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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