Disney Online Fall Line-Up Promotes Fun Learning; Skyrocketing Online Child Population Inspires the Leading Entertainment Site's Fall Content

Business Wire, Sept 12, 2000

Business/Entertainment Editors

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 12, 2000

Disney Online, a division of the Walt Disney Internet Group (NYSE:DIG), has committed itself to ensuring safe, magical, and imaginative online experiences for kids as they head back to school this season.

According to Internet research firm CyberDialogue, the number of children with Internet access from school will nearly triple to 46 million within the next five years. In response, Disney Online, which produces the No. 1 entertainment site for kids and families (www.disney.com), today unveils a series of Web experiences including an all-new version of its online subscription service, Disney's Blast.

Disney Online also recently introduced Surf Swell Island, a major initiative in smart surfing, and to add to the magic now announces its year 2000 Back to School Web site, all designed to promote "fun learning" and to provide this rapidly expanding audience with fresh, age-appropriate games and attractions.

"More children are learning to use the Internet at school as a resource and as part of their lesson plans," said Ken Goldstein, executive vice president and managing director of Disney Online. "We would like to extend the lifespan of that educational online visit by providing home entertainment choices that combine skills learned inside the classroom with creative thinking and imagination."

Disney's Blast

This October, Disney Online will launch an exciting new version of its popular subscription service, Disney's Blast (www.disneyblast.com), focused on providing kids with a virtual world where learning is powered by imagination and exploration. Enhanced with even more animation and sound, the latest update of Disney's Blast offers kids over 100 exclusive "online attractions" that deliver educational value as well as endless hours of fun.

Guests will have access to two distinct areas of the site, each addressing the needs and interests of a specific age group. An online video arcade clubhouse will engage kids 6-9 years old, while a magical playground will provide content tailored specifically for the 2-5 year-old, pre-reader audience. Both areas of the online product will offer a wide selection of games, adventures, stories, and activities for young, imaginative minds.

Subcategories of interest will enable children to easily find their Disney favorites, while an accompanying online Parent Guide will help moms and dads to understand the educational value of each area of the site.

Surf Swell Island: Adventures in Internet Safety

The countless Web sites readily available to the growing number of kids with Internet access create a need for a central resource that helps kids become smart Web surfers. To help kids and families better navigate the Net, Disney.com recently introduced Surf Swell Island: Adventures in Internet Safety, an online destination that offers an entertaining way to learn valuable lessons about Internet safety.

Easily accessible by logging onto www.disney.com/surf, the Web site embraces the popularity of such classic Disney characters as Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy to reinforce important information about how to surf the Web smartly. Disney's classic characters join Surf Swell Island tourists as they're captivated by interactive games, quizzes and printables, all designed to provide insight into the three key areas of "smart surfing" -- `Netiquette,' computer viruses, and Internet privacy.

A special navigation bar surrounds Surf Swell Island, providing direct links to third-party Internet safety tools and resources, and also such Disney Online favorites as Cybernetiquette Comix and Doug's Internet Safety Page. Surf Swell Island also features prominent links to NetNanny -- an Internet filtering and child-safety software provider that is the exclusive sponsor of Surf Swell Island.

Year 2000 "Back to School" Web Site

The wealth of fun and imagination found on its year 2000 Back to School Web site (www.disney.com/school) has Disney Online soaring to the head of its class. In addition to a wide selection of games, printables, and contests themed for this special time of year, the site features a unique "Dress Your Pet Photo contest" that encourages users to blend their television and online activities for a more dynamic entertainment experience.

Inspired by Disney's new television cartoon "Teacher's Pet," about a dog who dresses up as a student and becomes the coolest kid in the fourth grade, the year 2000 Back to School Web site invites guests to submit photos of their pets disguised as humans. The lucky winner of this unique online photo contest will have his or her pet animated into a cartoon interstitial broadcast during the show, which airs on Disney's One Saturday Morning programming block on ABC.

About Disney Online

Disney Online is a division of the Walt Disney Internet Group (NYSE: DIG). Founded in 1995, Disney Online produces Disney.com, the No. 1 kids and family entertainment site on the Web. Walt Disney Internet Group manages some of the Internet's most popular Web sites, including ABC.com, ABCNEWS.com, ABCSports.com, Disney.com, DisneyStore.com, DisneyTravel.com, ESPN.com, Family.com, GO.com, Movies.com, Mr. Showbiz, NASCAR Online, NBA.com, NFL.com, and Soccernet.