Brand Matters: The Disney Buses Example

by Ray Keating

Analysis

DisneyBizJournal.com

July 6, 2019

The Walt Disney Company understands the value of its brand or brands. There is a lesson in this for entrepreneurs no matter how big their businesses, as well as for individuals who should be building their own brand in their careers.

Consider the fact that a change in the buses transporting guests around Walt Disney World has made news. It was announced by Disney that these buses will be getting a new look during the month of July. The outside of each bus will feature one of the “sensational six,” that is, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy and Pluto. The interiors of the buses will be spruced up as well, including USB charging ports. 

As stated on the Disney Parks Blog: “The next time you are at a Walt Disney World Resort bus loop, be on the lookout for Mickey and his friends!... The new buses sure do bring a fun look to the complimentary Walt Disney World transportation that resort guests can enjoy throughout their vacations!”

That’s Disney advancing or reinforcing its brand, by providing fun quality service – in this case, working to expand the enjoyment of a Disney World vacation even via the buses shuttling people around – for their customers.

Now, consider the following point regarding one’s brand from an article at Entrepreneur.com:

Your brand is the sum total of your customers’ perceptions, notions and experience. It is the face, personality and the values espoused by your business – and everything in between.

More importantly, every single facet of your business – be it your social media profile, the tone of your voicemails or the way you present, market and deliver a service – captures the essence of your branding and sends an implicit message about how much you respect your own business.

Beyond that, your brand represents who you are, what you believe in and how you want to be perceived by your audience. That is why branding is so important to an organization.

Disney clearly gets this, and so should small business owners and individuals looking to grow and advance their enterprises and careers. How do people perceive you and your work? 

Noted a bit later in the Entrepreneur.com piece:

Your mission is to get them to see you as a dependable thought leader/influencer who addresses their needs or problems with panache, candour and hopefully, better than anybody else. 

Good thoughts. In the end, your brand matters – your own brand and your company’s. And that brand is communicated in so many different ways – even via buses shuttling people around a theme park.

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.

If you enjoyed this article, and since I am the author of the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and short stories, can I ask you to take at least one (preferably more) of the following steps?

1) A new Pastor Stephen Grant novel – DEEP ROUGH – is coming very soon. You can pre-order the Kindle edition, or the signed book.

2) Please join the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and short stories email list, and get the upcoming short story, THE TRAITOR, for free! Sign up here.

3) Buy one of the other Pastor Stephen Grant novels or short stories at Amazon.comor signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com. 

4) Become a member of the Pastor Stephen Grant Fellowship, and get all kinds of FREE stuff, including each new book in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. Check out the levels and benefits here.

Walt Disney Quotes About the USA on Independence Day

by Ray Keating

DisneyBizJournal.com

July 4, 2019

I have great admiration for the entrepreneurs who drive the American economy forward. One of the great entrepreneurs of the 20^thcentury certainly was Walt Disney. I also admire Lou Mongello, a current-day entrepreneur who launched the WDWRadio Podcast, ranks as a true Disney expert, and also is an author and a social media guru.

On this Fourth of July, I turn to a piece that Lou Mongello wrote several years ago titled “Top 10 Walt Disney Quotes About America.”

Here’s the list of quotes from Walt courtesy of Lou:

1. “Disneyland would be a world of Americans, past and present, seen through the eyes of my imagination – a place of warmth and nostalgia, of illusion and color and delight.”

2. “I’ve been selfishly indulging myself as an American… as a United States citizen… enjoying all privileges that one has as a citizen, and it’s only times like this that you sort of wake up to … what it really means to be a citizen.”

3. “Actually, if you could see close in my eyes, the American flag is waving in both of them and up my spine is glowing this red, white, and blue stripe.”

4. “I believe that this spiritual and intellectual freedom which we Americans enjoy is our greatest cultural blessing. Therefore, it seems to me, that the first duty of culture is to defend freedom and resist all tyranny.”

5. “Laughter is America’s most important export.”

6. “Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America… with hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world.”

7. “I get red, white, and blue at times.”

8. “In my view, wholesome pleasure, sport, and recreation are as vital to this nation as productive work and should have a large share in the national budget.”

9. “In America, we are guaranteed these freedoms. It is the constitutional privilege of every American to become cultured or to grow up like Donald Duck.”

