Disney Takes One-Time Hit, But Earnings Report Positive Overall

by Ray Keating

News/Analysis

DisneyBizJournal.com

May 7, 2024

 

The Walt Disney Company had a solid earnings report for its second quarter ending March 30, 2024. 

 

Total revenues were up by 1 percent in the quarter versus the same quarter in the previous year, i.e., $22.8 billion compared to $21.8 billion. And diluted earnings per share excluding certain items beat expectation, rising by 30 percent, i.e., $1.21 versus $0.93.

A goodwill impairment issue having to do with Star India operations did hit earnings. As The Wall Street Journal reported: “The company took a roughly $2 billion charge in the March quarter related to the India deal and to its linear television networks and swung to a loss of $20 million, from net income of $1.27 billion a year earlier.” 

 

The company’s earnings per share growth target for the full year stands at 25 percent.

 

On the streaming front, losses shrank notably in the quarter, and Disney+ core subscribers increased by 6 million to 117.6 million. Total Hulu subscribers increased from 49.7 million to 50.2 million. Meanwhile, ESPN+ subscriptions were down slightly (from 25.2 million to 24.8 million), though average monthly revenue per paid subscriber increased due to “retail pricing and higher advertising revenue.” The ESPN+ subs decline was attributed to “seasonality,” by Disney CFO Hugh Johnston.

 

Disney CEO Bob Iger was quoted in the company’s statement: “Our results were driven in large part by our Experiences segment as well as our streaming business. Importantly, entertainment streaming was profitable for the quarter, and we remain on track to achieve profitability in our combined streaming businesses in Q4.” The company acknowledged that the forthcoming third quarter will return to streaming losses, including a decline in Disney+ subscribers, but again, followed by a fourth quarter bounce back.

 

Iger also remained bullish on sports and ESPN, asserting that ESPN programming is solid for the coming decade.

 

The Experiences division – parks and resorts, cruise line and consumer products – stood out as a growth driver, “with revenue growth of 10%, segment operating income growth of 12%, and margin expansion of 60 basis points versus the prior year,” and the company continues “to expect robust operating income growth at Experiences for the full year.” Iger noted that “we are turbocharging growth in our Experiences business with a number of near- and long-term strategic investments.”

 

Revenue growth at domestic parks grew by 29 percent in the second quarter versus the same period last year, and operating income rose by 87 percent.

 

CFO Johnston noted that the Experiences division will face some challenges in the coming quarter, namely, higher wages, increased costs due to cruise line expansions, and some demand moderation due to a return to pre-COVID levels. Healthy, strong growth is expected, but there is some demand normalization, along with near-term one-time expenses.

 

Finally, it's also worth noting that Iger’s emphasis regarding Marvel looking ahead was on reining in content, that is, to two, perhaps three, movies per year, as well as a couple of streaming shows per year. 

 

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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?

 

The Disney Planner: The TO DO List Solution combines a simple, powerful system for getting things done with encouragement and fun for Disney fans, including those who love Mickey, Marvel, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Pixar, princesses and more.

 

Never miss any new book by Ray Keating by joining the Pastor Stephen Grant Fellowship with Ray Keating at

https://www.patreon.com/pastorstephengrantfellowship.

 

Various books by Ray Keating…

 

• The Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries. There are 19 books in the series now.

 

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

 

• Order The Weekly Economist III: Another 52 Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist, The Weekly Economist II: 52 More Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist, and The Weekly Economist: 52 Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist at Amazon.com.

 

• Signed editions of Ray’s books are at www.raykeatingbooksandmore.com. 

 

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

“Halfway to Halloween” Hands Out Dates for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary and Oogie Boogie Bash

 by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

May 6, 2024

 

For most of the country, planning is just starting for this year’s Mother’s Day celebrations.  If you are a longer-range planner, maybe you are looking forward to your unofficial kick-off to the summer with a Memorial Day BBQ at the end of this month.

But over at Disney, they launched their #HalfwaytoHalloween celebration this morning. It might be halfway to Halloween if you contemplate Halloween as an October 31st holiday, but when Disney begins their Halloween festivities in August, we’re actually far more than halfway there.

Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

Be that as it may, Disney released a ton of information about their plans for the fall. Many of the items are dates that fans have been waiting for in order to finish making arrangements for their upcoming vacations, including dates for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween party in Florida, and Oogie Boogie Bash in California.  (Disney has even set up a special webpage for its Halloween activities and updates.)

Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

Disney Parks Blog also highlighted Halloween fun for Disney’s Hulu, Freeform, and Disney+ networks; showed off spooky villains-themed wedding attire and accessories for Disney Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons; and offered up training schedules for the first-ever (but already sold out) runDisney 2024 Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon Weekend.  If you are looking for more info, you can also follow @31nightsofhalloween as they count down October’s “31 Nights of Halloween” flicks on Freeform.

  
So, on to the stuff you’ve really been waiting for…

At Walt Disney World

 

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom will kick-off August 9 and take place from 7:00 p.m.-midnight on select nights through October 31.  The separately ticketed evening will include a new DescenDANCE Party, inspired by the upcoming Disney+ movie,  “Descendants: The Rise of Red,” and the Boo-To-You parade times will be moved earlier to accommodate little ones’ schedules.  

Event tickets go on sale for guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels, and Shades of Green starting May 8. Tickets will be available to all guests starting May 15.  You can purchase tickets at Disneyworld.com/Halloween, or call the Disney Reservation Center at 407-934-7639.

If the sugar you gather at the Trick-or-Treat stations isn’t enough, and you’d like to add on Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular Dessert Party (which includes fireworks viewing from Plaza Garden or Tomorrowland Terrace), reservations for the dessert party open on June 7.

 
Ticket prices for Not-So-Scary range from $119 to $199 (with discounts available for Annual Passholders and DVC members). The dates for the 2024 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Parties include:

 

• August 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27, 30
• September 2, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29
• October 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25, 27, 29, 31
  
  

Disneyland Resort

 

Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party will be returning to Disney California Adventure, with even more dates than in previous seasons.  Also a separately ticketed, after-hours event, the party happens on 27 select nights, including: Sunday, Aug. 25; Tuesday, Aug. 27; Thursday, Aug. 29; Tuesday, Sept. 3; Tuesday, Sept. 10; Thursday, Sept. 12; Sunday, Sept. 15; Tuesday, Sept. 17; Thursday, Sept. 19; Sunday, Sept. 22; Tuesday, Sept. 24; Thursday, Sept. 26; Sunday, Sept. 29; Tuesday, Oct. 1; Thursday, Oct. 3; Sunday, Oct. 6; Tuesday, Oct. 8; Thursday, Oct. 10; Sunday, Oct. 13; Tuesday, Oct. 15; Thursday, Oct. 17; Sunday, Oct. 20; Tuesday, Oct. 22; Thursday, Oct. 24; Sunday, Oct. 27; Tuesday, Oct. 29; and Thursday, Oct. 31.

Details on when tickets for Oogie Boogie Bash will go on sale have not yet been released, but prices range from $134 to $189.

The Bone Chillin’ Halloween Merchandise Preview link will give you a peek at some of the merchandise you will be able to find at the event.

  
If you want to try to win an Oogie Boogie surprise, Disney Movie Insiders Oogie Boogie Sweepstakes! on Instagram (@DisneyMovieInsiders) is running a contest for an Oogie Boogie prize pack. Enter before May 12, 2024.

Disney Cruise Line Halloween on the High Seas

 

“Halloween on the High Seas” heads to the ocean once again for Disney Cruise Line in 2024 in September and October, for select itineraries.

Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

Disney Treasure

 

The Disney Treasure sets sail this December, and one of the ship’s most anticipated details is the Haunted Mansion Parlor.  As part of the Halfway to Halloween celebration, Disney shared new details and photos on the décor of this first-of-its-kind bar, as well as imparted a bit of spooky history for the lounge.  A ghost fish aquarium and an eerie portrait gallery will help set the stage, and a series of ceramic mugs that look like carvings from the wooden planks of a ghost ship will be coming to the Disney Treasure. Among other ghostly depictions, they’ll be inspired by the backstories shared by Disney of The Mariner and The Captain’s bride.

