Theme parks lift Disney profits

Mickey Mouse is still a big draw for families despite the US slowdown

Disney's profits have risen 22%, as its theme parks and movies have proved popular with consumers despite fears of an economic slowdown.

Disney said it earned $1.13bn (£0.6bn) in the three months ended 29 March, compared with $931m a year earlier.

A weak dollar helped spur visits to Disney's US theme parks from overseas.

Disney's studio revenue rose 18%, with "National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets" and "Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds" scoring with fans.

Analysts had expected that the weak US economy and reduced consumer spending might have an effect on Disney theme parks, but the company said its parks and resorts revenue rose 11% to $2.7bn.

Attendance and spending at its Paris and Orlando parks benefitted from an Easter holiday that fell in the reporting period, the company said.

"If you didn't know that the consumer was under tremendous pressure you would think we were in a boom if you looked at their results," said Larry Haverty, associate portfolio manager at Gabelli Global Multimedia Trust.