food IS a theme park
Although many of its theme parks around the world have reopened, Disney is not entirely back up and running.
Disneyland Gate
The Disneyland Resort theme parks are still closed and cruising is expected to be the last aspect of the company to resume. COVID-19 has greatly impacted the Disney company and other companies worldwide. We’ve seen lots of layoffs in various other hotels and theme parks, which is now being followed by a large number of layoffs in Disney World.
Earlier this month, The Walt Disney Company announced a wave of leadership shifts.
Disney Springs
These changes included appointing new park presidents for both Disney World and Disneyland, naming Josh D’Amaro the Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products, and shifting Rebecca Campbell into the role of Chairman for the Direct-To Consumer sector. And now, Disney announced a change to its financial leadership.
We reported yesterday that The Walt Disney Company shifted around their executives to form a new leadership team.
@joshdamaro on Instagram
This change-up moved Josh D’Amaro to the Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products, and named new presidents for both Disney World and Disneyland. Former Disneyland President, Rebecca Campbell, is stepping into the role of Chairman for the Direct-To Consumer sector and analysts shared their concerns with this recent change.
If you're looking for information related to the current closures and their effect on the Disney Parks, click here for all the up-to-date details and click here for answers to dozens of reader FAQs.
Today, Disney announced a new leadership team including Josh D’Amaro in his new position as Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products.
@joshdamaro on Instagram
Other members include Rebecca Campbell, Jeff Vahle, Kareem Daniel, and Thomas Mazloum. Campbell took on the position of chairman of Disney’s Direct-to-Consumer and International, which was formerly held by Kevin Mayer. However, Mayer is moving on to a position with a popular video service.
Disney theme parks around the world have been closed for months. Shanghai Disneyland recently broke the theme park stand-still by re-opening, but Disney has not yet announced when the rest of the parks will re-open.
Shanghai Disneyland
In the wake of the closures, The Walt Disney Company furloughed employees and has been taking on debt to protect its financial future. Analysts recommended accepting equity agreements instead of additional lines of credit and Saudi Arabia’s public investment fund just offered Disney this opportunity.
The Walt Disney Company holds a relatively impeccable brand image, one that has been known and loved by millions over generations.
Disney World Skyliner
Still, sometimes even the happiest and most wholesome of brands will take a hit from a surprising accident or miscommunication. From the Skyliner incident in 2019 to the international closure of all Disney parks, check out these 7 times that Disney had to deal with a public relations nightmare!
Ever since the parks first closed, we have been trying to imagine the impact the closures will have on a powerhouse like Disney.
Cinderella Castle and Main Street USA in Disney World
We’ve seen execs taking pay cuts, Cast Members being furloughed, the company taking on new debt, and even purchasing a new parcel of land. To those of us on the outside, it appears as though Disney has been thoughtfully planning their moves not only to protect themselves financially but to ensure a future for the parks we love. Former Disney CEO, Bob Iger, spoke to how the latest events have impacted the company’s vision moving forward in a recent interview with Barron’s.
Disneynature’s newest movie, Penguins
, hits theaters tomorrow, April 17, 2019 — just in time for Earth Day! And cast and crew celebrated the release with a special premier in New York City’s IMAX Theater at AMC Lincoln Square over the weekend!
Penguins opens April 17, 2019
This film follows the natural penguin exploits of Steve, an Adelie penguin who follows the epic penguin journey of building a nest, finding a mate, and staring a family. [Read more…]
Star Wars Celebration
is in full swing in Chicago this weekend, and just moments ago, the title of the franchise’s epic ninth installment was revealed!
Star Wars Episode IX The Rise of Skywalker poster
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker will hit theaters on December 20, 2019. [Read more…]
Nobody knows branding quite like the Disney Company. When you visit a Disney establishment, not only do you see your favorite mouse in animated character form, you also see him in every other form imaginable…including those that are edible!
While you can consume Mr. Mouse as a pasta, a vegetable, an ice cream sundae, and even as a pancake, my favorite Mickey Mouse-shaped foods are those that follow:
1. Mickey Waffles: These seem to keep popping up in my blog, but they’re pretty quintessential Disney food, no? The Mickey Waffle can be found on just about every buffet breakfast and room service menu on property; it’s a staple Disney parks and resorts food, and with all the folks trying to duplicate it at home, why shouldn’t it be?
Mickey Waffles at Cape May Cafe Character Breakfast
2. The Mickey Bar: This has been an icon of Disney theme park food since…the beginning of Disney theme park food? (Seriously, if anyone has a good “history of the Mickey Bar” they can share, I’d be most obliged.) It’s simple and ubiquitous and can be enjoyed by adults and kids both.
Mickey Ice Cream Bars
Frozen Treats at the Magic Kingdom
3. Mickey Rice Krispies Treat (on or off a stick): Who knew such a simple recipe, first printed on the Rice Krispies box in 1941, would, with just a little re-shaping, become such a huge mega-seller in Disney theme parks? Sometimes dipped in chocolate, sometimes straight-up, Mickey Rice Krispies Treats are a great between-meal snack. And low-fat, right? (By they way, every once in a while you can find GIANT Mickey Rice Krispies treats — bigger than your head.)
Mickey Rice Krispies Treat
4. Chocolate-covered Mickey Pretzels: Again, simple, yet delicious. Grab a pretzel, dip it in chocolate, add some decoration, and sell it for an enormous profit. We’re happy, you’re happy.
Chocolate-Covered Mickey Pretzels
Now, my fifth favorite Mickey-shaped nom was not mentioned here, because I don’t believe it exists any longer (but I can hope!). If anyone out there has a photograph (or knowledge of its presence on Disney property) of the old sculpted Mickey butter that used to be served at the restaurants, I’d love to see it. A 3-dimensional sculpture of Mickey made out of butter. It doesn’t get any better than that.
Also, let me know YOUR favorite Mickey-shaped foods…there are many not mentioned here…
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