Orrin Scott: Archiving Animation with Home Media - The Disney Channel Physical Home Media Releases

The focus of this project is to analyze the releases of each major channel’s animation releases. I had thought that there would be plenty of content to discuss for each series, whether it had a release on VHS, DVD, or BluRay, whether there were any feature films or made-for-tv specials, or even if there was a spin-off. One thing I did not expect was the sheer amount of series to not have had any home media release. I guess I should have known a little better, the proverbial Disney Vault has been a thing since I was a little kid. Even mega-hits like Phineas and Ferb haven't seen the amount of releases I would have expected a series of that popularity to have. Let’s see if Disney’s lack of home media releases continues today...

Fish Hooks (2010) ran for three seasons and had a stellar crew, including an exodus of former Cartoon Network creators, behind the scenes. When it was released through Disney+ earlier this year, it hit Number 2 on Twitter’s trending list. If I were to go out on a limb, I would assume this was a combination of nostalgia for a generation, but also the fact it hasn’t seen a single episode released on home media.

Sources

https://www.cbr.com/what-is-fish-hooks-and-why-was-it-trending-on-twitter/

https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Fish_Hooks

Fish Hooks Logo

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_Hooks#/media/File:Fish_Hooks_logo.png

Gravity Falls (2012) ran for two seasons and was a hit even in the young adult crowd I was hanging out with during its original premieres. A first for the Disney Channel, the entire series is available on DVD and BluRay.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravity_Falls#Home_media

Gravity Falls Logo:

https://logos.fandom.com/wiki/Gravity_Falls

Wander Over Yonder (2013) ran for two seasons after being shopped around by creator Craig McCracken since the early aughts. Unfortunately, no home media releases of the passion project have come to be released.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wander_Over_Yonder

Wander over Yonder Logo

https://logos.fandom.com/wiki/Wander_Over_Yonder

Star vs. the Forces of Evil (2015) ran for four seasons. While its premiere aired on the Disney Channel, the first three seasons debuted and aired on sister channel, Disney XD. The fourth, and final season, premiered on the Disney Channel. Regardless of the success of the show, no home media has been released for the series.

Sources:

https://www.blu-ray.com/Star-vs-the-Forces-of-Evil/434766/#Releases

https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Star_vs._the_Forces_of_Evil

Star vs. the Forces of Evil Logo

https://logos.fandom.com/wiki/Star_vs._the_Forces_of_Evil

Elena of Avalor (2016) ran for three seasons and just completed its run this past August. Of the 77 episodes produced, only 17 have been released on episode compilations on DVD. The crossover special featuring Sofia the First has also been released, though only two of the four five-episode miniseries have been released. Since it’s most recent season ended fairly recently, it isn’t beyond the realm of reason that additional releases could come forth.

Episodes available:
Season 1 Episode 1 "First Day of Rule"
Season 1 Episode 2 "Model Sister"
Season 1 Episode 3 "All Heated Up"
Season 1 Episode 4 "Island of Youth"
Season 1 Episode 5 "Spellbound"
Season 1 Episode 6 "Prince Too Charming"
Season 1 Episode 7 "Finders Leapers"
Season 1 Episode 8 "Royal Retreat"
Season 1 Episode 9 "A Day to Remember"
Season 1 Episode 11 "Navidad"
Season 1 Episode 14 "Crystal in the Rough"
Season 1 Episode 16 "Captain Turner Returns"
Season 1 Episode 17 "King of the Carnaval"
Season 1 Episode 18 "My Fair Naomi"
Season 1 Episode 21 "Realm of the Jaquins"

Season 2 Episode 4 "Three Jaquins and a Princess"
Season 2 Episode 8 "Shapeshifters"