Which does make me wonder why not just re-release the original animated features to theaters. Surely "Returning to theaters this summer: Disney's Aladdin!" That seems to be the lazier way to make a buck off of old properties, you don't have to hire a cast and crew, build sets wardrobe and props, etc.

It is my understanding that broadway adaptations of their animated features have been reliable money makers, so were the coke addled executives at Disney thinking "Let's make Aladdin the movie the broadway show: The Movie! It can't fail!"