The Walt Disney Company Celebrates the Holidays With U.S. Troops At Home and Abroad.

News/Entertainment/Lifestyle Editors

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 20, 2001

Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, Radio Disney

and ABC's Drew Carey to offer their support

As part of its ongoing effort to support U.S. Military personnel and their families at home and abroad, DisneyHand, the global outreach of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS), has coordinated several special events to celebrate the holidays. This outreach involves many Disney affiliates, including Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, ABC-TV and Radio Disney.

Drew Carey, star of ABC-TV's "The Drew Carey Show" and "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" and former U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, will be a part of the USO Deliver America Tour that will visit troops this holiday season. He will entertain and mingle with the troops and sign autographs.

On Christmas morning, Regis Philbin ("Live with Regis and Kelly," "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire") and Kelly Ripa ("Live with Regis and Kelly," "All My Children") will be joined by Mickey Mouse and all his friends when they host the annual Yuletide special at the Magic Kingdom, for the "Walt Disney World Very Merry Christmas Parade," which airs on ABC-TV. One of America's favorite family traditions, the parade will be an all-star special that sparkles with patriotism, holiday cheer and the colorful world of Disney. Comedian Wayne Brady ("The Wayne Brady Show," "Whose Line Is It Anyway?") joins the fun, and singers Aaron Carter, Charlotte Church, Mandy Moore and Aaron Tippin perform holiday classics as well as new releases featuring patriotic themes. Tippin will sing his inspiring new anthem, "Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly." Tippin co-wrote the patriotic song, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's country chart, and he is donating the net proceeds from the single to the American Red Cross disaster relief.

As previously announced, on January 1, 2002, Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort will introduce the Disney Armed Forces Salute, an unprecedented program that allows active U.S. military personnel complimentary admission into Disney theme parks, as well as ticket discounts for family members and friends. Active U.S. military personnel, with proper U.S. military identification, are eligible, including active members of the United States Coast Guard and activated members of the National Guard or Reservists.

Disney's radio affiliates have continued providing support to U.S. troops. TalkRadio 790 KABC, 95.5 KLOS-FM, ESPN Radio 1110-AM, KDIS 710-AM and Radio Disney have joined with the Voice of America (VOA), and the Army Broadcasting Service to provide recorded holiday messages that will be heard by U.S. servicemen and women stationed in various countries and messages of goodwill to people around the globe.

DisneyHand has coordinated efforts among ABC, Inc.; ESPN; Disney Channel; The Walt Disney Studios; Walt Disney Parks and Resorts; Disney Stores; and local television and radio stations to support U.S. troops at home and abroad and to aid in the nation's relief and rebuilding efforts. The Walt Disney Company has become a USO World Sponsor, assisting with outreach and marketing efforts on behalf of the USO and its programs and providing more than $1 million in financial aid and in-kind support. In addition, The Walt Disney Company has been working closely with the Points of Light Foundation, a non-profit, nonpartisan organization whose mission is to involve more people more effectively in volunteer service. Immediately following the events of September 11th, The Walt Disney Company established the DisneyHand: Survivor Relief Fund, to which Disney made a corporate contribution of $5 million and Disney employees contributed more than $700,000. In late September, Disney companies created and introduced public service announcements featuring First Lady Laura Bush to help kids cope with their feelings and emotions about the September 11 attacks. For more information about these and other DisneyHand programs, please log onto our Web site, www.disney.com/disneyhand.