PART I

ITEM 1. Business

      The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries, is a diversified worldwide entertainment company with operations in four business segments: Media Networks, Parks and Resorts, Studio Entertainment and Consumer Products. For convenience, the terms “Company” and “we” are used to refer collectively to the parent company and the subsidiaries through which our various businesses are actually conducted.

      Information on revenues, operating income, identifiable assets and supplemental revenue of the Company’s business segments and by geographical area appears in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 hereof. The Company employed approximately 129,000 people as of September 30, 2004.

MEDIA NETWORKS

      The Media Networks segment is comprised of television broadcast, radio and cable operations. The television broadcast businesses include the ABC Television Network as well as ten owned stations. Radio operations consist of the ABC Radio Networks and 71 owned stations. Cable operations consist primarily of the ESPN and Disney Channel Networks.

Domestic Broadcast Television Networks

      Generally, the television network produces its own programs or acquires broadcast rights from other producers and rights holders for network programming, and pays varying amounts of compensation to affiliated stations for broadcasting the programs and commercial announcements included therein. Network operations derives substantially all of its revenues from the sale to advertisers of time in network programs for commercial announcements. The ability to sell time for commercial announcements and the rates received are primarily dependent on the size and nature of the audience that the network can deliver to the advertiser as well as overall advertiser demand for time on network broadcasts.

Domestic Broadcast Television Stations

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      Markets, frequencies and other station details are as follows:

(1)	Based on Nielsen Media Research, U.S. Television Household Estimates, January 1, 2004

Cable/Satellite Networks and International Broadcast Operations

      Generally, the cable networks produce their own programs or acquire programming rights from other producers and rights holders for network programming. Cable operations derive substantially all of their revenues from affiliate fees charged to cable service providers and/or the sale to advertisers of time in network programs for commercial announcements. The amounts that we can charge for our cable services are largely dependent on competition and the quality and quantity of programming that we can provide. The ability to sell time for commercial announcements and the rates received are primarily dependent on the size and nature of the audience that the network can deliver to the advertiser as well as overall advertiser demand.

      Cable properties, the Company’s ownership percentage and subscribers as of September 30, 2004 are set forth in the following table:

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      The Company has various other international investments in broadcast and cable properties in addition to those listed in the above table.

      ESPN. ESPN, Inc. operates five domestic television sports networks: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic, ESPNEWS (which is a stand-alone network or a wraparound service for some regional sports networks) and ESPN Deportes (a Spanish language network launched in January 2004). ESPN also operates a high-definition television simulcast service, ESPN HD. ESPN, Inc. owns, has equity interests in, or has distribution agreements with 29 international networks, reaching households in more than 190 countries and territories. In addition, ESPN holds a 50% equity interest in ESPN STAR Sports, which delivers sports programming throughout most of Asia, a 70% equity interest in ESPN Classic Europe, LLC., which delivers classic sports programming throughout Europe, and a 29.92% equity interest in CTV Specialty Television, Inc., which owns The Sports Network, Le Réseau des Sports, ESPN Classic Canada, the NHL Network and Discovery Canada, among other media properties in Canada.

      ESPN also operates several other brand extensions, including ESPN.com, an Internet sports content provider; ESPN Regional Television; ESPN Radio, which is distributed through the ABC Radio Networks; ESPN The Magazine; BASS, the largest fishing organization in the world; ESPN Enterprises, which develops branded licensing opportunities, and the ESPN Zone sports-themed dining and entertainment facilities which are included in the Parks and Resorts segment. ESPN also provides content for newer technologies such as broadband, wireless, and video-on-demand.

      Disney Channel. Disney Channel is a cable and satellite television service. Shows developed for initial exhibition on Disney Channel include comedy series such as the live-action series That’s So Raven and Phil of the Future; animated programming including Brandy & Mr. Whiskers and Dave the Barbarian, both produced by Walt Disney Television Animation; and educational preschool series like Higglytown Heroes, JoJo’s Circus for the channel’s Playhouse Disney programming block, as well as projects for its popular Disney Channel Original Movie franchise. The balance of the programming consists of products acquired from third parties and products from our owned theatrical film and television programming library.

      Disney Channel also reaches outside of the United States of America via its international operations. Programming on these operations consists primarily of the Company’s theatrical film and television programming library, products acquired from third parties and locally produced programming. We continue to explore the development of Disney Channel in other countries around the world.

