The Walt Disney Company, commonly known as Disney, is an American diversified multinational mass-media and entertainment conglomerate. The Disney logo, based on Walt Disney's signature, is one of the world's most recognizable logos. The company is a successor to the short-lived Laugh-O-Gram Studios.
The first incarnation of the Walt Disney logo was introduced in 1937. Despite ending normal usage in 1948, it was still used in some instances until the 1960s, and a variant was later used on the Disney's Wonderful World of Reading logo from 1973 to 1996.
1948–1984[]
Another logo based on Walt Disney's handwriting was created in 1948, though a similar version was previously used in the opening for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937. This logo was still used in tandem with the next two, as it appeared on 70s-era iterations of The Wonderful World of Disney, as well as the Walt Disney Home Entertainment logo from 1978-1984.
1956–present[]
Designer:
Unknown
Typography:
Custom wordmark
Launched:
1956
In 1956, the signature’s typeface became a bit smoother, marking the introduction of the most familiar iteration of the company’s logo. It first appeared on the 1956 Disneyland Guide[1]; other early appearances included Disneyland’s Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom Guide Map (1958), some Official Mickey Mouse Club and Disneyland Records album covers in 1959 and throughout the 1960s, and the marquee for Progressland at the New York World’s Fair in April 1964. It eventually became the primary logo around the time of the opening of Walt Disney World in late 1971.
This signature probably has the most recognizable and distinct letters (the capital "W" and "D" in the name). The roundness has a single line down the center of the "D", and the circle over the "i", circles back toward the "D". None of these characteristics are present in Walt Disney’s real signature. This logo has served as The Walt Disney Company’s longest-standing logotype, with a lifespan of over 65 years. In 2000, a computer font based off this logo was introduced, initially known as “Walt Disney Script,” but renamed Waltograph in 2004. This font includes a lowercase "D" taken from the logo of Disneyland Paris, which ended up using the font officially.
Alternate versions of this logo were also used in the years between its introduction and when it became the official logo, including on a brochure of the iconic "Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room" attraction in 1963, advertisement posters for the "General Electric Progress Land" attraction at the 1964-65 World's Fair, 1965's "Fantasy on Parade" event at Disneyland (on the large drum at the start of the parade), and the "A Walt Disney Production" byline at the end of the studio's 1970 animated feature The Aristocats.
1960–1980[]
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In 1960, a later variant was based on Walt Disney's handwriting. The typeface is sometimes erroneously believed to be the foundation for the current logo. Despite ending normal usage in 1980, a slightly similar script was used at the beginning of Saving Mr. Banks in 2013.
Walt Disney Productions[]
1939-1983[]
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This logo was used on letterheads from 1939[2] to at least 1983[3]; it was also used on the Employee Benefits Program[4] as well as envelopes.[5] The Mickey Mouse symbol was also used on storyboards[6], materials related to Walt Disney Home Movies,[7] and the logo for Walt Disney Telecommunications and Non-Theatrical Company International.[8]
1940–1986[]
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1971–1986[]
Designer:
Unknown
Typography:
Custom wordmark Helvetica ("Productions")
Launched:
Late 1971
Prior to 1986, the version of the logo using the company's full name was only used in corporate contexts, an early example being on documents printed in late 1971 discussing the company's plans for its then-upcoming 50th anniversary. This logo debuted around the time of the opening of Walt Disney World.
Walt Disney (second era)[]
2006–present[]
Designer:
John Stable John Bias
Typography:
Custom wordmark
Launched:
July 2006
In 2006, Disney began using a modified version of the 1956 and 1960 logos, with slightly thinner lines. The version of this logo formatted as "Walt Disney" was used on the Walt Disney Pictures logo from 2006 to 2011, and is currently used on several other Disney properties, including Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.
2007–present[]
Designer:
Unknown
Typography:
Custom wordmark
Launched:
February 2007
In 2007, Disney began using a special drawing script font based on Walt Disney’s original signature. This logo is currently being used on Walt Disney Animation Studios as well as its on-screen variant.
The Walt Disney Company[]
1986–present[]
1986–2009[]
Designer:
Unknown
Typography:
Custom wordmark ("Walt Disney") Times New Roman
Launched:
January 1986 (reveal) February 6, 1986 (official)
On February 6, 1986, Walt Disney Productions was renamed to The Walt Disney Company to reflect the company's diversity. Prior to 2009, the words "The" and "Company" were set in Times New Roman (which was also used by many Disney and Buena Vista-branded properties at the time; Walt Disney World and Buena Vista Home Entertainment still uses Times New Roman in its logos today), with "Walt Disney" set in its signature font. This new name was revealed a month prior to its rename.
Radio Networks American Contemporary Network | American Information Network | American Entertainment Network | American FM Network | ABC Rock Radio Network | ABC Direction Radio Network | ABC Talk Radio | Country Coast-to-Coast | ESPN Radio | Jack FM | Kool Gold | Radio Disney | Real Country | Rejoice! Musical Soul Food | Stardust | Starstation | The Classic Rock Experience | The Christmas Channel | The Touch | The True Oldies Channel | Today's Best Hits | Unforgettable Memories | Urban Advantage Network | Z-Rock
Notes
1
WFDF was originally in the Flint radio market before moving to Farmington Hills in the Detroit radio market in 2006. As a result of the station's move to Detroit, WFRO in the Toledo market as well as another station in Northern Michigan (also on 900) were taken off the air to allow WFDF to increase its broadcast power.
2
Disney/ABC never owned the station, but operated it under a Local Marketing Agreement. Birach Broadcasting has since taken complete, outright control of the station.
3
These stations are either silent or completely off the air at this time.
Disney manages film catalog created for ABC; remainder of library controlled by Bristol-Myers Squibb.
2
Disney manages certain film and television rights, rest of the Saban catalog is currently owned by Hasbro with several titles licensed in Japan to Toei Company.
