What Does the Disney/Fox Merger Mean for the Happiest Place on Earth?
Today, Walt Disney Co. acquired most of Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox in a $52.4 billion deal.
The bid seems quite bizarre when we consider the content that the two companies produce. First, you have Disney, who still has not come down from its Frozen franchise high. Then there is 21st Century, which is possibly best known right now for it’s rated- R favorite Deadpool. While the company has produced children’s content such as Rio and this year’s Ferdinand, its action-packed films seem to be where the money is at.
But where does this all fit in regards to Disney and its family-friendly parks? It doesn’t, really. Disney is slowly but surely moving away from it’s “it all started with a mouse,” roots, following where the money is as their parks begin to look more like Universal Studios instead of the magical place it once was.
For example, take a look at Disney’s star attraction Hollywood Tower of Terror. After acquiring Marvel, Disneyland decided to update the staple to fit their newly bought Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. Cool update? Sure. But is it part of the Disney image we all know and love? Nope!
Along with Deadpool, Disney’s umbrella now covers Fantastic Four, X- Men, and The Simpsons. Neither characters nor plot lines from these franchises really are aligned with the happily-ever-afters, and character developments we see in Disney originals. So how will Disney manage to incorporate these films and their stories, which aren’t always PG, into their parks? Only time will tell.
In the meantime, Disney fans will be saying goodbye to the nostalgic Disney Parks they once knew, as they slowly but surely turn into a hodgepodge of the new Disney conglomerate.
What do you think of Disney’s new direction?
Person: hey how’s it going
Me: pic.twitter.com/jpNdYZnn9f— ariel (@ariel_ech) December 13, 2017