10. “Tomorrow will be better as long as America keeps alive the ideals of freedom and a better life.”

Thanks, Lou! And God bless, America!

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.

If you enjoyed this article, and since I am the author of the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and short stories, can I ask you to take at least one (preferably more) of the following steps?

1) A new Pastor Stephen Grant novel – DEEP ROUGH – is coming very soon. You can pre-order the Kindle edition, or the signed book.

2) Please join the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and short stories email list, and get the upcoming short story, THE TRAITOR, for free! Sign up here.

3) Buy one of the other Pastor Stephen Grant novels or short stories at Amazon.comor signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com. 

4) Become a member of the Pastor Stephen Grant Fellowship, and get all kinds of FREE stuff, including each new book in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. Check out the levels and benefits here.

Is There More than BBQ’d Burgers and Hot Dogs on July 4th? Yes, According to the Disney Parks

by Ray Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

July 2, 2019

My idea of July Fourth food fare tends to be limited to the traditional grouping of hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken on the barbecue; potato salad and Cole slaw; corn on the cob; baked beans; a cool beverage; watermelon; and perhaps some, well, apple pie. Hey, that’s America, baby! But as we all know, there’s much more to American cuisine, and if you look to Walt Disney World and Disneyland, there’s much more for the patriotic palate on Independence Day.

Consider a few of the many items highlighted by the Disney Parks Blog that will be available either in Disneyland or in Walt Disney World on and/or around the Fourth of July.

At Walt Disney World...

• At the Magic Kingdom, through July 31^st, the Plaza Ice Cream Parlorwill offer: “Red velvet cake topped with birthday cake ice cream, vanilla sauce, raspberry sauce, whipped cream, a cherry, and red, white, and blue sprinkles.”

• Count on Liberty Inn to get it right on Independence Day with the straightforward and beautifully patriotic All-American Burger, which is “1/3 lb Angus burger with Vermont sharp cheddar, smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, and pickle on a brioche bun with french fries.”

• And how about these two treats over at Epcot?

- Berry Shortcakeat Sunshine Seasons: “Fresh blueberries, strawberries, and whipped cream topped with patriotic sprinkles and a chocolate Mickey coin.”

- Fourth of July Cupcakeat Fountain View: “Yellow cake with buttercream and white chocolate mousse dome.”

• Count me in for the Ultimate Barbecue Platter at Animal Kingdom’s Flame Tree Barbecue, which includes house-smoked brisket, pulled pork, chicken, ribs, coleslaw, and beans. (Okay, now, I’m hungry.)

• And yes, I wouldn’t mind having an Uncle Slam at the Oasis and Barefoot Pool Bars at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. The Uncle Sam features rum blended with cream of coconut, pineapple juice, and strawberry purée with a floater of blue curaçao. Yes, God bless, America!

At Disneyland...

• The Sand Bar at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel will offer a “Wagyu beef dog with caramelized onions and homemade ketchup on a pretzel bun.”

• Disney California Adventure Park’s Hollywood Lounge will offer a Mojito with blueberries and strawberry popping pearls.

• The Red, White & Blue Cake Shake will be available at Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes. This marvelous concoction is a “vanilla shake with red, white, and blue cake slice, whipped cream, sprinkles, a cherry, and a vanilla frosted rim with red, white, and blue sprinkles.” As Keanu would say, “Whoa.”

• The Plaza Inn will serve up the following Dining Package Adult Meal: “Slow-roasted BBQ pork, fried chicken breast, smoked bratwurst with golden mustard sauce, fresh watermelon, corn on the cob, house-made cornbread, sweet baked beans, mac and cheese, and apple pie.”

I forgot about the cornbread. Love cornbread on July 4^th!

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.

If you enjoyed this article, and since I am the author of the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and short stories, can I ask you to take at least one (preferably more) of the following steps?

1) A new Pastor Stephen Grant novel – DEEP ROUGH – is coming very soon. You can pre-order the Kindle edition, or the signed book.

2) Please join the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and short stories email list, and get the upcoming short story, THE TRAITOR, for free! Sign up here.

3) Buy one of the other Pastor Stephen Grant novels or short stories at Amazon.com or signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com. 

