Nuthing but Disney, the New "Entertainment Dictators". Disney was originally founded on October 16, 1923, by brothers Walt and Roy O. Disney as the "Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio"; it also operated under the names "The Walt Disney Studio" and "Walt Disney Productions" before officially changing its name to The Walt Disney Company in 1986. The company established itself as a leader in the American animation industry before diversifying into live-action film production, television, and theme parks.