Founded in 1923 by Walt and Roy Disney, Disney expanded from early animated films like Snow White to include five business sectors - media, parks, studio entertainment, consumer products, and interactive. Disneyland opened in 1955 and Walt Disney World in 1971, establishing theme parks as a key part of Disney's business. Over decades of expansion, Disney faced risks like changing technology but benefited from larger audiences and markets, maintaining success through innovation, quality customer service, and strong branding across movies, television, music, and merchandise.