 
Hong Kong Disneyland

 

From September 12 to October 31, House of De Vil-lains; “Let’s Get Wicked;” and the Nightmare Before Dinner experience will be returning.

Disneyland Paris

 

The Disney Halloween Festival will take place October 1 to November 3, with the return of the show, Mickey’s Halloween Celebration.

 
Tokyo Disney Resort

 

Brand new theming at Tokyo Disneyland, with new entertainment, will run from October 1 to November 7.

  
Descendants: The Rise of Red

 

If you are a fan of the Descendants franchise, there’s a little Halfway to Halloween fun for you, too.  The Disney Original movie, Descendants: The Rise of Red (and its soundtrack), begin streaming July 12 on Disney+, but the first single from the movie, “What’s My Name (Red Version),” has been released for streaming now.

Descendants: The Rise of Red  follows Red, the daughter of the Queen of Hearts, who is forced to team up with her opposite Chloe, Cinderella’s daughter, when they travel back in time to save Auradon.

 

Disney Snacks and Stuff

 

If you just can’t wait to get into the Halloween spirit, you can get a jump on the season by heading to Gideon’s Bakehouse at Disney Springs. Until May 8 (or while supplies last), you can enjoy four different spooky treats, edible and non-edible:

 

• Mephistophelittle’s Hand Pie: A flaky pastry packed with chocolate chip cookie dough and lined with dulce de leche. (Limit two per person) 

 

• The Frankenstein Cookie: Normally dished up in October, this fan favorite has been released for a nanosecond just for Halfway to Halloween. Made from “pieces of all the candies you want in your treat bag,” there will be M&M’s, crushed Oreo Double Stuff, and chocolate chips in every bite. (Limit two per person)

Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

• Gideon’s Trading Card Series 3: There are free trading cards hidden at the bottom of every medium and large cookie box, and only for Halfway to Halloween, a free Barnabas Mephistophelittle Promo Card will materialize with your purchase (while supplies last).

 

• Barnabas Mephistophelittle Merchandise: Brand new merchandise featuring Gideon’s Halfway to Halloween Ambassador, Barnabas Mephistophelittle, will be available, including a collector’s pin and 24oz cold brew tumbler.

 
If you are on the West Coast, head to Kayla’s Cake in Downtown Disney District before May 9, for the Skull Macarons, macarons with vanilla confetti buttercream and a printed black skull.

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

 

Get The Disney Planner: The TO DO List Solution by Ray Keating. More information at

https://raykeatingbooksandmore.com/shop/ols/products/disneyplanner. And please listen to the Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating podcast. 

Celebrate May the Fourth With Braised Shaak Roast

 by Beth Keating

Lifestyle

DisneyBizJournal.com

May 4, 2024

 

Bright suns, friends!  Hope you are reveling in your Star Wars fandom today, or for those of you talking a walk on the Dark Side, enjoy your “Revenge of the Fifth” celebrations tomorrow.

Several years ago, my son gifted me the Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge: The Official Black Spire Outpost Cookbook for Christmas, and each year, we break it out for May the Fourth and choose a different recipe to try for Star Wars Day.  Some of the recipes are more involved than others, while some require more readily available ingredients and less skill to assemble.

If you aren’t familiar with the Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge: The Official Black Spire Outpost Cookbook, it is a fun read. The book is told in the voice of Chef Strono Tuggs, known as “Cookie,” the head chef at Maz Kanata’s castle.  Cookie quotes in the book, “Food is art,” and the Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge cookbook is truly art.  Even if you have no intention of actually whipping up the recipes in the book, the photography and illustrations in the book are beautiful to flip through, even for non-cooks. The backstories Cookie shares in his discussion of each recipe contribute a whole lot of depth to the Star Wars universe, and hardcore fans will find a lot to enjoy just in the narration in Cookie’s manuscript.  (The book is brought to you, in the real world, by authors Chelsea Monroe-Cassel and Marc Sumerak, who have a number of genre cookbooks to their credit, and photographer Ted Thomas.)

Now, on to the recipe we selected for this year’s feast and movie marathon.  Chef Cookie explains that this particular dish is from the planet Naboo, where herds of shaak roam the grasslands. He assures us that this recipe is so delicious that it is “sold out as soon as I open the pot.”

