Estimated Future Benefit Payments (Parenthetical) (Detail) (Postretirement Medical Plans, USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2012
Postretirement Medical Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected Medicare subsidy receipts	$ 70

Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Medicare Subsidy Payments.

No definition available.

Name:	dis_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPayments
Namespace Prefix:	dis_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant