Disney Betting on Sports Betting?

 by Ray Keating

News/Analysis

DisneyBizJournal.com

August 31, 2021

 

Times change. Who would have ever thought that the Walt Disney Company would be flirting with the gambling business? Well, Disney owns ESPN, and the growing online sports-betting industry apparently is willing to bet big bucks on the ESPN brand.

The Wall Street Journal reported recently that Disney was seeking at least $3 billion to license the ESPN brand over several years. The Journal noted that DraftKings and Caesars Entertainment were in the mix.

 

The “ESPN” name could be used for branding purposes, including the possibility of a complete rename of a sportsbook. It was noted in the report, “A brand-licensing deal would allow ESPN to profit from the boom in sports gambling without taking bets and making payouts to winners, which requires licenses in individual states.”

 

Currently, 32 states and the District of Columbia have legalized sports betting, according to the Journal.

 

As for sports leagues, being affiliated with sports betting is no longer taboo (apparently Pete Rose just had the wrong decade). The NFL, as noted in the report, will be allowing sports-betting commercials during its games this season for the first time. The NFL has “three official sports-betting partners, Caesars, DraftKings and FanDuel,” and has also “approved BetMGM, WynnBET, PointsBet and Fox Corp.’s Fox Bet for advertising.”

 

Major League Baseball has sports-betting partnerships with FanDuel, MGM Resorts International and DraftKings. The NBA has partnerships with Bally’s, FanDuel, DraftKings, MGM Resorts, The Stars Group and TheScore. And the NHL is in partnership with Bally’s, PointsBet, FanDuel, William Hill, and BetMGM.

 

Sports betting is here to stay (well, legally, as it’s been around for as long as sporting events have occurred), has gone mainstream, and looks to be rather profitable. Hey, the house – in this case the House of Mouse? – always wins. With ESPN, Disney is well positioned to profit from this trend. Indeed, I certainly wouldn’t bet against Disney (sorry, I had to do it).

 

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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. 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 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!

Listen to Count Dooku ... and Others

Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #128: Listen to Count Dooku – There’s a lesson to be learned from what Count Dooku tried to tell Obi-Wan.

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.

Walt Disney's Greatness

Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #127: Appreciating the Greatness of Walt Disney – Michael Eisner reminds us that sometimes we just need to pause and admire and be inspired by greatness. 

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 World Annual Passes Returning

 by Ray Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

August 30, 2021

 

The Walt Disney Company announced today that Annual Passes will be returning to Walt Disney World, just in time to celebrate the park’s 50^th anniversary.

The sale of Walt Disney World Annual Passes were halted when Disney World closed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but they will be returning on September 8 with four options for guests. That is, the Disney Incredi-Pass, Disney Sorcerer Pass, Disney Pirate Pass and the Disney Pixie Dust Pass.

 

The following graphic, courtesy of Disney Parks Blog, breaks down the options or benefits with each Pass.

Perks include standard theme park parking; savings on dining and merchandise; merchandise and content just for Passholders; the Park Hopper option; bonus reservation options; V.I.P. support; and being able to customize your Annual Pass with assorted extras (for purchase) such as PhotoPass downloads, or the Water Park and Sports option.

 

Disney also did warn: “Please note as we continue to manage attendance to provide a great experience for everyone, at any time, Annual Passes may be unavailable for purchase.”

 

For more information about the new Disney World Annual Pass program, visit DisneyWorld.com/AnnualPass.

 

The 50^th anniversary celebration at Disney World starts on October 1 and will run for 18 months.

 

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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. 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 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!

Walt Disney Resented Limitations on Imagination

Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #126: Walt Disney’s Dynamic Creativity – Walt Disney resented limitations, loved exploring and experimenting. He was the consummate creator.

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.

Walt-onomics: Customers Matter

Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #125: Walt-onomics: Customers Matter – Walt Disney understood a basic point of economics, i.e., consumers act as final judge and jury.

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.

Walt Disney's Hyper-Creativity

Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #124: Walt Disney’s Hyper-Creativity – Remove obstacles and get as creative as Walt … well, almost.

