Why Does Everyone Love Disney?

It all started with (a now public domain) Mickey Mouse, but today Disney is a cultural behemoth. A global household name. Walt Disney is synonymous with childhood, nostalgia, and joy. Recently, their multi-billion dollar empire continues to grow, with a string of high-profile and big money acquisitions. So is the magic still there? And why does everyone love Disney?

Special guests:

• Janet Wasko, an author and professor in Communication Research at the University of Oregon, whose book Understanding Disney was a huge resource for me during my time as an American Studies student.

In this episode, Janet and I discuss how Disney has become so embedded in childhood, and how many adults grow up with such a Disney obsession. We also look at recent acquisitions of Star Wars, Marvel and Fox, and consider how Disney manage to keep growing without losing their magic.

Additional resources:

BOOK: Understanding Disney by Janet Wasko

ARTICLE: Steamboat Willie enters the public domain

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