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

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