Saturday, February 17, 2007

Disney Classics Woo Wee Ones

Variety examines Disney's recent push to popularize the classic Disney characters to the toddlers. The under-5 audience have produced a significant hit in Mickey's Clubhouse.

Of course, we all know why this is. Disney is cultivating a life-long fan that will spawn other off-springs that will continue with the Disney "obsession". That's how you keep a new supply of Disney customers and guests. However, it also means that for many of these people, a loyalty towards Disney isn't simply something superficial. It represents lifelong memories, from childhood all the way to adult life. Disney would come up against these very same people that they are "cultivating" if it tries to make drastic changes to the theme parks, especially classic attractions. Case in point is the rumor of the demise of Carousel of Progress from a few years ago. The Disney loyalists drummed up enough of a campaign to beat that down.

So while Disney is very smart in cultivating the toddlers to start liking Mickey and friends and become theme park regulars, they also have to keep in mind that these toddlers will grow up and would more likely hang on to what they remember and cherish.

Zz.

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