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      International Disney Channels, and launch dates are set forth in the following table:

(1)	Represents feed extensions from the Asia regional channel.
(2)	Represents feed extensions from the Latin America regional channel.
(3)	Represents feed extensions from the Scandinavian regional channel.
(4)	Represents feed extensions from the Australian regional channel.

      Toon Disney. Toon Disney which was launched in 1998, is intended to appeal to children and features an array of family-friendly, predominantly animated programming from the Disney library and is the primetime home of JETIX. This year, Toon Disney added several new series in the JETIX block including Spider-Man, Power Rangers DinoThunder, Beyblade VForce, Digimon and the original animated series Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go! , produced by Walt Disney Television Animation.

      SOAPnet. SOAPnet was launched in January 2000 and offers a wide variety of soap opera and related programming 24 hours a day, seven days a week. SOAPnet’s primetime schedule features same-day repeat telecasts of the top-rated daytime series including All My Children, Days of our Lives, One Life To Live and General Hospital . In addition, the network provides inside access to stars and storylines with original programs, including the Emmy-nominated one-hour talk show, Soap Talk and the biography show Soapography . SOAPnet also offers primetime classics including Melrose Place,

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      ABC Family. In October 2001, the Company acquired Fox Family Worldwide, Inc., which was renamed ABC Family Worldwide, Inc. ABC Family operates the ABC Family Channel, a television programming service, JETIX Europe (formerly known as Fox Kids Europe), and JETIX Latin America (formerly known as Fox Kids Latin America.) ABC Family Channel programming consists of product acquired from third parties and the ABC Television Network and products from our owned theatrical film library along with original programming. Original programming includes romantic comedy movies, reality series, scripted half-hour comedies, entertainment specials and action series.

      A&E. The A&E Television Networks are television programming services devoted to cultural and entertainment programming. The networks include A&E, A&E International, The History Channel, History International, a network that provides viewers with a window into non-U.S. perspectives, and The Biography Channel, launched in 1998, which is dedicated to exploration of the lives of exceptional people.

      Lifetime. Lifetime Entertainment Services owns Lifetime Television, which is devoted to women’s lifestyle programming. During 1998, Lifetime launched the Lifetime Movie Network, a 24-hour channel. Lifetime Real Women is Lifetime Television’s other sister channel.

      E! Entertainment. E! Entertainment Television is a television programming service focused on the entertainment world. E! Entertainment Television also launched Style, in 1998, a 24-hour television service devoted to style, beauty and home design.

      The Company’s share of the financial results of A&E, Lifetime, E! Entertainment as well as other broadcast and cable equity investments is reported under the heading “Equity in the income of investees” in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income.

Television Production and Distribution

      Under the Walt Disney Television and Buena Vista Television labels the Company develops and produces animated children’s television programming for distribution to global broadcasters, including Disney Channel, the ABC Television Network, and other cable broadcasters.

      The fall 2004 season on Disney Channel sees the return of Disney’s Kim Possible and Disney’s Lilo & Stitch with new episodes. Upcoming Disney Channel series premieres include Disney’s American Dragon: Jake Long in early 2005. The 2004/2005 ABC Saturday morning television season returns under the name ABC Kids. ABC Kids is a line-up of animated and live-action series that include, Lizzie McGuire, Power Rangers, The Proud Family, Disney’s Lilo and Stitch, That’s So Raven, Disney’s Fillmore, Disney’s Kim Possible as well as Phil of the Future .

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      The Company also licenses its animated television properties in a number of foreign television markets. In addition, we syndicate certain of our television programs abroad, including The Disney Club, a weekly series produced for foreign markets.

      The Company also produces original television movies for The Wonderful World of Disney, which the ABC network airs on Saturday evenings.

      We also produce a variety of primetime specials for exhibition on network television, as well as live-action syndicated programming, which includes Live! with Regis and Kelly and The Tony Danza Show, daily talk shows, Ebert & Roeper, a weekly motion picture review program, and game shows, such as Who Wants to Be a Millionaire .

Domestic Broadcast Radio Networks and Stations

      Of the Company’s 41 owned radio stations located in the top 20 U.S. advertising markets, 23 carry predominantly locally originated music and talk programming, 13 carry the Radio Disney format and four carry the ESPN Radio format. Of the Company’s 30 radio stations in the non-top-20 markets, 27 carry the Radio Disney format. Our radio stations reach 16 million people weekly in the top 20 United States advertising markets.

