Walt Disney. This name is synonymous with childrens' television, family friendly movies and theme parks around the globe, but once upon a time, it was just a man's name. There is much lore surrounding the cartoon icon- cryogenicly frozen? an anti-Semite? racist? sexist? FBI informant? Many of the rumors have been put to rest, but the whispers still linger in the interwebs of troll fanpages. This article is not a biography on his life, there are plenty of those available, but rather, my view of him as a person.
To me, Walt is a legend, stemming from a time when men set out to make a name for themselves in the world. He didn't have his success handed to him, and he definitely didn't gain it overnight. Through failed ventures and long hours, he worked hard for everything he gained, eventually partnering with his brother to make one of the most widely recognized brands in the world. He was raised in a time much different than our own, where he stood by many of the popular beliefs, including some that have caused much scandal in later years. You can look back at his cartoons and really feel the age in which they were created, no mater what year they were set. Disney's cartoons carry a timeless quality that viewers from many different generations can all relate to and enjoy.
As a little girl watching Dumbo, I didn't pick up on "racist" crows that many people talk about now. I saw a story of a poor little elephant who's ears were too big and a poor mother who's friends made fun of her and her baby, to the point that she got angry enough that she acted out in order to get them to stop. I saw the little boy who's mother got taken, who was scared and alone until he found an unlikely friend that helped him find his way. I look back and remember the music, the vibrant visuals, and the overall feel of the movie made in 1941, but that was brand new to me in 1991. This, to me, sums up Disney, the filling of a 50 year gap with no seams. I watched this movie when I was only 4 years old, and my little brain could not believe that when my mom was only 4 years old, she had watched it too.
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| Me and my dad at Epcot |
I grew up as a Disney kid. I saw Bambi in theaters when I was only months old. My mom bought every possible Disney VHS she could get her hands on. In 1993, my parents took me to Walt Disney World in Florida, making me the happiest 5 (and a half!) year old in the world, at least in my eyes. Even at a young age, I had a thirst for random knowledge, and lucky for me, my mom was a wonderful source for me to release all my questions on and learn every random fact I could wrap my head around. It was there in the park, waiting in line to see Ariel (my favorite princess at the time), that my mom gave me the one random piece of knowledge that made me love Walt Disney, as a man, and not as a maker of all the things I love. Here is that conversation, in as much detail as I remember.
Mom- "Hey Brandy, you know how you're adopted and me and your daddy got to pick you out all special"
Me- "Yeah"
Mom- "Mr. Disney picked out one of his little girls too"
Me- "REALLY?!"
Mom- "Uh-huh. He and Mrs. Disney had a little girl themselves, and then they adopted another little girl"
Me- "Is she here?! Can she come play with me"
Mom- "No, she's all grown up now"
Me- "Oh, well that's okay then. Are Mr. and Mrs. Disney nice to her? Does she like her sister?
Mom- "They were very nice to her and her sister, that's why Mr. Disney made Disneyland, for them to play"
Me- "Can Daddy make me a Disneyland?"
My mom laughed and that was pretty much the end of that conversation. I never got my own Disneyland, but the idea that one of the Disney girls was adopted never left my mind. I was adopted at birth, and growing up, I always wanted to adopt a little girl of my own. Half of that stemmed from being absolutely terrified by the thought of giving birth, but half of it was because I grew up in such a great way. I know how amazing my life was thanks to me being adopted by the family that raised me, and I can only imagine the opportunities that Sharon Disney had thanks to being adopted. It's always made me respect Walt and Lillian a little more.
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| Sharon and Walt Disney |
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| Me and my Dad (Cecil) at Walt Disney World |
Thanks for reading, and until next time, have a wonderful day.
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