Borrowings Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Apr. 02, 2016	Mar. 28, 2015	Apr. 02, 2016	Mar. 28, 2015
Realized Net Gains on Publicly and Non-publicly Traded Investments [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gain (Loss)	$ 0	$ 48	$ 0	$ 48
Cost-method Investments, Realized Gain (Loss)	0	7	26	7
Realized Gain (Loss) on Marketable Securities and Cost Method Investments, Excluding Other than Temporary Impairments, and Other Investments	$ 0	$ 55	$ 26	$ 55

Realized Net Gains on Publicly and Non-publicly Traded Investments [Abstract]

No definition available.

Name:	dis_RealizedNetGainsonPubliclyandNonpubliclyTradedInvestmentsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	dis_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This item represents the difference between the gross realized gains and losses realized on the sale of debt or equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Additionally, this item would include any losses recognized for other than temporary impairments (OTTI) of the subject investments in debt and equity securities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 9
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27724398&loc=d3e27357-111563

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This item represents the gain (loss) realized during the period from the sale of investments accounted for under the cost method of accounting and any losses recognized thereon for impairments of other than a temporary nature.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.7(c),9(a))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 7
-Subparagraph c, d
-Article 5

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 9
-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CostMethodInvestmentsRealizedGainLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This item represents the net total realized gain (loss) included in earnings for the period as a result of selling or holding marketable securities categorized as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity, including the unrealized holding gain or loss of held-to-maturity securities transferred to the trading security category and the cumulative unrealized gain or loss which was included in other comprehensive income (a separate component of shareholders' equity) for available-for-sale securities transferred to trading securities during the period. Additionally, this item would include any gains (losses) realized during the period from the sale of investments accounted for under the cost method of accounting and/or investments that are separately or otherwise not categorized as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RealizedGainLossOnMarketableSecuritiesAndCostMethodInvestmentsExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentsAndOtherInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration