The past several years have been challenging for Disney. Not only did Bob Chapek get replaced as CEO of the company by Bob Iger, who’d held the job previously, but once Iger stepped back into the role, he started to make a LOT of changes in the company.
©Disney
Some of these changes involved layoffs within The Walt Disney Company, while other changes involved raising prices and bringing more changes to the streaming services, which Iger has said is his top priority. Then there’s the ongoing feud with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis that has resulted in several lawsuits (with one that was recently dismissed by a federal judge). Perhaps as a result of all this, Disney’s reputation had recently taken a big hit.
Fortune recently released its annual World’s Most Admired Companies, which takes a look at companies’ reputations and how they are viewed by the general public. Apple came out on top, with Microsoft and Amazon following. However, Disney’s reputation has fallen down to Number twelve on the list from where it was last year at Number six.
©Disney
On this particular list, Disney was also replaced by Netflix as the most admired entertainment company, although the top-ranked list by industry still ranks Disney higher. But still…ouch, being that Netflix is one of Disney’s top streaming rivals. Iger will have to continue to work on that #1 priority.
©Netflix
So what does a list like this tell us? Well, it tells us that the public perception of Disney has fallen over the last year. In 2023 alone, Disney saw many of its biggest movies struggle at the box office, resulting in Iger making comments about the company releasing “too many sequels,” although one of Disney’s sequel films that was released in 2023, Guardians of the Galaxy: Chapter 3, actually did well at the box office. However, Disney’s original animated feature Wish wasn’t as successful.
©Disney
Whatever the case, Iger only has a few years to improve the public’s perception of The Walt Disney Company before he steps down (again) in 2026. We’ll also be looking forward to seeing how the Disney Company is doing financially during its next quarterly earnings call on February 7th, which could also reveal some of Iger’s plans for the company before he leaves.
Stay tuned to DFB for more news.
2 Big Announcements We’re Expecting From Disney in Early February
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Over the last year?
Try over the last 4 years.
Ever since they decided that their new main focus was politics, many have formed a low opinion of them.
There are many reasons why their reputation has taken a hit, politics is definitely one. But there are many more reasons like paying more and getting less, dirty parks, de-theming their hotels so you may as well stay at the Hilton – it’s cheaper, catering to the elite instead of the every man, making it stressful to even plan a trip to their parks, mediocre movies, leaking of conference videos that laugh about charging more for food but cutting portions because the nation is too fat, etc. It’s obvious the company does not value its guests unless you can afford to stay at the Grand Floridian. The backbone of its guests were never the uber rich but the families that saved for that special vacation. Disney does not care about them anymore. It’s raise the prices and give the guest less.
Brandon hit the nail on the head! Disney, like other companies today, is a prime example of “go woke, go broke!” Interestingly the gentleman with Universal who was introducing Epic Universe said, “We listened to our customers…” THAT phenomenon is a foreign concept to Disney executives!!
Can’t see how their reputation has taken a hit. The parks are jammed.
Man it’s hard to knock a company I love, but I’m not sure mr igor is the man , the best there has ever been , the two Disney brothers, & Eisner & wells, all others since have not given the parks there true love, yes we have battu,Pandora, but Disney needs a 5th gate simple as that, and scrap that genie plus crap, and add dining plan to resort guest packages, and price 2 tees at $30 not $50, it’s a tee for goodness sake !! your merchandise prices are ridiculous , Need to take a look at yourselves and remember how this whole thing started , cos this new lot haven’t a clue, josh D Amaro going on and on about blue sky projects , when are they happening then Josh !!!!!
The major news outlets such as CNBC have tripped over themselves to avoid blaming Disney’s decline on the reason which is obvious to most Americans. Disney has become a woke cesspool, pushing their agenda on Americans — many of whom find it revolting. But hey Iger, keep it going man! My NFLX stock is doing great!
Your not wrong about the parks being jammed, just got back from 10 nights at ASM, the bus lines were crazy for most parks, and the parks are busy, when you see E.E at AK with 45 queue, you know these parks are busy , cos that attraction is 30 max most times, then I see 120 mins yesterday, 3rd feb, what’s going on !!!is it really to do with DDP back on, maybe yes if it’s given along with hotel resort booking , but you have to pay for it now, will there ever be a quiet time , I doubt it, the IP now is huge, each park has something new, that hasn’t happened for many years , a 5th park is needed I feel , it’s now Disney 4 , universal 3, there catching up 😬
I think Disney has taken so much away from us with transportation airline check in luggage handling . A Disney vacation is a major expense when you have airfare a value resort and counter service meals. A family can vacation in most of the us close to national parks etc for so much less. I don’t understand the park reservation system for annual passholders either as a group of day guests can arrive any time without one staying off property and getting in any park any time. All guests should be valued and given the opportunity to come to the parks. Extra magic hours being cut to a half hour is another thing being taken down for time for loyal resort guests. I am very loyal to Disney but cannot afford it at the current price point. It’s so sad to see this
As a FL resident, I love Disney. But I can’t justify paying more for an annual pass after losing the free fastpass perk. And the pixie pass isn’t as flexible as the old theme park select option for about the same price. It makes me sad cause our family loved going but it’s just not worth it when there are many other cheaper options in the area.