      The business model for the Radio Networks is substantially the same as the ABC Television Network.

      Markets, frequencies and other station details are as follows:

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(1)	Based on 2004 Arbitron Radio Market Rank
(2)	The three radio signals are operated as a single station

Internet

      ABC.com is the official Web site of the ABC Television Network, while ABCNEWS.com draws on the knowledge and expertise of ABC News correspondents throughout the world. ABCNEWS.com offers subscription broadband services that provide on-demand access to leading ABC News shows, such as World News Tonight with Peter Jennings and Nightline, through alliances with AOL Broadband, Comcast and Real Networks.

      Disney.com is a centralized Disney web site which integrates many of the Company’s Disney-branded Internet sites including sites for the Disney Channel, The Disney Store Online, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, and Walt Disney Pictures.

      Enhanced TV provides interactive television programming and advertising services during ABC telecasts, such as Monday Night Football.

      ESPN.com delivers comprehensive sports news, information and video to millions of fans each month. ESPN.com averages 16 million users per month.

Competition

      The Company’s television and radio stations compete with other television and radio stations, cable and satellite programming services, videocassettes, DVDs and other advertising media such as newspapers, magazines, billboards and the Internet. Competition occurs primarily in individual market areas. A television or radio station in one market generally does not compete directly with stations in other market areas.

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      The growth in the cable/satellite industry’s share of viewers has resulted in increased competitive pressures for advertising revenues. The Company’s cable/satellite networks also face competition for carriage by cable and satellite service operators and distributors. The Company’s contractual agreements with cable and satellite operators are renewed or renegotiated from time to time in the ordinary course of business. Consolidation and other market conditions in the cable and satellite distribution industry and other factors may adversely affect the Company’s ability to obtain and maintain contractual terms for the distribution of its various cable and satellite programming services that are as favorable as those currently in place.

      The Company’s Media Networks segment also competes for the acquisition of sports and other programming. The market for programming is very competitive, particularly the markets for sports programming. The Company currently has sports rights agreements with the four major professional sports organizations – NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL – as well as for other sporting events, including, the College Football Bowl Championship Series, various college football and basketball conferences, the PGA Tour, and the Indy Racing League including the Indianapolis 500. The current agreement with the NFL expires after the telecast of the 2006 Pro Bowl.

      Events of this kind for which the Company secures rights from third parties are an integral part of our programming strategy and, when combined with news and information and original programming, enable us to deliver a full complement of sports assets to our fans, advertisers and distributors.

Federal Regulation

	•	Licensing of television and radio stations. Each of the television and radio stations we own must be licensed by the FCC. These licenses are granted for periods of up to eight years, and we must obtain renewal of licenses as they expire in order to continue operating the stations. We must also obtain FCC approval whenever we seek to have a license transferred in connection with the acquisition of a station. The FCC may decline to renew or approve the transfer of a license in certain circumstances. Although we have generally received such renewals and approvals in the past, there can be no assurance that we will always obtain necessary renewals and approvals in the future.
	•	Television and radio station ownership limits. The FCC imposes limitations on the number of television stations and radio stations we can own in a specific market, on the combined number of television and radio stations we can own in a single market and on the aggregate percentage of the national audience that can be reached by television stations we own. Currently:

	•	FCC regulations permit us to own an additional television station in all of the markets in which we have television stations except Toledo, Ohio, Flint, Michigan, and Raleigh – Durham, North Carolina. We do not own more than one television station in any of the ten markets in which we own a television station.
	•	Federal statutes permit our stations in the aggregate to reach a maximum of 39% of the national audience (and FCC regulations attribute UHF television stations with only 50% of the television households in their market). Our stations reached approximately 24 percent of the national audience, (approximately 23 percent when calculated using the FCC’s attribution rule).

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	•	FCC regulations in some cases impose restrictions on our ability to acquire additional radio or television stations in the markets in which we own radio stations, but we do not believe any such limitations are material to our current business plans.

