Disney Axes $1 Billion Expansion

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

Via InsideTheMagic.net

Disney officials have canceled a $1 billion project that was previously set for Walt Disney World Resort.

Known as “The Most Magical Place on Earth,” Walt Disney World Resort welcomes millions of Guests to its four theme parks– Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom– as well as the Disney Spring shopping and dining district, and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park. Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park is currently closed for refurbishment but is expected to reopen later this year.

Disney has also been at the forefront of expansion. TRON Lightcycle / Run just opened at Magic Kingdom Park, and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is set to open in the place of Splash Mountain in “late 2024.” In addition, Disney has already teased major expansions coming to Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but nothing has been confirmed.

Over the last several months, however, Disney has been in battle with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis amid disputes over the Reedy Creek Improvement District. Disney spoke in opposition to the Parental Rights in Education bill last year, and has since come under fire from the Florida government over its self-governing abilities in Walt Disney World Resort.

Disney recently filed a lawsuit against Ron DeSantis and the governor’s newly-appointed Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board filed a counter lawsuit against Disney. Though The Walt Disney Company has filed for the lawsuit to be dismissed, neither of the complaints has moved forward in court yet.

Governor DeSantis looking at Disney World Castle; The end of Disney in Florida?

Now, in the midst of these complaints, Disney has decided to pull one major project out of Florida.

Reporter Scott Gustin shared the news that, in an email to staff, Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro revealed the massive $1 billion expansion would not happen.

The Lake Nona Campus was originally set to house Walt Disney Imagineers, but the project has now been pulled out of the state of Florida. Disney shared in the email that it will no longer be asking employees to relocate to Florida. In addition, the company said it will help pull out those employees who moved from California to Florida in preparation for the project and assist them in moving out of the state and back to California.

Josh D’Amaro did share that Disney “remains optimistic” about the direction of the Walt Disney World business and that the company still has plans to invest $17 billion and create more than 13,000 jobs over the next 10 years at Walt Disney World, finishing by saying, “I hope we are able to do so.”

The full memo from Josh D’Amaro can be read here, from reporter Scott Gustin:

An update from Governor Ron DeSantis shares the statement from the Florida governor on Disney’s decision. You can read it below:

Disney Theme Park Expansions Are coming

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Disney CEO Bob Iger had some very exciting things to say at Disney’s earnings call.

At today’s Q2 earnings call, Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger teased the development of future theme park expansions. “And we have a number of other growth and expansion opportunities at our parks… and we are closely evaluating where it makes the most sense to direct future investments,” stated Iger.

You heard it from the man himself, Disney is “closely evaluating” where to expand next, and we could not be happier to hear this news!

Obviously, these statements are quite vague, but it’s incredibly exciting to hear Iger talk about future expansions. In other Q2 earnings news, the Disney theme parks brought in over $7 billion in revenue, beating estimations by a considerable amount.

At last year’s Disney D23 Expo, Disney teased several exciting projects, including franchises and brands like Marvel and Avatar. Josh D’Amaro, Chairperson of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, informed audience members that Disney was toying with the idea of completely overhauling DinoLand U.S.A. at Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom. This land allows Guests to take a trip back in time and learn about prehistoric life.

Concept art of the overhaul showed an entirely new land featuring Moana and Zootpia-themed experiences, rides, and attractions. We would be incredibly sad to see this opening-day land go extinct, especially when considering this overhaul may mean the permanent closure of DINOSAUR, one of Disney’s scariest and most adrenaline-pumping attractions.

However, as a Disney Parks fan, you have to be prepared to say goodbye in order for them to grow, change and evolve.

Disney CEO Bob Iger Named One of Time’s Most Influential People for 2023

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

The Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger has made the Time 100 list in the “Innovator” category as one of the most influential people in 2023.

In a four-minute video on the Time website, Iger speaks about his decades-long career with ABC and Disney and how Disney’s values keep it standing.

In a full interview with Time, Iger also spoke about Disney’s ongoing feud with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Disney’s recent executive layoffs, and the company’s future.

