There’s something magical about Disney movies, isn’t there? Generations of kids have grown up eagerly awaiting the next Disney animated masterpiece, with anticipation that rivals the excitement of Christmas morning. From the timeless tales of Cinderella and The Little Mermaid, to modern blockbusters like Frozen and Encanto, Disney films have captured hearts around the globe. These movies aren’t just stories—they’re adventures filled with characters who feel like lifelong friends. Today, the Walt Disney Company is a global powerhouse, encompassing film production, television, theme parks, and more, boasting a net worth of nearly $100 billion. But how did it all start? Let’s take a closer look at the man who made it all happen.
Walt Disney, the man behind the magic, wasn’t your typical success story. He spent his childhood on a farm in Marceline, Missouri, where he developed a love for drawing animals. Believe it or not, Walt never even graduated from high school! During World War I, he was too young to enlist, so instead, he drove an ambulance in Europe, decorating it with his own cartoons. That’s right—this guy was creative even then.
From Ambition to Animation
In the 1920s, Walt packed up and moved to California, where he started an animation studio with his brother Roy. They had a vision—to create a mouse that could compete with Felix the Cat. Enter Steamboat Willie, a cartoon short featuring Mickey Mouse, which hit theaters in 1928. It was a game-changer. The first synchronized sound cartoon was an instant hit, and Walt’s career took off. “I’m not in business to make unhappy pictures,” Walt once said. “I’m an optimist.” That optimism was the key to his success, and it’s what made Disney films resonate with audiences worldwide.
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Walt wasn’t just a businessman; he was a gentle, good-natured figure who connected with people on a personal level. English actress Hayley Mills, who starred in Disney’s 1961 hit The Parent Trap, saw Walt as a surrogate father. “He had a wonderful sense of humor and was incredibly easy to talk to,” Hayley says in her memoir Forever Young. She remembers how Walt would walk around Disneyland, even riding the spinning teacups with her. “Most adults hate it because it makes them feel sick,” she notes, but Walt was all in. He wasn’t just the man behind the magic—he was part of it.
Family First
For Walt, being a father was just as important as being an innovator. When his daughters, Diane and Sharon, were young, Walt made Saturdays all about family. “Saturday was Daddy’s Day,” says Scott Zone, director of Our Grandpa, Walt Disney. In home movies, you can see Walt taking his girls to amusement parks and carousels, creating memories that would last a lifetime. Dr. Jeffrey A. Barnes, author of The Wisdom of Walt series, explains that Walt’s relationship with his own father influenced how he parented. “He grew up impoverished and had a difficult relationship with his dad, so he was incredibly attentive to his own children,” Barnes tells Closer. He spared no expense, giving them family cruises, lavish gifts at Christmas, a playhouse, and even a working miniature locomotive in their backyard.
That locomotive, by the way, was more for Walt than it was for the kids. “Model railroading was a big deal for Walt,” Barnes explains. “Eventually, his wife said, ‘Your railroad is taking over the rose garden. You really need to find another place for it.’” And that’s how Disneyland was born. Walt turned his passion into a place where families could create their own magical memories.
