During the 2023 annual shareholder meeting on April 3, 2023, investors watched a video update from Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger, where he talked about his vision and priorities for the company now and into the future, and then got a chance to ask him questions.
Disney’s 100th Anniversary and More
In a pre-recorded video, Iger, standing in front of Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World, talked about the history of The Walt Disney Company, and what the future holds for its parks and more.
During the 15 minute video Iger takes the viewer on a tour of Disney parks, including Walt Disney World’s TRON Lightcycle / Run, which opens today April 4,along with clips from Disneyland showing the newly revamped Mickey’s Toontown, and Disneyland Paris showing the 30th Anniversary celebration.
Then it’s on to Shanghai Disney Resort talking about Zootopia land and the upcoming movie sequel, as well as Tokyo Disneyland and its upcoming 40th Anniversary celebration and new lands opening, along with Hong Kong Disneyland and World of Frozen.
Once the parks are updated, Iger moves on to the Disney Cruise Line, talking about new ships, new routes, and the new Lighthouse Point.
Bob Iger then returns to Walt Disney World to talk about Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and to show the latest trailer for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3, due in theaters May 5, 2023.
He talks briefly about Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, and the transformation of EPCOT, before showing Dwayne Johnson announcing the live-action remake of Moana.
Bob Iger then segued into Disney’s philanthropic endeavors and its green initiatives, saying, “Disney must always strive to be a good citizen of the world.”
In wrapping up the look at where Disney currently stands, Iger stated, “As we build on 100 years of creativity and forge a path into the future, I am confident that Disney’s brightest days are yet to come.”
You can watch the video here:
A Walt Disney World Investment
Iger announced The Walt Disney Company plans to spend an additional $17 billion dollars during the next 10 years in Florida, resulting in the creation of 13,000 new jobs.
That is on top of projects like the reimagining of EPCOT, that are currently wrapping up.
Disney vs. DeSantis
In response to an audience question during the call, following the video, over what steps Disney will take to protect shareholders in an anticipated legal battle among DeSantis, Disney and the former Reedy Creek Improvement District, Bob Iger acknowledged the company’s response under Chapek saying, “And while the company may have not handled the position that it took very well, a company has a right to freedom of speech just like individuals do,” and that DeSantis’ actions were “in effect to seek to punish a company for its exercise of a constitutional right.”
“Our primary mission needs to be to entertain, and then through our entertainment to continue to have a positive impact on the world,” Iger said. “… We’re committed to delivering age-appropriate content for family audiences, while also telling stories that reflect the world around us and that foster a greater understanding, greater perspective, greater acceptance of all people.”
“About 50 million visitors will go through our gates this year alone, about 8 million of them from outside the U.S., and we are the largest taxpayer in the state,” Iger added.
He wrapped up his response, saying, “Our point on this is that any action that thwarts those efforts, simply to retaliate for a position the company took, sounds not just anti-business, but it sounds anti-Florida, and I’ll just leave it at that.”
Licensing for Streaming
Iger also touched on the possibility of licensing some of its streaming titles to other companies, when asked about streaming plans during the call.
Responding, he said, ““We’re not looking to license our core Marvel, Disney, Pixar or Star Wars product to third parties. We will consider on occasion licensing other product to third parties.”
He didn’t elaborate on any possible titles being considered, if any were.
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