Walt Disney reported quarterly earnings that beat analysts' expectations, but its revenue missed Wall Street's forecast as attendance at its parks and resorts rose.

Disney [ DIS 45.01  -0.16 (-0.35%) ] delivered fiscal first-quarter earnings excluding items of 80 cents per share, up from 68 cents a share in the year-earlier period.

Revenue was $10.78 billion, up slightly from $10.72 billion a year ago.

Analysts had expected the company to report earnings excluding items of 72 cents per share on revenue of $11.18 billion, according to a consensus estimate from Thomson Reuters.

Disney CEO Robert Iger told CNBC after the earnings release that the higher attendance at Disney's theme parks is "very encouraging" and a sign of a strengthening economy.

"We’ve had increased attendance and increased spending" by those visiting, he said. "I think that says a lot about the American consumers… and the strength of our brand."

While advertising revenue was up for Disney's broadcasting properties, ratings were down. Iger said the ratings drop at sports network ESPN, for instance, was from the National Basketball Association lockout, which didn't end until Christmas and deprived ESPN of weeks of games.

"Ratings are just fine at ESPN," Iger said.

More Top Stories

I Want Greece to Stay in the Euro: Merkel to CNBC

As One JPMorgan Trader Sold Risky Contracts, Another One Bought Them

Survey Predicts a Summer Job Boost is Coming

What Happens When Greece's Money Runs Out?

Forget a 'Grexit.' Watch for a 'Grashall Plan': Analyst

More Top Stories