The Walt Disney Company Reports Third Fiscal Quarter Earnings

On August 8, The Walt Disney Company reported quarterly earnings for its third fiscal quarter ended July 1, 2017. “Our results for the quarter reflect the underlying strength of our brands and franchises, and our continued investment in high-quality content. Our ability to successfully execute on our core strategy, coupled with our plans for new direct-to consumer offerings, give us continued confidence in our ability to drive shareholder value,” said Christine M. McCarthy, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, The Walt Disney Company.

Here's a summary of the third quarter and nine-month results for fiscal 2016 & 2017 (in millions, except per share amounts):

Parks and Resorts

Parks and Resorts revenues for the quarter increased 12% to $4.9 billion and segment operating income increased 18% to $1,168 million. Operating income growth for the quarter reflected an increase at our international operations, while results at our domestic operations were comparable to the prior-year quarter. Segment results benefited from the timing of the Easter holiday, which fell in the third quarter of the current year compared to the second quarter of the prior year.

Operating income growth at our international operations was due to increases at Shanghai Disney Resort and Disneyland Paris. The increase at Shanghai Disney Resort reflected a full quarter of operations in the current year compared to the prior-year quarter, which included pre-opening costs. Higher operating income at Disneyland Paris was due to increases in guest spending and attendance, partially offset by higher costs for new guest offerings, including the 25th Anniversary celebration. The increase in guest spending was primarily due to higher average ticket prices and increases in food, beverage and merchandise spending.

At our domestic operations, increased costs were essentially offset by increases in guest spending and volumes. Higher costs were primarily due to labor and other cost inflation, increased operations support costs, new guest offerings and the dry-dock of the Disney Fantasy in the current quarter. Costs for new guest offerings were driven by the launch of the expansion of Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort, including the related marketing costs.

Guest spending growth was due to increases in average ticket prices for sailings on our cruise ships and admission to our theme parks, as well as higher average daily hotel room rates and food and beverage spending. Higher volumes were due to attendance growth, partially offset by a decrease in occupied room nights and lower passenger cruise days due to the dry-dock of the Disney Fantasy. The decrease in occupied room nights was due to refurbishments and conversions to vacation club units.

Click here to access the full report in PDF format.