'Freebies, Discounts and Sweepstakes' Help Keep Disney+ Subscribers; Disney Stock (NYSE:DIS) Notches Up
So things have been looking reasonably good for entertainment giant Disney (DIS) recently. It has the top movie in the United States right now with the live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch. The stink of Snow White 's failure is finally departing. And now, Disney rolled out a set of new 'perks' designed to keep Disney+ subscribers from becoming churn statistics or streaming nomads. That gave investors reason to cheer as well, and shares notched up fractionally in the closing minutes of Friday's trading.
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Disney knows that there are a lot of options out there when it comes to streaming, and this growing diffusion is actually starting to hurt the entire streaming concept. So rather than take its chances with an audience that gets bored easily and goes off in search of new content elsewhere once the old content has run out, Disney is offering up new 'perks,' as some put it, to keep Disney viewers in the fold.
The United States gets first go with the Disney Plus Perks program, including discounts for merchandise from places like Funko (FNKO), a six-month DashPass membership with DoorDash (DASH), and more. And, next week, Hulu will have its own loyalty program scheme in place that includes a range of companies offering discounts, and new perks stepping in over the course of the summer.
Disney Adults Disappointed by Budget Airlines
Meanwhile, the so-called Disney adult is apparently getting fed up with budget airlines, and is potentially posing a problem for Disney itself. While just getting to a Disney park can be a challenge, depending on where you live, the budget airlines that represented a great way to save cash while traveling are letting down their passengers.
The problem seems to be that the budget airlines are having trouble keeping up with their larger counterparts, who are reducing fares to try and take advantage of what passenger base there is left. Many of those airlines are also upgrading their planes to take advantage of the wealthy passenger, but planes need to be filled, and thus, cheaper fares are often a go-to. Thus, the Disney adult is paying about what they would pay elsewhere for service that truly is 'budget.'
Is Disney Stock a Buy or Hold?
Turning to Wall Street, analysts have a Strong Buy consensus rating on DIS stock based on 14 Buys and four Holds assigned in the past three months, as indicated by the graphic below. After a 7.8% rally in its share price over the past year, the average DIS price target of $123.56 per share implies 9.27% upside potential.
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Los Angeles Times
an hour ago
- Los Angeles Times
Going bananas: Why Savannah Bananas tickets cost more than a Dodgers-Yankees rematch
In a region where baseball is king, the long-awaited rematch of last year's World Series between the Dodgers and Yankees is unfolding. Ohtani. Judge. Two of the game's best, facing off once more. But just down the 5 Freeway in Anaheim, the home of Disney, the hottest ticket in baseball this weekend belongs to a stilted pitcher, juggling infielders and a yellow-suited, top hat-wearing carnival barker. For back-to-back nights, more than 45,000 fans packed the Big A to see the Savannah Bananas — a team born from a small-time collegiate summer team that became a tour de force that has forever changed baseball. It was one stop during the Bananas' most audacious barnstorming effort since their baseball traveling show hit the road just a few years ago. These tickets were only available through a lottery — reserved months in advance. And when they went on sale, all were gone in an instant. The only way in was through the resale market, where just hours before first pitch on Friday, the lowest price (fees and taxes included) for a pair of tickets on StubHub was $209.52. Meanwhile, two lowest price StuHub tickets for the Dodgers versus Yankees game were available for $171.72. All for the sake of 'Banana Ball.' This baseball game is a ballyhoo. One rooted in the thrills, energy and pageantry of early 20th-century carnivals, but with a 21st-century twist — the atmosphere of a TikTok reel brought to life. It's the showmanship of Ringling Brothers Circus combined with the athletic flair of the Harlem Globetrotters. But above all, it's a brand built on Walt Disney's blueprint— not just to entertain, but to make the audience feel. 'When you look at all the touch points — the joy, the fun, the dancing, the celebrating — and think about all the different stages, just like Walt, we think about all the stages: from the parking lot to the plaza, to the upper deck, to the dugouts,' said Bananas owner Jesse Cole, the man in the top hat. 'How do we make someone feel something?' Instead of lounging in a cushy, air-conditioned owner's suite, Cole is in the dugout hours before showtime — a Disney-like archetype, his energy as vibrant as his layered, all-yellow suit, braving the afternoon heat. 