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

Monday, November 16, 2020

One of the Most Important Dates in Florida History

 by Chris Lucas

Guest Column

DisneyBizJournal.com

November 16, 2020

 

Walt Disney and his older brother/business partner Roy appeared 55 years ago at a November 15, 1965, press conference at the Cherry Tree Plaza Hotel in Orlando, Florida, near Lake Eola, with Governor Haydon Burns.


Courtesy of Top Disney

There, they officially announced to the world what a few had already suspected, that they were the mystery buyers of almost 30,000 acres of bog and swamp land in Central Florida.

 

To say that this was one of the most important dates in Florida’s history is no understatement. It ranks right up there with Ponce DeLeon’s arrival in 1513, and the opening, four centuries later, of the highways and rail systems connecting the Northeast and Midwest to the Sunshine State.

 

To put it in perspective: Before Disney set up shop, most visitors to Florida headed to the beaches or the coasts. The swampy, marshy, lake filled interior of the state was desolate land used largely for agricultural purposes. 

 

Now, over 75 percent of the 120 million people who visit Florida in an average year spend their time in the greater Orlando area, never venturing anywhere else in the state. 

 

In 1965, there were less than 400,000 people living in central Florida, and it accounted for just 10 percent of tax revenue to the state. 

 

Today, it's one of the biggest metropolitan areas in the country, with close to three million residents, and provides well over 50 percent of Florida’s tax revenue. Walt Disney World alone has generated more than five billion dollars. 

 

Walt passed away just about a year after this press conference, so he never actually got to see the finished version of Walt Disney World. 

 

His brother Roy made sure that the dream didn't die. He postponed his retirement and stayed on with the company until the resort opened in October, 1971. 

 

On Oct. 1, 1982, a modified version of Walt's E.P.C.O.T. debuted, not as the city of the future as Walt had envisioned, but as a theme park/permanent world's fair.

 

It's amazing to think that all of these things came from the fertile imagination of one man, one of the greatest dreamers who ever lived, and through the continued efforts of his brother, the financial genius of the company. 

 

Thanks, fellas!

 

__________

 

Chris Lucas is the author of Top Disney: 100 Top Ten Lists of the Best of Disney, from the Man to the Mouse and Beyond.

 

On the PRESS CLUB C Podcast, enjoy Ray’s discussion with Chris Lucas about his career as an actor, author and Disney expert. Tune in right here!

 

Thursday, November 12, 2020

Streaming, Streaming, Streaming on Disney’s Fourth Quarter Earnings Call

 by Ray Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

November 12, 2020

 

The November 12 earnings call by the Walt Disney Company didn’t serve up any earth-shattering information. But it did reinforce the company’s laser-like emphasis on direct-to-consumer (DTC) services (i.e., streaming).

 

It was noted that paid subscribers at the end of the fourth quarter (which closed on October 3, 2020) registered 73.7 million for Disney+. And Disney CEO Bob Chapek noted that Disney+ was launched exactly one year ago, and subscriber levels have far exceeded expectations.



For good measure, ESPN+ subscribers hit 10.3 million, which was up versus 3.5 million a year earlier.

 

And as for Hulu, total subscribers have hit 36.6 million, which was up from 28.5 million last year. 

 

By the way, that tallies up to 120.6 million paid subscriptions for Disney streaming services.

 

Chapek, as he did in the previous earnings call, made clear that Disney was moving to “a DTC first business model” and that DTC stands as the “key driver of long-term value” and the “key to the future of our company.” He, therefore, noted the “continued increase in our investment in DTC content.”

 

As for the theme parks, Chapek served up a negative take on the state of California standing against the re-opening of Disneyland, saying he was “extremely disappointed” and pointing to California using “arbitrary standards” as opposed to actual science and evidence. As a result, Chapek noted that the state was hurting local communities and “decimating small businesses.”

 

And regarding the Disney Cruise Line, Chapek noted that the CDC’s new requirements to get back to sea represented “high hurdles,” indicating that they might push back the cruise line’s reopening. Chapek did highlight, however, high demand for cruises for the back-half of 2021 and for 2022.

