How Walt Disney Turned Orange Juice and Peanut Butter into Theme Parks (Ep. 59)

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Places & Travel, Society & Culture, Tv & Film

4.7 • 1.5K Ratings

🗓️ 7 August 2025

⏱️ 57 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey trace the surprising origins of Disney’s licensing empire - back to a time when Walt needed just $300 to keep the studio running. From the Alice Comedies to Donald Duck orange juice and Peter Pan peanut butter, this episode explores how early merchandise deals weren’t just about profit - they were survival. Jim unpacks how licensing set the foundation for everything from Disneyana collectors to the modern parks. Meanwhile, Lauren shares her latest finds in the merch world, including: Why the Fantastic Four landed in Disneyland’s Tomorrowland The rise of Cakeworthy and modern Disney collabs Inside Disney’s $63 billion licensing empire How a peanut butter deal helped fund Disneyland The origins of Donald Duck Orange Juice and collectible Ariel dolls Disney's licensing strategy from the 1920s to today From peanut butter tins to popcorn buckets, this episode dives into how Disney turned product placement into a legacy. Unlocked Magic Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS. ⁠Learn More Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Why are businesses like HelloVet choosing Apple products and services?
0:04.8	So we started the business two years ago.
0:07.2	We had a few people who were used to PCs and this was their first foray into Macs.
0:12.5	But it's been super smooth getting everyone onto those devices and everyone seems really, really happy.
0:18.0	Find out how Mac can help you run and grow your business at apple.com forward slash
0:23.6	HelloVet.
0:26.0	Welcome back to I Want That 2, the podcast where Disney merch meets Disney history.
0:31.5	I'm entertainment writer Jim Hill, and as always, I'm joined by the lovely Lauren
0:36.4	Hersey on a warm August Sunday night, right?
0:41.3	Oh my gosh, Jim.
0:42.6	It is perfection outside, at least in West Virginia.
0:48.4	Like, we were swimming today, and I'm kind of a diva in the pool.
0:53.1	Like, I have to, it has to be like, you know, walking on the surface of the sun for me to, you know, get in and enjoy it.
0:59.2	But it was beautiful outside.
1:00.9	How about New Hampshire?
1:02.6	Well, we actually had a Disney moment in the yard this past weekend.
1:10.0	I'm sitting here. I work at my work table in the leave room
1:13.4	facing our picture window. And Nancy, you know, comes running out of the back of the house and
1:17.9	said, there's a mother deer, you know, and she's got a fawn with her. And making her way
1:23.8	through the yard and made it down front. And it turns like, well, no, it's not a mother deer and a fawn. It's a mother deer and two fawns.
1:32.5	Bamby!
1:33.6	There we go. And Bamby, too, the sequel.
	...

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