'Nonstop,' Cole said, describing Banana Ball in a nutshell. Refusing to sit, not wanting to lose an ounce of edge, he added, 'It's all about energy. We want to give people energy, delivering it every second, from the moment we open the gates at two o'clock until the last fan leaves at 11.' While gates opened at 2 p.m., fans began arriving as early as 11 a.m. — clamoring for a shot at Banana-themed merchandise, many leaving the team tents with bags in both hands. In the parking lot, two young boys passed the time playing catch, gloves in hand. As the afternoon wore on and the temperature climbed to 91 degrees, crowds trudged through the heat, some seeking refuge beneath the oversized Angels helmets at the stadium entrance, all for a chance to meet their favorite Banana Ballers. At the pregame plaza party, fans collected autographs, posed for photos and presented handmade gifts to players. When the gates opened, the LaCaze family pointed out their 9-year-old daughter's favorite player, David 'DR' Meadows. Decked out in her signed Meadows jersey, Carrigan LaCaze ran into his arms, with glove and oversized baseball clutched tightly and began speaking with him as if they were old friends. 'I ran to DR, and we started hugging and just started talking for a while because I missed him,' Carrigan LaCaze said. 'Tomorrow is actually one year on the dot since I met him.' A Christmas road trip planned around the holidays, the family of four traveled across three states from their home in Alexandria, La., to Anaheim for two reasons: to visit Disneyland and see the Bananas. It was their second game — the family first saw the Bananas in the club's hometown of Savannah, Ga., when Carrigan, who is battling cystic fibrosis, was granted a Make-A-Wish experience so meaningful it was a no-brainer to relive it. 'It's great,' her father, Pierre LaCaze, said of the player interactions. 'We've gotten to keep track with some of them during the course of the year. We come back, we see them again. You know they're truly about the fans.' The Bananas don't sell tickets. They sell connections, moments and memories. For Cole, meetings are a constant brainstorming session on how to keep fans engaged and interacting. That's how he measures success. He says when the focus shifts to transactions, the game begins to lose its meaning. 'Our success is not judged by revenue,' Cole said. 'It's not judged by sales. It's judged by the moments we create.' But the numbers don't lie. The last time the Bananas came to Southern California, they played in front of 5,000 fans at LoanMart Field in Rancho Cucamonga in 2023 — a far cry from now selling out 18 major league ballparks and three football stadiums with capacities over 70,000. Attendance has soared year after year. Last season, the Bananas drew one million fans. This year, that number is expected to double, with more than three million people on the waitlist for their ticket lottery. Every game since February has sold out and every date in June and July is as well. Michael and Melinda Schulteis, a husband and wife from Mission Viejo, were there the last time the Bananas came to town. When they heard the team was returning, they knew they couldn't miss it. 'The intimate atmosphere at the last event was great,' Melinda Schulteis said. 'But I'm curious, because they do such a good job putting on events, what touches are they going to add to still keep it close and intimate and give us another great experience?' As the Bananas' success and reach have grown, spilling out from cozy minor league parks into stadiums not built for intimacy, the games still feel like family gatherings. Whether serenading players with stadium anthems like Bon Jovi's 'Livin' on a Prayer' or the waving of phone lights to Coldplay's 'Yellow,' the crowd moves in sync, no matter the tune. While they're a privately owned team and don't disclose revenue figures, they've confirmed generating millions. Much like their box office appeal, their social media reach extends into the millions as well. Their antics — choreographed dances, lip-synced walk-ups, backflip outfield catches — have attracted nearly 10 million followers on TikTok, almost double the combined total of the Dodgers and Angels. That viral mastery, and the parasocial bonds it fosters, is part of what makes every game feel tight-knit. With his glove by his side, hoping to catch a foul ball for an out — one of the many offbeat rules of Banana Ball — Michael Schulties was disappointed he missed his favorite player, RobertAnthony Cruz, whom he first discovered on social media through his baseball coaching channel, better known as 'Coach RAC.' Cruz, who drew the longest meet-and-greet line, is a former minor leaguer in the Nationals' farm system and a local — born just an hour away in Fontana. The game was a homecoming for Cruz, who joined the Bananas in 2023. With more than 70 family members and friends in attendance — and even more social media direct messages asking for tickets — playing in big league stadiums has become a dream come true, especially for a former minor leaguer whose baseball ambitions nearly died when he never got the call to the show. Behind all the gimmicks, wackiness and absurdity, the roster is still filled with ballplayers — many of them with unrealized MLB dreams — now finding a second life through Banana Ball. And for Cruz, it's the happiest he's ever been in the sport. 