"It was all started by a mouse." Well, sort of. Technically, it was started a not-so-lucky rabbit named Oswald, whom you now see merchandise for in the parks. However, Universal stole Oswald from Walt in 1927, and the studio needed a new character. And so began Mickey Mouse, created for the first time on that somber train ride home and perfected by the Disney Legend Ub Iwerks. Although Walt didn't live to see it, Disney Animation did get Oswald back from Universal, trading him for sportscaster Al Michaels in 2006.
Disney's first feature-length film, dubbed "Disney's Folly" pre-release, became a milestone in the history of cinema, earning (adjusted for inflation) about $1.6 billion in the box office and stellar critical reception. Disney had proven animation could be more than just funny little shorts, and he continued proving that for a long time. The last film that Walt personally put his touch on was The Jungle Book (1967), before entering the hospital in 1966, suffering from lung cancer. He would pass away only ten days after his birthday that year - December 15, 1966. He was 65.
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| Walt at Sleeping Beauty Castle |
Left unfinished after his death was the beginning of Walt Disney World in Florida. With so much success in Anaheim with the Disneyland Resort, opened in 1955, it made sense that Disney would expand to another park. Disneyland was born on a park bench in front of a park carousel and, like many of his projects, Walt didn't let it go until he'd done it. Disneyland still stands as the iconic theme park. Walt Disney World, completed by Roy Disney, would open in 1971, only five years after Walt's death, and has since become an iconic group of theme parks in its own right.
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| Walt working on Fantasia |
Happy Birthday, Walt Disney! Thanks to your determination and creative spark, so many people have been touched by the beauty of animation.
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