Walt Disney

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The Walt Disney Company, commonly known as Disney, is a multinational entertainment and media conglomerate founded on October 16, 1923, by brothers Walt Disney and Roy O. Disney. Originally established as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, the company gained fame through its creation of iconic animated characters, most notably Mickey Mouse, who debuted in Steamboat Willie in 1928. Disney expanded into feature-length animated films with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937, the first full-length cel-animated feature in history.

Disney operates through several divisions, including Walt Disney Studios, which produces films under its namesake and subsidiary brands such as Pixar, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, and 20th Century Studios. The company also owns and operates theme parks and resorts, known as Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products, with major locations in the United States, France, Japan, and China. The first park, Disneyland, opened in Anaheim, California, in 1955. Disney's media networks division includes ABC, ESPN, and various cable channels.

The company is a major force in the entertainment industry, known for its acquisitions of significant intellectual property, including the Star Wars franchise through its purchase of Lucasfilm in 2012 and the Marvel Cinematic Universe through its acquisition of Marvel Entertainment in 2009. In 2019, Disney also acquired 21st Century Fox, adding 20th Century Studios and a vast catalog of films and television shows to its portfolio.

Disney launched its streaming service, Disney+, in November 2019, offering exclusive access to content from its various franchises, along with original programming. Disney+ quickly became a significant player in the streaming industry, competing with services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

The company’s corporate headquarters are located in Burbank, California. Disney is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol DIS. It is one of the largest and most influential media companies in the world, producing content for a global audience across a wide range of entertainment sectors.