      In July 2003, the FCC adopted revised limits on television and radio station ownership. The rules adopted in this order generally would relax existing ownership restrictions and would permit entities to own more television and radio stations in some markets, but would also eliminate the 50% discount for calculating households reached by UHF television stations operated by the top four broadcast television networks (including ABC). The effectiveness of the new rules, however, was stayed by a federal court order, and the FCC has been ordered to review the rules. As a result, most of the revised rules adopted by the FCC in July 2003 are not in effect. Although it is possible that the FCC may implement more liberal media ownership rules than those currently in effect (other than those governed by statute), we cannot predict whether the revised rules will be implemented and if so, when such rules will become effective.

	•	Dual networks. FCC rules currently prohibit any of the four major television networks – ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC – from being under common ownership or control. The new FCC rules, if implemented, would not modify this limitation.
	•	Regulation of programming. The FCC regulates programming by, among other things, banning “indecent” programming and imposing restrictions and commercial time limits on political advertising. Broadcasters face a heightened risk of being found in violation of the indecency prohibition because of recent FCC decisions, coupled with the spontaneity of live programming. Recently, the FCC has indicated that it is stepping up enforcement activities as they apply to indecency, and has indicated it would consider license revocation for serious violations. Moreover, legislation has been introduced in Congress that would increase penalties for broadcasting indecent programming.

Federal legislation and FCC rules also limit the amount of commercial matter that may be shown on broadcast or cable channels during programming designed for children 12 years of age and younger. In addition, broadcast channels are generally required to provide a minimum of three hours per week of programming that has as a “significant purpose” meeting the educational and informational needs of children 17 years of age and younger. FCC rules also give television station owners the right to reject or refuse network programming in certain circumstances or to substitute programming that the licensee reasonably believes to be of greater local or national importance.

	•	Cable and satellite carriage of broadcast television stations. With respect to cable systems operating within a television station’s Designated Market Area, FCC rules require that every three years each television station elect either “must carry” status, pursuant to which cable operators must carry a local television station in the station’s market, or “retransmission consent” status, pursuant to which the cable operator is required to negotiate with the television station to obtain the consent of the television station for carriage of its signal. Under the Satellite Home Improvement Act, satellite carriers are permitted to retransmit a local television station’s signal into its local market with the consent of the local television station. If a satellite carrier elects to carry one local station in a market, the satellite carrier must carry the signals of all local television stations that also request carriage. Certain of these satellite carriage provisions are set to expire on December 31, 2004; however, Congress is currently considering legislation that would extend this term to December 31, 2009. We cannot predict whether this legislation, or other similar legislation, will become law.
	•	Digital television. FCC rules currently require full-power analog television stations, such as ours, to provide digital service on a second broadcast channel granted specifically for the phase-in of digital broadcasting. FCC rules also regulate digital broadcasting to ensure continued quality carriage of mandated free over-the-air program service. All of the Com-

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		pany’s stations have launched digital facilities, and we are evaluating various options with respect to use of digital channels. Under current law, all broadcasters are required to operate exclusively in digital mode and permanently surrender one of their two channels by December 31, 2006. However, the FCC has the authority in certain circumstances to extend this deadline in a particular market upon the request of a station. On September 7, 2004, the FCC established intermediate deadlines by which stations must proceed with the transition to digital, but deferred any determination as to how it would interpret its authority to extend the December 31, 2006 deadline in a particular market.

      The foregoing is a brief summary of certain provisions of the Communications Act and other legislation and of specific FCC rules and policies. This summary focuses on provisions material to our business. Reference should be made to the Communications Act, other legislation, FCC rules and public notices and rulings of the FCC for further information concerning the nature and extent of the FCC’s regulatory authority.

      FCC laws and regulations are subject to change, and the Company generally cannot predict whether new legislation, court action or regulations, or a change in the extent of application or enforcement of current laws and regulations, would have an adverse impact on our operations.

PARKS AND RESORTS

      The Company owns and operates the Walt Disney World Resort and Disney Cruise Line in Florida, the Disneyland Resort in California, ESPN Zone facilities in several states and The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. The Company manages and has ownership interests in the Disneyland Resort Paris in France (also referred to as Euro Disney) and Hong Kong Disneyland, which is under construction and scheduled to open in fiscal 2005. The Company’s ownership interests in Disneyland Resort Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland are 41% and 43%, respectively. The Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 46R Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (FIN 46R) in fiscal 2004 and as a result, consolidated the balance sheets of Euro Disney and Hong Kong Disneyland as of March 31, 2004, and the income and cash flow statements beginning April 1, 2004 (see Notes 2 and 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion). The Company also licenses the operations of the Tokyo Disney Resort in Japan. The Company’s Walt Disney Imagineering unit designs and develops new theme park concepts and attractions as well as resort properties.