'I never would have imagined playing in this capacity,' Cruz said. 'Banana Ball didn't even exist when I was pursuing my dream of professional baseball. To be here, to see a sold-out crowd at a stadium that I went to growing up all the time, it's very special.' As the team travels the nation, sold-out crowds and newfound stardom have become the norm for Cruz. 'I'm not surprised by anything anymore,' Cruz said. 'If you told me that we're playing on the moon next year, I'd be like, 'All right, cool. Let me know when and where, and I'll be there' … I wouldn't be surprised if this thing continues to grow at an unprecedented rate.' Despite their growing success, the Bananas' brand of baseball remains polarizing — an easy target for detractors of zaniness, gatekeepers of fun and opponents of pizzazz who either don't understand it or refuse to see its appeal. 'Anybody that criticizes this, we're not for them,' Cole said. 'There's tradition in baseball, perfect. They've got Major League Baseball. … For people that want to come out and have fun, not take themselves too seriously and see something they've never seen before — and hopefully see the greatest show in sports — we built something for you.' The formula works. And again, the numbers don't lie. Yes, the Savannah Bananas' brand of baseball is far too outlandish ever to be compared to the major leagues — from flaming baseballs, rump-shaking umps and dress rehearsals. That's the point. It all feels like something conjured from the wildest dreams of the late Bill Veeck's imagination found a home, in a good way. With many of the Banana Ball's 11 rules — like an automatic strike when hitters step out of the box or ejecting bunting hitters because bunting 'sucks' — are grounded in some sports-based logic, the innovations remain sacrilegious to baseball purists. But for a fleeting moment in December, Major League Baseball and Banana Ball were almost linked. In Banana Ball, the Golden Batter rule allows teams, once per game, to send their best hitter to the plate regardless of where they fall in the batting order. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred caused a stir when he floated a potential seismic rule by floating, making an offhand comment about the golden batter rule. Manfred later clarified it was merely 'a very preliminary conversation' among members of the league's competition committee and had not been formally discussed by the full ownership group. A far-fetched idea, but Manfred has ushered in sweeping changes, from the widely praised pitch clock to the more contentious extra-inning 'ghost runner.' 'Anything that's best for the fans, I'm all in,' Cole said of its potential. 'I know Major League Baseball won't do it because of traditions, but ... we've had a lot of fun doing it.' But MLB would be behind the Bananas, who already introduced their version of the rule last season with a typical flair and showmanship. Their spin on it is a batter summoned from the dugout wearing a James Brown-esque cape and a gleaming golden helmet — an honor that went to Joe Lytle, who came to bat in the top of the ninth for the Bananas' Anaheim opponent, the Firefighters. Ultimately, in a game where the score isn't the end-all, be-all — but the fun is — the Bananas beat the Firefighters 5–2. Like any other Bananas game, the festivities took center stage. It began with the 'First Peel,' a signature ceremony in which a young fan bites into a banana to declare whether it's good or bad — setting the tone for the night. Heisman Trophy winner and USC legend Matt Leinart threw out the ceremonial first spiral (because, of course, he did). And in true fashion, Angels World Series MVP Troy Glaus made a surprise cameo as a pinch hitter. But what was more important was the trip to Anaheim, a fitting one for Cole and Co. The team that opened its season lip-syncing 'Be Our Guest' from the Disney classic 'Beauty and the Beast' — and its owner, cut from the same theatrical cloth as Disney — were celebrated a visit to the Happiest Place on Earth — Disneyland. Greeted by fans in yellow gear, Cole's creation — the Bananas — marched in step down Main Street U.S.A., alongside Walt's own — Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck. 'When I walked underneath the castle and over the bridge and in front of thousands of people, they were all there for us,' Cole said. 'Then I look and see Walt's statue, holding the hand of Mickey, and I see that and I'm like, 'This is special.'' It was a full-circle moment for Cole, who became 'immersed in the magic' after his first trip to Disney World as a kid — and who now says, 'In a perfect world, I'd play catch with Walt on Main Street.' Serendipity. 'For me, that was an emotional moment — to know that we have worked so hard to create something that means something to people, that they come from all over the country just for a chance to see us,' Cole added.
