Disney Consumer Products Names Anne Gates Executive Vice President & Managing Director, Europe

Anne Gates has been appointed to the newly created position of
executive vice president and managing director of Disney Consumer
Products Europe, it was announced today by Andy Mooney, chairman,
Disney Consumer Products (DCP). Gates will oversee all DCP merchandise
licensing, retail, sales and marketing, and support functions for the
region. Gates will also have coordinating responsibility for Disney
Store, Europe to maximize the licensing business. She will report to
Andy Mooney and will be based in London.

"We are committed to providing families around the world with an
unparalleled experience through an array of merchandise that extends
Disney's magic into the home," said Mooney. "With her strong
leadership and impressive accomplishments during her 15-year tenure
with Disney, there is no better person than Anne to lead the region
and realize our goals."

As executive vice president and managing director, Gates will
drive coordination within DCP and facilitate collaboration and
decision making with other Disney businesses in the region. DCP
maintains offices in virtually every country in Europe with regional
headquarters in London.

"This is an exciting time to be at Disney with the vast amount of
wonderful entertainment coming from all divisions," said Gates.
"Europe is a dynamic market in which DCP still has potential for
growth with new franchises and retail initiatives. I'm honored to be
given this opportunity and look forward to working with the team in
spearheading efforts."

Gates joined Disney in 1992 as a senior manager for Operations and
Planning. In 1993, she was promoted to vice president, Division
Finance and Planning and was named vice president, Planning and
Business Development at Disney Interactive Studios in 1997. Following
an assignment as vice president, Operations Planning at Disney's
corporate division, Gates was promoted to senior vice president and
named DCP's chief financial officer. She was promoted again to
executive vice president in 2001, leading DCP's finance and accounting
functions, budgetary and strategic planning reviews, the division's
information technology function and overseeing emerging markets.

Prior to joining Disney, Gates worked for PepsiCo. Her roles
included a position as manager, Business Development for KFC
International, based in London, for Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Gates received a bachelor of arts in mathematics from the
University of California, Berkeley and a master of science in
operations research from Columbia University.

Gates, who is currently based in Glendale, CA, will make the
physical transition to London with her family before June.

About Disney Consumer Products

Disney Consumer Products (DCP) is the business segment of The Walt
Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) that extends the Disney brand to merchandise
ranging from apparel, toys, home decor and books to interactive games,
food and beverages, stationery, electronics and animation art. This is
accomplished through the work of DCP's various lines of business:
Disney Toys, Disney Apparel, Disney Food, Health & Beauty, Disney
Home, Disney Stationery, Disney Publishing, Disney Interactive
Studios, Baby Einstein, and www.disneyshopping.com. The Disney Store,
which debuted in 1987, also falls under DCP, through stores currently
owned and operated by unaffiliated third parties under licensing
agreements in North America and Japan, and wholly-owned stores in
Europe. For more information, please visit
www.disneyconsumerproducts.com.