      The businesses in the Parks and Resorts segment generate revenues predominately from the sale of admissions to the theme parks, room nights at the hotel and rentals at the resort properties. Costs consist primarily of the fixed cost base for physical properties and base level staffing necessary to operate the theme park and resort properties. In addition to the fixed cost base, there is a variable cost component that increases or decreases with the volume of business.

Walt Disney World Resort

      The entire Walt Disney World Resort is marketed through a variety of national, international and local advertising and promotional activities. Several attractions in each of the theme parks are sponsored by corporate participants.

      Magic Kingdom  – The Magic Kingdom, which opened in 1971, consists of seven themed lands: Main Street USA, Adventureland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, Mickey’s Toontown Fair

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      Epcot  – Epcot, which opened in 1982, consists of two major themed areas: Future World and World Showcase. Future World dramatizes certain historical developments and addresses the challenges facing the world today through major pavilions devoted to showcasing science and technology improvements, communication, energy, transportation, using your imagination, life and health, nature and food production, the ocean environment, and space. World Showcase presents a community of nations focusing on the culture, traditions and accomplishments of people around the world. Countries represented with pavilions include the United States, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Norway and the United Kingdom. Both areas feature themed rides and attractions, restaurants and merchandise shops.

      Disney-MGM Studios  – The Disney-MGM Studios, which opened in 1989, consists of a theme park, a radio studio and a film and television production facility. The park centers on Hollywood as it was during the 1930’s and 1940’s and provides various attractions, themed food service and merchandise facilities. The production facility consists of three sound stages, merchandise shops and a back lot area and currently hosts both feature film and television productions. Disney-MGM Studios also features Fantasmic !, a nighttime entertainment spectacular.

      Disney’s Animal Kingdom  – Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which opened in 1998, consists of a 145-foot Tree of Life centerpiece surrounded by six themed areas: Dinoland U.S.A., Africa, Rafiki’s Planet Watch, Asia, Discovery Island and Camp Minnie — Mickey. Each themed area contains adventure attractions, entertainment shows, restaurants and merchandise shops. The park features more than 300 species of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians and 4,000 varieties of trees and plants on more than 500 acres of land.

      Resort Facilities  – As of September 30, 2004, the Company owned and operated 17 resort hotels at the Walt Disney World Resort, with a total of approximately 22,000 rooms and 318,000 square feet of conference meeting space. In addition, Disney’s Fort Wilderness camping and recreational area offers approximately 800 campsites.

      The Disney Vacation Club (DVC) offers ownership interests in 7 resort facilities, located at the Walt Disney World Resort, as well as in Vero Beach, Florida, and Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Available units at each facility are offered for sale under a vacation ownership plan and are operated as rental property until the units are sold. Disney’s Saratoga Spring Resort & Spa in Orlando, Florida opened its first phase of vacation ownership properties in May 2004. Upon the completion of Saratoga Springs, the Walt Disney World Resort will have nearly 2,100 vacation ownership units.

      Recreational amenities and activities available at the Walt Disney World Resort include five championship golf courses, miniature golf courses, full-service spas, tennis, sailing, water skiing, swimming, horseback riding and a number of other noncompetitive sports and leisure time activities. The resort also includes two water parks: Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon.

      We have also developed a 120-acre retail, dining and entertainment complex known as Downtown Disney, which consists of the Marketplace, Pleasure Island and West Side. In addition to more than 20 specialty retail shops and restaurants, the Downtown Disney Marketplace is home to the 50,000-square-foot World of Disney retail store featuring Disney-branded merchandise. Pleasure Island, a nighttime entertainment center adjacent to the Downtown Disney Marketplace, includes restaurants, nightclubs and shopping facilities. Downtown Disney West Side is situated on 66 acres on the west side of Pleasure Island and includes a DisneyQuest facility, Cirque du Soleil, House of Blues and several retail, dining and entertainment operations.

      Disney’s Wide World of Sports, which opened in 1997, is a 220 acre sports complex providing professional caliber training and competition, festival and tournament events and interactive sports

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      In the Downtown Disney Resort area, seven independently operated hotels are situated on property leased from the Company. These hotels have a capacity of approximately 3,700 rooms. Additionally, two hotels, the Walt Disney World Swan and the Walt Disney World Dolphin, with an aggregate capacity of approximately 2,300 rooms, are independently operated on property leased from the Company near Epcot.