Time Business News
2 hours ago
- Time Business News
Andi Sklar: The Visionary at the Intersection of Art, Identity, and Experience
In a world increasingly divided between digital immediacy and physical disconnection, few creators manage to connect emotion, place, and memory as powerfully as Andi Sklar. A multidisciplinary artist, designer, and cultural storyteller, Sklar is recognized for crafting immersive environments and intimate fine artworks that capture more than just aesthetics — they capture a feeling. From contributing to global theme park experiences to creating tender watercolors that celebrate queer life, Sklar's career defies traditional boundaries. He is not merely a painter, or a designer, or a creative director. He is all of these things — and, more importantly, a visionary who bridges commercial design with personal truth. Born in Highland Park, Illinois, Sklar grew up in a midwestern town known for its tree-lined streets and proximity Andi Sklar to Chicago's vibrant cultural scene. He was a reserved but observant child, drawn more to museum halls and sketchbooks than to soccer fields. Family trips often revolved around cultural landmarks — the Field Museum, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Milwaukee Public Museum. But one trip changed everything: a visit to Walt Disney World shortly after its opening. Sklar was mesmerized not by the rides, but by how everything — from the pavement to the lampposts — told a story. That realization planted a lifelong obsession: how to build a world that makes people feel something real. Following high school, Sklar enrolled in the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). There, he explored everything from architectural rendering to theatrical lighting design. What made him stand out wasn't just his technical skill — it was his deep emotional awareness. His portfolio, even then, contained spaces that invited people to feel joy, memory, or introspection. During his time at RISD, Sklar began exploring themes of identity more openly, particularly his experience as a gay man. For his senior thesis, he created a conceptual exhibit titled Invisible Rooms , which combined architecture, lighting, and narrative to explore hidden queer histories. After graduation, Sklar joined Walt Disney Imagineering, entering the dream factory of themed entertainment. At Disney, he contributed to a variety of global projects, most notably Hong Kong Disneyland, where he worked as an Area Art Director. In this role, he didn't just design facades — he crafted emotional architecture. Everything from the curvature of pathways to the color of rooftops was carefully planned to evoke story. His work on Fantasyland was particularly noted for balancing classic Disney themes with Asian aesthetics, a subtle but powerful act of cultural adaptation. Sklar became known for his attention to detail and his ability to lead multidisciplinary teams with empathy and vision. While many would consider a career at Disney the pinnacle of success, Sklar saw it as a stepping stone. His passion for storytelling through space led him to projects with Universal Studios, DreamWorks, Nickelodeon, Warner Bros., and Sanrio. His work at Bollywood Parks Dubai was a standout. There, he helped develop attractions based on Indian cinema, such as Sholay: The Hunt for Bandits . Unlike other designers unfamiliar with the cultural source material, Sklar dove deep into Bollywood history and aesthetics to ensure authenticity. This commitment to research and representation set him apart. To Sklar, design is not just visual — it's anthropological. Despite success in commercial design, Sklar began to feel a pull toward more personal work. Themed entertainment was collaborative and large-scale — but it didn't always allow for introspection or vulnerability. He returned to painting, a medium he had loved since childhood. In 2018, he debuted a series titled 'Desert Trails', showcasing life in Southern California and the American Southwest through a queer lens. The watercolors were quiet but emotionally potent: a man lounging by a motel pool, two friends walking under desert stars, a couple having breakfast in a sunlit diner. These weren't grand statements — they were human moments made sacred through attention and care. Unlike much queer art, which leans into either political activism or flamboyant aestheticism, Sklar's work sits in a middle ground. His subjects are ordinary people in extraordinary lighting. His colors evoke 