Okay, I need to say something I have been saying for years, and I promise this time it actually paid off. Disney and Kraft Heinz just announced a huge multiyear “strategic alliance” that will bring Heinz, Philadelphia cream cheese, Kraft Mac and Cheese, and eight other Kraft Heinz brands into Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Disney Cruise Line, along with new menu items and new condiment stations across the parks. Kraft Heinz is listed as one of the sponsors for D23 next month and I had every intention of going to the booth to ask why they weren’t the ketchup packets all around the parks. The partnership extends into Disney movies, TV shows, and even next year’s Super Bowl on ESPN.
Now, here is where I get to be a little smug. For as long as I can remember, I could never understand why Disney parks, in certain locations, would carry Heinz for almost every condiment except ketchup, which always seemed to come from some other brand that shouldn’t even be called ketchup. It made zero sense to me. Heinz ketchup is not just the best ketchup out there, but the different condiments stations would have Heinz BBQ sauce, Heinz honey mustard, Heinz mayonnaise, and Heinz relish. Why would you go through the trouble of sourcing a different ketchup brand when the same company sitting right there in your kitchens already makes the best? Even many of the sit down restaurants would have the Heinz ketchup on the table, especially at Whispering Canyon, where there is Heinz Ketchup EVERYWHERE. I have brought this up so many times in conversations on our podcast, etc. as it just never made sense to me.
So naturally, when this news broke, my first reaction was pure vindication. Todd Kaplan, CMO of Kraft Heinz North America, told The Hollywood Reporter that the partnership is about bringing people together around shared passion points and fandom, and showing up in the mealtime moments that matter most to families. Becca Vodnoy, Disney’s senior VP of corporate alliances, echoed that sentiment, saying the collaboration is about building creative experiences across Disney’s destinations and fan touchpoints. Very official, very corporate, very much exactly what I have been asking for many years now
So yes, I am taking full credit for this one. In the voice of our favorite demigod Maui, “You’re Welcome.” Somewhere between all my complaining, Disney and Heinz finally listened. Now we just need those condiment stations to actually roll out park wide and give us all the Heinz lineup we deserve.
What do you think, are you as excited as I am to finally get real Heinz ketchup at every turn in the parks, or is there another Disney food debate you want Heinz to solve next? Let us know in the comments!
Now that the Ketchup issue is resolved, it’s time to bring back the “fixings bar” at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café and Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe.
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