Iger said of his return, “I was brought back for a reason. The company had gone through a very difficult period, exacerbated by a global pandemic. And more than anything, the company needed stability, needed to establish a set of priorities and focus on them. The only way you end up getting to success is by deciding what the opportunities are, and then organizing your people and your company to go after them.”

Mary Barra, the CEO of GM who is also on Disney’s board of directors, wrote the following about Iger for Time:

For 100 years, the Walt Disney Co. has entertained, informed, and inspired people around the globe through the power of unparalleled storytelling. Bob Iger has guided the company to success for nearly two decades and is one of the best leaders I know.

There’s a reason Bob remains one of the world’s most admired CEOs. He has led landmark acquisitions, championed culture-defining films, launched innovative distribution platforms, and delivered strong financial results, all while never forgetting the people—the employees and the fans—who make it all possible. His return as CEO in 2022 ushered in a new era of transformation and creative excellence for the most magical company on earth.

His authenticity and pragmatism set him apart. “True authority and true leadership comes from knowing who you are and not pretending to be anything else,” he said. I’ve personally learned so much from his leadership.

Bob Iger & Disney

Bob Iger

Bob Iger began working for ABC in 1974, performing menial labor on TV sets and working his way up through the ranks. By 1988, he was serving as the senior program executive for the Calgary Winter Olympics, which achieved record-high ratings for the network.

He was named head of ABC Entertainment in 1989. During his tenure, he greenlit shows that have made lasting impressions like “Twin Peaks” and “America’s Funniest Home Videos.”

He was president of the ABC Network Television Group from January 1993 to 1994. He was named Capital Cities/ABC senior vice president in March 1993 and then executive vice president in July 1993. The next year, he was named president and COO of Capital Cities/ABC.

When The Walt Disney Company purchased ABC in 1995, Iger remained chairman. He was named president of Walt Disney International in February 1999.

He was promoted to president and COO directly under CEO Michael Eisner in January 2000.

In March 2005, Disney announced that Iger would be taking over the position of CEO from Eisner. Eisner officially exited the company in September 2005.

Iger became famous for all of Disney’s acquisitions during his tenure as CEO, starting in 2006 when the company purchased Pixar. Iger also re-acquired the rights to Oswald the Lucky Rabbit that year.

In 2009, Disney purchased Marvel Entertainment, and in 2012, they purchased Lucasfilm. In 2011, Iger became chairman of Disney’s board.

Iger’s CEO contract was extended multiple times, until he officially announced he would retire in 2020. In early 2020, the board of directors named chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Bob Chapek as his replacement.

Due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Iger retained many CEO duties as he stayed on as chairman of the board. He officially retired on December 31, 2021.

Not even a full year later, on November 20, 2022, the board of directors fired Bob Chapek and brought Iger back as CEO. He signed a contract to stay on as CEO for two years. He and the board say they are committed to finding a replacement CEO. The new CEO could come from within the company or could be someone like Tom Staggs or Kevin Mayer, who were previously passed over for the position and left Disney. Iger’s contract could also be extended if a suitable CEO isn’t found.

Disney Won’t Lose Rights to Mickey

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

Via DisDining.com

Not long ago, we reported that Mickey Mouse was entering the public domain, meaning Disney could potentially lose the rights to the iconic character. How could that happen? Isn’t Mickey the intellectual property of The Walt Disney Company? Yes, however, once a copyrighted work is 94 years old, it loses its copyright and becomes accessible for public use (this is called ‘public domain’). This is great from an art history standpoint– it’s much easier to teach about a piece’s history when you don’t have to navigate trademarks and copyright. It’s terrible from a creator standpoint: anyone can use your work. Could the use of Mickey’s image really become a free for all? Yes…and no…but also yes…but mostly no.

Only Steamboat Willie will enter the public domain. The mouse we know and love is safe, potentially forever. That’s an important distinction because only that particular version (which is vastly different than other versions) will enter public domain. Even then, Steamboat Willie could be safe from general use.

A lawyer recently spoke to Newsweek and explained why so settle in, grab a snack, and listen to how Disney gets to essentially bypass copyright laws to keep our beloved mouse safe!

“Mickey Mouse as we know him, in color with gloves and shoes, will not enter the public domain,” lawyer Marc Jonas Block told Newsweek. “Later, including current designs of Mickey Mouse, will still be copyrighted until their terms end. Also, Disney protects Mickey Mouse under both copyright and trademark laws.”

Protecting Mickey under trademark laws means that as long as Disney uses him as their company logo, modern interpretations of the big cheese will not enter public domain.

mickey mouse waving

Furthermore, despite Steamboat Willie entering public domain, the trademark on Mickey potentially prevents people from using even his early likeness. Daniel Mayeda from the UCLA School of Law explains, “You can use the Mickey Mouse character as it was originally created to create your own Mickey Mouse stories or stories with this character. But if you do so in a way that people will think of Disney—which is kind of likely because they have been investing in this character for so long—then in theory, Disney could say, “You violated my trademark,” and win.”

This is evident with the numerous lawsuits Disney has won against Etsy creators and the like. Many try to circumvent copyright rules by giving clever names or altering images ever so slightly, thinking that makes them safe, but it doesn’t. If the created work brings to mind the original creator’s intellectual property (and isn’t a parody which has special protections), then public domain or not, the intellectual property is protected.

So there you have it. It’s clear as mud, right? The long and short of the story is that Mickey is safe and not going anywhere. It’s hard to imagine a day when Disney no longer uses Mickey as their logo. Mickey will be safe for many, many years to come. After all, Walt said it best: “I hope we never lose sight of one thing: that it was all started by a mouse.”

Could Disney Lose Rights to Mickey Mouse

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

Via DisDining.com

It seems the ball is in Disney’s lawyers’ court to protect the world’s most beloved and iconic character. But is it true that Disney could really lose its rights over Mickey Mouse? John Oliver on his HBO late-night show, Last Week Tonight, challenged the Walt Disney Company with his willingness to simply take Mickey Mouse for his own.

According to Intellectual Property Law, the short answer is yes. The copyright on Mickey Mouse will expire just next year in 2024, 95 years after his first appearance, sending him to the public domain. This copyright applies explicitly to the very first iteration of Mickey Mouse in his animation debut, Steamboat Willie (1928). This black and white hand-drawn cartoon introduces Mickey with a tall white cap and without the white gloves that have become his modern uniform.

Deadline shared Oliver’s comments that Disney’s use of Steamboat Willie in attachment to the Walt Disney Animation Studios logo is an attempt to circumvent the expiring copyright, claiming the image as a trademark associated with their brand. While no one can argue that Mickey Mouse and the Disney Company are inseparable, there remains a legal gray area undoubtedly about to be explored.

For example, Oliver mentions that other classic characters associated with the Walt Disney Company have already fallen victim to copyright expiration. At the start of 2022, Christopher Robin’s iconic friends entered the public domain. This includes Tigger, Piglet, Rabbit, and Eeyore, but Oliver cites a specific example where Winnie the Pooh himself is the murderous villain in what seems to be an indie horror flick. The film is titled Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey.

Know for his show’s wild antics, John Oliver invited Steamboat Willie as a new character onto his show. While immediately recognizable, Mickey tested some new Last-Week-Tonight style catchphrases as he and Oliver wondered aloud where Mickey Mouse’s iconic voice fell on the copyright spectrum.

Oliver argued that, while legally Steamboat Willie will be public domain, there will still be considerable risk in using him for “new and interesting” things. A risk that clearly thrilled Oliver, as he happily called a Steamboat Willie mascot onto the stage and offered to hire him out for events.

Steamboat Willie on Disney+

John Oliver’s actions dared the Walt Disney Company to respond. He questioned if Disney would do anything in the Mickey Mouse copyright arena, and if so, what? Summing up the copyright drama thematically, Mickey Mouse says, “I guess you’ll find out,” to which Oliver giggles, “Yea! I guess we will!”