Happy Birthday Walt {19}

Growing up on a farm in Missouri; Walter was taught the meaning of hard work at a very young age. Most people who knew him when he was young said that he would never amount to much in life. Boy did he prove them wrong. Walter's dream of being an animator was continuously challenged. His first employer encouraged him to quite the business because he lacked talent and originality, his first company went bankrupt (a demon that was always haunting him), and one of his best cartoon characters was legally stolen from him. Amidst these daunting circumstances Walter set off for Hollywood with just 20 dollars and a suitcase filled with dreams. 

After gaining recognition for some of his short films Walter decided to embark on a challenge that would be scorned by all and eventually gain the nickname " Walter's Folly". After years of strenuous labor, mortgaging his studio, and selling his car; Walter became one of the biggest innovators in the film industry when he released the first full-length animated musical feature. No one, not even Walter,

could have predicted the success of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. To this day, it is considered one of the greatest feats and imperishable monuments in the motion picture industry. Even with the major recognition he received from the film, Walter still felt incomplete. He told his family that he wanted to give back to the world and do something good for society that would have a positive impact on generations to come.


One sunny afternoon Walter decided to take his two daughters on a date to the park. While he sat on a bench watching his daughters go 'round and 'round on the carousel he realized his dream. A dream that he would be told was impossible, but nonetheless Walter worked to make it come true. After years of tireless work and a substantial amount of disappointment Walter's dream came true on July 17, 1955. As he stood before an audience of thousands of individuals and proclaimed, "To all who come to this happy place; welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past.... and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams and the hard facts that have created America ... with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world."

Walt Disney never knew how huge of an impact he would leave on the world. He showed that even in the face of defeat anything is possible. Through his endless hard work and determination he was able to make his dreams come true. Walt Disney has always been an inspiration to me and I hope that I can have the courage he had to make my dreams become a reality. Happy 113th Birthday Walt, your legacy will live on forever.