Disney's Dilemma: The Cynical Child vs. Snow White

Mickey Mouse is still Mickey Mouse, but Disney is no longer the company it once was. The icon of American culture, which in its heyday regularly steamrolled Wall Street's expectations as it churned out top-notch entertainment, is struggling to redefine itself as an evolving society threatens to make its core business less relevant.

This five-part series, which runs through Friday, takes a look at the challenges facing Disney as it tries to reverse its recently flagging fortunes. For a look at the first part of this story, click here.

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The way computers are changing childhood represents both an opportunity and a threat for Disney (DIS Quote). But the second trend that's driving age compression may prove even trickier for Disney to handle, because it cuts at the heart of the way the company has defined childhood for 70 years, since its eponymous founder created Steamboat Willie, a.k.a. Mickey Mouse. ...