Disney launches site selling parks merchandise

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Walt Disney Co on Tuesday launched a new website offering 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.

The new venture into online sales comes at a difficult time for Disney's parks, often seen as a bellwether for the company and the U.S. economy.

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.

(Reporting by Sue Zeidler; Editing by Richard Chang)