year.  Surprise magical snowfalls will add to the holiday atmosphere, and limited time seasonal food and beverages will be available at a number of the Disney Springs restaurants, including “Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar.”  

 

And much to everyone’s delight, the enormous and beautifully decorated gingerbread displays will once again be on display at Disney’s Resort hotels, which will also be decked out for the holidays.

 

More details on the celebrations will be released as the holiday season gets closer.

 

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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!

Catch Up with Bob Iger and Jon Favreau

Catch up on the two latest episodes of the Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating.


Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #86: Iger on Anxiety
– Leaders share their people’s stress. They don’t project their own stress onto others.

Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #87: Jon Favreau and Happy Endings – Director Jon Favreau likes happy endings, and for good reasons.

 

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.

Monday, July 12, 2021

Disney Offers Disney+ Numbers on “Black Widow”

 by Ray Keating

News/Analysis

DisneyBizJournal.com

July 12, 2021

 

The Walt Disney Company announced today that Black Widow debuted over the weekend to the tune of $218 million. Disney noted that the film had “the largest domestic box office opening since the pandemic began and the largest domestic opening weekend since Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker in December 2019.”

 


Most interesting is the breakdown supplied by Disney, that is, “$80 million in domestic box office, $78 million in international box office and over $60 million in Disney+ Premier Access consumer spend globally.”

 

This is the first time that Disney has released numbers from its Disney+ Premier Access option. With the Premier Access priced at $29.99 (in addition to the Disney+ subscription), that means 2 million of the 103 million Disney+ subscribers paid to watch Black Widow. The $60 million from Disney+ subscribers accounted for nearly 28 percent of the total box-office take announced by Disney.

 

Unfortunately, there’s nothing to compare the Disney+ Black Widow revenues to since this is the first time that Disney has announced Premier Access revenues. There was no word regarding MulanRaya and the Last Dragon and Cruella. And no one knows if the company will continue to make such announcements in the future. 

 

Obviously, though, Disney must have been very pleased with the Premier Access performance of Black Widow … and/or disappointed with previous efforts.

 

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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.comPast Lives: A Pastor Stephen Grant Short Story is the 14th book in the series. Again, 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 – grab it at Amazon.com or signed editions at www.raykeatingonline.com

 

Also, check out Ray’s podcasts – the Daily Dose of DisneyFree 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!

Sunday, July 11, 2021

Iger on Anxiety and Leadership

Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #86: Iger on Anxiety – Leaders share their people’s stress. They don’t project their own stress onto others.



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.

Saturday, July 10, 2021

Disneyland as Virtual Reality

Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #85: Disneyland as Early Virtual Reality – Disney theme parks are a kind of virtual reality. 


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.

Friday, July 9, 2021

Disneyland, Steve Martin and Bad Psychoanalysis

 Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #84: Disneyland, Steve Martin and Bad Psychoanalysis – Comedian Steve Martin really loved working at Disneyland.


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.

Thursday, July 8, 2021

Paid Fastpass Program on the Way to Disneyland Paris

by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

July 8, 2021

 

While FastPasses at Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in California are still on hold, Disneyland Paris has announced the debut of a new “Premier Access” Fastpass program.

 


According to Disneyland Paris, “Disney Premier Access is a paid service that gives you speedy access to some of our most popular attractions thanks to a dedicated fast lane.”  The program replaces the formerly free FASTPASS program.

 

Disney Premier Access, debuting this summer, will be available for Big Thunder Mountain; Peter Pan's Flight; Ratatouille: L'Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy; Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast; Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain; Star Tours: l'Aventure continue; The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror; and Autopia.

 

The limited availability option will cost between €8 to €15 (roughly $9-$18 dollars) per attraction, with the price per Guest and attraction varying according to the attraction and the day of visit.  Guests can access the program via the official Disneyland Paris app on their phones, or in person at City Hall or Studio Services, and will be able to see the attractions that are available during their visit via the app.   

 

“Once you're in the Disney Parks, choose an attraction and select the Guests that want to ride. You'll be offered a time slot, depending on availability,” instructs Disney. “After you've paid, head to the dedicated line of the attraction during your allocated time slot and present your QR codes (in the ‘My Disney Premier Access’ section of the app).”

 

Guests must be inside the park to participate in the Premier Access program, and can either purchase Premier Access through the official Disneyland Paris app, or from a Cast Member, again, at City Hall or Studio Services. Guests do not need a smart phone to participate in the program, but can work directly with Cast Members to make purchases.  Disney Premier Access is valid only on the day of purchase. There are a limited number of Disney Premier Access spots available for each time slot.

 

Guests can only buy Disney Premier Access for one attraction at a time. If they would like to buy Premier Access for another attraction, the Guest needs to make a separate purchase, select the attraction they want to ride, and if there are time slots available, complete the purchase. 

 

According to Disneyland Paris, Guests can “buy a maximum of 3 Disney Premier Access for each attraction per Guest per day, and up to 12 Disney Premier Access for one attraction and one time slot at a time, depending upon availability.”

 

In addition to the new fee-based program, Disneyland Paris is also offering a “Standby Pass,” a free option that allows guests to sign up for a virtual queue so they can experience other attractions while waiting their turn at the first attraction. It does not guarantee immediate access to the ride when your turn comes, however.  The service will be activated during certain times of the day, and will be dependent on day-to-day needs in the parks. The Disneyland Paris app also will be the vehicle to book a Standby Pass with a specific return time. 

 

In Florida, Disney World’s FastPass+ system did not return when the theme parks reopened post-COVID closures last summer. There, the program allowed guests to pre-book up to three FastPasses per day for free, and once those passes were used, guests could select additional passes, one at a time, pending ride availability. In California, both traditional and paid FASTPASS programs exist. Disneyland California’s MaxPass is a $20 a day program that mixes the ability to make Disney FASTPASS choices with unlimited Disney PhotoPass downloads from the day. Both the Florida and California FastPass programs are currently suspended, however. No word yet on their return.

 

Additional information on the new Disney Premier Access program may be found on the Disneyland Paris website.

 

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Beth Keating is a regular contributor to DisneyBizJournal.

 

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