Walt Disney is perhaps one of the greatest men in American history. He created a brand and turned it into an Empire. But not just any empire, he turned it into DisneyLand, “The Happiest Place On Earth”! It’s safe to say that basically everyone knows of DisneyLand, the Disney brand and have grown up watching many of the Disney fairytales. What a lot of people don’t know is the life and the beginning of this great man, Walt Elias Disney. Let us share his story with you!
Walt Elias Disney was born on December 5, 1905 in Chicago, Illinois. He was raised on a farm along with his 4 brothers & sisters. He found a love for drawing early on and began selling his sketches to his neighbors at the young age of 7! In high school he took an interest in Photography and began taking night classes at the Academy Of Fine Arts. He tried to join the military at the age of 16 but was rejected for being too young. Instead he joined the Red Cross and was sent overseas. There he drove an ambulance. Instead of being done in camouflage his ambulance was completely covered in sketches and cartoons!
In 1920 he returned to the states living in Kansas City. There he began his career as an Advertising Cartoonist. In 1923 he decided to take a leap and move to California to live with his brother Roy O. Disney. With little belongings and only change in his pocket he made the move. Once there he and his brother borrowed $500 and started their own production company. In 1928 Mickey Mouse was created. With his endless passion for animation and drawing he continued to experiment with his creations. When technicolor came out he created a film called Flowers and Trees that would become part of his “Silly Symphonies” collection. For this film he won his first Academy Award. From there there was no stopping Disney, he went on to mix real life film with animation when he created the masterpiece Mary Poppins in 1945. From there he continued to stun Hollywood through his entire 43 year career. Probably most so when he opened DisneyLand in 1955. DisneyLand is to this day the most celebrated amusement park on earth and his a National Landmark, and a coveted vacation spot for many.
Walt Disney wasn’t only known for his incredible animation and film production. He also was an advocate to the people. He wanted to improve urban life in America. With this new found focus he set about creating EPCOT in the heart of Florida. Although he died in 1966 long before EPCOT’s opening in 1981 he left behind a legacy and an amazing park for all of the world to enjoy. Walt Disney’s name alone evokes happiness, imagination and tradition to all that hear it. He was a great man way ahead of his time and his visions and masterpieces will forever ;live on in the hearts of all of us throughout the world.