4) Become a member of the Pastor Stephen Grant Fellowship, and get all kinds of FREE stuff, including each new book in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. Check out the levels and benefits here.

July 4th Fireworks from the Magic Kingdom

by Ray Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

July 2, 2019

Not going to be at Walt Disney World or Disneyland on July Fourth? Are you bummed out about it? Well, cheer up. 

The Disney Parks Blog will be livestreaming “Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky” at 9:10 PM EST on July Fourth.

Fireworks and Mickey sounds fittingly patriotic.

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.

If you enjoyed this article, and since I am the author of the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and short stories, can I ask you to take at least one (preferably more) of the following steps?

1) A new Pastor Stephen Grant novel – DEEP ROUGH – is coming very soon. You can pre-order the Kindle edition, or the signed book.

2) Please join the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and short stories email list, and get the upcoming short story, THE TRAITOR, for free! Sign up here.

3) Buy one of the other Pastor Stephen Grant novels or short stories at Amazon.com or signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com. 

4) Become a member of the Pastor Stephen Grant Fellowship, and get all kinds of FREE stuff, including each new book in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. Check out the levels and benefits here.

Dear Bob: Stream Disney Theme Parks Live

by Ray Keating

DisneyBizJournal.com

June 28, 2019

Dear Bob,

With your company’s new streaming service, Disney+, coming soon, you need to seriously consider offering a few “channels” on this service that simply present live streaming views from each of the Disney theme parks. Trust me, Disney fans would love this.

I don’t know about you, but like many people, I always seem to have something “playing” on the television or on the computer in the background during my day – whether I’m working in the office, writing the next book on my laptop, or just getting some things done around the house. For me, often times, my get-things-done background (as I like to call it) will consist of either a baseball game, news and talking heads via CNBC, music, a podcast, beach views and sounds, or even a television show or movie that helps to spark a certain feeling. I listen as I’m doing something else, and along the way, I’ll occasionally and momentarily turn my full attention to this background stream. And then I get back to the task at hand.

Think about this for Disney fans. As they work, take care of the family, enjoy a hobby, or do some chores, how many would love to be able to flip on a livestream from a Disney theme park in the background during their day? They could enjoy the views and many sounds of the parks – such as music, crowd murmurings, and ride noises – while going about their business. 

Rather than having hosts chatting about anything, the park views and sounds do the talking, with perhaps a bar on the side or across the bottom of the screen serving up information about Disney, and offering all kinds of great deals on Disney merchandise, trips, et al.

Such livestreaming from the Disney parks (and resorts?) wouldn’t replace visiting the parks, obviously, but rather provide another reminder as to why one wants to visit the parks. As for costs, it’s hard to think of a bigger bang for the buck in terms of setting up a few, permanent camera spots around each park that would simply provide the streaming feeds – again, no need for a team of talking heads and accompanying production costs. We’re simply talking a few tech-savvy/creative folks to make sure the streams proceed as planned.

This would act as another enticement for people to subscribe to Disney+, and at a minimal additional cost for the company. As Disney’s CEO, you should love this idea, Bob.

Thanks for the consideration, and have a magical day!

Sincerely,

Ray Keating

DisneyBizJournal.com

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.

If you enjoyed this article, and since I am the author of the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and short stories, can I ask you to take at least one (preferably more) of the following steps?

1) A new Pastor Stephen Grant novel – DEEP ROUGH – is coming very soon. You can pre-order the Kindle edition, or the signed book.

2) Please join the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and short stories email list, and get the upcoming short story, THE TRAITOR, for free! Sign up here.

3) Buy one of the other Pastor Stephen Grant novels or short stories at Amazon.comor signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com. 

4) Become a member of the Pastor Stephen Grant Fellowship, and get all kinds of FREE stuff, including each new book in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. Check out the levels and benefits here.

Toy Story 4: Big Bucks, Disappointing Movie

by Ray Keating

Review

DisneyBizJournal.com

June 23, 2019

DisneyBizJournal.com Movie Rating: 3 stars out of 5

DisneyBizJournal.com Box Office Rating:  $$$$ out of $$$$

Okay, I’m getting tired of coming out of a Toy Story movie feeling ... well ... kind of depressed. Toy Story 4 could have easily carried a subtitle like Woody’s Midlife Crisis or Woody’s Angst.