 

Finally, while Chapek avoided talking about actual results of the Mulan premiere access release, he was positive on the strategy, which, no doubt, will annoy many Disney+ subscribers.

 

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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.

 

Pre-order The Disney Planner 2021: The TO DO List Solution today!

 

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!

 

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

 

"Inside Pixar" Series Coming to Disney+ Tomorrow

 by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

November 12, 2020

 

Disney has gotten a lot of things right with their new streaming service, but perhaps one of their strongest showings has come in the form of their original, behind-the-scenes programming such as the recent Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom series; The Imagineering Story; Disney Gallery/Star Wars: The Mandalorian; Inside Disney; or Prop Culture.  Kicking off tomorrow (November 13) is a brand new how-it-happens series that will allow you to pull back the curtain on the workings Inside Pixar.



Similar to the original One Day At Disney program that provided short glimpses of the people bringing you the magic around the Disney empire, the Inside Pixar documentary series is arranged in a set of four themed collections, each featuring five short stories, with individual episodes ranging from 9-11 minutes long. The first collection, dropping on Friday, is labelled “Inspired,” and the segments focus on Soul’s co-director Kemp Powers, character designer Deanna Marsigliese, director Steven Hunter, script supervisor Jessica Heidt, and director Dan Scanlon. The Inside Pixar episodes are directed by Erica Milsom and Tony Kaplan.

 

Disney calls this show, “A documentary series of personal and cinematic stories that provide an inside look into the people, artistry, and culture of Pixar Animation Studios.”

 

Pixar is the ground-breaking studio behind more than two dozen creative films such as the Toy Story franchise; Inside OutUpCars; Monsters, Inc.; The IncrediblesRatatouilleFinding Nemo; CocoOnward; and the soon-to-debut Soul (December 25, direct to Disney+). 

__________

 

Beth Keating is a regular contributor to DisneyBizJournal.

 

Pre-order The Disney Planner 2021: The TO DO List Solution today!

 

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!

 

Monday, November 9, 2020

Disney+ Shares Trailer for New LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special

 by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

November 9, 2020

 

The Star Wars crew will be celebrating Life Day in an upcoming holiday special… and somewhere in the universe, George Lucas just broke out in a sweat.  Fear not, George, it’s not the dreaded and embarrassing 1970s holiday special that you’ve tried to bury so deep that no one can ever see it again (though if you try really hard, you can sometimes find it on YouTube…just sayin’.) Either way, I’m guessing George “has a bad feeling about this,” seeing the words Star Wars and Holiday Special linked in the same sentence.



This time around, it’s a LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special, set to debut on Disney+ on November 17. Ironically, it’s the same date that the original special aired in 1978, and the good folks at LEGO and Disney+ certainly give a wink and a nod to their predecessor.  (For those who may not be familiar with it, Life Day is the Star Wars’ version of a winter holiday celebration, originally celebrated on the Wookiees’ home planet of Kashyyyk.)

 

Star Wars fans of the live action, Lego and animated varieties will have a lot to unpack. The new trailer alone is crammed full of Easter Eggs from all generations of the movies, the new Mandalorian series, the Clone Wars animated show, and more.  Oh, and it’s all enacted by pint-sized LEGO characters, with their usual humor and quirkiness, and enough crossovers to keep the action interesting. (And you thought Avengers: Endgame was the crossover to end all crossovers…)

 

Disney tells us, “‘The LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special’ reunites Rey, Finn, Poe, Chewie, Rose and the droids for a joyous feast on Life Day. Rey sets off on a new adventure with BB-8 to gain a deeper knowledge of the Force. At a mysterious Jedi Temple, she is hurled into a cross-timeline adventure through beloved moments in Star Wars cinematic history, coming into contact with Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Yoda, Obi-Wan and other iconic heroes and villains from all nine Skywalker saga films. But will she make it back in time for the Life Day feast and learn the true meaning of holiday spirit?”

 

If you are a fan of the LEGO brand of tongue-in-cheek storytelling, pour yourself a glass of blue milk, round up some holiday cookies, and gather the family. This might just become an annual tradition.

