DisneyBizJournal.com

Wednesday, August 18, 2021

Walt Disney and Naysayers

Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #116: Walt Disney and His Naysayers – What do you do about the naysayers? Walt Disney knew.

The “Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating” podcast serves up a Disney or Disney-related quote each day, with DisneyBizJournal’s Ray Keating offering brief, additional thoughts on how each dose ties in to life, career, business, entrepreneurship, creativity, storytelling, work, or just plain fun.

Tuesday, August 17, 2021

Disney Announces Dates and Pricing for Christmastime “Disney Very Merriest After Hours”

by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

August 17, 2021

Anyone else having seasonal whiplash? We are only one week past the first “Boo Bash” Halloween fête (with 90+ degree summer temperatures here in Florida), and Disney has announced the dates for the Christmastime “Disney Very Merriest After Hours” event at Magic Kingdom. The successor to “Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party” will be kicking off November 8, 2021, with the much-awaited return of a Christmas parade.

Source: Disney Parks Blog

In addition to the seasonal whiplash comes a bit of sticker shock, however. Tickets for the four-hour-long “Very Merriest” range from $169 to $229 (plus tax) for the November-December party nights, and a whopping $249 (plus tax) on December 19 & 21 - more than the cost of most full day park ticket categories! (Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members are eligible for a $10 discount on select event dates in November.) As a point of reference, the 2019 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party ranged from $99 to $139 plus tax per adult, depending on the date of the party. The party didn’t happen in 2020 because of COVID.

And while the party has a few extra magical ties this year, including the connection to the 50^thanniversary celebrations, the “beacon of magic” at Cinderella Castle, and EARidescent décor, the ticket price for a family of four closing in on the holidays can reach a thousand dollars…. Ouch! At least there are the included complimentary snacks like ice cream novelties, popcorn, seasonal treats and select bottled beverages to soften the blow, though there will also be specialty holiday food and drinks available for purchase.

And if you time it right, you can take advantage of not only the new fireworks spectacular, “Disney Enchantment,” at the close of the regular parks day, but the special “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks” during the party.

The limited-capacity, separately ticketed event will take place on 24 select nights November 8 through December 21, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., with parties on the following dates:

November: 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 28, 30

December: 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, 19, 21

If you are planning to head to the Most Magical Place on Earth for the holidays, you’ll not only be treated to the Christmastime Fireworks, but “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade” at the After Hours gathering. Santa Claus himself will put in an appearance at the parade, and the much-loved Toy Soldiers will be back.

On the “bonus” side of the ledger, party-goers can arrive at the Magic Kingdom Park as early as 7 p.m. for this event. The popular ride overlays were missing from the Halloween festivities, but a few will be making their grand return during the Christmas party, with the Jungle Cruise becoming the holiday-themed “Jingle Cruise,” and Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor adding new seasonal jokes. Adding to the atmosphere, snow will be magically falling along Main Street, and Disney PhotoPass will be taking special holiday magic shots throughout the party.

More than 20 attractions, including Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, The Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Dumbo, Peter Pan’s Flight, and Space Mountain, will offer guests much lower wait times once the park closes to day guests, and the park becomes party-ticket holders only.

Throughout the evening, guests will be able to spot Disney characters dressed in their holiday best, and while autographs, and meet and greets are still on hiatus, guests will be able to take socially-distanced selfies with their favorites. The “Club Tinsel” dance party will also be in full swing in Tomorrowland.

Tickets go on sale August 20, and can be purchased online at “Disney Very Merriest After Hours” or by calling 407-939-7947. Guests at select Disney Resort hotels, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels, and Shades of Green at Walt Disney World Resort, have the option of booking their tickets as early as today (August 17).

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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!

Monday, August 16, 2021

Anyone Surprised That NBA Experience at Disney Springs Not Reopening?

by Ray Keating

Commentary

DisneyBizJournal.com

August 16, 2021

My response to hearing the news today that the NBA Experience at Disney Springs will not be reopening was, quite frankly, a shrug of the shoulders, and a declaration that I wasn’t exactly surprised.

But then again, I’m not an NBA fan. Major League Baseball fan? Absolutely. Go Reds! The NFL? I shout “Skol!” as a Vikings fan. NHL? The Sharks are my team. But the NBA never really did it for me.