  
We agree. Not only was this a pretty easy dinner to whip up, but it was one of the meals we’ve enjoyed the most from the Galaxy’s Edge cookbook (which, admittedly, sometimes has some very strange recipes!)

If you want to join in the Star Wars fun this year, here's the recipe we used from the Black Spire cookbook.  (Side note: DisneyBizJournal does not receive any compensation from the sale of the book – we just like it!)

Ingredients:

 

2 or 3 pounds pot roast (beef round roast) 
1/4 cup soy sauce, or more to taste
3 cloves garlic 
Water as needed
8 ounces Cavatelli or Orecchiette pasta
6 Tablespoons olive oil
1 ½ cups whole pearl onions, peeled
2 cups mushrooms, sliced
1 heaping cup kale, torn into small pieces
½ cup rainbow carrots, peeled and shredded
1-2 Tablespoons seasoned panko bread crumbs
Salt & pepper

 
Directions:

 

1. Place the beef in a medium saucepan along with the soy sauce and garlic. Fill with just  enough water to cover the beef, then set over medium heat, cover and cook for about 2 hours, until the meat has started to soften and is cooked through.

 

2. Using a pair of forks, divide the beef into smaller pieces, and allow to cook about 1 hour more, until the beef is very tender. Remove to a separate plate and keep warm. 

 

3. Once the beef is cooked, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions, until soft, but still a little al dente. Drain the pasta and keep warm.  

4. In a medium sauté pan or skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Cook the pearl onions and mushrooms for about 5 minutes, until soft, then add about 1/2 cup or so of the beef liquid, stirring until it has been absorbed. 

5. Remove from the heat, and stir in the kale until it is wilted. Add about 1/2 cup of the beef liquid to each serving bowl, then divide the pasta between them. Stir the mushroom, onion, and kale mix in with the cooked pasta and keep warm. 

6. Place the cooked beef on top of the pasta, then follow with the carrots and a pinch of the seasoned bread crumbs. Season to taste with salt and pepper. 

 

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

 

Get The Disney Planner: The TO DO List Solution by Ray Keating. More information at

https://raykeatingbooksandmore.com/shop/ols/products/disneyplanner. And please listen to the Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating podcast. 

New Passholder Lounge Packed on Opening Day

 by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

May 3, 2024

 

Disney’s V.I.Passholder Days runs from May 1st through June 26th this year, and among the perks offered up during this promo, Passholders are welcomed  at the new Passholder lounge in the Morocco Pavilion.

On opening day, this temporary spot in the former Restaurant Marrakesh location was a beehive of activity.  You would have thought they were giving away something for free… oh, wait, they were!   The line to sign up for the Passholder lounge stretched from the restaurant’s entrance, all the way back to the archways.  That was just to sign up to get a text to come back when a table would be open in the lounge.  In our case, the text came about an hour and fifteen minutes after signing up.

Was it worth it?  Yes, it was a pleasant spot to take a break.  Strong air conditioning was a big draw, but the free bag of Chex Mix or Planters Fruit and Nuts were tasty.  You could also choose between ice water, or a lovely cup of mint tea with honey.   Comfortable seating gave guests a chance to relax, while a bank of lockers provided a spot to recharge your phone.  On the way in, you were also given a Passholder button to wear.

  
The unexpected surprise, though, was the chance to meet the Genie, and have your photo taken with the big blue guy.  (On our visit, Genie was in rare form, and because of the small capacity inside the lounge, kids had a nice chance to interact and joke around with Genie.  He was granting only 3 wishes at a time, however.)

The Passholder Lounge will be open through June 18th from noon to 8PM each day, and you’ll need to show your Annual Passholder ID and a photo ID to get in.

In addition to the Passholder lounge, Passholders can pick up their free Passholder souvenir magnet, this new one themed to Stitch.  Pick it up at Creations Shop in EPCOT.  Stitch will also be the focus of a Passholder exclusive treat at Sunshine Seasons in EPCOT.  The bright blue Stitch Cake Cone is slathered in coconut buttercream and mango crisp pearls.