 

__________

 

Beth Keating is a regular contributor to DisneyBizJournal.

 

Pre-order The Disney Planner 2021: The TO DO List Solution today!

 

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!

 

Friday, November 6, 2020

Holiday Festivities Kicked Off Today at Walt Disney World Resort

 by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

November 6, 2020

 

You may still have a bowl of Kit Kats on your kitchen table from last week’s trick-or-treaters, but at Disney World, “Christmas is starting now.”

 

The holiday season at Walt Disney started today - November 6 - and Disney has shared a plethora of news about all the celebrations at the parks.  (Yesterday, they also dropped the new menus for the Holiday Kitchens at the Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, which begins November 27. See the DisneyBizJournal story here.)



Magic Kingdom Park

 

Over at the Magic Kingdom, where Christmas trees and wooden soldiers made their appearance earlier in the week, Mickey, Minnie and their friends have slipped into their best holiday outfits in the Christmas version of the character cavalcades that pop up throughout the day. Goofy even parades down the street in his own bake shop cavalcade, followed by dancing gingerbread men.  The most exciting addition for the season? Santa will be heading down Main Street in his sleigh. The Dapper Dans will serenade park guests as the Holiday Trolley chugs its way down the street, and Toy Soldiers will accompany the Main Street Philharmonic. So, while there may not be a “Christmas Parade,” per se, you’ll still be able to see some of your favorite elements from the parade during the cavalcades.

 

There may not be fireworks over the Magic Kingdom right now, but Disney is bringing holiday enchantment to the park with a slightly different version of castle decoration this year. As we previously reported at DisneyBizJournal, instead of the “Castle Dream Lights” with their Frozen-inspired look, Cinderella Castle will light up with special projection effects this year, with such whimsical designs as a Christmas sweater look, a jeweled winter castle, and an overlay of bright and colorful patterns.  

 

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

 

At Animal Kingdom, the character flotillas will continue, but now they’ll have special holiday tunes and yule time outfits.  Santa Claus will also make appearances. Holiday décor began appearing at the park earlier in the week as well.

 

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

 

At Hollywood Studios, Santa will appear in a motorcade to greet guests along Hollywood Boulevard.  Santa’s got a hot rod?  Along with an entourage of elves, Santa will be visiting the Studios in his shiny red convertible. Olaf will bring a holiday twist to “For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration” with a special festive finale and seasonal songs.

 

One of the most anticipated features of the season at Hollywood Studios will also be back, much to guests’ joy.  After dark, the Hollywood Tower Hotel will become the Hollywood Holiday Tower Hotel, and Sunset Boulevard will brighten with thousands of seasonal lights as the tower becomes a giant screen of projection effects. Expect to see “a Muppets gingerbread masterpiece, a Toy Story toy hotel, a snowy corner of Arendelle and a Dickensian village inspired by Mickey’s Christmas Carol” this year.

 

Disney-Style Shopping

 

Disney Springs’ festivities kick off tomorrow, November 7, with Florida’s version of a winter wonderland.  Shop till you drop, or enjoy themed holiday snacks and treats, amidst sparkling lights and the Disney-themed trees on the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll. DJs will pump holiday tunes during the day, and at night, “stilt-walking toy soldiers, skating snowflakes and a magical snowfall will add a touch of wonder for holiday shoppers at surprise locations.”  Spoiler alert: Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at Disney Springs later in the month – this time cruising the Springs in a pontoon boat.

 

The parks at Disneyland in California may not be open yet, but if you are on the west coast and want to indulge in holiday treats and some Disney-themed shopping, head to the Downtown Disney District and Buena Vista Street at Disneyland in California Buena Vista Street officially opens November 19.  (See the DisneyBizJournal story about the shopping expansion here.)

 

The Disney Parks Blog has also launched a special “Everything Holidays” section, where readers can check in on live events, get some DIY activities for the holidays, and find news on festivities taking place at the parks. The section will update with new stories and events throughout the season. 

 

__________

 

Beth Keating is a regular contributor to DisneyBizJournal.

