The Walt Disney Company has kickstarted celebrations for Donald Duck’s 90th year.
The month-long initiative will feature ‘feathered’ festivities and moments from across the company including Walt Disney Animation Studios, consumer products, Disney parks and more.
The company released a new brand spot on 9 June highlighting the storytelling magic behind the character to commemorate the anniversary of Donald’s 1934 debut in Walt Disney’s Silly Symphony short cartoon, The Wise Little Hen.
A segment on Good Morning America also showcased over 70 Donald Duck-themed products from more than 20 licensees, highlighting brands like American Tourister, Casetify and Loungefly.
Throughout the summer, fans will also be able to shop additional products from brands such as Cakeworthy, Citizen, Forever 21, GAP, PEZ and Simple Modern among others.
Content wise, The Walt Disney Studios Restoration and Preservation Team has released two newly restored classic Donald Duck shorts, streaming on Disney+ – Crazy Over Daisy and Out on a Limb.
In addition, Donald’s adventures will continue in a new short from Walt Disney Animation Studios, D.I.Y Duck – the studio’s first Donald Duck-starring short since 1961.
Throughout June at the Tokyo Disney Resort, guests can enjoy ‘Donald’s Quacky Duck City’ at Tokyo Disneyland, a celebration featuring limited time themed decorations, merchandise, food and beverage offerings, plus the ‘Quacky Celebration: Donald the Legend’ parade. Hong Kong Disneyland Resort will be running activity through to 7 July.
At the Walt Disney Studios lot in Burbank, Donald Duck started his birthday celebrations early by making some changes across the historic space, including a Donald-centric reimagining of the Walt Disney Archives logo based on Donald Duck’s designs through the years; the classic Mickey Avenue sign originally seen in The Reluctant Dragon (1941) transforming into ‘Donald’ Avenue; and other special overlays and activities.
Want to read more news like this? Simply sign up to our daily digest by clicking here. You can also follow @LicensingSource on Twitter and @licensing_source on Instagram.
