• Los Angeles Times, Wednesday, May 7, 2008 10:15 AM

Despite the country's gloomy fiscal forecast, Walt Disney executives say bookings for the rest of the year at its parks and resorts division continue slightly ahead of last year. Investors have been concerned that the slowing economy would affect vacation travel.

CEO Robert A. Iger says the company's resort business is better positioned now than in past recessions. In 1991, for example, more than 55% of hotel rooms at Disney World were considered premium priced. Now, about 75% of rooms there are considered moderate or value priced, he says.

Moreover, Disney has made its parks more affordable to a broader audience, and has invested in new attractions--such as Toy Story Mania opening in six weeks at Disney's California Adventure--to keep the experience novel. It also has diversified tourist offerings with the Disney Vacation Club, which provides time shares.

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