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Walt Disney may be one of America’s most beloved visionaries and entrepreneurs, but there is much about Walt Disney that his fans don’t know. For instance, did you know that his actual autograph bears no resemblance to the famous Disney logo? Or that Walt he got his idea for Mickey Mouse while watching mice play in his garage one night? This was despite the fact that he himself had a fear of mice.
To read about this entrepreneur is to read about the story of a family man with an out-of-this-world imagination. Born with three older brothers – Herbert, Raymond and Roy – and one younger sister – Ruth – Walt attended McKinley High School where he had creative freedom as art editor of the school newspaper. He also spent his Saturdays attending basic drawing classes at the Kansas City Art Institute.
He once said, “When people laugh at Mickey Mouse, it’s because he’s so human; and that is the secret of his popularity.” Could the same thing be said about himself? Was it his artistic talent alone that allowed this young dreamer to achieve the heights of success that he did? Or was there something else about him that pushed him to the top?
When colleagues talk about Walt Disney, they speak of a man with passion and determination. He was also resourceful and detail-oriented; in planning the layout of his theme park, Walt Disney did whatever he needed to ensure a flawless experience for his guests. Even the trash cans at Walt Disney World were placed 25 steps away from hot dog vendors – exactly the amount of time he had once taken to finish his hot dog.
Personal facts about the businessman can be hard to come by. In fact, Disney is actually a changed version of the cartoonist’s family name. Hailing from Isigny-Sur-Mer, France, the family’s original name was D’Isigny. However, over the years, it became anglicized into the name that is today recognized the world over.
America has come to love what they know about the Mickey creator; everyone even seems to have their own personal favourite Disney movie or character. His efforts were rewarded with 32 Oscars – more than anyone else in the award’s history. But, what did he himself love? What were some of his favourite things?
It might be a little known fact about Walt Disney that his personal favourite character was Goofy, while he was most excited about his Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow (EPCOT). In addition, his favourite meal was chili and beans, which he ate regularly with tomato juice and soda crackers.
John Ralston Saul once said of the man, “Marx was fortunate to have been born eighty years before Walt Disney. Disney also promised a child’s paradise and unlike Marx, delivered on his promise.” Whether you love his theme parks or you find yourself getting dizzy from the array of activities they offer and the long lineups, one thing for sure can be said: today, the child paradise that he created stands as a legacy to his outstanding vision and entrepreneurial drive.
Walt Disney may be one of America’s most beloved visionaries and entrepreneurs, but there is much about Walt Disney that his fans don’t know. For instance, did you know that Walt Disney’s actual autograph bears no r...
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Walt Disney Video - A documentary looking at Walt Disney's character. Includes interviews with artists Bill Melendez, David Hilberman, Mary Eastman, Bill Hurtz, Marie Beardsley, and Bill Littlejohn, screenwriter Joan Scott, and biographers Marc Eliot, Richard Schickel, and Bob Thomas.
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Walt Disney may be one of America’s most beloved visionaries and entrepreneurs, but there is much about Walt Disney that his fans don’t know. For instance, did you know that Walt Disney’s actual autograph bears no r...
