The Walt Disney Company is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise headquartered in Burbank, California. Founded in 1923 by brothers Walt and Roy O. Disney, the company has grown from a small animation studio into a global conglomerate known for its unparalleled storytelling and iconic brands.

Its mission is to “entertain, inform and inspire people around the globe”. The company operates through three core, interconnected business segments:
Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences.
Core Business Segments

Disney Entertainment:
This segment oversees the company’s vast portfolio of film and television production, as well as its direct-to-consumer streaming services. It includes major film studios and production houses like Walt Disney Studios, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm (Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises), and 20th Century Studios. Its streaming platforms include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+.

ESPN:
This division manages the company’s complete portfolio of sports content, products, and experiences worldwide, including television networks and the ESPN+ streaming service.

Disney Experiences (formerly Parks, Experiences, and Products):
This segment brings the company’s intellectual property to life through theme parks, resorts, cruise lines, and consumer products. Key assets include:

Theme Parks and Resorts:
Destinations such as Disneyland Resort (California), Walt Disney World Resort (Florida), Disneyland Paris, Tokyo Disney Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, and Shanghai Disney Resort.

Cruise Line:
The Disney Cruise Line offers family-oriented vacation experiences.

Consumer Products:
This includes licensing intellectual property for merchandise, books, comic books, and video games.
Key Brands and Operations

The company’s operations span the globe, with significant markets in North America, Europe, and Asia. Noted brands under the Disney umbrella include:
ABC (television network)
ESPN (sports media)
Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and National Geographic (content and franchises)
The Walt Disney Company is a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker symbol “DIS” and is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average.