1970s postcards: teal blues, dusty pinks, and pale oranges. Sklar's art creates a queer nostalgia — not just longing for the past, but longing for the spaces where queer people have always existed quietly and beautifully. His piece The Sandpiper Inn features a retro beach motel, its sign glowing against a dusky sky. No people are present, but their existence is felt — towels hanging over railings, a drink left on a table. This subtlety is Sklar's signature. Throughout his career, Sklar has been an advocate for inclusivity in design teams. He emphasizes hiring creatives from diverse backgrounds and ensuring that narrative decisions in entertainment design include input from those represented. He believes that empathy is a design skill — one as important as drafting or rendering. Whether mentoring junior designers or consulting on DEI-focused design initiatives, Sklar uses his platform to make sure future creatives feel empowered, not excluded. As he once put it: 'It's not enough to build a world — you have to ask who gets to live in it.' Sklar's technical skills are vast. In themed design, he works with 3D software, architectural drafting tools, and digital painting. But in his fine art, he returns to traditional media — watercolors, pencils, ink washes. His watercolor process is loose and layered. He starts with a light pencil sketch, blocks in colors with translucent washes, and finishes with sharp details like signage, reflections, and textures. The final work often looks sun-bleached, as if it's been living in memory for years. He embraces imperfection, stating that 'a brushstroke out of place can tell the truth better than one that's perfect.' Though Sklar avoids the spotlight, his work has earned him growing recognition. His paintings have been featured in LGBTQ+ art festivals across California and the Southwest. Collectors often cite the emotional familiarity in his scenes, even if they've never been to the exact places he paints. He's also been highlighted in design circles for his contributions to themed entertainment, including guest lectures at design schools and panels on queer visibility in architecture and public art. Still, Sklar remains grounded. He maintains an online archive of his work not to promote himself, but to make his art more accessible to those who connect with it. Today, Sklar splits his time between consulting for design firms and working in his home studio. He lives in Palm Springs, surrounded by the landscapes that so often appear in his art. In the mornings, he paints. In the afternoons, he might review attraction blueprints or host virtual design critiques with students. On weekends, he visits vintage roadside motels and old diners, snapping photos for future inspiration. His life is balanced, intentional, and infused with the same thoughtful narrative that defines his work. Andi Sklar may not dominate headlines or flood social media with self-promotion, but his impact is profound. He has built worlds we've walked through, seen stories we've felt without words, and captured lives that rarely get portrayed with such dignity. His legacy is one of care, craft, and cultural empathy — values often missing in both commercial design and fine art. In an age of noise, Sklar's work is a whisper — but one that lingers, resonates, and redefines what it means to be both seen and felt. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Disney Plus is offering an assortment of ‘perks' to keep you from canceling when your favorite show ends
The Walt Disney Company said yesterday that it is rolling out a new 'perks' program for subscribers of its Disney Plus streaming service. The program features 11 benefits that Disney Plus users can take advantage of, so long as they remain a paying subscriber. Sellers or buyers housing market? Zillow's analysis for 250 metros Walgreens buyout could change the future of pharmacy care How to watch the UEFA Champions League Final 2025 live online or on a TV, including free options But it's likely that Disney isn't offering these benefits out of the goodness of their little mouse heart. Instead, the perks are likely an effort to reduce one of the biggest threats that Disney Plus and all other streaming services face: 'churn.' That's the industry term for when subscribers cancel a service during a specific period. The Walt Disney Company launched the new perks program yesterday, which is now available to all Disney Plus subscribers in the United States. Disney says the new perks