 

Pre-order The Disney Planner 2021: The TO DO List Solution today!

 

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, November 5, 2020

Disney Chefs Finalizing Menus for EPCOT Holiday Festival

 by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

November 5, 2020

 

If you’ve been waiting to see if your favorite gastronomic delights will be returning to this year’s Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, you don’t have to wait any longer. Disney has released the new menus for your holiday celebration.

 

This year’s festival will begin mere days after the Food and Wine Festival wraps up, running November 27 through December 30, 2020, and features a variety of cuisines and traditional favorites from around the globe, as well as from the 11 World Showcase pavilions. 

 

In addition to the snacks, beverages and treats, there will be festive decorations (which have already begun showing up in the Disney parks) and live holiday music at several different stages, including Voices of Liberty-Voices of the Seasons and Las Posadas with Mariachi Cobre at the America Gardens Theatre; JOYFUL! A Celebration of Holidays at World Showplace; and the JAMMitors at the Canada Pavilion. There will also be family-friendly activities, such as a scavenger hunt with “Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition,” and character promenades including the Santa Claus Promenade with St. Nick himself, the Mickey and Friends Holiday World Tour, and the Frozen Holiday Promenade with Anna and Elsa. Over in World Showplace, guests can visit the Gingerbread Capital City featuring replicas of some of our nation’s iconic landmarks, constructed in all their gingerbread finery.

 

The  Holiday Cookie Stroll, a definite fan-favorite among Disney park guests, is back this year as well. Snackers can stop at five different official Holiday Cookie Stroll locations to purchase a festive cookie and earn a stamp in their Festival Passport. After collecting all five stamps, guests then head to the Sweets & Treats Holiday Kitchen with their completed passport to receive their complimentary Minnie Peppermint Cookie. (Feel free to cheat on the baking at home this year and pick up a few to take home for Christmas Eve!)


Source: Disney Parks Blog


This year’s five cookie stops include a Linzer Cookie at Bavaria Holiday Kitchen in Germany; a Chocolate Crinkle Cookie at the American Holiday Table; a Peppermint Pinwheel Cookie at Yukon Holiday Kitchen in Canada; a Gingerbread Cookie at Festival Favorites in World Showplace; and a Black and White Cookie at L’Chaim! Holiday Kitchen near Morocco and France.

 

Ready to check the list to see if your favorites are returning?  Here they are!

 

Refreshment Port (Showcase Plaza)

 

Food Items: 

  • Turkey Poutine French Fries with Turkey Gravy, Cranberry Relish, and Crispy Onions  

Beverage Items: 

  • T.G. Lee Eggnog (non-alcoholic)  
  • T.G. Lee Eggnog with Spiced Rum 

 

Citrus Blossom (Showcase Plaza) 

 

Beverage Items: 

  • Orange Cream Shake in a Souvenir Orange Bird Sipper Cup (non-alcoholic) 
  • 81Bay Brewing Co. Cinnamon Cranberry Orange Wheat Ale, Tampa, FL (New) 
  • Florida Orange Groves Winery Selections 

 

Source: Disney Parks Blog


Mele Kalikimaka Holiday Kitchen (Showcase Plaza) 

 

Food Items: 

  • Kālua Pork with Okinawa Purple Sweet Potatoes and Mango Salad (New) 
  • Lomi Lomi Salmon with Tomatoes, Onions, Salmon Roe, Yuzu Mayonnaise, and Yucca Chips (New) 
  • Haupia: Hawaiian Coconut Pudding with Candied Macadamia Nuts and Coconut (New) 

Beverage Items: 

  • Kona Brewing Co. Big Wave Golden Ale, Kailua-Kona, HI  
  • Florida Orange Groves Sparkling Pineapple Wine, St. Petersburg, FL  
  • Melon Breeze with Spiced Rum (New) 

 

Holiday Sweets & Treats (Promenade Refreshments)

 

Food Items: 

  • Peppermint Sundae: Chocolate Ice Cream, Whipped Cream, and Peppermint Candy (Gluten/Wheat Friendly) 
  • Minnie Peppermint Cookie (Cookie Stroll) 

