Zipes is Wrong

Zipes puts forward the thesis that Disney practically ignored the communal purpose of fairy tales and created a technologically-assisted self-promoting vehicle for himself. I think this is all false.
For starters, I feel like telling a fairy tale (or any story for that matter) is much like a band covering a song. You have a basic original structure and idea, but the best musicians use them as vehicles for their own talent. A good comparison would be to think about “All Along the Watchtower” by Bob Dylan. When most people hear the name of the song, they instantly think about the Jimi Hendrix version. Sure, Bob Dylan wrote the lyrics and the basic idea for the song, but Jimi added his own touch and took the song to the next level. It's a lot flashier, sure, but that's because it is his nature to be flashy.
In the same way, Disney's cartoons are flashy, but that is the purpose. As much as they are telling the stories, they are also displays of Disney's talent and that of his animators. Furthermore, in complete opposition to Zipes's statement of communality, this flashiness is part of what attracts kids to his movies. Movies are not only a group activity, but outside of the theater they create a group identity. I remember every time a Disney movie came out when I was in grade school, everyone had to have the newest lunch box or backpack or action figures. At the same time, it was a great way to make friends. Disney movies really brought kids together, and drew them into the stories in the exact way that fairy tales have always done.