Happy Birthday Walt Disney
December 5th, 1901 to December 15th,
1966
Walter Elias Disney
was an American Entrepreneur. Many consider him an Entertainment Icon and film
maker. Walt Disney was more than just a Motion-Picture, Television producer,
Animator and showman.
Walt Disney was a
pioneer. One theme kept being repeated in many of the things he said, “Keep
Moving Forward!” In other words don’t rest on your laurels and past accomplishments.
Instead move forward and do something new and different! Walt did that and made
that a company focus.
Besides making the
first feature length animated feature, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs he
developed new ways of creating his movie magic over the years. From art classes
for his animators to new technology such as the Multi-Plane Camera he pioneered
new ideas.
After making his
money in movies Walt wanted more. He wanted an entertainment venue unlike any
other. He wanted a place where families could come together to “play” and spend
time together. He envisioned parents doing things with their children not just
watching from a bench as he had when his girls were little. Years after the
general idea came to him he build Disneyland. Once Disneyland was set and doing
well he started working on ideas for a much larger Walt Disney World. He did not get to see WDW
finished but his brother did. Roy O Disney, and the company he left behind made
sure his ideas came true as always.
So what is so
special about this simple man from the farmland of America? He never graduated
High School and had no further “formal” education. He dropped out of school at
16 and lied about his age to join the Red Cross as part of the team in Europe
at the end of WWI. He started 3 studios that failed and went broke before
finally coming to California and starting the Disney Brothers Studio in 1923 at the age of 22.
Walt Disney gave
the world memories. From movies that generations can and do enjoy together to “Theme”
Parks where families and friends are immersed in a world of Yesterday, Tomorrow
and Fantasy. Disney created an empire that continues decades after his death
that looks back to his life and focus to “Keep Moving Forward”.
He gave us many wonderful characters to enjoy. He gave us Mickey
Mouse to model our lives after, an everyman with a good heart and positive
attitude. Goofy with his constant troubles and laughter in response, always the
optimist! Donald with his grumpy attitude ready to explode but truly with a
heart of gold. Donald teaches us to control our temper and not act like him all
the time. All of these and more have been examples for us as children and for
our children to model their lives on and learn from.
Walt shared with
the world his love for America. He felt as long as America was strong the world
would be strong and all would be right. He was not arrogant or rude about it.
He did not believe that the world needed to become like America. He loved the differences
in cultures and understood that each is precious and needs to be treasured. He
just felt that America, as a mix of cultures was the best.
Walt Disney left a
legacy that is still going strong today. There have been threats and his family
has stood firm to protect it. There have been lies about him and again his
family stood up to show people Walt the Man.
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