Some people think Disney’s troubles are behind them now that Jimmy Kimmel is back on the air. However, last week was really rough for the company, not just because of the issues surrounding Kimmel’s false comments about Charlie Kirk’s alleged murderer.
Recently, Disney’s ABC network decided to reinstate late-night host Jimmy Kimmel less than a week after suspending him for inaccurately suggesting that the person accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk is affiliated with “Maga.”
But Kimmel’s return to the airwaves wasn’t without complications. After ABC said he would come back, Sinclair Media and Nexstar—major carriers for the two networks—announced they wouldn’t be airing Jimmy Kimmel Live regardless of ABC’s decision.
This kind of mixed messaging isn’t the biggest concern for Disney this past week.
Reports suggest that attendance at large Disney theme parks is dropping significantly. A video posted by a TikToker showed Disney World nearly empty, labeling it “abandoned.”
“I’m at Magic Kingdom right now. It feels like a grave. There are hardly any people. I can just walk onto Space Mountain and the Haunted Mansion,” the TikToker remarked in their video. “It’s Labor Day weekend—this place should be packed, yet it’s a ghost town.”
“What’s going on? Why so few people? I’ve never seen it this empty, especially on a holiday weekend. It’s been years since I noticed it like this. I really don’t get it,” they added.
It’s not like Florida is lacking tourists. The state recorded 34.435 million visitors from April to June, an increase from 34.279 million compared to the same timeframe last year.
Meanwhile, Disney’s streaming service, Disney+, is facing its own challenges, prompting the company to hike subscription prices. For instance, in the UK, subscribers will see an increase of $13.50 per year.
In the U.S., prices are set to rise next month too, with the $9.99 monthly plan increasing to $11.99, while the “ad-free” option will jump from $15.99 to $18.99.
Lastly, Mickey Mouse found himself in legal trouble this week as the law firm Morgan & Morgan filed a lawsuit against Disney. They want to feature a version of Mickey from the classic *Steamboat Willie* in their commercials, which dates back to 1928.
The firm sent a letter to Disney seeking permission, but Disney declined to respond, stating they “do not provide legal advice to third parties.”
The lawsuit aims to clarify whether their planned use infringes on Disney’s copyright. The law firm claims they want to create these ads in good faith but need guidance to avoid potential legal issues. They’re asking the court for assurance that their ads won’t violate any of Disney’s copyrights.
