Disney Company example essay topic

Sixty-nine percent of Americans own a dog or cat. Seventy-one percent of Americans have visited Disney World or Disneyland (Disney World: "Fun Facts"). This amazing statistic is just one indicator of Disney's deep penetration into mainstream America. The Disney Company has shaped many elements in American entertainment and culture, world business, and even the landscape of Central Florida.

All of this show affects of this multi-billion dollar corporation. The Disney saga is all based on some of life's most basic themes: Friendship, family, and the struggle for independence (Michael 43). This is what makes the Disney Corporation different; Disney's products consistently have the same themes values (Praise For: Married to the Mouse). The thought that in the end everything is going to be ok, and the thought that risks are required to make progress in life. Disney Films account for seven out of the top ten bestselling videos ever.

The company's six theme parks account for more visitors annually than all other 54 National Parks combined. However, the cultural impact of Disney is larger than numbers can indicate (Meyer, Michael 45). Disney owns two professional sports teams, two of the largest theme parks in America, and four television networks. (ABC being the largest media outlet in the U.S. ). Making the slogan, "The wide world of Disney", come to life.

Arguably, no other company in the last century has had such an impact on mainstream American culture (Streisand, Betsy 39). In just a few decades, Disney has grown into even more of an international company. Since 1984 International revenue has shot up from $142 million, to 2.4 billion, this being a quarter of the company's revenue. All around the globe, Mickey Mouse and America are synonymous. (Streisand, Betsy 43) Sixty-nine percent of Americans own a dog or cat. (Streisand, Betsy 43).

During the early 1960's, the Disney Company began buying small pieces of land around Orlando (Praise for: Married to the Mouse). The plan was to build a system of theme parks. Walt Disney asked local and state authorities for the same powers as an independent municipal government. These powers were granted because authorities were so happy about the tourists Disney would bring to the area (Praise for: Married to the Mouse). This is one of the reasons Disney World has been so successful. Disney is allowed to run its own roads, run its own police stations and fire stations, town planning, sewage, etc...

Disney also doesn't pay taxes because it is both a "local government" and a company (Praise for: Married to the Mouse). This has allowed Disney to save millions of dollars. A local Orlando journalist says, "Disney is really a state within a state, Disney gets what it wants in this town, because the people who run Orlando, and the people who run Disney work together" (Praise For: Married to the Mouse). After Disney arrived, central Florida went through a tremendous growth, largely attributable to Disney.

Since 1971, the year Disney World opened, Orlando's hotel count has boomed from 8,000 to 100,000. The population has gone from 97,000, to just under 1 million. The local economy has been greatly affected, in 1997 27.3 million people went through Orlando International Airport, its estimated that at least 1/2 of these people visited Disney World (Disney World: Fun Facts). Disney World employs 45,000 people, making Disney World the largest employer in central Florida (Disney world: Fun Facts). During the early 1980's, the Disney company was on the decline.

Profits were down, and attendance at theme parks was declining (Disney's Stunning Deal). In 1984 Michael Eisner was brought in as CEO, he transformed the company from a $1.5 billion theme park dependant relic, to a $10.1 billion entertainment giant (Disney's Stunning Deal). In 1995, Disney then made the move to buy Cap Cities / ABC inc., combining the premier movie studio, with the premier television network (Disney's Stunning Deal). This $19 billion transaction is the 2nd largest ever. The Sixty-nine percent of Americans own a dog or cat. (Streisand, Betsy 43) idea for the Disney company is "synergy", not that one+one = 2, but that one+one = 4 (Disney's Stunning Deal).

Disney created a movie, "The Mighty Ducks", also forming a professional sports team from the film, can broadcast the teams games on their own T.V. station, and sell the teams merchandise in their own stores (Disney's Stunning Deal). The Disney company owns most anything imaginable, they have numerous connections to all forms of American business. They own 3 publishing companies, 4 of the 7 largest motion picture studios, four newspaper companies, Hollywood Records, and 7 television networks. (Including ABC and ESPN). The Disney Corporation affects us more than we could ever realize. Disney even has stakes in Sid R. Bass petroleum, the 48th largest Fortune 500 company, as well as State Farm insurance, the 12th largest Fortune 500 company (Disney's Stunning Deal).

Disney is much more than just the theme park in Central Florida, it's the second largest American corporation. The Disney company has affected us all, either through watching movies, taking vacations, or simply watching "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" on ABC. The Disney Company affects the way we view entertainment and culture, world business, and even the landscape of Central Florida. All things are affected by the "Wide World of Disney.".