The History of Walt Disney Home Video and the Infamous Disney Vault

Explore the History & Evolution of Walt Disney Home Video and the Infamous Disney Vault! From the manipulative marketing tactics, the Animated Film re-release Origins which led to the Disney Vault, the debut of VHS and how Disney tried to end the Home Video revolution (before they joined it themselves), the introduction of DisneyDVD and more!

SOURCES:

VIDEOS (full list coming soon):

Trailers:

Theatrical Trailer:

Disney DVD:

Disney Home Video (VHS era):

Early Walt Disney Home Video spots:

[lanceturley]

As a kid, I always thought that there was a literal "Disney Vault" where Disney locked up all of their old films, Scrooge McDuck style.

[NoLinkfan]

I’d forgotten about fast play. No child should ever feel that much anxiety

[d_a]

it had never occurred to me that there was a time when you’d watch a movie in the theater and just. never see it again. not out of choice but because there was no other way. that’s wild.

[corvigae]

"Disney saw this as a gateway into piracy."
My mother, who recorded Several Disney movies onto VHS from TV for us to watch as kids in the early 2000's: *sweats nervously*

[Milkmouse]

That Disney Fast Play clip had me reliving the "WHERE'S THE REMOTE?!" moments.

[Wingspand]

As a Disney kid, I thought the Vault was a way for them to preserve the films since tapes erode and they were keeping the movies safe.

Now that I'm older, I'm still baffled people fall for Disney and love the company.

[rubyro]

"This Disney DVD is enhanced with Disney's fast play"

[gwendolynstata]

"No child should grow up without Bambi!" It's really the emotional trauma of watching a baby deer's mom get shot to death that brings a generation together.

[electromaniacal]

15:10 According to animators who where in the production, that frame in The Lion King did not spell out "S E X" but rather "SFX" which stood for the "Special Effects" department at the studio who handled animation for things like water, smoke, and dust, rather than characters.

[IceQueen]

It's kind of funny how Alice in Wonderland was not an 'untouchable' because that was Walt's passion project. He literally worked on the concept for 10 YEARS and even in the end he was not happy because he had to cut soooo much. The original planned version was 3 hours. Wish we'd gotten that...

[gamernick]

This goes a long way to explain my nan's mentality with Disney films. She would buy us any of the films from the Disney Renaissance period (which we adored). She always told us to look after the tapes as she thought they would become collectors items and valuables later on. Even as a kid I knew that this was madness as most families owned at least some of the Disney titles - how could they ever hold value?

I guess she was seeing Disney from back when they kept them vaulted and as limited runs.

Either way, thanks Nan. Miss you x

[mffmoniz]

The best part about owning a dvd was the bonus features. They were magic in the making.

[maddiewhatever]

I cant believe the fast play scared other people too. Everytime we watched disney movies I'd plug my ears and pray that the fast play man didn't kill me

[SpaceTreeStudios]

The VHS re-re-re-re-releases made me realize how lucky video games are that we can just call them 'ports' and call it a day.

[inter_]

Can we just take a moment to respect that one lawyer who accepted a copy of The Little Mermaid on VHS as payment

[mightyfilm]

Anyone remember the episode of Tiny Toons where Plucky Duck was trying to get into a Hollywood party by sneaking in with Katzenberg's entourage? And one of them said "Let's put Snow White on video!" Yep. The fact they refused to give it a home release was an industry joke back then.
Also, I TOTALLY agree with your conspiracy theory, only I also would add "moichandising."

[Bighappykitty]

Me at Goodwill, before video: "Why do I always find so many Disney VHS?"
Me after video:

[jiftoons]

I love that they put all this effort into home video re-releases and different ways of marketing them, for it all to be negated by Disney+

[lollybowser]

About 5 years ago I found two of these “rare” tapes (Little Mermaid and Aladdin) next to a dumpster. I took them home and well, it’s VHS so the image isn’t the best but the movies were intact. The Little Mermaid even has the priest scene uncensored!

[kennaraynor]

I remember when things were like this! As a kid I just wanted Mulan for my birthday as she was my favorite. My parents couldn't find the movie anywhere!! My dad knew some people who were Disney animators and they were able to get one from the vault. That is still one of my favorite presents