Walt Disney

Seasonal amusement parks are gearing up for another few months of fun, thrills, fried decadence and wallet gouging. However, with a little planning and research, you can enjoy the first three without the last one.

Disney will soon offer Starbucks locations at all six of its domestic theme parks, but don't expect the familiar green-aproned experience in the Magic Kingdom.

This week on Wall Street, everyone will be watching Netflix; mutual funds will talk assets under management; we'll see earnings from some stock freshmen; NFL teams will pick their own fresh stock; and a few companies are likely to issue deja vu quarterly reports.

Starbucks is about to perk up "the happiest place on earth." The Seattle-based coffee chain on Monday is announcing a partnership to open a store inside each of the six Disney properties in California and Florida.

Wal-Mart previewed its "Disc to Digital" service for converting DVDs into an online library on Wednesday. Based on my experience, I'd give it a six out of 10.

John Carter is just the latest disappointment: Is Disney snuffing the creativity out of its Pixar and Marvel purchases?

For weeks, movie industry watchers have been commenting about the inadequacy of Disney's marketing campaign for John Carter, and ticket sales lived down to expectations. But the movie's not the Ishtar-level awfulness it's being made out to be.