Disney's Toontown Online Launches in Japan; First International Deployment of Disney's Massively Multiplayer 3D Online Game for Kids and Families.

Entertainment/Business Editors

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 19, 2004

Walt Disney Internet Group today announced that its critically acclaimed Disney's Toontown Online is now available in Japan through a distribution deal with Nippon Telegraph and Telephone East Corporation (NTT East) and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone West Corporation (NTT West). Hailed as the first downloadable massively multiplayer (MMP) 3D online game for kids and families, Disney's Toontown Online first launched in the U.S. in June 2003.

In Japan Disney's Toontown Online is now available to the 4.9 million subscribers to FLET's (B FLET's and FLET's ADSL), a high-quality broadband access service provided by NTT East and NTT West. The Japanese version of the game offers all of the same characters and unique game functionality as the popular U.S. version, but is a standalone MMP environment.

"We have had a very successful collaboration with NTT and built a great relationship while designing and developing our Disney BB broadband service. We're pleased to extend the relationship and bring this innovative game to their customers," said Mark Handler, executive vice president and managing director, International, Walt Disney Internet Group. "Response to Toontown in the U.S. has been strong and clearly there are a number of International markets ripe for new MMPs."

Disney's Toontown Online has continued to gain marketplace momentum in the U.S. since its launch in June 2003 and has been attracting gamers of all ages and levels. The game has been recognized with numerous industry awards including: Computer Gaming World's MMPORG of the Year, 2003; the 2003 Webby Award as the People's Voice Award Winner in the Kids Category; and, the All Star Software Award from Children's Software Revue Magazine. Information and 3-day free trials of the domestic service are available at www.Toontown.com.

Walt Disney Internet Group

Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG) provides strategic leadership and operational management for The Walt Disney Company's (NYSE:DIS) Internet properties including category leaders Disney.com, ESPN.com and ABCNEWS.com. A market leader in developing and distributing entertainment and informational content to new platforms, WDIG is committed to creating and delivering products for broadband distribution including: ABC News On Demand, a subscription video news service that offers the Internet's first 24-hour, live Internet-only news channel and top ABC News programs for on demand viewing; Disney Connection; and WDIG Motion, a proprietary video technology for broadband users. Through relationships with some of the world's largest wireless carriers, WDIG distributes content and services to wireless users under the Disney, ESPN and ABC brands. Additionally, WDIG has led the way in developing interactive content for televised programming through its Enhanced TV service. Steve Wadsworth is president of WDIG, which is headquartered in North Hollywood and has operations in Seattle, New York, Orlando, Fla., Tokyo and London.