3 Dates for Disney Stock Investors to Return to in September

Actions of Walt Disney (DIS 0.64%) fell for a fifth straight month in August, down 26% since the end of March. The stock still trades marginally higher for all of 2024, but the big gains it made in the first three months of this year before its win in early April have essentially been wasted.

What’s next? Strong financial updates and a return to box office dominance haven’t reversed Disney’s evolution, but there’s always a great, big, beautiful tomorrow when it comes to The House of Mouse. Let’s look at some data worth watching for Disney investors in the coming month.

September 10

After back-to-back blockbusters this summer, Disney doesn’t have a new movie hitting theaters until November. But it could still cash in before that. Disney Inside Out 2 will be available for physical purchase starting September 10th.

It’s fair to say that the market for DVD and Blu-ray disc purchases is not the same in this era of on-demand streaming. However, earlier this summer Inside Out 2 became the world’s highest-grossing animated theatrical release when it surpassed $1.5 billion in global ticket sales. It’s now up to $1.65 billion at the multiplex.

Home video release isn’t just about record sales. Inside Out 2 is also likely to launch on Disney+ in October, if not in late September. With prices going up for Disney streaming services on October 17, having Inside Out 2 and shortly thereafter deadpool vs. Wolverine will help with retention by justifying the increase in subscription fee.

Image source: Disney.

September 18

Let’s stick with Disney+ for a moment. It’s not just new movies and a vault of classic content that appeals to the big platform with 118.5 million premium subscribers worldwide. The media stock bellwether has also grown its namesake streaming service with hit original shows. The Mandalorian was the first head-turning hit and continues to be the most popular of them all Star Wars-inspiring show. Another big hit was that of Marvel Wandavisionand this month we have a spin-off that came from that show.

Agatha All Along debuts on Disney+ with its first two episodes on September 18. Seven more episodes will follow each week.

Without diving into spoiler territory, Agatha is a strange neighbor Wandavision with a dazzling twist later in the show. Kathryn Hahn returns as Agatha Harkness to lead the new series.

September 28

This will be a quiet month in terms of things being introduced to the global collection of Disney theme parks. Many of the seasonal festivals and Halloween celebrations started in August. However, it’s also worth noting that Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in California have discounted ticket promotions for locals that expire at the end of this month.

Disney World began offering the Discovery Disney Ticket to Florida residents in early April, just as guest traffic was beginning to slow after the resort’s 18-month 50th anniversary celebration ended in March. The promotion — a four-day pass that costs $59 per day — ends Sept. 28. Disneyland launched a different offer for all guests in June for a discounted three-day ticket. Last month it introduced a $69 ticket for Anaheim residents. Both Disneyland deals end September 26.

It’s no coincidence that these deals end near the end of September. October was as sleepy as September, a slow month after families return home for the new school year. However, the popularity of Halloween nighttime events and even daytime festive decor has piqued interest in October ahead of the stronger holiday season in November and December. That doesn’t mean a new promotion won’t be launched later this month, especially if booking trends are light. That’s something that will need attention for Disney investors trying to separate the gimmicks from the goodies.