Bob Chapek Optimistic About Disney’s Future

According to CEO Bob Chapek, the future is looking bright at The Walt Disney Company as it emerges from the trials of a pandemic and prepares to begin its second century.

During Disney’s Q1 2022 Financial Results call, Chapek said,

“It is perhaps fitting that our one-hundredth anniversary comes at a time of significant change for us and our industry. In the midst of a global pandemic, fast-changing consumer expectations, and a leadership transition, we reimagined our Parks business, substantially increased our investment in content creation, and executed reorganizations that will facilitate our ongoing transformation.

“Each of those actions has helped set the stage for our second century and as we approach that remarkable milestone, I am filled with optimism.

“We have the world’s most creative storytelling engine, an unmatched collection of brands and franchises, and an ability to tell stories that form deep emotional connections with audiences. We have a portfolio of distribution platforms, including powerful and growing streaming services. We have diverse revenue streams that span business models and industries, but which are all interconnected to create entertainment’s most powerful synergy machine. We have the country’s top news organizations and the most trusted brands for following sports, and our theme parks continue to be the most magical places on earth. 

“In short, our collection of assets and platforms, creative capabilities, and our unique place in the cultural zeitgeist gives me great confidence that we will continue to define entertainment for the next one hundred years.” 

As the world works to emerge from the pandemic, Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products earned over $7 billion in the company’s first fiscal quarter of 2022—more than 100% grown compared to the prior year—with all of Disney’s theme parks around the world open to Guests including those at The Disneyland Resort, The Walt Disney World Resort like Magic Kingdom Park and Animal Kingdom, Shanghai Disney Resort, and Disneyland Paris. Bob Iger‘s successor also shared that Disney+ subscriptions also rose by over 17 million in the past three months, especially with domestic Hulu and ESPN+ bundle packages. Encanto merchandise also gave Disney Consumer Products a strong post-holiday boost.

Also on the Disney Parks side, new tools such as Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lane recorded strong numbers. The Walt Disney World Resort is currently celebrating its 50th Anniversary Celebration, with exciting attractions like TRON Lightcycle Power Run and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind under construction. The Disneyland Paris Resort is about to start its 30th Anniversary Celebration, and fans await the opening of its own Avengers Campus at Walt Disney Studios Park.

Related: Results Are In – Fans Are Willing To Pay the Extra Costs for Disney Parks Vacations

There will be recurring setbacks, of course. Hong Kong Disneyland suffered another closure in 2021 in response to a regional rise in the omicron variant, and audiences still appear to be returning slowly to cinemas. But there is little doubt in this reporter’s mind that Disney’s 100 years will be just as magical and profitable, if not more so, than the last.

Related: Disney CEO Bob Chapek Comments on the Return of Live Entertainment at Disney Parks