Beverage Items: 

  • Hot Cocoa (non-alcoholic)  
  • Chocolate Peppermint Shake featuring Twinings® Peppermint Cheer Tea (non-alcoholic)  
  • Shipyard Eggnog White Porter, Clearwater, FL  
  • M.I.A. Beer Company Coquito Beer, Doral, FL (New) 
  • Hot Cocoa with Assorted Alcoholic Cordials (Baileys Irish Cream, Frangelico Liqueur or Fireball Cinnamon Whisky) 
  • Chocolate Peppermint Shake featuring Twinings® Peppermint Cheer Tea and Whipped Cream Vodka  

 

Refreshment Outpost

 

Food Items: 

  • Warm Brown Sugar-stuffed Pretzel with Soft-serve Ice Cream and Chocolate Sauce  

Beverage Items: 

  • Frozen Slushy Coca-Cola® or Minute Maid® Lemonade in a Souvenir Spike The Bee Sipper Cup (non-alcoholic)  
  • 3 Daughters Brewing Spicy Apple Cinnamon Hard Cider, St. Petersburg, FL 

 

Bavaria Holiday Kitchen (Germany) 

 

Food Items: 

  • Pork Schnitzel with Mushroom Sauce, Spätzle, and Braised Red Cabbage  
  • Cheese Fondue in a Bread Bowl with Steamed Baby Vegetables and Marble Potatoes  
  • Linzer Cookie (Cookie Stroll)  

Beverage Items: 

  • Possmann Pure Hard Apple Cider, Frankfurt, Germany  
  • Ayinger Brewery Celebrator Doppelbock, Bavaria, Germany (New) 
  • Regional Riesling  
  • Glühwein: House-made Hot Spiced Wine  

 

American Holiday Table  

 

Food Items: 

  • Slow-roasted Turkey with Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, and Cranberry Sauce  
  • Holiday Pot Pie with Jackfruit, Mushrooms, Carrots, Peas, Onions, and Puff Pastry (Plant-based item) (New) 
  • Pumpkin Gingerbread Cheesecake with Cranberry Whipped Cream and Candied Pumpkin Seeds (New) 
  • Chocolate Crinkle Cookie (Cookie Stroll)  

Beverages Items: 

  • Bell’s Bright White Ale, Comstock, MI   
  • Shipyard Eggnog White Porter, Clearwater, FL  
  • Playalinda Brewing Co. Peppermint Chocolate Stout, Titusville, FL   
  • Chalk Hill Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast 
  • Martin Bay Vineyards & Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 

 

L’Chaim! Holiday Kitchen (Between Morocco & France) 

 

Food Items: 

  • Pastrami on Rye with House-made Pickles and Deli Mustard  
  • Smoked Salmon Potato Latke  
  • Potato Latkes (Plant-based item) 
  • Sufganiyot: Mini Jelly-filled Donuts  
  • Black and White Cookie (Plant-based item) (Cookie Stroll)  

Beverages Items: 

  • Shmaltz Brewing Company Hanukkah Beer: Golden Jelly Doughnut Pastry Ale, Clifton Park, NY  
  • Blue Cosmo Cocktail 

 

Festival Favorites (World Showplace) 

 

Food Items: 

  • Blackened Bass, White Cheddar Grits, and Okra with Tomato and Onion Stew, Seasonal Southern Delights 
  • Duck Confit and Dumplings with Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Fig Reduction, Alpine Haus 
  • Gingerbread Cookie (Cookie Stroll)  

Beverages Items: 

  • Coquito: Tropical Eggnog (non-alcoholic) 
  • Frozen S’mores (non-alcoholic)  
  • Coquito: Tropical Eggnog with Bacardi Gold Dark Rum 
  • Frozen S’mores with Whipped Cream Vodka 

 

Holiday Hearth (World Showplace) 

 

Food Items: 

  • Red Velvet Mini Bundt Cake with Cream Cheese Icing (New) 
  • Salted Caramel Spaceship Earth® Cookie (New) 
  • Snowball Cookies (New) 
  • Peppermint Bark  
  • Stollen: Holiday Fruit Cake  
  • Mouse Crunch (New) 

