| Year | Notable Business Events | Notable Theatrical Releases
(See List of Disney feature films for complete listing) | Notable Theme Park Openings | Other Premieres |
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| 1984 |
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| 1985 |
- In a reversal of a three-decade studio policy, the studio begins making cartoons for television beginning with Disney's Adventures of the Gummi Bears and The Wuzzles.
- The home video release of Pinocchio becomes a best-seller.
- Richard Rich leaves Disney to found his own studio.
- The animation studio is renamed Walt Disney Feature Animation.
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| 1986 |
- February 2: The anthology series is revived on ABC.
- February 6: The company's name is changed from Walt Disney Productions to The Walt Disney Company.
- Bankruptcy of Eastern Airlines forces Walt Disney World to re-designate Delta Airlines as its official airline. Eastern-sponsored "If You Had Wings" in the Magic Kingdom is later revamped and renamed "Delta Dreamflight".
- The distribution company's name is changed from Buena Vista Distribution Company to Buena Vista Pictures Distribution.
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| 1987 |
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| 1988 |
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| 1989 |
- Disney offers a deal to buy Jim Henson's Muppets and have the famed puppeteer work with Disney resources.
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| 1990 |
- Jim Henson's death sours the deal to buy his holdings.
- The anthology series is canceled for the second time.
- The Disney Afternoon television syndication block debuts.
- Hollywood Pictures is created to produce films aimed towards more mature adult audiences.
- Disney Adventures magazine begins publication.
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| 1991 | |
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| 1992 |
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| 1993 |
- Disney acquires independent film distributor Miramax Films.
- Winnie-the-Pooh merchandise outsells Mickey Mouse merchandise for the first time.
- The Anaheim Mighty Ducks play their first game at the Anaheim Arena, a brand-new arena located just three miles (5 km) east of Disneyland.
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| 1994 |
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| 1995 |
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| 1996 |
- The company takes on the name of "Disney Enterprises, Inc." and acquires the Capital Cities/ABC group, renaming it ABC, Inc.
- Disney acquires Jumbo Pictures, producer of the Nickelodeon animated series Doug.
- To celebrate the pairing, ABC's first Super Soap Weekend is held at Walt Disney World.
- Disney makes deal with Tokuma Shoten for dubbing and releasing of Studio Ghibli films in the U.S. In December, Michael Ovitz, president of the company, leaves "by mutual consent".
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| 1997 |
- September 28: The anthology series is revived for a third time.
- The home video division releases its first DVDs.
- Disney takes control of the Major League Baseball franchise the California Angels of the American League, renaming the team the Anaheim Angels in order to coincide with Disney's hockey team the Mighty Ducks and to draw more tourism to Anaheim and nearby Disneyland.
- The Lion King (musical) opens on Broadway.
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| 1998 |
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| 1999 |
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| 2000 |
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| 2001 |
- Disney buys Fox Family Network for $3 billion in July, giving Disney programming and cable network reaching 81 million homes.
- Disney changes Fox Family Network to ABC Family.
- Disney acquires Saban Entertainment, owner of entertainment juggernaut Power Rangers.
- Fort Worth billionaire Sid Bass is forced to sell his Disney holdings due to a margin call caused partially by the stock market fall that followed the 9/11 attacks.
- Disney begins its Platinum Edition DVD line with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, as well as the Walt Disney Treasures DVD box set line for the collector's market.
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| 2002 |
- Miramax acquires the USA rights to the Pokémon movies starting with the fourth movie.
- Disney teams up with famous video game company Square (later known as Square Enix) to release their first ever role-playing game with various Disney characters, Kingdom Hearts.
- Disney releases Spirited Away in the United States, which goes on to be the first anime film to win an Oscar for Best Animated Film.
- Disney begins joint venture business with Sanrio for Sanrio's greeting cards.
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| 2003 |
- Roy E. Disney resigns as the chairman of Feature Animation and from the board of directors, citing similar reasons to those that drove him off 26 years earlier. Fellow director Stanley Gold resigns with him. They establish a group called "Save Disney" to apply public pressure to oust Michael Eisner.
- Talks to extend distribution agreement with Pixar break down, and Pixar announces plans to seek a new distribution partner.[2]
- Disney sells the Angels to billboard magnate Arturo Moreno.
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| 2004 |
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