I exited the theater after watching Toy Story and Toy Story 2 feeling uplifted and joyous. That most certainly wasn’t the case with Toy Story 3 or, now, Toy Story 4.

Having said that, while Toy Story 3 was still a good movie, Toy Story 4 ranks as pretty good. Among the big plusses are several enjoyable new characters, namely, Forky (Tony Hale), Ducky (Keegan-Michael Key), Bunny (Jordan Peele), Giggle McDimples (Ally Maki), and perhaps best of all, Duke Caboom (Keanu Reeves).

At the same time, there are just too many problems with the film. For example, it’s so focused on Woody (Tom Hanks) that key characters whom we’ve come to love are relegated to after-thoughts, including Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) and Jessie (Joan Cusack), as well as Rex (Wallace Shawn), Hamm (John Ratzenberger), Slinky Dog (Blake Clark), and Potato Head (Don Rickles).

The additions of other toys simply don’t work all that well, especially the story arc involving Gabby Gabby (Christina Hendricks).

And then there’s the return of Bo Peep (Annie Potts). It was good to see one of the gang return to the fold, and her adventurous life added some verve to the movie. But her tale largely amounted to – at least based on the first three films – an anti-Toy-Story story.

In the end, the key problem with Toy Story 4 is Woody’s big choice, which undermines much of the point of the Toy Story franchise, and could be classified as selfish. It was very un-Woody. The scenes mixed in with the credits attempt to gloss over or justify Woody’s decision, but that effort comes up short.

The Box Office

But make no mistake, my take on Toy Story 4 definitely falls into the exception category. The rule is that critics and fans love this. Over at rottentomatoes.com, both critic and audience scores are off the charts – 98% fresh with critics and 95% with audiences.

BoxOfficeMojo.com had the early global box office haul at $167.4 million (as of Friday, June 21), and the movie was expected to pull in between $122 million and $125 million domestically for the entire opening weekend.

Yes, Toy Story 4 will succeed at the box office, but it disappoints when it comes to what Toy Story has long been about. Come on, Woody (or Pixar), you should’ve done better.

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.

If you enjoyed this article, and since I am the author of the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and short stories, can I ask you to take at least one (preferably more) of the following steps?

1) A new Pastor Stephen Grant novel – DEEP ROUGH – is coming very soon. You can pre-order the Kindle edition, or the signed book.

2) Please join the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and short stories email list, and get the upcoming short story, THE TRAITOR, for free! Sign up here.

3) Buy one of the other Pastor Stephen Grant novels or short stories at Amazon.comor signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com. 

4) Become a member of the Pastor Stephen Grant Fellowship, and get all kinds of FREE stuff, including each new book in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. Check out the levels and benefits here.

How Much Did It Cost to Build Toy Story Land?

by Ray Keating

News/Analysis

DisneyBizJournal.com

June 21, 2019

As an economist, I’m always interested in what kind of investments were made to build structures or to undertake certain ventures. With Toy Story 4 now opening in theaters, it’s an ideal time to take a look at what it cost to build Toy Story Land. As you’ll see in the following video, Rob Plays has some fun in determining what it cost Andy, not Disney, to build Toy Story Land. Enjoy!

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.

If you enjoyed this article, and since I am the author of the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and short stories, can I ask you to take at least one (preferably more) of the following steps?

1) A new Pastor Stephen Grant novel – DEEP ROUGH – is coming very soon. You can pre-order the Kindle edition, or the signed book.

2) Please join the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and short stories email list, and get the upcoming short story, THE TRAITOR, for free! Sign up here.

3) Buy one of the other Pastor Stephen Grant novels or short stories at Amazon.comor signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com. 

4) Become a member of the Pastor Stephen Grant Fellowship, and get all kinds of FREE stuff, including each new book in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. Check out the levels and benefits here.

Disney World Price Hikes: Not So Risky

by Ray Keating

News/Analysis

DisneyBizJournal.com

June 19, 2019

So, you’ve got a wildly popular theme park, and you have to manage demand to maximize profits for shareholders, and manage crowds so as to not diminish the experience for those in attendance. What to do? As Disney understands, the price of a ticket is key in all of this. 