Disneyland Resort

      The entire Disneyland Resort is marketed through international, national and local advertising and promotional activities as a destination resort. A number of the attractions and restaurants at each of the theme parks are sponsored by other corporations through long-term agreements.

      Disneyland  – Disneyland, which opened in 1955, consists of Main Street USA and seven principal areas: Adventureland, Critter Country, Fantasyland, Frontierland, New Orleans Square, Tomorrowland and Toontown. These areas feature themed rides and attractions, restaurants, refreshment stands and merchandise shops.

      Disney’s California Adventure  – Disney’s California Adventure, which opened in 2001, is adjacent to Disneyland and includes four principal areas: Golden State, Hollywood Pictures Backlot, Paradise Pier and “a bug’s land”. These areas include rides, attractions, shows, restaurants, merchandise shops and refreshment stands.

      Resort Facilities  – Disneyland Resort includes three Company-owned hotels: the 1,000-room Disneyland Hotel, 500-room Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, a deluxe 750-room hotel located adjacent to Disney’s California Adventure.

      The Resort also includes Downtown Disney, a themed 310,000 square foot outdoor complex of entertainment, dining and shopping venues, located adjacent to both Disneyland Park and Disney’s California Adventure.

Disneyland Resort Paris

      Disneyland Park, which opened in 1992, consists of Main Street and four principal themed areas: Adventureland, Discoveryland, Fantasyland and Frontierland. These areas include themed rides, attractions, shows, restaurants, merchandise shops and refreshment stands.

      Walt Disney Studios Park opened in March 2002 adjacent to Disneyland Park. The park takes guests into the worlds of cinema, animation and television and includes four principal themed areas:

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      Development of the site also continues with the Val d’Europe project, a newly constructed planned community being built near Disneyland Resort Paris. The first two phases of the city of Val d’Europe include a town center, which consists of a shopping center; a 150 room hotel; office, commercial and residential space; and a regional train station. These new developments are operated by third parties on land leased or purchased from Euro Disney. In July 2003 Euro Disney signed an agreement with a third party developer beginning the third phase of Val d’Europe. Included in this phase will be expansion of Disney Village and projects aimed at increasing Val d’Europe’s capacity to welcome new residents.

      In addition, there are several new on-site hotels which were opened in 2003 and 2004 that are owned and operated by third party developers that provide approximately 1,860 rooms. Agreements have been signed with additional third party developers to provide approximately 350 additional on-site hotel rooms and/or time share units over the next two years.

      Euro Disney is currently in the process of a financial restructuring that, if completed, will provide for an increase in capital and refinancing of its borrowings. Subject to certain deferrals, Euro Disney is required to pay royalties and management fees to the Company. (See Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion).

      The Company receives a royalty and management fee based on the performance of the operations of the park. Payment of the royalties and management fees were deferred during fiscal year 2004. The financial restructuring provides for payment of these fees on completion of the restructuring anticipated in fiscal year 2005.

Hong Kong Disneyland

      Construction and operation of the project will be the responsibility of Hongkong International Theme Parks Limited, an entity in which the Hong Kong Government owns a 57% interest and a subsidiary of the Company owns the remaining 43%. A separate Hong Kong subsidiary of the Company is responsible for managing Hong Kong Disneyland. Based on the current exchange rate between the Hong Kong and U.S. dollars, the Company’s equity contribution obligation is limited to U.S. $314 million. As of September 30, 2004 the Company had contributed U.S. $168 million and the remaining $146 million is payable over the next two years. Once Hong Kong Disneyland commences operations, Company subsidiaries will be entitled to receive management fees and royalties in addition to the Company’s equity interest.

Tokyo Disney Resort

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      Tokyo Disneyland, which opened in 1983, was the first Disney theme park to open outside the United States. Tokyo Disneyland consists of seven principal areas: Adventureland, Critter Country, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Toontown, Westernland and World Bazaar.

