>We just got Toy Story 3 from the Disney Movie Club. We also got the Mater’s Tall Tales DVD at the same time. There is a promotional preview of Carsland, which will be opening in Disneyland in 2012. It got me to thinking about how Disney promotes itself and its products in the Walt Disney World resort. They mostly promote without, in my opinion, being too obnoxious about it. They are so diversified in their businesses that cross promotion is expected, but sometimes unseen. So, today I present to you the Unknown Magic of Disney self Promotion.

First let me start off by saying they are not always subtle about their self promotion in Walt Disney World. As you are approaching the Theme Parks driving on the highway on Disney property, there are billboards that promote rides and special happenings. They also only show their own channels on the Resort Televisions, no Nickelodeon, Sprout or Cartoon network, only the Disney channels are offered for the kids. And this past year, they actually covered one of the monorail trains in “Tron”, to promote the upcoming movie. It became a Tronorail, which was pretty neat, but blatant advertising. So, they are not completely subtle about their advertising for the Disney product in Walt Disney World, but they mostly sell their product, usually television and movies, in a way that is almost an after thought for the guests.

If you ever take one of the Disney buses, you will see promotional cards above the seats, for their television shows. Most of the time, the shows they are promoting get plenty of commercial time on your local ABC channel, but some of the ones they promote on the busses are ABC Family channel shows and new shows that are just coming out. Sometimes they have ads up for a special event or even a movie that that will be opening soon. I always like looking at the ads above the seats. We seem to have more conversations when riding the buses about a show or an actor or actress in one of the shows (because of the ad) than anything else.

Another way that Disney promotes its movies and television shows is over in Disney Hollywood Studios. Which makes a lot of sense if you really think about it, it was after all a working studio for Disney, so you would think they would still make their product known here of all places. The way they do this, besides selling merchandise of the shows, is by billboards and signs. They also do it in an entertaining way in the ABC Commissary, which is a quick-serve restaurant that serves lunch and dinner. While you are eating, you are entertained by televisions that show previews of ABC Shows and this past summer when we were there they had a spoof of the MTV show “Real Life” playing, where the ABC Stars were all thrown into a house to live together for the summer. It was cute and it actually had us wondering about who some of the people were and what shows they were on.

Another way that Disney Promotes new characters and shows are by adding them into the parades in the different parks, before or right after a new movie comes out. Right now for instance you can have a meet and greet with Rapunzel and Flynn Ryder, even though that movie doesn’t come out for a few more days. Other times they present their stars in fun and exciting ways, which are sure to create Magical Experiences. For example, in the Disney Hollywood Studios, you can catch Disney Channel Rocks! This features a bunch of the Disney Channel Stars. When The Princess and the Frog first came out, Disney added a whole new Parade/show to the Magic Kingdom. It took place on the River Boat in Frontierland, and promoted Tiana, as the newest Disney Princess. It was a huge hit.

So, now you know, Disney does use Walt Disney World to sell their other products, mainly movies and television shows, but they do it in a way that isn’t in your face, or obnoxious. Most of the time, the way they are “selling” these “products” are fun and entertaining and add Magical Experiences for you and your family. So don’t be upset when you see a new movie character added to the cast a Disney parade, enjoy the chance to see something before anyone else does.