Apparently, though, the NBA Experience didn’t do it for NBA fans either.

On the Disney NBA Experience website, the attraction was characterized: “Enter an immersive world where all of your basketball dreams are just a layup away. Inside this impressive venue inspired by modern-day NBA arenas, you can enjoy 13 unique experiences that merge the magic of Disney with the thrills of the NBA. Step through the Player Entry Tunnel—welcomed by the roar of an excited crowd—and embark on the full player journey, from training to competitions to championships and beyond.”

When it opened, MyNews13.com described the NBA Experience as follows: “On the ground level, visitors will find an exhibit featuring NBA and WNBA players, the Combine experience and the NBA Store. Upstairs there are even more activities, including a dunking experience, a slingshot experience and a basketball court where a game clock counts down your shots.”

Rather than being a slam dunk, the NBA Experience turned out to be an air ball.

Of course, the attraction opened at a bad time, in August 2019, with the pandemic just 8 months away. According to reports, Disney and the NBA agreed on the permanent closing.

But there’s obviously more at work here than just the pandemic. After all, this only opened two years ago, and if it had been working well beforehand and was expected to resume as a popular venue upon reopening, well, we wouldn’t be talking about the NBA Experience’s permanent closing right now.

The NBA Experience always struck me as an odd offering in Disney Springs – not quite fitting in. And there were questions about just how many big-time NBA fans this would attract on a regular basis. The answer is now clear: Not enough.

What will replace the NBA Experience? We don’t know yet. But let’s hope that it’s something with more widespread appeal. If we’re talking about another major league sports experience, then the only two leagues that could make a run at success in Disney Springs would be the National Football League and Major League Baseball, given their widespread popularity. The drop off in general interest from football and baseball to basketball, hockey or soccer, for example, is just too significant.

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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!

Stan Lee on Work and Happiness

Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #115: Stan Lee on Being Happy at Work – Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee gets us thinking about work and happiness.

Sunday, August 15, 2021

Disney and Your Competition

Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #114: Disney Institute on Your Competition – Do you fully understand who your competitors are in business?

Thursday, August 12, 2021

Disney Reports Solid Earnings

by Ray Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

August 12, 2021

Disney’s price jumped in after-market trading today due to an earnings report that beat expectations. The company’s revenues jumped in the third quarter compared to a year earlier, and Disney+ subscriber growth came in ahead of forecasts.

For the third quarter ending on July 3, 2021, Disney+ subscribers registered 116 million. That compared to 103.6 million as of April 2, 2021, and 57.5 million a year earlier. So, growth over the past year came in at 101.7 percent.

Also on the streaming front, ESPN+ subscriptions registered 14.9 million as of July 3, 2021, versus 13.8 million as of April 2, 2021, and 8.5 million last year. That’s growth of 75.3 percent over the past year.

And Hulu subscriptions came in at 42.8 million at the end of the third quarter, compared to 41.6 million as of April 2, 2021, and 35.5 million a year earlier. That registered as a growth rate of 20.6 percent over the past year.

As for earnings, diluted earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations for the quarter came in at $0.50 versus a loss of $2.61 last year. With certain items excluded, diluted EPS for the quarter went from $0.08 last year to $0.80 in this year’s third quarter. That $0.80 EPS beat market expectations.

Revenues for the quarter ending July 3, 2021, were $17.02 billion, which also beat expectations and were up by 45 percent compared to last year’s $11.8 billion in the same quarter. Income came in at $995 million versus a loss of $4.8 billion last year.

With the reopening of parks and resorts, the improvements in the performance of the Disney Parks, Experiences and Products segment was dramatic. During this latest quarter, revenues for the division came in at $4.3 billion, which was a 307.6 percent increase over last year’s $1.1 billion. As for the segment’s operating income, $356 million compared to a loss of $1.9 billion last year.

Disney CEO Bob Chapek said, “We ended the third quarter in a strong position, and are pleased with the company’s trajectory as we grow our businesses amidst the ongoing challenges of the pandemic. We continue to introduce exciting new experiences at our parks and resorts worldwide, along with new guest-centric services, and our direct-to-consumer business is performing very well, with a total of nearly 174 million subscriptions across Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu at the end of the quarter, and a host of new content coming to the platforms.”

