The Globalization of Disney

The Walt Disney Company is a name that is pretty much known worldwide. From movie productions starting in 1937, to opening up multiple amusement parks, Walt Disney has made a huge impression on our world’s history. Over 52 million people vacation at Disney World annually, making it the most visited resort in the world. Each year, anything involving Disney seems to keep attracting more and more people. Why is this happening, you may ask? The answer? Globalization.  

One way that Disney has been globalized is by their incorporation of different ethnicities.The Lion King, The Princess and the Frog, Pocahontas, Aladdin, Mulan, and the list goes on. As you read these, notice the different ethnicities and cultures that we integrated. African, African American, Native American, Arabian, and Chinese heritages were all included in the making of these popular Disney films. This has helped Disney become famous worldwide and it has helped the spread of guest attractions around the globe. 

Although it might not be the first thing we think of when we think about how Disney has been globalized over time, it is an important detail to be noted. Let’s take a look at some popular Disney films: we have

Furthermore, Disney has been globalized by their famous amusement parks created around the world. Disney parks are located here in America, Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. In addition to parks, Disney has also progressed to creating their first cruise line which began in 1998. Both Disney parks and cruise lines create a form of cultural acceptance around the word. This has been a huge part of Disney’s globalization process. Amusement parks and cruises provide people with hands-on experiences, which many find appealing. Disney parks have also been advertised as a great family experience, which makes many parents feel obligated to bring their kids for a fun time spent together. 

Lastly, as technology has progressed over time, Disney was smart and took the time to integrate these changes into the company for a chance to open up some new opportunities. Nowadays, guests can book vacations, park tickets, and even dining reservations online. This idea draws in even more people because it is much more convenient. Disney has also taken advantage of opportunities through social media and mobile apps. Social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and even Instagram are being used by Disney to gain interaction with the public. This creates a way for Disney to spread new attractions and new opportunities to patrons all over the planet. In addition, it is relatively easy to gain attention from the public through social media.

 Even with all the improvements Disney has made in previous years, they are nowhere near finished with advancements. Disney is constantly adding new enhancements to keep attractions meaningful and interesting to visitors of the present and future. As Walt Disney said, “We must never lose sight of one thing: it was all started by a mouse.” But as it turns out, that mouse sure gets around these days.

Sources:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx2sKvDXSkE
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walt_Disney_World
http://disneyology.blogspot.com/2010/07/disney-world-globalization-and-walt.html