The Walt Disney Company, as widely reported, has just increased the costs of annual passes to Walt Disney World – just ahead of the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at the end of August.

For example, WESH reported:

     Visitors from both in and out of state can see some significant increases on their annual passes, in some cases more than $150 a year. 

     The following passes have been affected (Florida resident prices): 

-Epcot After 4 Annual Pass now $309 (was $289)

-Disney Silver Pass now $519 (was $479)

-Disney Gold Pass now $699 (was $609)

-Disney Platinum Pass now $899 (was $749)

-Disney Platinum Plus Pass now $999 (was $849)

Disney last increased the price for annual passes in October. 

For good measure, overnight parking fees at resorts are increasing as well.

Obviously, lots of people are not pleased ... to say the least. However, one has to ask: If Disney can raise prices and not suffer for it in terms of lost revenue – indeed, likely gain revenue – why wouldn’t it do so? 

Sure, raising prices can be risky for any business. The risk, or course, is that the price goes too high, and business suffers accordingly. But that’s hard to envision right now – barring a recession, that is – with Disney’s theme park popularity and attendance.

In the end, after all of the complaining dies down, people will, in fact, still pay the price to go to Walt Disney World. And even at the higher prices, annual passes to Walt Disney World for those who attend on a regular basis ranks as an entertainment bargain.

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.

If you enjoyed this article, and since I am the author of the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and short stories, can I ask you to take at least one (preferably more) of the following steps?

1) A new Pastor Stephen Grant novel – DEEP ROUGH – is coming very soon. You can pre-order the Kindle edition, or the signed book.

2) Please join the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and short stories email list, and get the upcoming short story, THE TRAITOR, for free! Sign up here.

3) Buy one of the other Pastor Stephen Grant novels or short stories at Amazon.comor signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com. 

4) Become a member of the Pastor Stephen Grant Fellowship, and get all kinds of FREE stuff, including each new book in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. Check out the levels and benefits here.

IllumiNations Merchandise Arriving on June 17th

by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

June 16, 2019

Break out the wallets, all you fans of IllumiNations! As the much-loved show heads into its final weeks, the “Farewell IllumiNations” merchandise will go on sale June 17^th.  

Now’s your chance to get the commemorative t-shirts, hats, pins and MagicBands.  The limited edition goodies will be available at select Epcot locations, and will only be available until supplies run out (which, given the speed at which that often happens at Disney, could be as early as lunchtime…just joking… maybe.)

The final performance of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth takes place on September 30, 2019. It will be replaced by “Epcot Forever” on October 1^st.

Beth Keating is a regular contributor to DisneyBizJournal.

From Ray Keating: If you enjoyed this article, and since I’m the author of the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and short stories, can I ask you to take at least one (preferably more) of the following steps?

1) Please join the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and short stories email list, and get the upcoming short story, THE TRAITOR, for free! Sign up here.

2) Buy one of my Pastor Stephen Grant novels or short stories at Amazon.comor signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com.

3) Become a member of the Pastor Stephen Grant Fellowship, and get all kinds of FREE stuff, including each new book in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. Check out the levels and benefits here.

Will the Oscars Finally Recognize Superhero Films? The Lord of the Rings Example

by Ray Keating

Commentary

DisneyBizJournal.com

June 14, 2019

Can Avengers: Endgame lay waste to Hollywood’s Oscar bias against superheroes?

The Academy Awards just announced the date for its 2022 Oscars show, and confirmed the dates for the 2020 and 2021 shows. I understand that February 9, 2020, for the upcoming Oscars seems pretty far off, and we still have plenty of movies to watch in 2019, but this announcement got me thinking about whether or not Avengers: Endgame might finally have the power to break through the Academy’s opposition to superheroes.

If there’s hope on this front, it can be found in The Lord of the Rings movies. The first in that film trilogy – The Fellowship of the Ring – hit theaters in December 2001, followed by The Two Towers in December 2002. Both films were nominated for Best Picture, but failed to win, only taking home technical and music Oscars. And then came The Return of the King in December 2003. All three movies, by the way, were filmed together, and then released over those three Decembers.

