Disney Shares Schedule for 2023 Holiday Specials

 by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

November 22, 2023

 

Disney fans will have two separate holiday specials to watch in coming weeks – one for Thanksgiving, and one for Christmas morning.

For Thanksgiving weekend,  “The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration” will air on ABC on Sunday, November 26, from 8:00-10:00 p.m. (EST), but if you miss it with all the family celebrations going on, it will also begin streaming the next day on Hulu and Disney+.

Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

Siblings Derek and Julianne Hough will be returning to host “The Magical Holiday Celebration,” and among the featured performances on the Thanksgiving special will be:

 

• Derek Hough and Julianne Hough – “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,” “What Christmas Means to Me,” “Dance to the Music” medley

• Michael Bolton & Mickey Guyton – “Christmas Isn’t Christmas”

• Andra Day and Adam Blackstone – “Someday at Christmas” and an Adam Blackstone original song “Legacy Christmastime”

• Ariana DeBose– “This Wish” from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Wish

• Mickey Guyton – “Jingle Bell Rock”

• Chris Janson – “Holiday Road”

• Tori Kelly – “This Christmas” and “Winter Wonderland”

• Chrissy Metz – “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”

• The Smashing Pumpkins – “Silver Bells”

• Robin Thicke – “Let it Snow” and “Perfect Holiday”

• Iam Tongi – “White Christmas”

 

There will also be a special look back at Mariah Carey’s 2016 version of “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”

 

And while you may be watching the Christmas morning parade from Disney with your family after opening your stockings and gifts, you’ll be forgiven for assuming it’s live from the parks – the parade already filmed last week.  If you weren’t in the parks to see it in person, you can catch the 40th anniversary airing of the “Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade” on ABC on Monday, December 25, from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (EST) or 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. (PST).  It will also stream the next day on Hulu and Disney+.

 

Derek Hough and Julianne Hough will again host the Christmas Day festivities, along with co-hosts country music star Mickey Guyton and “The Golden Bachelor” host Jesse Palmer.  In addition to the parade (that’s what you’re really waiting for, right?), there will be musical performances from:

 

• Derek Hough and Julianne Hough – “Good Morning” and “Deck the Halls” Medley

• Chrissy Metz – “Silver Bells”

• The Smashing Pumpkins – “Evergreen” (A new, original holiday song)

• Iam Tongi – “Mele Kalikimaka”

• The Broadway and North American Tour Cast of Disney’s “Aladdin” – “Friend Like Me”

• Meg Donnelly – “Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)”

 

The holiday specials were filmed at a variety of Disney locations, including Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Disneyland Resort in California, Aulani in Hawai‘I, Disneyland in Paris, and on board the Disney Cruise Line.

 

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

 

Support the Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating podcast at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1724143. Subscribe at the $8 or $10 level, and get The Disney Planner: The TO DO List Solution by Ray Keating. Remain a supporter and you'll get a FREE BOOK by Ray Keating every six months going forward. Thanks!

6 Questions for Bob Iger

 by Ray Keating

Commentary

DisneyBizJournal.com

September 23, 2023

 

While visiting Walt Disney World on Friday afternoon, I overheard a conversation among Disney cast members either speculating or knowing that Disney CEO Bob Iger was at the Boardwalk Resort.

 

So, as noted in the accompanying video, this got me thinking about what I would ask Mr. Iger if I happened to bump into him. Here are the six questions that came to mind.

 

First, Disney has made a big deal in recent days about pledging to invest $60 billion in parks and cruise lines over the coming decade, could you provide more specifics? What are we looking at in terms of numbers and projects at Walt Disney World, for example? “Frozen” at Disneyland and “Black Panther” have been mentioned in reports, can you give us more?

 

Second, with news and rumors swirling about offers being made to Disney for ABC and other Disney television networks, including Byron Allen’s reported $10 billion offer for ABC, FX and National Geographic, what’s the company’s thinking on a price target for such assets?

