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The Nostalgia of Disney VHS Tapes

The Nostalgia of Disney VHS Tapes

Is it just me or is everyone starting to get a bit nostalgic for the 1990s and early 2000s? While DVDs were becoming more popular in the early 2000s, us 90s kids knew just how hard it was to make the transition from those beloved, bulky video tapes that we spent hours rewinding to those weird, cd-like movie discs. 

Even though I previously sold all of my Disney VHS tapes, I recently bought a lot of them at a yard sale simply for the nostalgia (but also to eventually make pin boards out of them to add to my Etsy shop). Either way, once I held them in my hands and looked at them again, it just flooded so many memories back to me. Remember going to Kmart and picking up Pinocchio or Sleeping Beauty because it was just released from the vault? Ah, memories. 

Complete Disney VHS Collection

Over the span of 25 years, there were a total of 179 Disney VHS movies released. These included various titles including but not limited to: 

  • Alice in Wonderland
  • 101 Dalmatians
  • The Little Mermaid
  • Snow White
  • The Sword in the Stone
  • Sleeping Beauty
  • Mary Poppins
  • Peter Pan
  • Dumbo
  • Robin Hood
  • Pinocchio
  • Lady and the Tramp
  • Bambi
  • Cinderella
  • The Jungle Book
  • The Fox and the Hound
  • Aladdin
  • The Great Mouse Detective
  • Beauty and the Beast
  • The Rescuers
  • The Rescuers Down Under
  • Fantasia
  • Mulan 
  • Hunchback of Notre Dame
  • and countless others

Other titles such as popular sequels such as The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride were also released on VHS during the course of its 25-year run. 

For many years, my grandmother would always buy me the classics when they’d be re-released and that’s how I came across a lot of those older films such as the original Parent Trap or 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. 

Why Were Disney Movies Released on VHS?

Before Michael Eisner took over the Walt Disney Company in the 1980s, Disney was very adamant that certain movies in the company’s past such as Snow White, Bambi, and Pinnochio were to never be released on home video. 

Deemed the “Untouchables,” the previous CEO, Ron Miller (who was also Walt Disney’s son-in-law), fought hard with the board to get the classic Disney films in front of a new audience. Shortly after Miller’s departure from the company, Eisner was able to get the board to agree to release Robin Hood. Upon its initial re-release and in an effort to combat the “every man” from buying it, Robin Hood would cost buyers $79.95 to add it to their collection. The strategy behind this was to see if there was a genuine interest in the product. If priced too low, it would have been difficult for them to determine what caused VHS’ success: the reduced cost or the product itself. 

The strategy worked and in 1985, Pinnochio was released to the public at $29.95 and quickly became one of the best-selling videos that year. To keep interest in the Disney classics fresh, the films would be re-released in theaters every seven years and make a home video copy available for a brief period following the theatrical release. 

What Was the Last Disney VHS Release? 

As I mentioned earlier, there were a lot of sequels to our classic Disney films, especially during the renaissance era. But, one film that also got a sequel was Bambi. Bambi II, which chronicled Bambi’s relationship with his father, the Great Prince of the Forest, was the last Disney film to ever be released on VHS. 

It hit shelves on February 7, 2006. 

Are Disney VHS Tapes Worth Anything? 

If you grew up during the Beanie Babies craze, then you probably thought your Disney VHS tapes would pay for your child’s college. If you thought that, you’re not alone: we all thought that way. Or, should I say, many of our parents. 

In terms of money, most Disney VHS tapes aren’t worth anything. However, some experts believe that certain films that were part of the Black Diamond collection are worth thousands. For example, the Black Diamond edition of 101 Dalmatians is said to be worth $6,000, while Aladdin is supposed to be worth around $1,500. 

The Black Diamond editions were the original VHS versions first released, and most likely the ones our parents bought us as children. They came in those famous “clamshell” cases. However, despite these estimates, you have to keep in mind that something is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. 

A quick eBay search will show these movies going for just a few dollars, and even then, many of them remain unsold, having to constantly be re-listed. The reason why they’re not really worth anything is because the market is oversaturated. Over the course of 25 years, more than 25 million Disney VHS movies were sold. Just like the Beanie Babies craze, too much product on the market dwindles the product’s overall value. 

But that doesn’t mean you still can’t sell them or make any sort of money for them. As I said, what’s worth nothing to one buyer may carry its weight in gold to another. Especially with all the Disney nostalgia floating around, you may be able to get a little more money for certain films or giant collections.

The Best Place to Sell Disney VHS Tapes

So, if you want to get rid of your Disney VHS tapes, where can you sell them? Fortunately, in today’s market, you have more options available to you than ever before. 

Some of the most popular ways to sell old Disney VHS tapes are on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and at yard sales. You can also list them on Etsy, either just as themselves or used as a craft like I’m about to do. I’ve seen many people turn old Disney VHS cases into purses, mouse ears, or pin boxes. 

Likewise, if you want to BUY Disney VHS tapes, I’d check these same resources out too. They’re the most affordable and most convenient ways to score classic Disney VHS tapes. 

Do You Still Have Any of Your Old Disney VHS Tapes? 

Do you still have any of your old Disney VHS movies from when you were a child? While I enjoy streaming on Disney+, I still do miss popping in a movie on a Friday night. After rewinding of course…

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