   
Over in World Celebration Gardens, near Dreamers Point in EPCOT, Annual Passholders can have their photo taken with a few different Disney PhotoPass Magic Shots.  From May 1- 31, there will be a giant Mickey Mouse ice cream bar prop, while from June 1-26, there will be an oversized Mickey donut prop. (Some guests were also seeing Stitch show up in their Magic Shot, but he didn’t appear in ours.)

  
And in another cool bonus, from May 5th through May 24th, Annual Passholders can get 20% off all DisneyStore.com purchases.

  
Check back in the Disney Passholder section on the home page of the My Disney Experience (MDE) app for updates.

 

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

 

Get The Disney Planner: The TO DO List Solution by Ray Keating. More information at

https://raykeatingbooksandmore.com/shop/ols/products/disneyplanner. And please listen to the Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating podcast. 

Disney’s Hollywood Studios Celebrates 35th Anniversary

 by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

May 2, 2024

 

Another Disney World anniversary has come and gone, with very little fanfare from the company itself.

 
On May 1, 2024, Disney’s Hollywood Studios celebrated its 35th Anniversary with a short, barely twenty-minute ceremony in the Theater of the Stars (Beauty and the Beast Theater) on Sunset Boulevard.  It took longer to load the theater than the ceremony itself offered to the excited capacity crowd.

The festivities were hosted by Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog, who then introduced Disney Ambassador Serena Arvizu. The Disney Ambassador gave a brief look back at some of the history of the Disney-MGM-Studio-turned-Hollywood-Studios, before handing the stage over to Hollywood Studios Vice President Jackie Swisher.  Swisher spoke of the transformational changes at the park over the years, before turning the mike back to Arvizu.  The ceremony wrapped up with a recognition of the 32 cast members who have been with the park since the very beginning.  (Round of applause for those dedicated magic makers!)

Of course, no ceremony would be complete without an appearance by a celebrity – in this case, Sorcerer Mickey himself, who was joined on the stage by several of the studio’s beloved characters, in a confetti-marked salute.

The day was also highlighted by a commemorative guide map (which opens into a 35th anniversary poster), and a merchandise drop available through a virtual queue.  The old Muppets store (Stage 1 Company Store) in the rear of the park was turned into a well-organized tee shirt, water bottle, backpack, pin and ball cap shop with 35th anniversary logos.

Sadly, this isn’t the first time Disney has missed the opportunity to celebrate a moment in its history with a bit of pomp and circumstance.  Some of us even made our own PhotoPass opportunities for the day by asking the Disney PhotoPass photographers to take a shot of us in front of iconic Hollywood Studios buildings with the commemorative guide map opened to the poster page, just so we’d have a remembrance of the day.  (How easy would it have been for Disney to host a few backdrops with the 35th anniversary logo for the event?)

  
Meanwhile, the news out of Disneyland with regard to Pixar Fest has us drooling – and contemplating whether our household budgets could afford a jaunt out to join in the fun.  So many cute foods and fun activities (not to mention excellent popcorn buckets!!).  It surely would have offered a blueprint for Disney World to “plus it up” a bit for their own, very legitimate milestones.   Other international Disney parks have served up drone shows and parades for various landmark dates.

  
Disney fans love their Disney history. (Maybe a bit more than the Disney executives realize.) The family sitting next to me at the Hollywood Studios ceremony had even planned their vacation dates so that they’d be in the park for May 1.  Hope they weren’t too disappointed. If you didn’t get in to the short ceremony at the beginning of the day, it was just a regular day at Hollywood Studios.  Opportunity missed… 

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

 

Get The Disney Planner: The TO DO List Solution by Ray Keating. More information at

https://raykeatingbooksandmore.com/shop/ols/products/disneyplanner. And please listen to the Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating podcast. 

 

“How Disney Built America” Debuts on the History Channel

 by Beth Keating

Review

DisneyBizJournal.com

April 30, 2024

 

There have been a number of very good docuseries on Disney+ for those of us who appreciate Disney history, or even the backstory of Disney rides. (See, for example, The Imagineering Story, One Day at Disney, The Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, or Behind The Attraction on Disney+, each one very different takes on the docuseries format.)