program will be rolling out to other geographic regions later this year. Upon its launch, the program features 11 perks that subscribers can take advantage of. However, it remains to be seen how compelling the perks will be to the average subscriber, as they appear to be a mixed bag of random free trials, discounts, and contests. For example, two of the 11 'perks' are for contests. One, if you win, will let you attend the Freakier Friday world premiere in August, while the other gives you a chance to win a free Disney cruise. In other words, these perks won't be available to every Disney Plus subscriber—merely the chance to win them will be. The perks are also full of free trials or limited memberships, including a three-month free trial of Clear+, the airport security membership program; a two-month Super Duolingo free trial; and a six-month free DashPass membership—but only if you've never been a DashPass subscriber before. Random discounts are also available, including 20% off at and 15% off at and Subscribers can also get lower rates at select Disney resorts. And then there are digital perks, including free emoji, early access to the digital pin collectable experience, Disney Pinnacle; and free in-game tokens for the Monopoly Go! and Star Wars TIE Fighter games. The perks are available to all Disney Plus subscribers in the United States, and there is no extra charge for accessing them. Though Disney did not specifically state that its new 'always-on' perks program was an effort to reduce churn, that's likely what it is designed for. 'Churn' is the industry term that describes subscribers who cancel their streaming subscriptions, often when they've watched all the content they want to see, such as a specific movie or series. Instead of continuing to be an active subscriber to the service, they will cancel it to save money and then only resubscribe when the service has new content they want to watch. Churn stops Disney and other streaming services from receiving monthly recurring revenue from individuals. Instead of subscribing for the whole year, a subscriber who churns may cancel the service in February and not resubscribe until September, when new content of interest to them becomes available. This cycle of canceling and resubscribing is very familiar to streaming customers who juggle a lot of services and aim to keep their monthly entertainment costs down. In fact, you might say that easy cancellation was the original 'perk' of the streaming revolution—offering a contrast to the long-term contracts that were so prevalent during the traditional cable TV era. Disney is apparently hoping that by adding 'always-on' perks, it will reduce subscriber churn, as when the subscription stops, so do the additional perks. But that carrot-style approach will only work if the subscribers find value in the perks to begin with. Disney announced its new perks program as an 'always-on' one. It went with this branding because this isn't the first time that Disney has offered perks to Disney Plus subscribers. In the past, it has offered time-limited perks, like reduced fares on select Disney Cruise products. But given that most of the 'always-on' perks are still limited—such as the free trials and contests—it's hard to imagine that most Disney Plus subscribers who are churners will stick around just for the perks, unless they do a lot of shopping at Funko and Addidas and really want those 15% and 20% discounts. However, it should be noted that Disney says 'new Perks will drop regularly.' The company is also rolling out perks to Hulu subscribers starting in June, which include more contests and nondescript 'exclusive perks' from LG, Microsoft, and Pure Green. Disney Plus is a significant focus for the Walt Disney Company, as the service is a potentially massive source of recurring income. Therefore, it's no wonder that Disney wants to make it as appealing as possible to retain subscribers and reduce churn. Recently, signs point to Disney being aware of a possible slowdown in Disney Plus growth. When it reported results for its second-quarter fiscal 2025 in March, Disney said it had 126 million Disney Plus subscribers during the period, up by 1.4 million from the quarter before. However, the company gave a lukewarm forecast for Disney Plus in the current Q3. Disney said it expects to see only a 'modest increase in Disney+ subscribers' compared to the service's Q2 fiscal 2025 numbers. This post originally appeared at to get the Fast Company newsletter:
