Why Disney Does it Better

Written by Ashlie Dhugga

What do you think of when you hear the word Disney? 

Perhaps you are thinking of your favourite childhood movie/show, or maybe you’re thinking of your current favourite movie/show. You might even be thinking of a trip you’ve taken to a Walt Disney theme park at one point in your life! 

Whatever the case may be, it is safe to say that most people have an interaction with the Disney company in one way or another throughout their lives. In fact, Disney is one of the largest multi-divisional media companies in the world. In 2019, the company reached a record high yearly global revenue of $69.61 billion dollars. What is it about Disney that makes the company so successful? How are they able to sustain such a vast audience year after year? To get an idea, we will be exploring some aspects of the unique value proposition presented by The Walt Disney Company.

The Value Proposition 

Quality Entertainment Media

One thing that is especially commendable about Disney is the quality of their entertainment media. It is undeniable that both Disney movies and shows have a sort of “magic” that leaves a lasting impression on audiences. Disney has had significant box office success, owning the top two highest grossing film franchises in history: The Marvel Cinematic Universe ($22.59 billion) and Star Wars ($10.2 billion). The success of these franchises can be explained by one word: quality. This quality persists through the timeless themes that are often explored in the stories, including good vs. evil, love, and perseverance to name a few. Disney is able to capture aspects of the human condition in a manner which is relatable to vast audiences, and this is a huge reason that their films and shows are successful. In addition, there is an emphasis on quality cinematography, music scoring, and employing technological advances to produce Disney entertainment media. 

Multi-Divisional Experiences

Not only does Disney offer a unique experience in entertainment media, but they offer a distinctive experience in regards to travel and tourism. With twelve different theme parks and four different cruise lines around the world, this multi-divisional approach has allowed Disney to integrate their beloved fictional films into a real-life experience. The concept behind these travel experiences is to ensure that the individual feels as though they are immersed in a “new world” that is different from their everyday reality. These parks and cruise lines are equipped with beautiful infrastructure, varieties of merchandise and food, and in the case of the theme parks - innovative attractions, including rides. This multi-divisional experience that transcends beyond the big screen or the TV is something unique that the Disney company offers. 

Continuous Innovation

Finally, one of Disney’s core competencies is that they are able to innovate consistently and keep up with market demands. One recent example of this was the introduction of Disney’s own streaming service, Disney+, in 2019. Disney noticed that the market for on-demand streaming services is exponentially increasing, with industry projections reaching $42 billion in revenue by 2025. By introducing Disney+, a streaming service that includes all of the beloved Disney classics from the “Disney Vault” and other Disney-owned franchises, the company was able to establish a solid subscriber base of $41.1 million subscribers as of 2022. Not only was Disney+ a huge success in the Western world, but Disney was able to leverage this success to establish itself in emerging markets. Disney introduced Disney+ Hotstar, which is a collaboration with Disney+ and some of India’s leading streaming services. Through this collaboration, Disney+ was able to gain 45.9 million additional subscribers from the streaming market in India alone. 

Conclusion

The true magic of The Walt Disney Company is not only the quality, multi-divisionality, and innovation, but its ability to create life-lasting relationships with those who interact with it. The next time you watch a Disney movie, or visit a Disney theme park, think of the impact that the company left on you. That is why Disney does it better. 

Quote: 

“Disney is able to capture aspects of the human condition in a manner which is relatable to vast audiences.”

Cover Picture:

Why Disney Does it Better
Ashlie Dhugga

What do you think of when you hear the word Disney? 

Perhaps you are thinking of your favourite childhood movie/show, or maybe you’re thinking of your current favourite movie/show. You might even be thinking of a trip you’ve taken to a Walt Disney theme park at one point in your life! 

Whatever the case may be, it is safe to say that most people have an interaction with the Disney company in one way or another throughout their lives. In fact, Disney is one of the largest multi-divisional media companies in the world. In 2019, the company reached a record high yearly global revenue of $69.61 billion dollars. What is it about Disney that makes the company so successful? How are they able to sustain such a vast audience year after year? To get an idea, we will be exploring some aspects of the unique value proposition presented by The Walt Disney Company.

The Value Proposition 

Quality Entertainment Media

One thing that is especially commendable about Disney is the quality of their entertainment media. It is undeniable that both Disney movies and shows have a sort of “magic” that leaves a lasting impression on audiences. Disney has had significant box office success, owning the top two highest grossing film franchises in history: The Marvel Cinematic Universe ($22.59 billion) and Star Wars ($10.2 billion). The success of these franchises can be explained by one word: quality. This quality persists through the timeless themes that are often explored in the stories, including good vs. evil, love, and perseverance to name a few. Disney is able to capture aspects of the human condition in a manner which is relatable to vast audiences, and this is a huge reason that their films and shows are successful. In addition, there is an emphasis on quality cinematography, music scoring, and employing technological advances to produce Disney entertainment media. 

Multi-Divisional Experiences

Not only does Disney offer a unique experience in entertainment media, but they offer a distinctive experience in regards to travel and tourism. With twelve different theme parks and four different cruise lines around the world, this multi-divisional approach has allowed Disney to integrate their beloved fictional films into a real-life experience. The concept behind these travel experiences is to ensure that the individual feels as though they are immersed in a “new world” that is different from their everyday reality. These parks and cruise lines are equipped with beautiful infrastructure, varieties of merchandise and food, and in the case of the theme parks - innovative attractions, including rides. This multi-divisional experience that transcends beyond the big screen or the TV is something unique that the Disney company offers. 

Continuous Innovation

Finally, one of Disney’s core competencies is that they are able to innovate consistently and keep up with market demands. One recent example of this was the introduction of Disney’s own streaming service, Disney+, in 2019. Disney noticed that the market for on-demand streaming services is exponentially increasing, with industry projections reaching $42 billion in revenue by 2025. By introducing Disney+, a streaming service that includes all of the beloved Disney classics from the “Disney Vault” and other Disney-owned franchises, the company was able to establish a solid subscriber base of $41.1 million subscribers as of 2022. Not only was Disney+ a huge success in the Western world, but Disney was able to leverage this success to establish itself in emerging markets. Disney introduced Disney+ Hotstar, which is a collaboration with Disney+ and some of India’s leading streaming services. Through this collaboration, Disney+ was able to gain 45.9 million additional subscribers from the streaming market in India alone. 

Conclusion

The true magic of The Walt Disney Company is not only the quality, multi-divisionality, and innovation, but its ability to create life-lasting relationships with those who interact with it. The next time you watch a Disney movie, or visit a Disney theme park, think of the impact that the company left on you. That is why Disney does it better.