The Walt Disney Company (most commonly known as Disney) is one of the largest media and entertainment corporations in the world. Disney owns the ABC television network, 10 broadcast TV stations, and 70 radio stations. It has stakes in cable channels such as ESPN and A&E Television Networks. Its Walt Disney Studios produces films through imprints Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone, Hollywood Pictures, and Miramax. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, which includes Walt Disney World and Disneyland, owns the most popular resorts in North America. Walt Disney Internet Group oversees the Mouse's Web properties. The Walt Disney Company corporate headquarters located at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California. Walt Disney Studios is possibly the most important function of the company. Walt Disney Studios is the collective name of Disney's movie studios, record labels, distribution companies, television studios, animation houses and any other form of optical media.
The legacy of the Walt Disney Company and Walt Disney himself is built on the company's rich history of animation. Walt Disney Feature Animation, has developed forty-five animated pictures, nineteen of which were produced by Walt Disney. The Buena Vista Motion Pictures Group is a collection Disney's movie studio. After the the Disney/Pixar merger in summer 2006, it will also release films carrying the Pixar Animation Studios banner. Walt Disney Pictures is the company's flagship label. Most Walt Disney Pictures releases are the company's animated features and films deemed family entertainment. Because the label includes the name of Walt Disney, the company limits its use to movies that conform to the family entertainment brand.
The Walt Disney Company operates a total of nine theme parks. The Disneyland Resort has two, the Walt Disney World Resort has four, there are two at the Disneyland Resort Paris and one at the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. Tokyo Disney Resort in Japan is built by the company's Imagineers. The Resort is operated and owned by The Oriental Land Company with licenses from Disney.
On October 20, 2003 the Music Center made history as it dedicated its newest venue and architectural masterpiece, Walt Disney Concert Hall. Major donors, civic leaders and local and state politicians presented the new home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Los Angeles Master Chorale to the people of Los Angeles and the world. The Walt Disney Concert Hall became a Los Angeles icon the moment it opened. Designed by Frank O. Gehry, the building's curves and soaring architecture attracts both fans and even those who dislike classical music to attend a performance just to enjoy the auditorium's beauty. Unlike most concert halls, which are closed to the public when there are no performances going on, the Walt Disney Concert Hall is open all day long, and anyone can go inside, have a look and wander around the innovative structure.
The Walt Disney Company is a company that operates many units and enjoys well-deserved worldwide acclamation.