Looking Ahead to 2026: Why Disney’s Quiet Anniversaries Are About to Flood the Shelves (Ep. 81)

As the calendar flips to a brand-new year, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey kick things off by looking ahead to what’s shaping up to be a massive 2026 for Disney merch fans. From milestone anniversaries Disney rarely shouts about to a packed slate of films and park changes, this episode breaks down why collectors should start paying attention now. And later in the show, Jim dives deep into a Disney history lesson about a beautifully ambitious animated film that failed spectacularly - and how that misfire accidentally paved the way for one of Disney’s most merch-friendly franchises ever.

NEWS
• Why 2026 is stacked with Disney anniversaries, including Disneyland’s 70th, DCA’s 25th, and multiple film milestones
• Major franchise birthdays like High School Musical (20), Cars (20), Zootopia (10), Moana (10), and 101 Dalmatians (65)
• How Pixar’s 40th anniversary and its long partnership with Disney could influence upcoming releases
• A look at 2026 movies driving merch, including Toy Story 5, The Mandalorian and Grogu, and live-action Moana
• Big park changes ahead, from Galaxy’s Edge updates to Disneyland Paris becoming Disney Adventure World

FEATURE
• Why Sleeping Beauty was one of Disney’s most expensive animated gambles - and why it failed at the box office
• How that failure led Disney to completely rethink animation budgets and storytelling
• The surprising connection between Sleeping Beauty’s loss and the creation of One Hundred and One Dalmatians
• How that pivot ultimately set the stage for decades of Cruella-driven merch success

HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Lauren Hersey - X: @laurenhersey2 | IG: @lauren_hersey_

FOLLOW
• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: JimHillMedia
• TikTok: JimHillMedia

SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency

SPONSOR
This episode of I Want That Too is brought to you by Unlocked Magic, the same trusted team behind the DVC Rental Store and the DVC Resale Market. If Disney or Universal is anywhere on your 2026 radar, Unlocked Magic is a smart place to start. Their experts know the parks, the seasons, and how to help you plan without overpaying. Head to UnlockedMagic.com for great deals on theme park tickets and start planning your next trip.

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