“The Quack Attack is back, Jack!”

©Time

When anyone ever asks me who my favorite CEO in the history of the Walt Disney Company is, I immediately go to Michael Eisner. Sure, he helped usher in the renaissance of Disney entertainment and pushed the parks forward, especially with his leadership amid the Disneyland Resort expansion, but as a kid growing up just minutes from Anaheim, he did so much more. Eisner had Disney dive into the sports sphere and, through several sports films and actual ownership of Anaheim sports franchises, Disney not only won over the hearts of kids from the Anaheim area but millennials all over the globe. While those days may be history, one Anaheim team is bringing the 90s into the 21st Century.

As most millennials can attest, The Mighty Ducks franchise is quintessential when it comes to Disney and sports. Featuring three film installments and a Disney+ series, The Mighty Ducks franchise has left quite an imprint. In fact, in 1993, the franchise had already become so popular despite being only one film in that Disney brought an actual NHL franchise to Anaheim named The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.

©Disney

Donning the jerseys that the kids wore eventually in D2: The Mighty Ducks and D3: The Mighty Ducks, playing at an arena known as “The Pond”, being fully intertwined with the Disney brand (the inaugural game featured a pre-show of elements of Beauty and the Beast on ice, for crying out loud), and having a mascot that spawned his own animated series, the Ducks were everywhere.

Wild Wing ©CBC

When the team came to Anaheim, Wayne Gretzky — the greatest hockey player of all time according to most, including myself — had already brought the hockey craze to Southern California after he joined the L.A. Kings, so it was a natural move for Disney to go next door and create a new hockey franchise in Anaheim. And for the most part, it worked. The Ducks had the coolest jerseys, were competitive enough, had some seriously talented players, and appealed to millennials like myself. However, among the hockey community, the Disney branding was laughed at.

Living so close and having my family own season tickets for years, I was personally obsessed. How could you not be? While my obsession has never changed, the Ducks did. Disney sold the team to locals Henry and Susan Samueli in 2005, who rebranded the team a year later. Now known simply as the Anaheim Ducks, the team eventually shed the Disney imagery, pageantry, and vibe in favor of a webbed D look and color scheme that leaned into gold and black. The team became bullies and contenders.

On the ice, the team experienced tons of success, becoming playoff contenders every year, featuring several future Hall of Famers, and even winning the coveted Stanley Cup championship trophy in 2007.

The Anaheim Ducks pose with the Stanley Cup after their team’s victory over the Ottawa Senators in Game Five of the Stanley Cup Finals on June 6, 2007 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California. The Ducks defeated the Senators 6-2 to win the Stanley Cup Finals 4 games to 1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

I was there when the Ducks won the Cup, crying tears of joy alongside my mom in a memory I’ll never forget. My only regret was that this would be the look that would be immortalized. The Ducks have played around with their jerseys and color schemes over the years, and most haven’t been well-received by the general public — myself included. I love the Ducks and the non-Disney ownership has done right by the fans over the years, but when it comes to style, the eggplant and jade-colored jerseys with that Mighty Duck crest from Disney is elite and nothing could ever top that.

©Kelvin Kuo

Now we find ourselves in 2024. The Ducks have a very healthy relationship with The Walt Disney Company, hosting several Disney promos and taking part in Anaheim Ducks Days at the Disneyland Resort. In fact, the team has been using the old Disney logo more and more in the past few years. Then, finally this past summer, my heart and the hearts of so many millennials were filled with joy when the Ducks announced another rebrand.

A tribute to our legacy, with eyes on the future.

You’re entering Orange Country. pic.twitter.com/oXF8lTV7Os

— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) June 26, 2024

The Ducks fully embraced Orange County by pounding orange into their color schemes and calling the campaign “Orange Country”, highlighting what makes this area so special. That includes its Disney roots. The team has officially adopted the Mighty Duck crest PERMANENTLY, albeit with a few changes to infuse some uniqueness. Notable, the eyes are now orange, some gold has been thrown in, and the stick shapes have changed. Still, if you look closely at the stick tape, you’ll see “WW” which honors Disney’s original character and mascot, Wild Wing, who got a bit of an updated look himself with new orange eyes.

The @AnaheimDucks are looking pretty mighty. 🦆#FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/0f1vuBZog0

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) October 17, 2024

Sure, that’s a lot of orange and we’re not back to the popular eggplant and jade, but baby steps. As a millennial, local, and lover of hockey and the Disney Mighty Ducks movies, I’m just happy to see that logo back in action full-time. The Mighty Ducks wasn’t just a movie franchise or a hockey team — it was a cultural movement. Many millennials like me got interested in the sport of hockey because of The Mighty Ducks (in my case, it fueled my passion for playing), and still love the brand to this day. Lucky for them (and me), this rebranding is only good news for hockey and Disney fans.

©Disney

We already mentioned Anaheim Ducks Days at the Disneyland Resort, which may now become must-visit days for fans of the new look. New merch is a given, and, from personal experience, you’ll be able to find Disney mashups in the team store as well at the Honda Center, home of the Ducks. The merchandise opportunities should be incredible not only in 2024 and 2025 but hopefully well beyond.

©Disney

The 2024-25 season is underway and the Honda Center has some updated features for this season as well, including flying duck blimps and a brand-new laser projection system. Whether you’re a fan of the team, an opposing team, the movies, or just looking for something to do during your next Disneyland vacation, Ducks games at Honda Center should be wildly entertaining, pun intended.

©NHL

Do you plan on catching any games soon? Let us know and continue to follow us here at DFB for more Disneyland news, tips, reviews, and more!

DATE ANNOUNCED for the Opening of a NEWLY Rethemed Disney Restaurant

What do you think of the Anaheim Ducks’ rebrand? Does it pay enough homage to the old Mighty Ducks look? Share your thoughts in the comments below!