Oct. 8, 2025

The Retail Giant That Almost Sponsored The Great Movie Ride (Ep. 68)

The Retail Giant That Almost Sponsored The Great Movie Ride (Ep. 68)

Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey unwrap a holiday-sized story about Disney’s long, complicated relationship with Sears—from Mickey Mouse watches in the 1930s to the retail giant’s near-sponsorship of the Great Movie Ride at Disney-MGM Studios. Plus, the duo dives into the rare blue Disney name tag, Wicked-branded cleaning products, and the Jim Henson Company’s upcoming auction filled with Muppet history.

  • The secret history behind Disney’s partnership with Sears—and how it fell apart months before MGM Studios opened
  • How Mickey Mouse watches and Winnie the Pooh merch made Sears a Disney powerhouse
  • The story behind the ultra-rare blue name tag that only 1% of Disney employees earn
  • Wicked’s latest merch crossover with Gain and Cascade
  • Jim Henson Company’s first-ever auction featuring pieces from Labyrinth and Fraggle Rock

From rare collectibles to lost sponsorships, Jim and Lauren remind us that Disney history is filled with what-ifs, forgotten deals, and magical mementos worth remembering.

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