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Walt Disney

by Hailey from San Diego

jonathantony.com ()
jonathantony.com ()

"Walt Disney did things that made other people do things, too, things that didn't seem possible on paper. He had a way of bringing out the best in people, of lifting them to their highest performance" ("Walt Disney"). Disney revolutionized the entertainment industry by creating films, theme parks, and characters such as Mickey Mouse. Walt Disney not only changed the entertainment industry; he also created a family friendly place known as Disneyland. But most importantly he inspired others to use their imagination and to do the impossible. The accomplishments he made and the messages he gave is what makes Walt Disney a true hero.

Walt Disney took risks and introduced a completely different way of entertainment. The article "Walt Disney" explains that he "...developed into a visionary pioneer of the entertainment industry. First in animated cartoons, then in feature-length films and television and eventually in amusement and theme parks, Disney's creative output became the standard for family entertainment in modern America" (Baughman). Walt Disney was an entrepreneur who was most famous for creating various animation films and also establishing Disneyland."He is a man who lifted America's spirits through the Great Depression and two World Wars, and he is still present in spirit today as his company, Walt Disney Productions, continues to define family entertainment in the United States" ("Walt Disney" Authors). Disney brought a happiness to everyone around him by his motion picture films, theme parks, and mostly his encouragement to use your imagination and to pursue your dreams.

 (flavorwire.com ())
(flavorwire.com ())

Throughout his career, Disney successfully transformed the entertainment industry and he influenced others to be inventive. Walt Disney accomplished many things, for example, In 1939 Disney won an honorary Oscar; in 1954 he acquired four Academy Awards, both for his work in animation. In 1964, he was given the honor of receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom which is America's highest civilian award. He was also awarded a Freedom Foundation Award in 1965, which is a prestigious award given to exemplary citizens ("Walt Disney"). Walt Disney not only accomplished earning multiple awards and various other achievements, but he also endowed in a university "...the California Institute of the Arts, known as CalArts. He thought of this as the ultimate in education for the arts, where people in many different disciplines could work together, dream and develop, and create the mixture of arts needed for the future" ("Walt Disney" Encyclopedia). Disney established a university that would hopefully teach their students to use their imagination and work together to create art. Disney explained that, "It's the principle thing I hope to leave when I move on to greener pastures. If I can help provide a place to develop the talent of the future, I think I will have accomplished something" ("Walt Disney"). Along with receiving a numerous amount of awards and other accomplishments , he also encouraged people to pursue their dreams.

 (disneyparks.disney.go.com ())
(disneyparks.disney.go.com ())

One way Walt Disney is depicted as a "deserving" hero is that he worked hard for what he wanted and never lost sight of what truly mattered to him. On July 17 1955, Walt Disney opened the first Disneyland in Anaheim California "...Disney's brilliant move was to integrate all his business ventures, using his television programs to motivate people to visit Disneyland, intending Disneyland to inspire parents and children to attend family-oriented Disney films..."("Walter Elias Disney"). He wanted to create a place where families could visit and spend quality time together. "Disney dropped out of high school at age seventeen to serve in World War I (1914-1918). After serving briefly overseas as an ambulance driver, Disney returned in 1919 to Kansas City for an apprenticeship as a commercial illustrator and later made primitive animated advertising cartoons" ("Walt Disney" Encyclopedia). After Disney served in the war he was still determined to be an animator. Walt Disney was a hard worker who was always focused on what he wanted.

During Walt Disney's life, he taught others the importance of their imagination and how if you set your mind to something, you can achieve it. Disney believed not only in himself, but everyone who had potential of achieving great things. On the opening day of Disneyland, Disney's speech informed, "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, 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" ("6 Dedication Speeches"). When he was ridiculed for having "childish" dreams he didn't listen, instead he pursued his goals and started from nothing to an empire. Walt Disney once said, "I only hope that we don't lose sight of one thing - that it was all started by a mouse." ("Walt Disney Quotes").


Works Cited

"Walt Disney." American Decades, edited by Judith S. Baughman, et al., Gale, 1998. Biography in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/K1602000394/BIC1?u=powa9245&xid=6682df14. Accessed 12 Jan. 2017.

"Walt Disney." Authors and Artists for Young Adults, vol. 22, Gale, 1997. Biography in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/K1603000125/BIC1?u=powa9245&xid=ffca8d66. Accessed 23 Jan. 2017.

"Walt Disney." BrainyQuote. Xplore, n.d. Web. 20 Jan. 2017.

"Walt Disney." Encyclopedia of World Biography, Gale, 1998. Biography in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/K1631001828/BIC1?u=powa9245&xid=128bc9de. Accessed 17 Jan. 2017.

"6 Dedication Speeches." 6 Kingdoms. Regis Philibert, n.d. Web. 20 Jan. 2017.


Page created on 2/8/2017 12:00:00 AM

Last edited 2/8/2017 12:00:00 AM

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