The Walt Disney Company (Disney or DIS) began 1923 when its two founders, brothers Walt Disney and Roy O. Disney formed the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio. Disney eventually became popular and developed into a force in cartoon industry (also known as the animation industry). Of course later Disney expanded its operations to include theme parks, a television studio, and the production of live-action films. Besides being known as the Walt Disney Company, it also used the names The Walt Disney Studio, and later Walt Disney Productions. It later became the Walt Disney Company in the 1980s. During this period and later, Disney added to its operations by expanding into theater, radio, music, publishing and online media. Disney operates in five entertainment …show more content…
These resorts include the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, the Disneyland Resort in California, Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii, the Disney Vacation Club, the Disney Cruise Line and Adventures by Disney. Its theme parks include its management of and ownership interests of 51% in Disneyland Paris, 48% in Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and 43% in Shanghai Disney Resort. (See http://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/companyProfile?symbol=DIS.N.) The Company also licenses the operations of the Tokyo Disney Resort in Japan. New theme park ideas and rides (sometimes called “attractions”) are created by Disney’s “Imagineering unit” and this unit also develops new resort …show more content…
It also creates “direct-to-video content, music recordings and live stage plays.” (See http://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/companyProfile?symbol=DIS.N.) Disney, like other large movie studios, is in the business of buying movies from independent producers and then distributing those films in theaters and for sale into the DVD and electronic download retail chain. When doing this, Disney uses its well-known production names, Walt Disney Pictures, Pixar and Marvel. In the same manner, Disney produces, purchases and distributes Indian movies. It is a giant participant in this market through its UTV division located in India. Disney holds a 99% interest in UTV, which creates and co-creates live-action and animated movies. The Disney Music Group includes Walt Disney Records, Hollywood Records (including the Mammoth Records and Buena Vista Records labels), Lyric Street Records, Buena Vista Concerts and Disney Music Publishing. Disney Theatrical Productions develops produces and licenses live entertainment events. The Company has produced and licensed Broadway musicals around the world, including Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Elton John & Tim Rice’s Aida, Mary Poppins (a coproduction with Cameron Mackintosh Ltd), Little Mermaid, Newsies, and