It was noted at the time that Academy voters were holding off on awarding the big Oscars until the last movie in the trilogy. However, that was no slam dunk. It needs to be pointed out that no true fantasy movie had ever won Best Picture. In fact, Fellowship and Two Towers were, it can be argued, the only other true fantasy films ever nominated for Best Picture to that point.

So, at the 2004 Oscars, The Return of the King broke through, winning Best Picture, Best Director (Peter Jackson), and a total of 11 Academy Awards.

There are parallels when it comes to Avengers: Endgame, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Released in April 2019, Endgame not only was the second part of an epic story that began in Avengers: Infinity War (April 2018), but it brought to a close this part of the MCU that covered a breathtaking 22 films, starting with Iron Man in May 2008.

Also, no superhero movie has ever won a Best Picture Academy Award, with Black Panther (February 2018) becoming the first movie in the genre to be nominated for Best Picture. And there have been assorted snubs in terms of nominations over the years, in particular with Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight (2008).

And of course, there is the critical and box office success of Endgame itself (see the DisneyBizJournal review) as the crescendo of these 22 interlocking movies that included very few misses. 

Also, if the Academy sees wisdom in nominating Endgame, and it is considered a serious contender, people might actually watch the February 2020 Oscars show, as opposed to the show’s long decline due to, in large part, a lack of interest among most of the movie-going public for the films nominated.

Endgame and the entire MCU truly rank as a monumental achievement in cinematic history – one that deserves recognition by the Academy. And that recognition should come not just in the form of a Best Picture nomination for Avengers: Endgame, but in the actual awarding of the Best Picture Oscar. It made sense for The Return of the King and it does for Avengers: Endgame.

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.

If you enjoyed this article, and since I am the author of the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and short stories, can I ask you to take at least one (preferably more) of the following steps?

1) Please join the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and short stories email list, and get the upcoming short story, THE TRAITOR, for free! Sign up here.

2) Buy one of my Pastor Stephen Grant novels or short stories at Amazon.comor signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com. 

3) Become a member of the Pastor Stephen Grant Fellowship, and get all kinds of FREE stuff, including each new book in the Pastor Stephen Grant series. Check out the levels and benefits here.

Coronado's Three Bridges Bar & Grill Opens Ahead of Schedule

by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

June 10, 2019

Yessssss!  Three Bridges Bar & Grill at Villa del Lago at Disney’s Coronado Springs had a surprise ribbon cutting and grand opening today!

You can catch the ribbon cutting with Rob at “Passport to the Parks” below (big thanks to Rob!):

Rob has been covering the progress of the eatery over the past few weeks, and we were excited to see this gorgeous spot open ahead of its projected July schedule.  Rob live-streamed the ribbon cutting, and was literally the first diner through the doors to show off the eatery.  His video will give you a nice overview of Three Bridges, and cast member Jaimie gives Rob (and thus, us!) a knowledgeable rundown of the menu highlights, as well as pointing out what makes some of the selections unique. 

Several of the dishes bring in influences from various cultures, with contemporary twists. House-made sangrias and Spanish coffees also are highlights of the new menu.  

Three Bridges has a unique location in the middle of Lago Dorado, the centerpiece lake at Coronado Springs. The spot will certainly give diners a visual treat, whether you attend during the daytime and enjoy the fantastic vistas of the southwestern style resort, or relax in the covered outdoor seating in the evening with the sparkling lights reflecting off the water. (Speaking of lights, we especially love the striking lanterns hanging in the bar area.) 

There also is a spectacular stone fireplace in the restaurant, and comfortable sofa style seating.  You can get to the restaurant – you guessed it - by strolling the bridges over the lake.

Beth Keating is a regular contributor to DisneyBizJournal.

From Ray Keating: If you enjoyed this article, and since I’m the author of the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and short stories, can I ask you to take at least one (preferably more) of the following steps?

1) Please join the Pastor Stephen Grant novels and short stories email list, and get the upcoming short story, THE TRAITOR, for free! Sign up here.

2) Buy one of my Pastor Stephen Grant novels or short stories at Amazon.comor signed books at www.raykeatingonline.com.

3) Become a member of the Pastor Stephen Grant Fellowship, and get all kinds of FREE stuff, including each new book in the Pastor Stephen grant series. Check out the levels and benefits here.