      Tokyo DisneySea, adjacent to Tokyo Disneyland, opened in 2001. The park is divided into seven unique “ports of call,” including Mediterranean Harbor, American Waterfront, Port Discovery, Lost River Delta, Mermaid Lagoon, Mysterious Island and Arabian Coast. The resort includes the 502-room Tokyo Disney Sea Hotel MiraCosta, the 504-room Disney Ambassador Hotel, the Disney Resort Line monorail and the Bon Voyage merchandise location and Ikspiari, a retail, dining and entertainment complex.

Disney Cruise Line

ESPN Zone

Walt Disney Imagineering

The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim

Seasonality and Competition

      The Company’s theme parks and resorts compete with all other forms of entertainment, lodging, tourism and recreational activities. The profitability of the leisure-time industry is influenced by various factors that are not directly controllable, such as economic conditions including business cycle and exchange rate fluctuations, travel industry trends, amount of available leisure time, oil and transportation prices and weather patterns.

STUDIO ENTERTAINMENT

      The Studio Entertainment segment produces and acquires live-action and animated motion pictures, animated direct-to-video programming, musical recordings and live stage plays.

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      The Company distributes produced and acquired films (including its film and television library) to the theatrical, home entertainment, pay-per-view, video-on-demand, pay television and free-to-air television markets. Each of these markets is discussed in more detail below.

Theatrical Distribution

      During fiscal 2005, we expect to distribute in domestic markets approximately 18 feature films under the Walt Disney Pictures and Touchstone Pictures banners and approximately 19 films under the Miramax and Dimension banners. These expected releases include several live-action family films and full-length animated films, with the remainder targeted to teenagers, families and/or adults. As of September 30, 2004, the Company had released 832 full-length live-action features (primarily color), 69 full-length animated color features, approximately 540 cartoon shorts and 53 live action shorts under the Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone Pictures, Hollywood Pictures, Miramax and Dimension banners.

      We distribute and market our filmed products principally through our own distribution and marketing companies in the United States and major foreign markets. Films released theatrically in the U.S. can be released simultaneously theatrically in international territories or generally up to six months later.

      The Company incurs significant marketing and advertising costs before and throughout the theatrical release of a film in an effort to generate public awareness of the film, to increase the public’s intent to view the film and to help generate significant consumer interest in the subsequent home entertainment and other ancillary markets. These costs are expensed as incurred, and therefore we typically incur losses in the theatrical markets on a film, including the quarters before the theatrical release of the film.

Home Entertainment

      The domestic and international home entertainment window typically starts four to six months after each theatrical release with the issuance of DVD and VHS versions of each title. Domestically, most titles are sold simultaneously to both “rentailers,” such as Blockbuster Inc., and retailers, such as Best Buy Co., Inc. Upon a title’s home entertainment release, consumers are afforded the option to rent for a limited period of time typically, two to seven days, or purchase the titles outright (“sell-through”).

      In the international home entertainment market, titles are either released simultaneously in the rental and sell-through channels or with a rental window before sell-through, depending on local market regulations, DVD hardware penetration and DVD software demand. The international market has experienced a trend in the compression of, or in some cases the disappearance of, the rental window.

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      As of September 30, 2004, under the banners Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone Pictures, Hollywood Pictures, Miramax and Dimension, 1,121 produced and acquired titles, including 937 live action titles and 184 cartoon shorts and animated features, were available to the domestic home entertainment marketplace and 2,481 produced and acquired titles, including 2,006 live action titles and 475 cartoon shorts and animated features, were available to the international home entertainment market.

Television Distribution

      Pay Television (Pay 1): Effective with theatrical releases beginning January 1, 2003, there are two pay television windows. The first window is generally fifteen months in duration and follows the PPV/ VOD window. The Company has licensed to the Encore pay television services, over a multi-year period, exclusive domestic pay television rights to certain films released under the Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone Pictures, Hollywood Pictures, Miramax and Dimension banners.

      Free Television (Free 1): Following the Pay 1 window is a free television window wherein telecasts are accessible to consumers without charge. This free window may last up to 84 months. Motion pictures are usually sold in the first free window on an ad hoc basis to major networks and basic cable services. For films released theatrically prior to October 1st, 2004, the Company maintains only one output deal, with the ABC Television Network and its affiliates, covering branded live action and animated product broadcast in the Wonderful World of Disney slot. Films released after that date will be sold on an ad hoc basis to other networks besides ABC.