Beverages Items: 

  • Gingerbread Milkshake (non-alcoholic) (New) 
  • Hot Cocoa (non-alcoholic)  
  • Gingerbread Milkshake with Whipped Cream Vodka (New) 
  • Cocoa Candy Cane: Hot Cocoa with Peppermint Schnapps  

 

Prost! (World Showplace) 

 

Food Items: 

  • Charcuterie and Cheese Plate  

Beverages Items: 

  • M.I.A. Beer Company White Christmas IPA, Doral, FL  
  • 3 Daughters Brewing 70 Degree Winter Weizen, St. Petersburg, FL  
  • Playlalinda Brewing Co. Gingerblonde House Ale, Titusville, FL (New) 
  • Ciderboys Mad Bark Apple Cinnamon Hard Cider, Stevens Point, WI (New) 
  • 3 Daughters Brewing Blueberry Peppercorn Hard Cider, St. Petersburg, FL (New) 
  • Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards 1911 Honey Crisp Hard Cider, Lafayette, NY (New) 

 

Yukon Holiday Kitchen (Canada) 

 

Food Items: 

  • Seared Scallops with Parsnip Silk, Apple Chutney, and Hazelnut Croquant (New) 
  • Beef Bourguignon with Crushed Potatoes (New) 
  • Maple Bûche de Noël: Maple Mousse and Cranberry rolled in Gingerbread Chiffon Cake  
  • Peppermint Pinwheel Cookie (Cookie Stroll)  

Beverages items: 

  • Frozen Coffee (non-alcoholic)  
  • 81Bay Brewing Co. Maple Cinnamon Coffee Beer, Tampa, FL (New) 
  • Regional Icewine  
  • Regional Red Wine  
  • Frozen Coffee with Tap 357 Whisky 

 

Holiday Beverages in the English Garden (Behind The Tea Caddy) 

 

  • Twinings® Christmas Tea Toddy served with a Cinnamon Stick (non-alcoholic) 
  • Twinings® Christmas Tea Toddy and Drambui served with a Cinnamon Stick 

 

Le Marché de Noël Holiday Kitchen (France) 

 

Food Items: 

  • Rillette de Saumon: Salmon Spread with House-made Bread   
  • Dinde Forestière, Pommes Dauphines: Turkey with Bacon, Mushrooms, and Onions in a Mustard Cream Sauce with Puffed Potatoes (New) 
  • Bûche de Noël au Caramel: Christmas Log with Chocolate Cake and Dark Chocolate Caramel Ganache  

Beverage Items: 

  • Kronenbourg 1664 Blanc Fruits Rouges Draft  
  • Rosé Pétillant Méthode Traditionnelle Champenoise: Rosé Sparkling Wine, Pink Flamingo  
  • Cabernet Sauvignon, Village de France  
  • Frozen Hot Chocolate Martini: Grey Goose Vanilla, Vodka, and Chocolate Milk   

 

Sapphire Holiday Kitchen (Morocco) 

 

Food Items: 

  • Grilled Lamb Kefta Kebab and Grapes with Euro Cucumber, Red Pepper, Pickled Pearl Onions, and Harissa-Cilantro Dressing   
  • Confit of Chermoula Chicken Drum with Cinnamon Granny Smith Apple, Toasted Almonds, Brussels Sprouts, and Pinot Noir Glaze  
  • Sfenj: Warm Beignets with Cream, Cinnamon-Sugar, and Chocolate Sauce   

Beverage Items: 

  • Mediterranean Beer  
  • Kasbah Prestige Red Wine  
  • The Andalusian “Poinsettia” Cocktail: Sparking Wine, Orange Liqueur, and Cranberry Juice topped with Orange Blossom Water  

 

Tuscany Holiday Kitchen (Italy) 

 

Food Items: 

  • Biancaneve Italian Flatbread with Mozzarella, Asiago, and Parmesan  
  • Sacchetti alla Boscaiola: Four-cheese Mini Beggar’s Purses filled with Sweet Sausage, Caramelized Onions, Pancetta, and Cremini Mushrooms with a Creamy Sauce (New) 
  • Cannoli Siciliani: Crisp Pastry filled with Sweet Ricotta, Chocolate, and Candied Orange  

