This fall, a tasty lineup of new frozen slushes and shakes is rolling out at Walt Disney World Resort. Have you ever wondered about the minds behind sweet treats like the new Peaches and Cream frozen slush or the S’mores Gelato Milkshake?
The ideas for new beverages like these often start with cast members who make them for guests every day. Teams of cast members across Disney World help transform ideas into new drinks, blending operational expertise, and creativity with the power of collaboration.
One of those cast members is Dan Laske, a beverage concept and program manager with over a decade of experience across the resort. Recently, one of his beverage ideas made the leap from concept to menu board as part of Walt Disney World’s newest lineup of frozen beverages.
From College Program to Crafting Concoctions
Dan’s Disney journey began in 2015 when he joined Disney World through the Disney College Program. He initially worked as a housekeeping cast member at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. After completing his program, he eventually returned and moved into food and beverage roles at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, and Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside.
Along the way, Dan discovered a passion for experimenting with beverages.
“I fell in love with the creative side of developing beverages and experimenting with flavors,” Dan said. “I’ve carried that with me ever since.”
That interest eventually led him to where he is today. Now, he supports beverage programs across Walt Disney World and works alongside food and beverage leaders to develop future offerings.
A Tag-Team Approach to Beverage Innovation
Dan’s idea came to him while he was working as a guest experience manager at World Premiere Food Court at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort. Surrounded by coffee and ice cream, he paid close attention to guest preferences and feedback. Over time, he began to explore an idea for a beverage that could bring those two flavors together. That curiosity eventually led him to the Espresso Martini Milkshake.
After pitching the idea, Dan partnered with Disney World’s Food and Beverage Concept team to work through things like sourcing ingredients and finalizing the recipe. Dan also asked for feedback from frontline cast members to understand how the drink could fit into daily operations and whether they could prepare it consistently for guests.
“Operators know their location,” Dan said. “They’re the subject matter experts on the flow of the restaurant and the small details of how they operate. On the other hand, the Concept team can share best practices while offering advice and resources. It’s a tag-team effort.”
The process highlighted the collaboration required to bring a new beverage offering from concept to reality. Dan estimates it took about 10 rounds of testing to reach the final recipe, with adjustments to ingredients, proportions, and preparation methods. Every version was documented and refined before arriving at the finished product. For Dan, the development process was the most fun part of the whole experience.
“I had the most fun playing with the flavors, tweaking the recipe and getting it to taste perfect,” Dan said. “Sometimes I would adjust an ingredient by only half an ounce, taste it and realize that I had gotten it exactly where I wanted it. That’s a good feeling.”
Why Dan Encourages Every Cast Member to Pitch Their Next Big Idea
As someone who spent years growing his career across Disney World Resort hotels, Dan’s current role is a full-circle moment. After working in the food and beverage operation and bringing one of his own ideas to life, he now supports cast members developing future offerings themselves.
For cast members who have an idea they believe in, his advice is simple.
“Don’t be afraid to speak up,” Dan said. “Even if you think it’s a crazy idea, pitch it and then find a version that works. Learn the process and be as creative as you can.”
When guests enjoy a frozen slush, a milkshake or any other beverage at Walt Disney World, it’s because cast members worked behind the scenes to turn an idea into tangible reality. For Dan, all it took was a simple concept, a willingness to experiment, and a passion for creating something that guests will love.
Food and Beverage Roles at Disney
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