      Pay Television 2 (Pay 2) and Free Television 2 (Free 2): In the U.S., Free 1 is generally followed by a twelve month Pay 2 window, included under our license arrangement with Encore, and finally by a second Free window (Free 2). The Free 2 window is a syndication window where films are licensed both to basic cable networks and to station groups, such as Tribune Co. Major packages of the Company’s feature films and animated television programming have been licensed for broadcast under multi-year agreements.

      International Television: The Company also licenses its theatrical and television properties outside of the US. The typical windowing sequence is broadly consistent with the domestic cycle such that titles premiere on television in PPV/ VOD then air in pay TV before airing in free TV. Certain properties may then be re-licensed to one or more of the above windows. Windowing strategies are developed in response to local market practices and conditions, and the exact sequence and length of each window can vary country by country.

Audio Products and Music Publishing

      In addition, each of our labels and our music publishing companies commission new music for the Company’s motion pictures and television programs, and records the songs and licenses the song

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Buena Vista Theatrical Group

      Disney Theatrical Productions develops, produces and licenses stage musicals worldwide. To date, the Company’s shows have included Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King and Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida. The Company generally elects to produce its own shows in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia and licenses its shows to local producers in other territories. As of September 30, 2004, Disney Theatrical Production had fourteen productions running worldwide. Three new productions opening in fiscal 2005 include: Mary Poppins in London (a co-production with Cameron Mackintosh) in December 2004; On The Record US Tour which premiered in Cleveland in November 2004; and Aida in Seoul, Korea in August 2005.

      Disney Live Family Entertainment has eight different Disney on Ice shows touring in more than 40 countries worldwide. The newest Disney On Ice show, Disney/ Pixar’s Finding Nemo opened in September 2004 and will tour throughout the United States and in Mexico over the next two years. Disney Live! Winnie the Pooh’s Perfect Day launched in July 2004. Disney Live! is a new brand of live family entertainment which will perform in theaters and arenas. Both Disney On Ice and Disney Live! are licensed to Feld Entertainment.

Relationship with Pixar

Competition and Intellectual Property Protection

      The Studio Entertainment businesses compete with all forms of entertainment. A significant number of companies produce and/or distribute theatrical and television films, exploit products in the home entertainment market, provide pay television programming services and sponsor live theater. We also compete to obtain creative and performing talents, story properties, advertiser support, broadcast rights and market share, which are essential to the success of our Studio Entertainment businesses.

      The Company’s ability to exploit and protect rights in its content, including its motion pictures, television programs and sound recordings is affected by the strength and effectiveness of intellectual property laws in the United States and abroad. Inadequate laws or enforcement mechanisms to protect intellectual property in a country can adversely affect the results of the Company’s operations, despite the Company’s strong efforts to protect its intellectual property rights throughout the world.

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      The Company’s businesses are also subject to the risk of challenges by third parties claiming infringement of their proprietary rights. Regardless of their validity, such claims may result in substantial costs and diversion of resources which could have an adverse effect on the Company.

      See further discussion under “Consumer Products – Competition, Seasonality and Intellectual Property Protection” below.

CONSUMER PRODUCTS

      The Consumer Products segment partners with licensees, manufacturers, publishers and retailers throughout the world to design, promote and sell a wide variety of products based on existing and new Disney characters and other intellectual property. In addition to promoting the Company’s film and television programs, Consumer Products develops new intellectual property within its publishing and interactive gaming divisions with the potential of being leveraged across the company. The Company also engages in retail, direct mail and online distribution of products based on the Company’s characters and films through the Disney Stores, the Disney Catalog and DisneyDirect.com, respectively. As discussed in Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company sold the Disney Store in North America in November 2004.

Character Merchandise and Publications Licensing

Books and Magazines

Buena Vista Games

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Direct Marketing

Disney Stores

Competition, Seasonality, and Intellectual Property Protection

      The Company’s licensing businesses, as well as its studio entertainment and theme park and resort operations, are affected by the Company’s ability to exploit and protect its intellectual property, including trademarks, trade names, copyrights, patents and trade secrets, throughout the world. As a result, domestic and foreign laws protecting intellectual property rights are important to the Company. The right and ability to enforce intellectual property rights against infringement are essential to the Company’s businesses. These businesses are also subject to the risk of challenges by third parties claiming infringement of their proprietary rights. Regardless of their validity, such claims may result in substantial costs and diversion of resources which could have an adverse effect on the Company’s licensing operations.

Available Information