The firm, reporting third-quarter profits of $479m, revealed a 1% drop in operating income from the theme park division, with a cost-cutting drive implemented at Disney World in Florida to offset a drop in visitor numbers.

"At our parks, effective expense management measures have largely compensated for the weaker attendance that we anticipated," chairman Michael Eisner said.

Income from Disney's broadcasting arm, which owns the ABC television network, plunged 29%, as sales dropped 6% in the face of a sluggish advertising market.

Studios outperform

But Disney reported strong earnings from its studio division, boosted by the films Spy Kids and Pearl Harbor, which has grossed more than $193m at US box offices so far.