The Walt Disney Family of Companies, often referred to as simply the Walt Disney Company, is a vast and multifaceted global entertainment and media conglomerate. To truly grasp its expansive reach and diverse operations, it’s essential to understand the key terms and definitions that outline its structure and scope. This guide provides a clear and concise overview of these fundamental concepts within the context of the Walt Disney enterprise.
Core Definitions within the Disney Ecosystem
Navigating the terminology associated with a large organization like Disney can be complex. Here are some essential definitions that help clarify different types of information and entities within the Walt Disney Family of Companies:
Aggregate Information
Aggregate information refers to data compiled about groups or categories of guests or users. Critically, this type of information is anonymized and generalized, meaning it cannot identify and is not reasonably used to identify any individual guest. Think of it as statistical summaries – for example, knowing that “30% of park visitors rode Space Mountain” is aggregate information, as it doesn’t reveal anything about specific individuals.
Anonymous Information
Taking anonymity a step further, anonymous information is data that does not directly or indirectly identify, and cannot reasonably be used to identify, an individual guest. This information is stripped of any personal identifiers from the outset, ensuring privacy. Data collected through website cookies that are not linked to personal accounts is often considered anonymous information.
Application
In the digital age, the term “application” is crucial. For Disney, an application is a program or service operated by them (or on their behalf). These applications can be accessed across various platforms – online, mobile, and others, including those managed by third parties. Applications are the channels through which Disney directly interacts with its guests, encompassing everything from streaming services like Disney+ to theme park apps like My Disney Experience.
Children
Disney, as a family-oriented company, pays close attention to defining “children” in the context of data privacy. “Children” refers to individuals who Disney has identified as not being of legal age to consent to the collection and processing of their personal information. The age threshold varies by jurisdiction. In the United States, this typically means individuals under 13 years of age. This definition is vital for compliance with regulations like COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act) in the US.
Data Controller & Data Processor
Within the framework of data privacy regulations like GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), understanding “Data Controller” and “Data Processor” is paramount.
- Data Controller: This is the subsidiary or affiliated entity of The Walt Disney Company that holds responsibility for the personal information collected and utilized from Disney sites and applications within the scope of their privacy policies. Essentially, the data controller decides how and why personal data is processed.
- Data Processor: A data processor is an external person or entity that processes personal information on behalf of the data controller(s). They operate strictly under the direction of the data controller and are only authorized to perform data processing as instructed. Examples could include cloud storage providers or marketing agencies working for Disney.
IP Address
An IP Address (Internet Protocol Address) is a numerical label assigned to each device connected to a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. It’s associated with the access point you use to connect to the internet, usually controlled by your Internet Service Provider (ISP), your company, or your university. Disney, like many online services, may use IP addresses to gather information about website traffic and user behavior, such as the frequency with which guests visit different parts of their sites and applications. It’s also important to note that Disney may combine IP addresses with personal information for analytical and personalization purposes.
Member (of The Walt Disney Family of Companies)
The term “member” is straightforward but crucial for understanding the corporate structure. A “member” refers to a subsidiary or affiliated entity that is part of The Walt Disney Family of Companies. This encompasses the numerous brands and businesses operating under the Disney umbrella.
Parents
For matters concerning children’s data and consent, “parents” are defined as a parent or legal guardian. This is the individual who has the legal authority to provide consent on behalf of a child.
Personal Information
Personal information is any data that identifies (whether directly or indirectly) a specific individual. This is a broad category that includes obvious identifiers like an individual’s name, postal address, email address, and telephone number. Crucially, the definition extends beyond direct identifiers. When anonymous information is combined with personal information in a way that allows identification, the resulting combined information is also treated as personal information. For instance, linking anonymous browsing history to a registered user account transforms that browsing history into personal information.
Public Forums
Disney platforms often feature interactive spaces. Public forums on Disney sites and applications include message boards, conversation pages, blogs, chat rooms, social community environments, profile pages, and other forums that are accessible to a broad, unrestricted audience. It’s critical to understand that any personal information you choose to disclose in these public forums may be publicly posted and widely disseminated without limitations on its use by Disney or third parties. Exercise caution and discretion when sharing personal details in these public areas.
The Walt Disney Family of Companies – Brands Under the Umbrella
Finally, the core concept: The Walt Disney Family of Companies. This refers to The Walt Disney Company and its vast network of subsidiary and affiliated entities. These entities operate under a multitude of brand names and are engaged in a wide spectrum of businesses, including:
- Theme Parks and Travel: Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris, Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney, Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Disney Vacation Club.
- Motion Pictures and Television: Walt Disney Pictures, Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm (Star Wars), 20th Century Studios, Searchlight Pictures, ABC Entertainment, ABC News, Disney Channels, Freeform, FX Networks, National Geographic.
- Publishing: Disney Publishing Worldwide, Marvel Comics, National Geographic Books, Read Riordan.
- Consumer Products and Interactive Services: Disney Store, Disney Baby, Disney Digital Network, Disney Interactive, Marvel Shop, Disney+ streaming service, Hulu (majority stake), ESPN+ streaming service, and many more.
Key Disney Brands (Illustrative, not exhaustive):
- ABC Entertainment
- ABC News
- Adventures by Disney
- Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa
- Bamtech Media (Disney Streaming Services)
- Bindass (India)
- Buena Vista Catalog Company (including Disney Movie Club)
- D23 | The Official Disney Fan Club
- Disney Baby
- Disney Channels & DisneyNOW
- Disney Cruise Line
- Disney Digital Network
- Disney Family Movies
- Disney Movie Insiders
- Disney on Broadway
- Disney on Ice and Disney Live!
- Disney PhotoPass Service
- Disney Rewards Visa Card
- Disney Store
- Disney Vacation Club
- Disney+
- Disneyland Paris
- Disneyland Resort
- DisneyLife (Defunct, predecessor to Disney+)
- El Capitan Theatre
- ESPN
- ESPN CricInfo
- ESPN Deportes
- ESPN+
- FiveThirtyEight
- Freeform
- FX Networks
- Genx Entertainment Limited (India)
- Hollywood Records
- Hulu
- Hungama TV (India)
- Lucasfilm (Star Wars)
- Marvel
- Marvel Shop
- Marvel Digital Comics
- Muppets
- National Geographic
- Pixar Animation Studios
- Radio Disney (Radio broadcasting discontinued, some digital presence remains)
- Read Riordan
- The Undefeated (ESPN)
- 30 for 30 Podcasts (ESPN)
- United Home Entertainment Private Limited (India)
- UTV Software Communication Limited (India)
- Walt Disney Pictures
- Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
- Walt Disney World Resort
Conclusion
Understanding the “Walt Disney Family of Companies” and its associated terminology is crucial for anyone interacting with its vast ecosystem, especially concerning data privacy and online engagement. From theme parks to streaming services, and from merchandise to media networks, the Walt Disney Company’s reach is immense. This guide provides a foundational understanding of the key definitions that govern its operations and user interactions.
