The Walt Disney Co launched a new website for fans of Mickey Mouse and company. It will be the  "premier online destination for Disney fans." The site, Disney.Com/D23, will include "breaking Disney news, exclusive feature stories, blogs, historical retrospectives, a collectibles boutique, special event information, and other content", Disney said in a statement yesterday. "D23" refers to 1923, the year that founder Walt Disney launched the company that would go on to become an entertainment giant.

Another site by the company will offer merchandise from its theme parks and resorts as the entertainment group seeks new revenue sources during a slump in business at Disneyland and other parks. Shoppers can go to www.disneystore.com/ to buy more than 100 top-selling products like customized Mickey Mouse ears or other items that were previously only available at the parks and resorts, the company said.

Earlier this month, the company reported that revenue for its theme parks fell 12 percent while segment operating income fell 50 percent from declines at its domestic parks, Disney Vacation Club and Paris resort.

For a $75 membership fee, subscribers receive four issues per year of an "exquisite collectible magazine", a membership card and certificate, and a  "surprise collectible gift" from the Walt Disney archives collection. D23 members also receive a discount at the D23 Expo to be held in Anaheim, California, September 10-13, Disney said.