Disney is one of the most consistent brands that’s existed. Since founder Walt Disney began the company a hundred years ago, audiences could always count on to deliver family-friendly entertainment and a fun theme park experience with a Walt Disney World Resort trip or Disneyland Resort vacation.
However, recently, Disney has been struggling. The momentum they’ve gained over the years is paying off because the Mouse House is still number one, but the numbers tell the story of a company navigating an undeniable rough patch.
Related: Trouble in the Magic Kingdom: No Need to Worry About DeSantis, Disney Its Own Worst Enemy
“Woke” Disney Struggles
Disney’s perceived “wokeness” has been one of the criticisms levied at the Mouse House that undoubtedly makes the biggest headlines. Many right-wing authors, writers, and fans have expressed repeatedly that the Walt Disney Company is constantly pushing a woke agenda and pandering to “woke” audiences.
But this complaint notwithstanding, Disney has other, bigger problems to deal with.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Feud, Box Office Flops, Failing Streaming Service & Lower Theme Park Attendance
Between the feud Disney has with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (experts and analysts are quite certain Disney has an open shut case), the stream of disappointing films from the Mouse House that have hit the box office, and of course, the recent decline in Theme Park numbers, all is not well with our favorite Mouse.
So what will Disney do?
Apple to Buy Disney
For months now, analysts at Needham have insisted that tech giant Apple will buy the Walt Disney Company. Needham has reiterated for a while now that this is likely the best and most probable course that Disney will take. Knowing Bob Iger’s past relationship with founder Steve Jobs and current Apple CEO Tim Cook, as well as Disney and Apple’s collaboration on the Apple Vision Pro it’s not an unbelievable claim.
Most recently, Needham analyst Laura Martin added another assertion; Apple will buy Disney within the next three years.
“Outside of fundamentals, we do believe Disney will be purchased during the next three years… Takeover premiums have historically been 30% -40% above the public trading price for media companies,” she said.
This kind of merger or sale would be massive news, and if it does turn out, will likely be secret until it’s set in stone; Disney and Disney CEO Bob Iger have not spoken on the probability of the sale. However, it raises interesting questions about this hundred-year-old company’s future and legacy.