The Decline of the 'Disney' Factor

[The Mad Hatter]

[Cousin Orville]

Most of what they do I like alot. Ok. the country bears was awful.

I think I react more to the saturation of Disney everywhere you look. Back in the eighties the brand management used to tout how they wouldn't ever do diapers or have product in a supermarket. dsiney was a cut above. Now that is all out the window. My kid leaks on buzz Lightyear pullups and bleeds on disney bandaids. The biege-ing of Disney bothers me more than the movies. i actually think the movies are better for the most part. It takes guts to move on and change and pirates was good IMHO. The fact that Disney is no longer "special" or rare and has become a CostCo brand is far more depressing. Apple, the current number one best loved brand, will not sell T shirts because it does not want to over expose itself and be ordinary. good move. I just watched a friend (not a dsineyphile) BUY the EPCOT fountain sculpture. They should never let that stuff go on the market at all. Hoiw shortisghted can ytou get? To sell your icons that were part of another world ast an on line yard sale is so pathetic. I love the comapny, but sometimes the greed thing gets a bit much.

[Soulquarian]

In terms of movies, I think Disney has it all wrong. Pixar isn't great because of its animation (even though it is absolutely gorgeous!), it's the story that really puts them ahead of the pack. The tones are a little more dark, and the jokes are primarily aimed at adults. Sure, the children will love anything animated, but when I went to see The Incredibles at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, the adults were laughing more than the kids! Disney is so caught up in the medium, but it is really all about the story. Snow White is the oldest animated feature, yet the story is so well written that a modern child could sit and enjoy it. Even though the animation styles is dated, the story remains "young". As far as the Live Action movies go, I think they're crap, with the exception of POTC. They're so cookie cutter, and their choice of "icons" are disgraceful. Lindsey Lohan makes primarily teen movies, yet she parties like no other. What kind of message does that send to the children who idolize her? Why would Disney allow one of their biggest stars to pose for Men's magazines nearly nude or in lingerie? You wouldn't see that if Walt were around! Disney needs to get in touch with its history, bring back traditional animation, and have a new renaissance!

[Bacon]

Back in the eighties the brand management used to tout how they wouldn't ever do diapers or have product in a supermarket.

"Boys and Girls. Buy This Bread"

[Soulquarian]

Back in the eighties the brand management used to tout how they wouldn't ever do diapers or have product in a supermarket.

Disney has always had a market for the supermarket! Watch the Mickey Mouse in Black & White vol. 2 Walt Disney Treasure. A man has a collection of Disney stuff from the beginnings of the company!

[yensid98]

Except those supermarket products of the past were not made by Disney. They licensed out the characters and names to other companies. Now Disney itself will be making and marketing cereal, bread, snacks and juices. Somehow I don't think that was what Walt had in mind for his entertainment company.

[Pacha]

I have to agree on the brand saturation comment that Cousin Oriville made. What it looks like to me is that the current management doesn't care if the Disney company is around in 50 years. All they care about is lining their pockets now.

[Bacon]

They licensed out the characters and names to other companies. Now Disney itself will be making and marketing cereal, bread, snacks and juices.

I don't see much of a difference there. Actually, the only difference I do see is that Disney will have more direct control over product quality and placement than if they simply licensed the name/images. Sounds like an arrangement Walt would have preferred, but the diversified business model wasn't really the thing in Walt's time, so brand licensing was his only option to spread the name.

It always ammuses me when people invoke Walt's name to argue against commercialization of the brand. Walt was always looking for commercial partners and tie-ins. I remember when Disney bought the Angels, people were livid about it, saying Walt wouldn't have wanted it. Umm, Walt was on the original board of directors of the Angels when the franchised was formed. He was a shrewd businessman, and no stranger to or foe of using the brand to gain business leverage.

Now, I personally have some qualms with some of the specifics of the current business execution when it comes to using and licensing the Disney name. But that's down on the nuts and bolts level of doing business. On the grander "What would Walt do?" scale, I see no conflict.

[quasimodo1384]

I know this might be kind of sad, but I really do get very sad every time I see another direct to video Disney animated movie. These movies will never display the Disney magic for movie making, instead the show the Disney magic of capitalism. I think it is SO sad that a company once ran by a man who thought more of his consumers. Walt understood that his movies where more than merely entertaining, they were uplifting, wonderful escapes from reality that was to be shared by children and adults alike. As I grew up I came to appreciate these films more, for their acting, wonderful artwork, and strong messages. The latest releases from the Disney company cannot begin to measure up to the classics.

"You reach a point where you don't work for money."
~Walt Disney

[Bacon]

Oh goody, time to play the "Find a quote from Walt that supports your position" game!

"I never called my work an 'art' It's part of show business, the business of building entertainment."

[Not Afraid]

To quote a dear friend and lover: Walt was a nice guy, but he's been dead for a while now".

[quasimodo1384]

To quote a dear friend and lover: Walt was a nice guy, but he's been dead for a while now".

be

[Alchimedes]

"Boys and Girls. Buy This Bread"

Donald Duck Orange Juice!!!! Don't forget!!

[Flint]

be

"You should be ashamed of your words - you really should be."

[Cousin Orville]

Wait a sec!!

What I meant when I said that the brand management said that Disney would never be in the market, was that there were places they did not want to lower themselves to be. There was still a sensitivity to the "special" factor. Donald Duck OJ, and some other examples were pre existing deals from Walt's day. They would not just license anything. These same people would show studies on how the brand is beginning to slip in the public's mind and fight to keep it as pure as possible. That was 15 years ago! If the "Millionaire Show and Desparate Housewives are any indication, the current administration philosophy is "short term", milk it for all it's worth and burn it out ASAP. When it's trickled down to Princess mini blinds at Home Depot for your kid's room in 50 disney colors, it's pretty much over.

Put it right next to the worthless retired Beanie Babies.

[Bacon]

and Desparate Housewives are any indication,

Um, what? Desparate Housewives is one of the best shows on telivision and is about the only thing ABC has going for it.

Whatever. If you'd bother to read what I said, I have issue with many of the decissions made and what they are doing with the brand. But ticket price isn't one of them. All they've done is remain at an industry driven price point for a premium park. And while I think they've failed to actually maintain the park at premium level, in terms of positioning themselves in the market and maintaining the public perception, it's a valid decission, and is in line with where the Disneyland price point has been since they started charging general admission. Admission prices have not been tied to park improvements. Eisner didn't deman increases as a concession from Oiment to paint anything. They've just followed the industry trend.

[IndyJn511]

They've just followed the industry trend.

Yes, its called inflation, and it's been going on for a while now... since the early days of money, I belive...

[Mousekiteer]

I blame the exploding princess merchandise.

But honestly, the latest Disney films lack that kind of fairytale romance, the sense of real adventure and fun and most of all the music. I haven't heard a character song for the longest time now and I know there's one tucked somewhere in Home on the Range... it just doesn't play anymore.

[Bacon]

The only song in recent films that's been of any real quality has been "Hellfire" from Hunchback. Too bad it was burried in a steaming pile of a film.