Onorato: Does Disney Need a Makeover or a Shot of Espresso?

The Walt Disney Company has been in a rut lately. Though I have grown out of the target demographic of the magic that Disney had once captured, I still feel underwhelmed at what one of the biggest media companies has to offer me in terms of entertainment. 

They’re currently being left behind in many different areas. For example, this summer, we had two large superhero movie releases: DC Studios’ “Superman” and Marvel Studios’ “Fantastic Four: First Steps.” 

“Superman” felt so much more relevant than Fantastic Four: First Steps. I have heard Teddybears and Iggy Pop’s “Punkrocker” from the new “Superman” movie more than I’ve seen anyone online discussing Marvel’s ‘First Family’ at all. Superman also inspired a trend about “nerding out” and that being kind is “punk rock.”

James Gunn, director of “Superman,” made an old story feel fresh and new, making kindness cool again.

I’d argue that current college students grew up with Disney at its peak, with movies like “Frozen,” “Tangled,” “Toy Story 3,” “Wreck-It-Ralph,” and “Inside Out.” We also grew up with DVDs of the Disney Renaissance. Movies with rich film scores that are loved by adults and children alike–”The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and “The Lion King.” 

We now consider these classics–films we will show our children to show them our childhoods. Even Disney Channel’s original movies were staples of our childhoods– like the “High School Musical” trilogy, “Teen Beach Movie,” the “Camp Rock” movies, or “Lemonade Mouth.” 

They were low-budget, but they had a lot of charm. These movies had a moral to them, usually one that involved staying true to yourself and finding community with those around you, all while singing catchy songs.

I don’t think it’s controversial to say that Disney has been losing their touch. I haven’t felt Disney magic in a long time. I know many other people my age who feel the same way. Generally, viewers are tired of nostalgia rehashes and live-action remakes. 

With the introduction of Disney+, many wonder why they would head to the theater when they could watch it from the comfort of their couch in a couple of months. This has led to a few box office flops in recent years, with both their original animated features and live-action remakes. For example, Disney’s Wish, which marked the 100-year anniversary of Disney, flopped at the box office. 

I think Disney has bitten off more than they can chew. Their ownership of Lucasfilm, Marvel Studios, and Pixar Animation Studios leads Walt Disney Pictures and Walt Disney Animation Studios to suffer. 

That doesn’t even consider their vast ownership of film and broadcast media. It’s disparaging to go to see an advertisement for a new movie and be bored. I know the story. I’ve seen “The Lion King.” I’ve seen “Snow White.” A considerable number of Gen Z, especially college students in particular, don’t feel the need to buy a theater ticket to Disney’s nostalgia bait remakes and live-action retellings. I don’t feel the need to see versions that are slightly worse with less heart than the original films. 

Disney attempts to appeal to college students in many ways, for example, the Disney College Program, a paid internship at Disney, which is available through many universities, including here at Rowan. I know it gets young people in the parks and interested in what Disney has to offer. It is a great idea on their end. 

But in terms of entertainment, what they’re doing isn’t working. But their shareholders do not care about stories or songs. Well-produced, original movies with gorgeous art and emotionally resonant soundtracks that make families break out in car sing-alongs are where they will find their fans again. 

It’s disparaging to watch a multi-billion-dollar company constantly fumble the bag. It’s obvious they need more young people in these executive rooms–not just in the college programs working hands-on in the parks–but helping to make decisions. For example, if Disney were to hire me as an executive, I would produce as many fresh and new stories as we could create. 

Obviously, easier said than done. However, there is some IP that they’re underutilizing, including The Muppets. The Muppets are currently removed from Disney Parks. No Muppet Courtyard, no “MuppetVision 3D,” and no Pizza Rizzo. In fact, “MuppetVision 3D” was the last project Jim Henson worked on before his death. It’s sad as a Muppets fan.

Muppet Courtyard was officially demolished on June 7, 2025, after 34 years in the park. A demolition site haunts the area where a “Monsters-Inc” themed area and ride are planned to take root.

However, there is a light at the end of the Ms. Piggy-themed tunnel. Disney officially plans on revamping Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster to star the Muppets instead of Aerosmith. In the past week, Disney made an announcement I was finally excited to hear. Seth Rogen is reviving “The Muppet Show” to star Sabrina Carpenter for a special in 2026, the original “Muppet Show’s” 50th anniversary. The special will serve as a backdoor pilot that I hope will reinvigorate Disney. 

I think these developments will give Disney a new burst of creativity. They have the power to regain their title as king of entertainment, and they still have plenty of people visiting their amusement parks and paying for Disney+ subscriptions. But college consumers, like us, have power in our hands. The new Muppet Show with Sabrina Carpenter seems like a perfect new trajectory to take their brand, especially regarding Gen Z.