The Vault: Why Does it Exist?

You've seen the commercials: "Buy (insert movie) on DVD before it goes back into the vault!" But what exactly is the Vault? Why does it exist?

The Vault has its origins from the days before home video. Originally, Disney would re-release its animated films into theaters every seven years. Even Song of the South was available in theaters every seven years until 1986. As VHS players became popular, the company started releasing these films on the seven year schedule for home video. With the switch to DVD and later Blu-Ray, the time between releases has varied, but Disney continues to use the Vault.

Once the day the movie is set to go back into the Vault passes, home video production of that movie stops and the movie soon disappears off store shelves. Disney claims the Vault keeps its movies new for each generation, but the Vault is really all about market control. The company enjoyed getting a fresh infusion of money from each of its animated films for each re-release, so they found a way to recreate this cash flow for the modern home video market. Home video format changes have assisted this process; people wanting to upgrade to DVD from VHS or now Blu-Ray from DVD will buy the new version. Disney also adds new bonus features to each release, encouraging a new purchase. As consumers age and new parents purchase movies for their children, they buy the new version of the film. The buzz surrounding a release and the limited opportunity to buy a film also encourages consumers to purchase.

The price of home video releases tends to decrease over time. By releasing a movie for a limited time, Disney takes advantage of being able to sell the film for the full price, then pulls the movie off the market. Unfortunately, consumers suffer because the only way to purchase a movie in the Vault outside of the release windows is through the secondary market. This increases the price of the film on the secondary markets such as eBay as compared to DVDs that can be purchased in stores.

The Disney Vault is certainly good for Disney, but not as good for consumers. Considering the response whenever a Vault movie is released, I don't see Disney moving away from this practice anytime in the near future.

What's your opinion of the Disney Vault? Let me know in the comments or @scottinwdw on Twitter.

Source for historical information: Disney Vault on Wikipedia

Arabian Nights are Soon Ending in Disneyland

On August 15, 2010 the long-running Aladdin - A Musical Spectacular show at Disney's California Adventure will close, seemingly for good. I had the privilege of seeing this show a few years ago, and it truly is a spectacular show. Before Animal Kingdom had its Broadway quality show, Finding Nemo - The Musical, the guests in California were watching this amazing show.

When I read the closing date, I thought of an idea: why not bring Aladdin to Walt Disney World for a run? It makes sense; the script is written, the sets created, all the costumes sewn. The show would have to be recast in Florida unless Disney offered some sort of relocation package to the California actors, but that seems doubtful. It's very similar to replicating a ride in another park: all the parts are ready, it just needs to be assembled and run. The costs to do this are fairly low, so why not?

Sounds something like a bean-counter MBA would say, right? Well I'm saying it not for the low cost, but because it's a magnificent show!

So where in Walt Disney World could Aladdin go? I propose adding it to Disney's Hollywood Studios. The California Adventure version is located in the Hollywood Backlot section of the park, and the building it resides in is the Hyperion Theater, but looks more like a soundstage with a theater sign put on it. The inside is similarly dressed up as a theater, but still feels like a converted soundstage. So it's simple; take one of the unused soundstages at Hollywood Studios and convert it into a theater for Aladdin, or cut the Backlot Tour some more and build a theater. Even though Hollywood Studios is already packed with shows, Aladdin would bring in the crowds. None of the shows in the Studios in Florida can hold a candle to Aladdin.

Disney, this makes sense and will add value to Disney's Hollywood Studios. Bring Aladdin - A Musical Spectacular to Florida!

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