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The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?

Also, check out Ray’s podcasts – the Daily Dose of Disney, Free Enterprise in Three Minutes, and the PRESS CLUB C Podcast.

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 Gets Us Thinking about Artists and Business

Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #113: Favreau on Artists and Businesses – Jon Favreau makes a point worth building on regarding the relationship between artists and business.

Wednesday, August 11, 2021

Known for Luke Skywalker

Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating – Episode #112: Star Wars Mark Hamill on Making a Mark in Life – Mark Hamill understands that being remembered for playing a memorable character is a great achievement.

Tuesday, August 10, 2021

Halloween Arrives Early in Disney World

by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

August 10, 2021

You may think it is still summer based on the temperatures in your neck of the woods. Or perhaps you are in one of those states where the kiddos have already started heading back to the classroom. In Florida, though, the Halloween decorations have already gone up, and the first of the “Disney After Hours Boo Bash” parties takes place tonight (August 10!).

Among the merchandise/snack treat crossovers coming soon will be the Mickey Mummy Popcorn Bucket. And we here at DisneyBizJournal are especially looking forward to trying the Haunted Mansion cake at Amorette’s Patisserie at Disney Springs a little later in the season.

At the Magic Kingdom, some of the goodies are Boo Bash exclusives, while the other parks and Resorts have treats that are available all season. If you are among the guests making their way to Disney World in the coming weeks, here’s a list of the seasonal goodies you can sample as the fall celebrations begin.

Magic Kingdom Park – (Disney After Hours Boo Bash Exclusive Treats):

Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies

Prince John Sucker – Tart green apple lemonade slush topped with whipped cream and a ring pop (Available 8/10-10/31)

Golden Oak Outpost

Mocha Chocolate Chip – Frozen mocha topped with whipped cream, chocolate chips, and a sugar acorn (Available 8/10-10/31)

Main Street Outdoor Vending Carts

Maleficent Churro – Churro covered in chocolate cookie crumble drizzled with purple icing topped with green and purple sugar (Available 8/10-10/31)

Storybook Treats

Five Dozen Egg Slush – Frozen custard with brown sugar topped with whipped cream garnished with a cinnamon stick (Available 8/10-10/31)

Sleepy Hollow

Foolish Mortal Funnel Cake – Funnel cake topped with chocolate cookie crumbles, purple vanilla ice cream, caramel drizzle, and M&M’s milk chocolate Ghoul’s Mix (Available 8/10-10/31)

Golden Oak Outpost

Apple Ginger Dale – Frozen apple cider mixed with ginger ale topped with whipped cream and chopped TWIX cookies bars (Available 8/10-10/31)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park:

Creature Comforts and Flame Tree Barbecue

Scar Cupcake – Red velvet cupcake with toasted marshmallow filling, chocolate marshmallow frosting, chocolate pebbles, and white chocolate flames with an edible icing image of Scar (Available 10/1-11/4)

Mahindi, Feeding Ground, Cornivores, and Trek Snacks

Poison Apple Sipper

Restaurantosaurus

Maleficent Cupcake – Purple velvet cupcake with blood orange curd, vanilla frosting, crisp pearls, and white chocolate flames with Maleficent medallion (Available 10/1-11/4)

Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

ABC Commissary

Caramel Apple Tart – Spiced caramel cheesecake mousse apple served atop a cinnamon apple tart (Available 8/10 – 11/11)
Chocolate Mousse – Raspberry dark chocolate mousse, chocolate almond cake, a layer of hazelnut crunch, and whipped chocolate-hazelnut cheesecake (Available 8/10 -11/11)

Backlot Express and Trolley Car Café

Spooky Ghost Cupcake – Fudge-filled chocolate cupcake topped with cookies & cream buttercream, spooky sprinkles, and vanilla meringue ghost (Available 8/10 -10/31)

Backlot Express, ABC Commissary, PizzeRizzo, and Rosie’s All-American Café

Frozen Apple Cider – Frozen apple cider topped with green apple boba balls (Available 8/10 – 10/31)
Alcoholic Frozen Apple Cider with Whiskey – Frozen apple cider with whiskey topped with green apple boba balls (Available 8/10-10/31)

Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge

Misty Whisper – Vanilla vodka, orange-flavored triple sec liqueur, orange-tangerine syrup, and vanilla ice-cream mix (Available 8/10-10/31)

Fairfax Fare and Catalina Eddie’s

Pumpkin Spice Cookie – Pumpkin spice shortbread cookie covered in white chocolate (Available 8/10-10/31)

Hollywood Scoops

Halloween Shake – Candy corn ice cream shake topped with a vanilla cake donut, whipped cream, spooky sprinkles, and candy corn (Available 8/10-10/31)

Oasis Canteen, Sunshine Day Bar, Animation Bar

Sweet Poison – Coconut rum, blue Curaçao beverage syrup, rum, and pineapple juice (Available 8/10-10/31)

Outdoor Carts

Halloween Brownie – Chocolate Mickey brownie with fun Halloween sprinkles (Available 8/10-9/30)
Halloween Popcorn Mix (Available 8/10-10/31)

PizzeRizzo

Pumpkin Cannoli – Spooky cannoli filled with whipped pumpkin cheesecake (Available 8/10-10/31)

Rosie’s All-American Café

Witch’s Hat Mousse – Whipped blackberry panna cotta sitting on green apple mousse with salted caramel crispy pearls and chocolate shortbread cookie (Available 8/10-10/31)

The Trolley Car Café

Pumpkin Mousse – Milk chocolate chai mousse filled with pumpkin bread set atop a chocolate shortbread cookie and vanilla buttercream (Available 8/10-10/31)

Woody’s Lunch Box

Halloween Lunch Box Tart – Chocolate-hazelnut filled lunch box tart frosted with spooky vanilla icing, Halloween sprinkles, and candy corn (Available 8/10-10/31)

EPCOT:

Block & Hans

Spiked Frozen Apple Pie with Ole Smoky Apple Pie Moonshine, Minute Maid Apple Juice, and Cinnamon

Canada Popcorn Cart

Spooky Caramel-Apple Cider in a Poison Apple Sipper (Coming Soon!)

At Disney Springs:

Amorette’s Patisserie

Haunted Mansion Cake – Brownie with diplomat filling with purple and black chiffon cake (Available 9/5-10/31)

Dockside Margarita

Jack O’Lantern – Black rum, rum, white rum, orange-flavored triple sec liqueur, orange juice, lemonade, and a grenadine float (Available 9/5-10/31)

The Ganachery

Caramel Skulls (Available 9/5-10/31)
Pumpkin Spice Latte Ganache Squares (Available 9/5-10/31)
Pumpkin Spice Marshmallow (Available 9/5-10/31)
Mickey Mummy Piñata (Available 9/5-10/31)
Sister Elixir Cocoa Bomb (Available 10/19-10/31)

Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar

Witch’s Flight – Whiskey, white grape juice, lime juice, and sweet and sour with flavors of green apple, orange-tangerine, and blackberry (Available 9/5-10/31)

Outdoor Kiosks

Witch Way – Vodka, blue Curaçao beverage syrup, orange juice, and pineapple juice garnished with a poison apple glow cube (Available 9/5-10/31)

At the Resorts:

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Sanaa and Sanaa Lounge

Sea Witch’s Brew – Vodka, raspberry liqueur, blue Curaçao beverage syrup, muddled berries, and edible glitter served in a Collins glass with a blue glow cube (Available 10/24-10/31)

Disney’s Art of Animation, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, and Disney’s All-Star Music Resort – Food Courts

Spooky Apple Spiced Spider Cupcake – Vanilla cupcake with apple filling and spiced buttercream caramel drizzle (Available 10/25-10/31)

Disney’s Contemporary Resort – Contempo Café

Mini Halloween Cake – Halloween sprinkle cake with candy bar custard and chocolate glaze (Available 10/1-10/31)