 
Now, there’s a well-done series debuting on the History Channel over the next few weeks, bringing a closer look at Walt Disney, the man, and how the Disney Empire came to be.  The six-part series, How Disney Built America, features actor re-creations, interviews with historians and experts, film clips and cartoon shorts, and archival material.

You may already be familiar with the other entries into the History Channel’s “The Stories That Built America” series, including The Engineering That Built the World, The Machines That Built America, The Mega-Brands That Built America, The Titans That Built America, The Cars That Built the World, and The Food That Built America.

 

The Disney-based series premiered April 28, and will continue to drop one episode per week on Sundays at 10/9c for the next month and a half. Episodes will be available for streaming at the History Channel the next day.

 

According to the History Channel, “How Disney Built America is a nostalgia-filled ride that paints a vivid picture of the world of Walt Disney and the history-making empire he and his brother Roy Disney built. Each hour-long episode focuses on a different example of game-changing brilliance in Disney’s history including creating the world’s most recognizable characters, establishing the animated features industry, revolutionizing the concept of merchandising, and using groundbreaking design and engineering to construct Disneyland, Walt Disney World Resort, and beyond. Viewers will hear from legendary Disney Imagineer Bob Gurr, a direct hire from Walt who developed over 100 designs for Disney theme park attractions, to gain surprising insights into the unique innovations and struggles involved in realizing the dreams of a visionary. The series utilizes rarely seen historical material, original dramatic recreations, and key interviews from Don Wildman, Margaret Kerrison, Douglas Brinkley, Mindy Johnson, and others to expand on how the brand is forever woven into the fabric of American life.”

A brief synopsis of the first three episodes includes:

 

Episode 1: The Birth of Mickey (April 28)

“A struggling cartoon studio creates one of the most recognizable characters in the world. Mickey Mouse begins as a pencil sketch, and through a journey of failure, betrayal, innovation, and guts becomes an American icon, and the foundation of an iconic media empire.”  Run time: 43 minutes.

 

Episode 2: Dawn of the Animated Blockbuster (May 5)

“Facing soaring costs, mounting criticism, and a tight deadline, Walt Disney pushes the limits of technology to create the first full-length animated feature film. It’s Disney’s magic combination of passion, brilliance, and tech innovation that gives rise to the billion-dollar business of animated films.”

 

Episode 3: Destination Disneyland (May 12)

“Walt Disney overcomes immense obstacles to create the first Theme Park, where instead of thrill rides, he gives the visitor an immersive journey into a story, like the experience of being inside a movie.”

 

Episodes 4-6 haven’t been posted to the History Channel’s calendar with their descriptions yet, but will air on the following dates:  Episode 4 (May 19); Episode 5 (June 2);  and Episode 6 (June 9).  Upcoming episodes will look at Imagineering; merchandising of the Disney brand; and the creation of Disney World.

The first episode, “The Birth of Mickey,” is now streaming online with the History Channel for those who don’t have the History Channel on their cable systems.  It was an hour well-spent, an engaging kick-off to the series that was entertaining without descending into a dry look at a history with which many Disney mega-fans already have at least a passing relationship.  The technological discussions were also woven into the episode remarkably well, placing the early years of the Disney Company into historical and industry context without getting bogged down in the weeds. You’ll find yourself rooting for Walt and Roy, even though you already know where the story is heading. 

If the quality of this docuseries continues at this level, we are indeed looking forward to the next five segments.

 

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

 

Get The Disney Planner: The TO DO List Solution by Ray Keating. More information at

https://raykeatingbooksandmore.com/shop/ols/products/disneyplanner. And please listen to the Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating podcast. 

Water Taxis in Disney Springs Temporarily Closed

 by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

April 29, 2024

 

One of our favorite ways to get from Disney Springs to the neighboring resorts is the Sassagoula River Cruise boats.  It’s a lovely, tranquil boat ride between the four nearby Resort hotels and the variety of dining and shopping options at Disney Springs. We’ve been known to take the free water taxis up and down the river just for fun, checking out the local flora and fauna and enjoying the sun (or sunsets).

The Sassagoula River boats run between Disney Springs and the resorts at Saratoga Springs, Old Key West, and both Port Orleans-Riverside and Port Orleans-French Quarter. 

