
This is a tricky question I face as a Disney fan and shareholder. On one hand, I love to see the company succeed because it means my stocks go up, Imagineering gets projects greenlit for new rides and experiences in the parks. As a fan, I get to enjoy bigger and better things created in television and movies. On the flip side, the company’s success often comes at my own expense—both literally and figuratively—as I am one of the Disney adults feeding the machine. The success of Disney is largely because people like me have continued to pay for trips to Walt Disney World despite the cutbacks and price increases that take more money out of my wallet while often providing a worse experience than it did a few years ago.
The Joys of Supporting Disney’s Success
Disney’s triumphs bring significant benefits to its fans, employees, and investors. When the company is thriving, its ability to innovate and create grows. For shareholders, it’s rewarding to see dividends and stock values increase, offering financial incentives to stay invested in Disney’s future.
For fans, the company’s success often translates into new content and experiences. Disney’s profits fund ambitious projects like cutting-edge attractions at its theme parks and groundbreaking storytelling in its films. Imagineering relies on a healthy budget to dream up and execute these awe-inspiring creations. In fact, many incredible projects from Imagineering were never built when the company hit a rough patch. Just look up never-built Disney rides and there are a ton of really cool attractions that were cut from the oil crisis in the 1970s, the 2008 recession, and the COVID pandemic, along with numerous other economic dips. From new themed lands like Galaxy’s Edge to groundbreaking films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Disney’s success can feel like a win for everyone who loves the brand.
The Downsides of Supporting Disney’s Success
However, rooting for Disney’s success can feel like a double-edged sword. As Disney’s business grows, so does its ability to charge premium prices for its products and services. The cost of a family vacation to a Disney park has skyrocketed in recent years, with increases in ticket prices, hotel stays, and even basic amenities like food and souvenirs. For many fans, these price hikes make it increasingly difficult to justify the cost of a trip, even if they remain loyal to the brand.
Additionally, Disney’s success has sometimes been accompanied by cutbacks in the very experiences that fans value most. In the parks, cost-saving measures such as reduced entertainment offerings, like the cutbacks to the Citizens of Main Street or Hollywood, make the vacation less magical than it once was. The emotional investment fans make in Disney can turn into frustration when it feels like the company prioritizes profits over quality.
Interestingly, when Disney faces failures or underwhelming financial performance, it often serves as a wake-up call for executives. Such moments can lead to necessary changes and improvements that benefit guests and consumers. If guests want to see offerings like Disney’s Magical Express or late-night Extra Magic Hours for all resort guests, not just the Deluxe Resorts, it will only come from economic pressure. No amount of fan outcry is going to reverse such things. When Disney is thriving, the company has little incentive to address negative issues like price increases or reduced services, as the profits suggest that customers are willing to accept the status quo.