Walt Disney and Space Exploration

Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #32: A Lesson from Walt Disney’s Impact on Space Exploration – The power of entertainment and popular culture to affect “bigger things” in life shouldn’t be underestimated.

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.

“The Wonder Awaits You!”: Virtual Travel Experience Offered by Visit Orlando

by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

March 16, 2021

 

Planning a summer vacation, but not quite ready to go out and about in public yet? You can take advantage of Visit Orlando’s Virtual Travel Show later this month to start planning your getaway.

On Thursday, March 25, 2021, Visit Orlando will be debuting a one-of-a-kind virtual experience from 6-8 p.m. (EDT). This free, online live show, “The Wonder Awaits You!” An Orlando Virtual Travel Experience, will also make its content available for three days after the conference, but guests must be registered for the live event in advance in order to participate.

 

If you’ve ever ventured into a convention center packed with dozens of booths to explore your favorite topic (comic-con, anyone?), plan a wedding, or visit a car or boat show, you’ve no doubt navigated the crowds meandering from vendor to vendor. Visit Orlando is using that concept, but allowing you to visit the venues from the comfort of your own home.  Wear your PJs if you wish!

 

Attendees can win trips and vacation package prizes, access exclusive show offers, and explore different options, including theme parks, hotels, dining and other entertainment hot spots.

 

The live show will run for two hours, and registrants can also visit virtual booths at Experience Village, where they can interact with representatives from various attractions and accommodations. In the Main Stage presentations, guests can hear about the newest offerings and changes at Orlando’s theme parks and attractions.

 

Among the more than 40 destinations and attractions participating will be Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando, Legoland Florida, Gatorland, Icon Park, NASA, and the Kennedy Space Center. 

 

You can register for free at the Visit Orlando website, where more information is also available.

 

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Beth Keating is a regular contributor to DisneyBizJournal.

 

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Disney Networks Covering SpaceX Launch Today

by Ray Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

May 27, 2020

The May 27^th launch of two American astronauts – Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley – to the International Space Station (ISS) will be historic for a couple of reasons. First, it will be the first time in nearly 10 years that American astronauts will lift off for the ISS from U.S. soil. Second, and more notably, this will be the first time that a privately-owned company will transport humans to the ISS.

Two of Disney’s networks - ABC News Live and National Geographic – will begin coverage at 3:00 PM EDT on May 27^th. The liftoff is set for 4:33 PM EDT, weather permitting, from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, with ABC joining the coverage just prior to launch. Live coverage will return on Thursday, May 28^th, when the spacecraft – the Crew Dragon capsule – is expected to dock with the ISS.

Where exactly will you find coverage? The following comes from the joint press statement:

ABC News Live provides “LAUNCH AMERICA: MISSION TO SPACE LIVE” to viewers on Hulu, The Roku Channel, YouTube TV, Amazon’s news app on Fire tablets and Fire TV devices, Xumo, Sling TV, Facebook, Twitter, ABCNews.com, the ABC News and ABC mobile apps, and standalone ABC News Live apps on Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Roku and Apple TV. 

National Geographic provides “LAUNCH AMERICA: MISSION TO SPACE LIVE” to viewers on the NGTV app across all devices, On Demand on cable and satellite providers, NatGeoTV.com, Hulu, YouTube TV and other program providers.

What about the dicey weather for today? ABC News reported: “Should the launch be postponed prior to the live event, ABC News Live and National Geographic will air the special on the new launch date, which is determined by NASA and SpaceX and is slated for Saturday, May 30, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. EDT.”

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See related...

“Disney in Space ... Beyond Star Wars”

See recent...

“Return of My Guilty Pleasure: National Treasure”

“PRESS CLUB C Podcast with Ray Keating – Episode #10: Streaming Fueling the Nerd, Including the Disney Nerd”

“News on Theme Park Reopening Plans – Universal Orlando’s Big Step”

“Is “The Wonderful World of Disney” Still Wonderful?”

See notable...

“Enjoy a Disney Discussion Doubleheader!”

“Leadership Changes at the Walt Disney Company”

“Theme Parks: Pandemic, Disney and the Little Guys”

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Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of The Disney Planner 2020: The TO DO List Solution (now available at a deep discount) and the Pastor Stephen Grant novels. He can be contacted at  raykeating@keatingreports.com.

Get the paperback or Kindle edition of Ray Keating’s new book Behind Enemy Lines: Conservative Communiques from Left-Wing New York.

Disney in Space ... Beyond Star Wars

by Ray Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

May 24, 2019

We all know about the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opening in Disneyland on May 31^stand in Disney World on August 29, but there’s actually stuff going on in space when it comes Disney that doesn’t include Star Wars. And as communicated in a recent interesting podcast, that has long been the case.

Source: Walt Disney World

First, looking ahead, Disney announced earlier this month that its space-themed, table-service restaurant will be opening in Epcot later this year. The restaurant will be adjacent to the Mission: SPACE attraction, and will, as Disney has put it, “take you into outer space for incredible dining experiences that are ‘out of this world.’” There reportedly will be spectacular views of the Earth from space. The menu will include “more than 1,000 bottles of the world’s finest wines and a wide selection of craft beer.”

Second, on his "WDW Radio Podcast," Lou Mongello takes a fascinating look at Walt Disney’s involvement with America’s early space program. This is an informative and entertaining episode. As pointed out in the show notes: “This week, we’ll explore how Walt and his Imagineers worked with Wernher von Braun and used television to help influence public perception of rockets and space travel through his Disneyland TV specials (including some shows that were never made), and contribute in a meaningful way to America’s space program. We’ll also look at how he inspired and impacted many people, including President Eisenhower, as well as Disney’s portrayal of space in feature films and television. We’ll then explore the history of space-themed attractions in Disneyland and Walt Disney World, and current contributions to and with NASA.” Good stuff from WDW Radio, once again.

Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant novels. He can be contacted at  raykeating@keatingreports.com.

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