 

Unfortunately, the vagaries of Florida weather has made the use of those water taxis temporarily unavailable, as water levels in the Sassagoula River are currently too low for the boats to operate safely.

  
In the meantime, additional Disney bus service is being offered between the Springs and the Resorts from the Town Center Bus Depot area. It can be found between the Orange and Lime garages at Disney Springs.

Central Florida is approaching the “rainy season” of the year, so hopefully water levels will return to normal before too long. Signs at the loading docks are informing guests as to whether boats are operating each day.

 

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

 

Get The Disney Planner: The TO DO List Solution by Ray Keating. More information at

https://raykeatingbooksandmore.com/shop/ols/products/disneyplanner. And please listen to the Daily Dose of Disney with Ray Keating podcast. 

Sneaking in a Visit To Pecos Bill

 by Beth Keating

Review

DisneyBizJournal.com

April 25, 2024

 

Back in the day, Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe at Disney World was one of our favorite quick-serve stops.  It was a great place to grab a late night on-the-go dinner while waiting for the nighttime parade to come through (remember those?).  We’d grab our entrées from the counter, load up at the thrilling all-you-can-fit-on-your-plate fixins’ bar, and park ourselves on the curb out front, claiming a front row spot for the parade while enjoying our meal.

Post-COVID, though, the fixins’ bar did not return when Pecos Bill reopened.  So sad, but thoroughly understandable.  Unfortunately, it also meant that we now tended to blow off Pecos Bill, and head to other spots like Columbia Harbor House instead.

 
That perhaps was a tactical mistake on our part.  On a recent visit to the Magic Kingdom, we decided to once again lunch at Pecos, due mainly to speculative rumors among the bloggers and vloggers that with all the construction in Frontierland, Pecos Bill’s place could be in for some updating.  (Hmmm… beignets, anyone?). While Disney itself has been tight-lipped about any potential changes to that area of the park once Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opens, and with a refreshed show coming to the Country Bears, we decided that, just in case Pecos Bill was due to ride off into the sunset, we’d pay him another visit.

The lunch menu at the restaurant is the same as the dinner one, and while it is a very limited menu in scope, it is a very good one.  We opted for the Taco Trio ($10.99), a set of three flour tortillas served with lettuce, tomato, cheese, sour cream and salsa, and a good amount of the various meat fillings.  This eminently affordable dish was pretty substantial for the price, and offered one each of the seasoned ground beef, seasoned chicken, or pork carnitas.  (We also found out from the cashier that you can mix and match those fillings as you’d like. You can have all three of your tortillas in the same meat choice if you want.)

We opted for the three different fillings in our tortillas.  The meat was very tender and moist,  nicely seasoned, with just a hint of a kick to the ground beef.  Totally fine for the spice-adverse!  While the unlimited fixins’ bar is long gone, the restaurant does serve up most of the toppings alongside the taco trio – you can assemble them as you like.  We received two packets of sour cream, a small tub of salsa, a paper tray of lettuce and diced tomatoes, and 2 small containers of shredded cheese with the order. Be warned, though, you’ll have to pick up a lot of extra napkins. This was a satisfying, but very sloppy meal.

The taco trio was also an excellent bargain in the world of Disney restaurants, and as we were eating in the late afternoon, it kept us full all the way through park closing. The cost of the three tacos with all their toppings was far less than most other entrées in the parks.  

 

Even the giant turkey legs at Prince Eric’s Village Market are $15.49, almost $5 more than the tasty tacos!  Eric’s jumbo pretzel is even pricier than Pecos’ trio…. Eric hawks his jumbo pretzels at $11.29.  Want a plain foot-long hot dog at Casey’s Corner?  Pony up $12.79.  Add a few toppings, such as the pulled pork and slaw, and you are looking at $15.79. So, Bill’s taco trio is looking like quite the bargain!

Pecos Bill is themed as a frontier hall, with a large “fireplace” in the entry, and even a flower and fountain bedecked indoor courtyard.  There’s an outdoor courtyard, too, and if you time it right, you might be able to catch some of the afternoon’s Festival of Fantasy parade from your table.