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.

Fun for Marvel's Stan Lee

Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #123: Stan Lee on Fun – What did Stan Lee think was fun? His answer offers a lesson for the rest of us.

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 and Disney World Union Agree on Vaccinations

 by Ray Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

August 25, 2021

 

The Walt Disney Company reached an agreement early this week with the Services Trades Council Union requiring that Disney World workers be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by October 22, 2021.

 

The agreement allows for exemptions to be considered for medical and religious reasons. This goes along with Disney’s late July announcement that all non-union employees would be required to be fully vaccinated by the end of September.

 

Disney has more than 60,000 workers in Central Florida, with about 38,000 being unionized.

Unite Here Local 362 president Eric Clinton was quoted by the Orlando Sentinel, “This means to work at Walt Disney World, unless you have a medical or religious accommodation need, that you will be required to be vaccinated. Vaccines are the best way to protect all of us, and Disney will be requiring it of its cast members.”

 

Those claiming a medical exemption would have to provide a doctor’s note, and Disney “reserves the right to discuss the request with the employee’s doctor if the documentation provided is not sufficient to evaluate the accommodation request.”

 

As for a religious exemption, the agreement says, “For requests related to a religious accommodation, the employee will need to explain the nature of the religious belief, practice or observance and how it prevents the employee from receiving a COVID-19 vaccination. The Company reserves the right to discuss the nature of the religious belief, practice or observance with the employee’s religion’s spiritual leader or another third party who is aware of the employee’s religious belief, practice or observation.”

 

The Wall Street Journal noted that this was one of the first private-sector unions to agree to vaccination mandates, and more were expected with FDA full approval of the Pfizer vaccine this past Monday. 

 

In general, there has been little push back from unions on such mandates. At the same time, Florida has been at the forefront of states facing resurging COVID cases due to the Delta variant.

 

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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. 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 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!

Disneyland As Your Business

Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #122: Think of Your Business as Disneyland – Walt Disney said Disneyland will never be completed, nor will your own business.

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.

Vaccinations Required for Disney Cruise Line Passengers Beginning September 3

 by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

August 24, 2021

 

One thing can be said about the current travel season: It changes by the day!  Consider what’s happening with Disney Cruise Line.

 

Last month, when Disney launched its test sailing with volunteer passengers in order to comply with (the then-current) CDC simulated voyage Conditional Sailing guidelines, it was with hope that they could return to sailing without the required level of vaccinated passengers.  Being a “Disney” entity, whose clientele consists of legions of families with younglings under the age of 12 who are not eligible for vaccines, the CDC threshold of a 95% vaccination rate without the simulated voyage would potentially have been difficult for Disney to achieve. 

Today, however, Disney Cruise Line announced changes to their rules.  Vaccinations will now be required for Disney Cruise Line passengers beginning September 3. The new guidelines are predominantly based on a change to the entry requirements from The Bahamas, where Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, is located.

 

According to Disney’s announcement today, “For sailings to The Bahamas beginning September 3, 2021 until November 1, 2021, The Bahamas will require that all passengers ages 12 and older be fully vaccinated in order for a ship to be allowed entry into any of its cruise ports, including private islands like Disney Castaway Cay.”

 

In additional information on the Disney Cruise Line website, all passengers ages 12 and older must be fully vaccinated to board the ship. Guests who choose not to provide proof of vaccination will not be permitted to board.  Guests must provide proof of vaccination by uploading their vaccination card to the Safe Passage by Inspire website.  (The CDC considers people to be fully vaccinated 14 days after their final dose has been administered, so guests should take that timing into consideration when planning their itineraries.)

 

According to the Cruise Line, “Guests under the age of 12 must still provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken between 5 days and 24 hours prior to the sail date by uploading their test results to the Safe Passage by Inspire website. They will also be required to undergo a second PCR COVID-19 test administered by Inspire Diagnostics at the terminal prior to boarding.”

 

For those guests who cannot comply with the new regulations, they may modify their sail date or cancel their sailing without any Disney-imposed cancellation fees by contacting the reservations team at (866) 325-6685 or (407) 566-7797 by September 3, 2021.  

