Disney as a company was in a weird place throughout the 80s. Like they were around but they aren't some massive titan that they are now.
Like they funded movies about a guy in commercials. Sure it was Jim Varney but could you imagine Disney making a movie about the Geico lizard these days. I don't even know if they own Ernest.
It also refers to their animated movies having a major comeback too. I don't think Oliver and Company was a big hit. They sold off the rights to Brave Little Toaster movie and I think that still flopped.