As of 2026, the Walt Disney Company has existed for 103 years. The company was officially founded on October 16, 1923, by brothers Walt and Roy O. Disney, originally as the "Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio." This date marks the signing of a contract with M.J. Winkler to distribute the Alice Comedies, a series that combined live-action with animation. Over the past century, the company has transformed from a small animation shop into a global entertainment behemoth, surviving the Great Depression, World War II, and numerous economic shifts. It changed its name to "Walt Disney Productions" in 1929 and finally to "The Walt Disney Company" in 1986. Having celebrated its centennial (Disney100) in 2023, the company enters its second century in 2026 as a leader in theme parks, streaming (Disney+), and film franchises (Marvel, Star Wars). The 103-year legacy makes it one of the oldest and most successful media conglomerates in world history.