 

Third, can you give us some clarity on the future of ESPN and its move to full streaming?

 

Fourth, in light of the Disney deal with Charter Communication, how do you now envision the future of streaming, such as Disney+, as it relates to cable television? (See the recent DisneyBizJournal analysis).

 

Fifth, the quality of Marvel films has fallen off notably since Avengers: Endgame, or at best these films have become far more uneven. What is the plan going forward, and is Kevin Feige in danger of losing his job?

 

Sixth, some recent Disney movies pulled in a decent amount of revenue at the box office – such as The Little Mermaid, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny and Elemental – but runaway costs made these either box office losers or break-even propositions. What’s being done to get these costs under control?

 

And if I could slip one more question in, it would be: Given the controversy between Disney and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, it has been reported that you’ve said that you want to “quiet the noise” on these types of issues. How do you accomplish that given the reality of politics?

 

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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 is a Disney shareholder.)

Consider books by Ray Keating, including…

 

• The Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries. There are 18 books in the series now.

 

• Order The Weekly Economist II: 52 More Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist. Kindle editions and paperbacks via Amazon here and signed books here. And don’t forget the first book in this growing series, i.e., The Weekly Economist: 52 Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist at Amazon.com.

 

• Cathedral: An Alliance of Saint Michael Novel is at Amazon. 

 

• The Lutheran Planner: The TO DO List Solution combines a simple, powerful system for getting things done with encouragement, inspiration and consolation from the Christian faith.

 

• Signed editions of Ray’s books are 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.

“Disney100: The Exhibition — Making the Magic” To Air Tonight on ABC

 by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

March 23, 2023

 

What are you doing tonight?  If you are a Disney fanatic, you might want to make sure you tune in to Disney100: The Exhibition — Making the Magic on your local ABC station, or stream it on Hulu.  The 30-minute special premieres this evening (Thursday, March 23, 2023) at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT across ABC owned television stations on linear, digital, and streaming platforms, as well as on the Localish network. For participating stations and times, check your local listings.  

A celebration of 100 historic years of making magic, the TV special, Disney100: The Exhibition — Making the Magic, goes behind the scenes of Disney100: The Exhibition, the Disney Archives’ exhibit which debuted earlier this year at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.

The Philadelphia exhibit runs through August 27, 2023, before it goes on the road to other locations. Guests will get a chance to see many rare Disney artifacts, some of which have never been available to the public before.  The special will also explore some of the incredible moments from Disney’s rich 100 year legacy.

According to Disney, “Disney100: The Exhibition – Making the Magic is a dazzling journey through this immersive exhibit, featuring more than 250 artifacts and works of art, costumes and props, and memorabilia from the Walt Disney Archives’ vault of treasures.”

 

The exhibit includes items such as:

 

• Disneyland Employee Badge No. 1, issued in 1955 to Walt Disney

 

• Costumes from Black Panther, Jungle Cruise, Cruella, Enchanted and more

 

• Prop storybooks featured in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Sleeping Beauty

 

• Skywalker Lightsaber Hilt from Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, used by Daisy Ridley

 

• Attraction vehicles from Matterhorn Bobsleds and Peter Pan’s Flight at Disneyland Park

 

During the TV special, viewers will also visit the Walt Disney Archives in Burbank to see how the 15,000-square-foot exhibition, featuring 10 themed galleries at The Franklin Institute, was produced, getting an insider’s look into the creation of some of Disney’s characters and films along the way. 

 

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

Disney To Air Holiday Special On November 27

 by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

November 23, 2022

 

As you recover from the food fest that is Thanksgiving, you and your family will be able to enjoy Disney’s annual “The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration.” It airs this Sunday, November 27, 2022 from 8:00 p.m.-10 p.m. (eastern time), or stream it the next day on Hulu and Disney+.

If you’ve visited the Disney parks in the past few weeks, you might have been able to catch a glimpse of some of the celebrities recording their performances ahead of the big special.  The segments were filmed at Walt Disney Resort in Florida, the Disneyland Resort in California, and, for the first time, on board the Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Disney Wish.

 

The performances will incorporate a mix of holiday classics as well as popular hits, and will also sneak in a promo for Avatar: The Way of Water, coming to theaters on December 16, 2022. A bevy of guests will also chat about some of their own family holiday traditions.

 

Brother-sister duo Derek and Julianne Hough of “Dancing With the Stars” fame (among other Disney productions) will return as hosts of the event, which will include musical numbers from a dozen other entertainers, including a performance by Trevor Jackson from “grown-ish” onboard the Disney Wish.

“The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration” will bring additional numbers from the following stars:

 

• Derek Hough and Julianne Hough – “Such a Night,” “My Favorite Things,” “I Gotta Feeling” medley
• Becky G – “Frosty The Snowman” and “What Christmas Means to Me” with Chloe Flower and Ne-Yo
• Black Eyed Peas – “A Cold Christmas” and “I Gotta Feeling”
• Chloe Flower – “Carol of the Bells” and “What Christmas Means to Me” with Ne-Yo andBecky G
• David Foster and Katharine McPhee – “Jingle Bell Rock”
• Il Volo – “Adeste Fideles (O Come, All Ye Faithful)”
• Jordin Sparks – “Trapmas Medley”
• Maren Morris – “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”
• Meghan Trainor – “Here Comes Santa Claus” and “Made You Look” medley
• Ne-Yo – “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)” and “What Christmas Means to Me” with Chloe Flower and Becky G
• Run DMC – “Christmas in Hollis”

 

You can also tune in to the “Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade” on December 25, 2022, from 10 a.m.-noon (eastern time) on ABC (or stream live on Hulu to all subscribers), where many of the same artists will offer up Christmas Day performances, in addition to the beloved annual parade featuring a float with Santa himself.

 

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

ABC Two-Hour Special Celebrating 50 Years of Disney World

 by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

October 1, 2021

 

A star-studded spectacular will air on ABC tonight, October 1, celebrating Disney World’s 50th Anniversary. Hosted by Disney Legend Whoopi Goldberg, the two-hour program is entitled “The Most Magical Story on Earth: 50 Years of Walt Disney World,” and will offer up performances from Christina Aguilera and Halle Bailey, as well as the music of the “50” piece Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. 

In addition to the musical performances, the evening will be interspersed with historical footage, interviews, stories, reminiscences, tributes, and great Disney World memories. The ABC/2020 show was produced by ABC News and Disney Parks.

 

“This EARidescent special event will take viewers through Walt Disney World’s humble beginnings in the swamplands of Florida and its evolution into a cultural phenomenon,” notes the Disney Parks Blog. “Through an expansive look into the past, present, and future of the vacation destination, footage never before seen on television will give fans a glimpse into the journey to bring Walt’s vision to life and a look at plans for the future. The special will also spotlight some of Walt Disney World’s most memorable pop-culture moments, from the many sitcoms that filmed episodes in the theme parks to the conception of the ubiquitous ‘I’m going to Disney World!’ campaign. Plus, viewers will get a heartwarming look at how Disney and Make-A-Wish foundation have worked together for over 40 years to make kids’ Disney dreams come true.”

 

Among others, the evening will include appearances by Disney creators Kevin Feige, Pete Docter, and James Cameron; Walt Disney World Imagineers Bob Weis, Mark Kohl, and Ann Morrow Johnson; past and present Disney executives Bob Chapek, Bob Iger, and Michael Eisner; and celebrities Anthony Anderson, John Stamos, Marsai Martin, Gary Sinise, Melissa Joan Hart, Candace Cameron Bure, Tom Brady, Phil Simms, and Doug Williams.

 

Viewers can tune in tonight at 8 pm ET (7 pm CT) on their local ABC station, or stream the show on Hulu starting October 2.  If you don’t mind waiting, you can also watch on Disney+ beginning October 8. 

 

Happy 50th, Disney World!

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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!

Disney on How NOT To Do Diversity

 by Ray Keating

Commentary

DisneyBizJournal.com

April 17, 2021

 

The statement kind of hits like a cold bucket of water over the head: “I will tell you for the first time we received some incredibly well-written scripts that did not satisfy our standards in terms of inclusion, and we passed on them.”

 

As noted by the Hollywood Reporter, Walt Disney Television chairman of entertainment Dana Walden made this declaration recently during a panel discussion. And it’s the direct result of a set of inclusion standards – i.e., actual percentage breakdowns of “groups” populating on-screen presentation, creative teams and behind the scenes – set up in the fall 2020 by ABC/Disney.

Before pondering possible implications, and given the political powder-keg that such declarations can ignite, there are a few quick things that need saying. First, there are those on the Right who mistakenly believe that racism and prejudice simply don’t exist. Second, many on the Left see racism and prejudice everywhere, and believe that racism is as bad as it has ever been in this country. Disagreements in this area often rank as the most strident and ugly in our public life, and feed an increasing tribalism – that is, I have my group, you have yours, and we are not together in any true sense. So much for the U.S. motto of E Pluribus Unum. The reality is that racism and prejudice very much exist, much work still needs to be done in healing our divisions, but also so very much already has been accomplished. Anyone who cannot see all of this is ignoring history for the sake of playing divisive politics.

 

As for actions being taken, private companies are free to choose to implement whatever policies they see fit to expand diversity. At the same time, that doesn’t mean that such policies should not be examined and subject to criticism.

 

Diversity as an objective for a business is not new and can be beneficial, such as by bringing various viewpoints and perspectives to decision-making. When done thoughtfully and constructively, it can send positive messages beyond the firm as well. 

 

At its best, corporate efforts to improve diversity and inclusion mean opening more doors, and expanding the number of chairs at the table. The point is that business is not a zero-sum game. The right decisions mean growth and expanding opportunities, hopefully, for all.

 

But that is not the message behind Walden’s comment. That drips of zero-sum, us-vs.-them thinking, with diversity and inclusion efforts resulting in the exclusion of certain people. How tragically ironic.

 

It also clearly points to politics trumping quality. Disney is a storytelling company in the storytelling business, and that is perhaps why this statement, while not surprising in parts of the business world today, is shocking and dismaying. Disney should be welcoming to all who tell good stories. That would seem to be one of the tenets upon which Walt Disney built the company. It’s not, or should not be, a case of either diversity or quality. Why not both?

 

Indeed, creators should be most distressed by such declarations, along with formulas as to who effectively can and cannot create with the company. As a storyteller myself (a novelist), I create the best material I can, and work with others to bring those stories to the public. My hope is the same for other creators. 

 

What’s nice is that technology makes statements like this from Walden, and percentage breakdowns on the “groups” that Disney will and will not work with, largely irrelevant. Technology has empowered writers and filmmakers like never before. Creators can create, and gain direct access to consumers like never before. That’s exciting for all creators, including those who have suffered due to racism and prejudice, and those who fail to align with leftist dictates from certain companies. Perhaps there is an opportunity for creators to truly unite.

 

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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 15^th 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!

Disney Expands Its Relationship with the NFL

by Ray Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

March 18, 2021 (Updated at 5:58 PM ET)

 

In a new deal, Disney has expanded its relationship with the NFL.

 

The NFL, as announced on March 18, has signed agreements with Disney (including ESPN, ABC and ESPN+), Fox, CBS, NBC, Amazon and NFL Network that cover national television coverage through the 2033 season. According to The New York Times, the complete package is worth about $110 billion.

