Walter Elias Disney

This is Disney's creation Eeyore

What is a hero? A hero provides a community with peace and joy, a hero goes out of their way to help others. Some people born on this Earth would put others’ needs in front of theirs. Walt Disney was one of these few. Born in 1901 to a farmer from Canada, Disney was the fourth out of five children. These children, raised in Chicago, Illinois, lived under poor circumstances. Disney’s determination brought him great fortune and success. Although not born rich, Walt Disney created a lucrative franchise that he utilized not only to make capital, but also to please his audience. He used his creativity to give children happiness, leaving the youth of today thousands of remarkable creations. Even after his death, the posthumous effects of Walt Disney’s life work left a mark on the world that will remain forever. A man once impoverished, Walt Disney rose up to become one of the most well known icons in the world today! Disney’s achievements gave children the gift of happiness, leaving his drawings and art for them to enjoy. These acts show Disney’s true reason for his company. He wished for the world, not himself, to be happy, and that is the mindset of a hero. Walt Disney is the epitome of a hero.

Disney with his first success, Mickey Mouse

Without Walt Disney, the children’s entertainment business would have been left in the dust. Walt Disney’s creations left possibly the biggest impact on this world. “Walt Disney and his brother Roy established the Walt Disney Company in the late 1920s to produce short animations. The first synchronized-sound cartoon, Steamboat Willie(1928), featured Mickey Mouse, a character that became one of the best known icons in the world”(International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences). This revolutionized the cartoon world, one of the first animated movies to be successful. Disney’s life work considerably evolved the animation and entertainment of the world, his creativity sparking the fuse to a boom in the cartooning industry. These masterpieces by Walt Disney were not forgotten and never will be. Walt Disney’s work, admired by many, branched out not just in the United States. “Disneyland in Anaheim, California, opened in 1955, followed by Disneyworld in Orlando, Florida, in 1971. Tokyo saw the Japanese version of Disneyland in 1983, France in 1992, and Hong Kong in 2005” (International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences). After the great ignition in the Disney Company, many other people were lured into his creativity and welcoming personality. His success continuously expanded the Disney Company, spreading his works to every nation. Disney’s art, adored by millions, will be forgotten by none.

Walt Disney’s achievements led to many advances in the film industry, but making people smile was Disney’s main goal. This personal goal drove him to become such a successful man. This source speaks of how Disneyland came to be, and its purpose; “The idea for a park came to him after taking his children to other amusement parks and watching them have fun on amusement rides. He decided to build a park where the entire family could have fun together” (Encyclopedia of European Social History). Disney’s true reason to create what he made was to bring families together in a time of joy and laughter. His products had that effect on millions of people around the world. For his contribution to the world, Disney received many prestigious awards. “In 1939, Disney received an honorary Academy Award and in 1954 he received four Academy awards. In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson presented Disney with the Presidential Medal of Freedom and in the same year Disney was awarded the Freedom Foundation Award” (Encyclopedia of European Social History). Disney’s astounding work will forever be enjoyed by many. Walt Disney changed the world in many ways, leaving his company to continue his legacy. Disney’s approach towards life inspires many to become better people, putting others before them. Walt Disney’s attitude towards his work greatly affected the outcome of the renowned Disney Company. Instead of pursuing profit, Disney did what he did to make life for others more enjoyable.

Walt Disney’s impact on this world is comparable to the works of other marvelous artists, such as Michelangelo. His creativity affected possibly every person who saw his work, and brought happiness to each and every one of them. Disney did not set money-making as his number one goal, but instead wished to bring joy to others. “A man should never neglect his family for business” (Disney). Disney’s values, evidently ones of a hero, focused not on his business, but rather on his family and fans. They truly matter to him most, and they were why he auspiciously succeeded in his work. Walt Disney also believed that love inspired him to push on. “Disneyland is a work of love. We didn’t go into Disneyland just with the idea of making money” (Disney). Disney’s reason to institute Disneyland was not only to make a profit, but to give the community a place to create strong bonds of friendship with one another. His main priority was to please his friends and fans. These traits made him so successful, and these traits also make him a hero. Disney’s works will forever be remembered by the majority, and they will forever be cherished.