Beverage Items: 

  • Peroni Nastro Azzurro Pilsner  
  • Pinot Grigio  
  • Chianti  
  • Prosecco  
  • Rosa Regale  
  • Moscato   
  • Italian White Sangria with Prosecco  
  • Italian Red Sangria with Cabernet Sauvignon  
  • Italian Margarita with Limoncello and Tequila  

 

Shanghai Holiday Kitchen (China)  

 

Food Items: 

  • Red-stewed Beef Rice Bowl (New) 
  • Curry Chicken Rice Bowl (New) 
  • House-made Crab and Cheese Wontons  

Beverage Items: 

  • “Panda” Bubble Tea: Classic Milk Tea with Black and White Bobas (non-alcoholic)  
  • Tsigntao Lager  
  • Jasmine Draft Beer  
  • Dragonfly: Jose Cuervo Tequila Gold, Vodka, Mango Syrup, and Orange Juice  
  • Marco Boba: Amaretto, Iced Coffee, Milk, and Boba  
  • The Lucky Mo: Peach Schnapps, Peach Syrup, Orange Juice, and Piña Colada Mix  

 

Shi Wasu Holiday Kitchen (Japan) 

 

Food Items: 

  • New Year Celebration Soba: Buckwheat Soba Noodles in Hot Dashi Soup with Shrimp Tempura, Fish Cake, and Chopped Green Onion  
  • Chirashi Sushi Tree: Sashimi-grade Tuna, Salmon, Ikura, and Yellowtail with Vegetables decorated on a bed of Rice   
  • Ichigo Mont Blanc Tart: Strawberry and Bavarian Cream-filled Tart sprinkled with Konpeito (New) 

Beverages items

  • Ichigo Milk Boba: Cranberry and Yuzu Cream Drink with Japanese Calpico and popping Strawberry Boba Pearls (non-alcoholic)  
  • Sapporo Draft Beer  
  • Tsubaki Whiskey Sour: Plum Wine with Whiskey, Cranberry Juice, Sugar, and Lemon  

 

Las Posadas Holiday Kitchen (Mexico) 

 

Food Items: 

  • Giant Tostada de Chorizo: Chorizo served on a Giant Tostada with Chipotle Black Bean Purée, Salsa Verde, Queso Cotija, Crema Mexicana, and Pickled Onion (Gluten/Wheat Friendly) (New) 
  • Tamal de Pollo: Braised Chipotle Chicken served in a Corn Masa topped with Mole Verde, Queso Cotija, Crema Mexicana, and Toasted Pumpkin Seeds (Gluten/Wheat Friendly) 
  • Dulce de Leche Churros: Dulce de Leche filled Churros sprinkled with Cinnamon-Sugar (New) 

Beverages Items

  • Tulum Mexican Craft Beer with a Blackcurrant and Ginger Liqueur Floater  
  • Pumpkin Spice Margarita: Tomba Blanco Tequila, Ojo de Tigre Mezcal, Nixta Corn Liqueur, Pumpkin Spice Purée, and Lime-Agave Juice with Cinnamon-Sugar Rim (New) 
  • Horchata Margarita: Casa Noble Blanco Tequila, Abasolo Corn Whiskey, Horchata Rum, Agua de Horchata, and a hint of Cinnamon-infused Mezcal Liqueur 

 

Funnel Cake (The American Adventure) 

 

  • Sweet Potato Casserole Funnel Cake topped with Marshmallow Topping, Cinnamon-Sugar, Honey-roasted Pecans, and a Caramel Drizzle (New) 

 

Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company® – All Locations: 

 

  • Caramel Tinsel Latte: A cheerful Chocolatey Latte drizzled with Caramel Sauce and crumbled TWIX® Original, available hot or iced (New) 
  • Caramel Tinsel Donut topped with crumbled TWIX® Original  

 

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Beth Keating is a regular contributor to DisneyBizJournal.

 

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