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – Gasparilla Island Grill

Hocus Pocus “Amuck” Cakes – Rich devil’s food cake with “peanut boo-tter” filling decorated to resemble all three Sanderson Sisters (Available 9/1-11/1)
Jack Skellington Pumpkin Pie Pop – Pumpkin pie colossal pop covered in white chocolate decorated as the iconic Pumpkin King (Available 9/1-11/1)
Sally’s Stitched Up Whoopie Pie Heart – Vanilla heart-shaped whoopie pie adorned with Sally’s signature patchwork (Available 9/1-11/1)
Be-Witching Minnie Mouse Cupcake – Cookies & cream-filled chocolate cupcake enrobed in chocolate ganache and topped with Minnie Mouse chocolate witch hat (Available 9/1-11/1)

Disney’s Old Key West Resort – Gurgling Suitcase Libations & Spirits and Olivia’s Café

Harvest Refresher – Vodka with cranberry juice and muddled oranges (Available 9/26-11/25)
Apple Cider Old Fashioned – Bourbon with fresh apple cider, bitters, muddled oranges, and brown sugar cinnamon (Available 9/26-11/25)
Caramel Apple Martini – Vanilla vodka, butterscotch flavor liqueur, and fresh apple cider with a brown sugar cinnamon rim (Available 9/26-11/25)

Disney’s Old Key West Resort – Good’s Food to go, Conch Flatts General Store, and Turtle Shack Poolside Snacks

Poisoned Delight – Violet white chocolate mousse dome with an apple insert and fresh apple cake covered in a white chocolate glaçage (Available 10/1-10/31)

Disney’s Riviera Resort – Le Petit Café

Milk Chocolate and Chocolate-Hazelnut Cheesecake – Caramel milk chocolate mousse, chocolate-hazelnut cheesecake, roasted white chocolate shell, and graham cracker sable-inspired acorn (Available 9/25-11/27)
Milk Chocolate and Chocolate-Hazelnut Cheesecake – Caramel milk chocolate mousse, chocolate-hazelnut cheesecake, dark chocolate glaçage, and graham cracker sable inspired bat (Available 10/24-10/31)

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge – Geyser Point

Blood Orange – Tequila, blood orange, and simple syrup with lime juice (Available 10/3-11/7)
Black Magic Margarita –Tequila, blue Curaçao beverage syrup, green apple syrup, grenadine, sour mix, and a glow cube (Available 10/3-11/7)
Around the Pumpkin Patch – Tequila, pumpkin spice, lime juice, and sour mix (Available 10/3-11/7)
Poison Apple – Tequila, green apple syrup, lime juice, and sour mix with a poison apple glow cube (Available 10/3-11/7)
Holiday Drink Flight – Flight with all four holiday drinks featured above (Available 10/3-11/7)

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge – Roaring Fork

Going Batty Cupcake – Chocolate cupcake with ganache icing and sugar cookie bat (Available 10/28-10/31)

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and Disney’s Beach Club Resort – The Market at Ale & Compass and Beach Club Marketplace

Mummy Cupcake – Chocolate cupcake with a pumpkin mousse filling (Available 10/1-10/31)
Tiramisu Grave – A classic tiramisù with coffee flavor and a chocolate pretzel skeleton with a marshmallow for a head (Available 10/1-10/31)

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn – BoardWalk Bakery

Macaroon Pumpkin Pop – Coconut macaroon pumpkin on a stick (Available 10/24-10/31)
Candy Corny Cupcake – Vanilla cupcake filled with white chocolate candy corn mousse and topped with baker’s cream (Available 10/24-10/31)
Vampire Mickey Brownie – Ganache-covered brownie with Mickey ears and vampire fangs (Available 10/24-10/31)

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa – The Artist’s Palette

Poisoned Delight – Violet white chocolate mousse dome with an apple insert and fresh apple cake covered in a white chocolate glaçage (Available 10/1-10/31)

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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!

About DisneyBizJournal.com...

DisneyBizJournal.com is a media site providing news, information and analysis for anyone who has an interest in the Walt Disney Company, and its assorted ventures, operations, and history. Fans (Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and more), investors, entrepreneurs, executives, teachers, professors and students will find valuable information, analysis, and commentary in its pages. DisneyBizJournal.com is run by Ray Keating, who has experience as a newspaper and online columnist, economist, business teacher and speaker, novelist, movie and book reviewer, podcaster, and more.