 

ABC will pick up two Super Bowls. The NFL reported the Super Bowl breakdowns as follows: “From 2023 through 2033, three Super Bowls each will be hosted by CBS (2023, 2027, 2031), FOX (2024, 2028, 2032) and NBC (2025, 2029, 2033), while ABC (2026, 2030) will carry two.”

 

According to an ESPN report, ESPN keeps Monday Night Football, while adding six games each season, featuring three Monday night doubleheaders (with a game on ESPN followed by a game on ABC), a late-season Saturday doubleheader, and a Sunday morning game on ESPN+. Also, Monday Night Football will gain a “flex” option starting in week 12 of the season to ensure better games. And ESPN will continue to air the NFL draft.

 

Amazon pulled off a major gain by getting exclusive coverage of Thursday Night Football (with local broadcast coverage of teams playing) on Amazon Prime Video.

 

The NFL noted that the deals allow for the league to add a 17th game to its season, and a decision on that will be likely be made at the NFL owners’ meeting on March 30-31.

 

CBS and FOX keep Sunday afternoon coverage, and NBC Sunday Night Football.

 

Each network is able to simulcast games on their respective streaming services.

 

Disney CEO Bob Chapek was quoted: “This landmark agreement guarantees that ESPN's passionate fan base will continue to have access to the best the NFL has to offer. Bringing all the considerable and unique capabilities of The Walt Disney Company and ESPN to the table opens up so many opportunities across our industry-leading direct-to-consumer, broadcast, cable, linear, social and digital outlets. Special thanks to Roger Goodell and the NFL owners for continuing to embrace new ways to appeal to their fans, especially through increasingly important platforms like ESPN+.”

 

The current NFL television deals expire after the 2021 season for ESPN, and after the 2022 season for CBS, NBC and FOX. 

 

The NFL’s deal with DirecTV for the Sunday Ticket package also ends after 2022, but nothing new has been announced on that front. On the heels of today’s announcement, there are conflicting reports or rumors flying about Sunday Ticket, with some saying it will stay at DirecTV and others pointing to it going to ESPN+. Again, nothing has been announced on that as yet.

 

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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. 

 

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!

  

NHL and Disney Announce Major 7-Year Rights Deal

 by Ray Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

March 10, 2021

Updated March 11, 2021

 

The NHL and The Walt Disney Company announced today a major seven-year deal that brings NHL games to Disney and ESPN platforms.

 

The partnership starts with next season (2021-22) and runs through the 2027-28 season. The Athletic has reported, "ESPN will pay more than $400-million annually to the NHL."

The deal includes the NHL.TV out-of-market subscription service moving exclusively to streaming as part of an ESPN+ subscription. As noted in the NHL’s statement: “ESPN+ subscribers get truly incredible value with more than 1,000 out-of-market games now available digitally only on the industry-leading sports streaming service - making it a must-have for hockey fans.”

 

The deal also features the following:

 

• The NHL Stanley Cup Final on ABC in four of the seven years covered by the deal.

 

• 25 exclusive regular-season games each season on ESPN.

 

• 75 NHL regular-season games streamed exclusively on ESPN+ and Hulu.

 

• Half of the Stanley Cup playoffs on ABC and ESPN each season.

 

• Coverage of NHL opening night games, the NHL All-Star Game and Skills Challenge, and special events each season.

 

This is a major coup for the NHL, with the deal leaving room for NBC to renew with the NHL as well, or CBS or FOX getting in on the hockey action.

 

It’s also a bold, but not unexpected move by Disney on the sports front. Kareem Daniel, chairman of Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution, said, “This is the kind of innovative deal that only The Walt Disney Company and our portfolio of media platforms and businesses can bring to life. The combination of streaming leadership with ESPN+ and Hulu, along with our powerhouse ABC and ESPN networks, will bring the NHL into the homes and lives of millions of passionate fans - and help create new ones.”

 

Disney also is expected to expand its role with the NFL as well, including being in the running, perhaps with Amazon, to grab the NFL Sunday Ticket package.

 

__________

 

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. 

 

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!