 

A complete list of the new requirements and details can be found on Disney Cruise Lines’ “Know Before You Go” page, which will continue to update information as conditions change.

 

Additional details on specific ships include:

 

Disney Fantasy:

 

• The September 4, 2021, Disney Fantasy sailing has been cancelled. 

 

• Beginning August 25, 2021, guests can book 4-night cruises scheduled to take place after September 11, 2021, from Port Canaveral, Florida, to Disney’s Castaway Cay on the Disney Fantasy.

 

• If you were scheduled for a seven-night Disney Fantasy voyage departing Sept. 11, Sept. 18, Sept. 25 or Oct. 2: Your cruise will automatically transition to the new four-night itineraries, with the same departure dates. (Contact your travel agency or Disney Cruise Line for the complete list of refunds, credits, and adjustments that will be made for affected guests who choose not to sail on the shorter cruise, or who may already be paid in full and need refunds for the shorter journey.)

 

• 7-night voyages onboard the Disney Fantasy are tentatively set for October, and Disney will release additional information on those sailings shortly.  

 

Disney Dream:

 

• The Disney Dream is offering 3- and 4-night trips from Port Canaveral to Castaway Cay in The Bahamas.

 

Disney Magic and Disney Wonder:

 

• Exclusive to UK residents, the Disney Magic is offering short voyages in the United Kingdom for a limited time. 

 

With the Disney Dream’s return to the high seas came the opportunity for guests to see the changes that were made to the Cruise Line’s art-deco-inspired terminal at Port Canaveral. An extended covered walkway for arrivals, expanded terminal entrance, and a new passenger bridge were among the upgrades awaiting this summer’s passengers.

 

Without a doubt, Cruise Line passengers will be exposed to numerous, and potentially last-minute, changes to their adventures as Disney begins its phased return approach to sailing, and as COVID conditions change. Check back to the Disney Cruise Line’s website often for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

 

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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!

 

Jon Favreau Has Good Reasons to Love Star Wars

Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #121: Don’t Underestimate Star Wars – Jon Favreau loves Star Wars and very good reasons exist to do so.

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.

Walt Disney, Storyteller, Loved Baseball

Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #120: Not Surprising That Walt Disney Loved Baseball – Walt Disney loved baseball and so should all storytellers.

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.

We're All Imagineers?

Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #119: We’re All Imagineers! – Regarding your career and business, you better be thinking like an Imagineer.

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.

Captain America and Fear Courtesy of Chris Evans

Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #118: Captain America and Fear – Chris Evans decided to play Captain America because he tossed aside fear.

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.

Walt Disney on Failures and Doubters

Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #117: Walt Disney on Failures and Doubters – When confronted by failure and doubters, Chris Lucas looks to Walt Disney on what to do. 

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.

Good-Bye Disney FastPasses; Hello Disney Genie

 by Ray Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

August 18, 2021

 

Disney announced today that FASTPASS, FastPass+ and Disney MaxPass services will come to an end and be replaced by the new Disney Genie service, arriving this fall.

 

Disney Genie will be integrated into the My Disney Experience and Disneyland apps, and is meant to enhance guests’ experiences at Disney’s domestic parks through improved planning and reduced wait times by suggesting and updating an itinerary throughout the day. 

With Disney Genie, according to the company, guests will experience enhanced personalization – or greater customization – based on inputs regarding their interests, such as specific rides, themes and food options. The service will suggest a schedule for the day, again with continuous updates as well as forecasted wait times, that all promise to maximize the park experience. As Disney put it on the Disney Parks Blog, “From specific attractions, foodie experiences and entertainment, to general interests like Disney princesses, villains, Pixar, Star Wars, thrill rides and more – just tell Disney Genie what you want to do and it will do the planning for you.”

 

It also will be easier to make dining reservations and place food orders.

 

While the Disney Genie service will be free, there will be two additional paid options.

