Disney, or the Walt Disney Company, is colloquially referred to as “The House the Mouse Built,” linking the company’s legacy to its legendary mascot Mickey Mouse. But I’ll tell you an open secret: Disney is really the House of Dreams.
How did a creaky, turn-of-the-century animation studio rise to become one of the world’s largest, slickest and most successful mass media and entertainment conglomerates? By beautifully packaging and delivering our deepest childhood fantasies. Disney’s sweeping inventory of classics transcends cultures and generations, while their roster of iconic characters are universally beloved the world over: Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Snow White, Pinocchio, Bambi, Dumbo, Aladdin, the Little Mermaid, the Lion King. The term “timeless classic” might as well be a Disney trademark.
Founded in 1923 by Walt and Roy Disney, the company built upon the success of its breakthrough “Steamboat Willie” (1928), the first animated short with synchronized sound, and continued to pioneer animation techniques and processes like the multiplane camera and the use of xerography. But the real innovation was investing their animated characters with distinct, identifiable human personalities, positioning them as friends, and weaving inspired fantasies that immersed viewers in their colorful adventures.
After perfecting the formula for the animated feature–with such notable successes as Snow White, Bambi and Pinocchio–Disney moved into live action and theme parks, understanding earlier than most the critical overlap of consumer experience and mass entertainment.
And guess which makes more money? The combined revenue from blockbuster studio releases by Disney Studios, Pixar (owned by Disney), Marvel (owned by Disney), and Star Wars (owned by Disney)? Or families around the world spending a day at one of their twelve global theme parks? According to Wikipedia, theme park revenue out-earned studio ticket sales almost 2-to-1 in 2018.
Disney’s signature franchises have lost some of their luster recently under efforts to reboot and reinvent old titles like the recent Star Wars streaming shows and live action remakes of classics like the Lion King and the Little Mermaid. However, Disney understands that every 8-12 years provides a new generation of potential fans who will become enchanted by their seemingly endless supply of grade-A adventures.
Their only real rival in terms of original content seems to come from Japan and the creative minds that churn out titles and characters like My Neighbor Totoro, Dragon Ball and Mario. Until Studio Ghibli and Nintendo start their own networks and open their own theme parks in Florida or Paris, Disney will always have the edge in global exposure.
Surprise, surprise in 2023 Nintendo opened SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™.
In the world of entertainment, never bet against the Mouse!
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