Skip to content

John Lasseter

Disney sells record 40.9 billion in licensed merchandise in 2013

licensingfair2014

With properties like Marvel Superheroes, Disney Princesses, Pixar’s Cars, and Lucasfilm’s “Star Wars” the Walt Disney Company rang up a record 40.9 billion in global retail sales in 2013

The sales topped 2012′s $39.4 billion, $37.5 billion, in 2011, and $28.6 billion in 2010, according to Disney Consumer Products. Those kinds of numbers have long made the company the world’s top licensor.

Disney isn’t likely to give up that title anytime soon. …

It’s ramping up several major product pushes around “Cinderella,” the animated films “Inside Out” and “Big Hero 6,” Marvel’s “The Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “Star Wars: Rebels” and “Star Wars: Episode VII” coming out through the end of 2015.

Let’s not forget that little juggernaut “Frozen” either.

The question is what should Disney do with that windfall of profits? Could they invest in more animation? What about the theme parks? or how about something really ambitious? What project would you have Disney focus on next?

Read More »Disney sells record 40.9 billion in licensed merchandise in 2013

D23 Expo – Watch Day One Highlights

Highlights from day one of the D23 Expo the official Disney Fan Club’s big convention. Included in the video is a welcome from Disney Chair and CEO Bob Iger, Pixar animation’s John Lasseter, the voice cast of Disney’s Frozen, Phineas & Ferb’s Wafflenator, and much… Read More »D23 Expo – Watch Day One Highlights

An Interview With Rich Moore and Clark Spencer on Wreck-It Ralph

  • by

Disney's Wreck-It Ralph
When it comes to experiences and details, Disney spares no expense. Hence the opportunity they provided on a recent press trip for a group of bloggers, myself included, to meet Rich Moore and Clark Spencer, the director and producer of Wreck-It Ralph, respectively.

Wreck-It Ralph Director and Producer

While the conversation (below) was interesting and informative, I was even more excited about the setting for our interview. We actually got to sit in Roy Disney’s old office that is housed in the large sorcerer’s hat on the Walt Disney Animation Building. The story is that Roy Disney only used the office for a short period of time due to the vertical stripes painted along the interior of the round room (see above) — he complained that sitting in it made him feel like he was spinning, so he relocated elsewhere. These days the room is used primarily for photo ops and entertaining me, apparently.

Here is some of that aforementioned conversation with Rich Moore and Clark Spencer that I promised you:

Read More »An Interview With Rich Moore and Clark Spencer on Wreck-It Ralph

Lasseter Family Winery Part of Disney Cruise Line Pixar Cruises

The Pixar themed Disney Cruises that go up and down the California Coast this fall have a very special shore excursion you’ll definitely want to sign up for. Disney cruisers can get a VIP tour of the private Lasseter Family Winery in Sonoma Valley. In… Read More »Lasseter Family Winery Part of Disney Cruise Line Pixar Cruises

John Lasseter invites Pixar Fans to Take a Special Disney Cruise.

Disney Cruise Line is hoping fans of Pixar Animation Studios and their award-winning films will book a cruise tailored just for them aboard the Disney Wonder on a seven-night California Coastal voyage this fall. On board the ship, guests will explore the world of Pixar,… Read More »John Lasseter invites Pixar Fans to Take a Special Disney Cruise.

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – Lobby Tour

Back in April, The Disney Blog enjoyed a pre-opening tour of the Disney’s Art of Animation Lobby from Walt Disney Imagineer Gary Hoffman. The lobby, aka Animation Hall, as you will hear, is designed as the pre-show for the greater hotel. While the central focus… Read More »Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – Lobby Tour

Cars Land Grand Opening Event – Video

  • by

Yes, that’s a ride. Photo credit: Paul Hiffmeyer/Disneyland Resort

I was standing right in front for the Cars Land Grand Opening event (just behind John Ratzenberger and Randy Newman, seriously), but my video isn’t nearly as good as this official release from Disney (below), so let’s use theirs! Read More »Cars Land Grand Opening Event – Video

A Cars Land Teaser

  • by

Let me just say that Cars Land at Disney California Adventure is exactly what you want it to be, except you would probably want more. That’s not to say it’s a small land (after all?). I attended the grand opening of DCA’s newest area, and it was much bigger than I had anticipated. However, it is so fun that it leaves you wanting more, which, if I’ve learned anything from television, is a good thing.Read More »A Cars Land Teaser