Walt Disney Home Video (VHS)

Most of the other studios involved in the videocassette market at the time were trying to find ways to stop dealers from renting out their movie tapes.

[4] The switchover from rental to sales was a "thorny" issue that was solved by giving dealers an option on the type of outlet they desired.

[5] For those who wanted to sell video cassettes, a "fairly straightforward" program involved 4 color packaging and a suggested retail price.

An early example is the 1981 release of "A Walt Disney Christmas" where a "Free Mickey Mouse Plush Toy" was offered as an incentive.

[9] Towards the end of 1984, Disney did a “Wrapped And Ready to Give” Christmas promotion which included seven newly released titles on video cassette.

[11] When The Disney Channel was launched on April 18, 1983, it gave the company an opportunity to air made for TV films such as Tiger Town and Gone Are the Dayes, both of which were released to home video in 1984.

Disney first offered Dumbo, Mary Poppins, Mi Amigo El Dragon (Pete's Dragon), Su Mas Fiel Amigo (Old Yeller), La Montana Embrujada (Escape to Witch Mountain), Los Tres Caballeros (The Three Caballeros), Mickey's Christmas Carol, and two cartoon collections in Spanish on November 30, 1985[88] In the United Kingdom, titles such as Mary Poppins, Pete's Dragon and Bedknobs and Broomsticks were not released on VHS until November 26, 1988.

[89] Things to look for in general include a sealed tape, a studio logo on the shrink-wrap, and if the latest year listed on the back of the cover is prior to 1986.