 

Disney Genie+ will be available for $15 per ticket per day at Walt Disney World and $20 at Disneyland. Guests will be able to choose the next available time for attractions and experiences – one selection at a time during the day – then using the Lightning Lane entrance. Disney called it “the next evolution of the fan-favorite Disney MaxPass service from Disneyland Resort.”

 

Disney Genie+ also will feature special themed audio experiences in the parks, including behind-the-scenes fun facts. Unlimited Disney PhotoPass downloads will be included at the Disneyland Resort, while Disney World guests will have “augmented reality lenses” for photos.

 

Also available for purchase would be a scheduled time to arrive at up to two in-demand attractions per day using the Lightning Lane. Disney noted, “Pricing for this option will vary by date, attraction and park and will be announced closer to launch.”

Dennis Speigel, founder and CEO of Cincinnati-based International Theme Park Services, told the Orlando Sentinel, “I think this is one of the most important programs that has come forth to give the guests a better experience… [Guests] can plan along with the parks. We’ve never been able to do that. It’s a huge, huge milestone. We’re crossing a barrier in our industry, and it’s something that we’ve been trying to figure out for decades.”

 

There no doubt will be some backlash for the paid options, but Disney is betting that the experiences for all guests will be enhanced, and Speigel clearly agrees, seeing this as a gamechanger for the industry. 

 

Disney calls Disney Genie a personal assistant, is clearly proud of the technology (based on “more than 60 years of knowledge”) and its ease of use (including “Tip Boards”), and says, “You’ve never had a friend like this!”

 

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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. 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 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!

Cirque du Soleil To Reopen in Disney Springs With New Show

 by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

August 18, 2021

 

If you’ve been to Disney Springs, you no doubt have seen the giant white building at the far end of the Springs. The tent-shaped structure is home to Cirque du Soleil, the live entertainment circus arts group first started by a troupe of 20 street performers in Canada in 1984.  Since then, the group has grown to include both residential and touring performances throughout the world, including venues in Las Vegas and Europe.

Now, at long last, after a year-and-a-half long closure due to COVID, Cirque du Soleil is about to reopen in Disney Springs with a new 90-minute long show, Drawn to Life.  The show is a first-ever collaboration between Cirque du Soleil, Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering, and features an international cast of 64 artists.  Performances begin November 18, 2021, with ticket sales for general audiences available at 7 a.m. EST on Friday, August 20, 2021.  

 

“Drawn to Life is a thrilling collaboration between Cirque du Soleil, Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering,” says Disney Parks Blog. “At its core, the show is about the love between a father and a daughter with a story drawing inspiration from Disney’s 100-year heritage of animation. The family-friendly show brings timeless Disney stories and characters to life in an unforgettable way through the use of innovative design, acrobatic performances, dazzling choreography, musical scores, brand-new animation lovingly created by Disney Animation artists, and some extra touches of Disney magic.”

Cirque du Soleil explains, “The show tells the story of a determined girl who discovers one last gift left by her animator father: a sequence of unfinished drawings. Guided by a magical pencil and a quirky troupe of imaginative muses, she embarks on an inspiring quest filled with her childhood Disney memories. We’ll follow her as she leaps into a whimsical world of animation and discovers new possibilities that animate the story of her future.”

 

Cirque du Soleil’s website offers a series of behind-the-scenes glimpses at the artists and their preparation for the new show, as well as a chance to see what goes into Cirque du Soleil’s creative, high energy performances.  Drawn to Life was written and directed by Michel Laprise, with Fabrice Becker as Director of Creation, in partnership with Michael Jung, Executive Theatrical Development at Walt Disney Imagineering, with all-new animation created for the show by Disney artists, including animator Eric Goldberg, as well as sequences from existing Disney films. It also features 10 unique acrobatic acts among the live performances.

 

In a bit of serendipity, Drawn to Life is the 50th production created by Cirque du Soleil, also marking the 50th anniversary celebration of Walt Disney World. 

For more information about Drawn to Life, visit DisneySprings.com/Cirque.  Ticket prices will be available for specific dates on the website. Tickets may also be purchased at cirquedusoleil.com/drawntolife.

 

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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!