  
There’s lots of themed art and decorative objects tacked to the walls to keep you entertained as well.  But look carefully as you sit under them – you might find out that you are seated near Davy Crockett’s cap.  Pecos Bill is a bigger café than you realize from the outside. While it is often crowded, especially at peak dining hours, you can usually find a seat without too much trouble, especially if you head further back into the room(s). Most people stop further to the front, grabbing the first open table they spot.

In addition to the tacos that we tried, Pecos serves beef or chicken nachos ($11.49); cheeseburgers ($12.99 or $13.29, depending on toppings); a pork carnitas or chicken rice bowl ($12.29 or $12.49); and mixed green salads with chicken or pork carnitas on top ($12.29).  The most expensive meal here is a fajita platter ($15.49).

There are a few sides available to round out your meal, too, including tortilla chips ($5.49); pinto beans ($4.99); guacamole ($2.50); and some cilantro rice ($4.99).  Kids’ meals include cheeseburgers ($8.49); a beef or chicken taco ($7.79); a chicken or pork carnitas rice bowl ($8.49), or a veggie rice bowl ($7.49); and, of course, the ubiquitous mac and cheese ($6.99).  Kids’ meals come with choices of sides and drinks for the young cowpokes.

Did someone inquire about desserts?  We believe you did. There are mini churros with chocolate sauce ($6.79); peach and raspberry trifle ($5.99); Greek Yogurt ($3.19, but who thought that was “dessert”??); and powdered cinnamon-sugar doughnut holes ($5.79).

So, who was Pecos Bill, besides a Disney cartoon short from the 1950s?  Well, according to the D23archives, Pecos Bill was actually a segment of the film Melody Time, and the tale was told and sung by Roy Rogers and the Sons of the Pioneers. Roy tells the story of the life of the legendary American folk hero, Pecos Bill, and how he fell in love with Slue Foot Sue. Roy’s song, “Blue Shadows on the Trail,” is included in the cartoon. Originally released as Melody Time on May 27, 1948, Pecos Bill was re-released as a cartoon short in 1955.  If you are a fan of the late Patrick Swayze, you can also catch him playing a version of Pecos Bill in 1995 in Tall Tale on Disney+.

Before Disney came along though, the legends originated from a series of mythical re-countings written down by Edward O’Reilly. He published the tales beginning in 1917, claiming to have heard them from actual cowboys, who often told the stories around the campfires at night. The Saga of Pecos Bill was published in 1923. And, as is often the case, the stories were added to as time went on.

 

Folklore tells us that Pecos Bill was “the greatest cowboy that ever lived.” He was born in Texas in the 1830s, but grew up raised by coyotes because, as his family was traveling west in a covered wagon, the infant Bill bounced out of the wagon near the Pecos River (hence the name), and he was raised by the coyotes who took pity on the baby.  He was so tough as a baby that he used a bowie knife as a teething ring!

Among Bill’s constant companions were his rattlesnake named Shake, and his horse, Widow-Maker.  He often used Shake as a lasso, and in one of the tales that grew up around Bill, he used that lasso during a drought to create the Gulf of Mexico by lassoing a storm cloud in California and pulling it all the way to Texas, where it rained so much that the Gulf was formed.   In a painting over the fireplace at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café at Disney World, Pecos Bill is depicted riding on Widow-maker with Shake whirling around overhead. Shake was also a tough one, helping Pecos Bill to lasso a tornado to ride. That tornado?  It helped to form the Grand Canyon as Bill rode it this way and that, until it spun itself out of energy.

 

If the old stories are to be believed, Pecos Bill also formed the Rio Grande River. Again suffering a severe lack of water, Bill grabbed a big stick and, dragging it along, dug a deep ditch that filled with water, becoming the Rio Grande.

 
Also included in many of the Pecos Bill tall tales is his companion and girlfriend, Slue-Foot Sue, who rode a giant catfish.  Want to know where the “Lone Star” nickname comes from for Texas?  It was said that Pecos Bill shot all the stars from the sky except for one, just to impress Sue. It became “the Lone Star.”  (Some versions credit Bill with creating the Lone Star before he met Sue, so choose the story you like best.)

And you thought “Pecos Bill” was just a random name for a quick-serve restaurant. Not in the Imagineers’ world!  You just have to peel back the layers and look a little deeper.

 

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

 

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