New Survey Results Show Economy Continues to Strain Families, Affecting Both Children and Marriages

Seventy-eight percent of families report that they've been affected by the economic downturn according to a recent online survey from Disney Family.com. As economic uncertainty continues parents remain cautious, with forty-eight percent reporting they are concerned about job security and the current job market, up from thirty-six percent in 2008. As a result, fifty-three percent of parents have cut back on overall spending for their children.

Further survey findings include:

-- 72% of respondents reported reducing or eliminating eating out altogether

-- 78% of respondents report changing their grocery shopping habits by leveraging advertised sales, clipping coupons, and buying generic brands

-- 74% of respondents said they are only purchasing essential items and will be making little to no impulse purchases this holiday season

-- 59% have eliminated or changed vacation plans for a cheaper alternative

"A year into the recession, family finance remains a top concern among parents everywhere. Parents continue to be focused on stretching every dollar," said Emily Smith, Vice President of the Disney Online Mom and Family Portfolio. "We are pleased to offer a range of content on Disney Family.com that will help parents keep their families on track for financial success."

To aid parents with the financial concerns during the current economic crisis, Disney Family.com has added valuable information to the Finance resource (www.Family.com/Finance), which includes content such as tips to making a marriage last through money concerns and advice and tips from Laura Rowley, journalist, finance expert and author of the book "Money and Happiness."

"Financial uncertainty is introducing a lot of stress into the home as parents continue to stretch every dollar," said Emily Smith, Vice President of the Disney Online Mom and Family Portfolio. "We are pleased to offer a range of practical ideas on Disney Family.com that will help parents to keep their family finances on track."

Key features on the Disney Family.com Finance resource include:

-- Money Savvy Meals - Including 15 Recipes Under $1.50 Per Serving

-- Tips on Creating a Family Budget

-- Guidelines on How to Deal With the Changing Rules of Credit Cards

-- New Ideas on College Savings and Expenses

-- Nest Egg Sweepstakes -- A chance to win $5,000 to go towards your nest egg

For more information visit Disney Family.com or follow us on Twitter at @familydotcom.

Survey Methodology

The results of the survey, underwritten by Disney Family.com and conducted by Usability Sciences, are based on responses of more than 4700 Disney Family visitors in the United States. The survey was conducted over a period commencing August 19, 2009 and continuing through September 8, 2009. The margin of error is + or - 1%.

About Disney Online Mom and Family Portfolio

The Disney Online Mom and Family Portfolio is a leading group of sites that provide inspiration and ideas for parents on a variety of topics important to today's families. Sites include Disney Family.com, Kaboose.com, FamilyFun.com and BabyZone.com.

About Disney Online

Disney Online (www.Disney.com or text MOBILE to DISNEY), a unit of Disney Interactive Media Group, produces the No. 1 ranked community-family and parenting destination on the World Wide Web.* Launched in 1996, Disney.com is the online and now mobile web gateway to all of the company's Disney-branded entertainment initiatives, providing comprehensive access to, and information about Disney movies, travel, television, games, music, shopping and live events.

In addition, Disney Online develops and publishes a range of online products and services including Pirates of the Caribbean Online, Disney's Toontown Online, Disney Fairies Pixie Hollow and Disney Club Penguin.

Disney Interactive Media Group (DIMG) is an affiliate of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS).

*comScore MediaMetrix

SOURCE: Disney Interactive Media Group

Disney Interactive Media Group 
Brandy Phillips, 818-623-3764 
brandy.phillips@disney.com 
or 
360 Public Relations for DIMG 
Caroline Pierce, 617-585-5778 
cpierce@360publicrelations.com

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