Walt Elias Disney

Picture of Diseny (google images)

Walt Disney is my Hero because even almost 40 years after his death, his creations are still alive as if he had never left us. His ideas made priceless movie after movie, almost all of them animated features. He made the loveble characters we all loved as a child and still love. He has two [now three] theme parks which make millions of dollars every year.

Walter Elias Disney was born December 5th, 1901 in Chicago, Illinois. His parents were Elias Disney (father) and Flora Call Disney (mother). Walt was one of five children, four boys and one girl. A few years after his birth, Walt and his family moved to Marceline, Missouri. This is where most of Walt’s childhood was spent. Even as a young child, he was always interested in drawing and art. When he was 7 years old, Walt sold some drawings and sketches to some neighbors. Walt spent most of his time doodling animals and nature, never doing his school work. Mike Martin (Walt’s uncle) was an engineer on a train. When Walt was older, he worked for Uncle Mike during the summer to make some money. He sold newspapers, popcorn, and refreshments to the travelers.

As Walt grew older, he started to love animals and nature more and more everyday. Even though his father didn’t like the road Walt was attempting to take, his mother and older brother, Roy, encouraged him, knowing that he had talent. Walt and his family moved to Kansas City, and there, Walt’s talents grew even more. At school, he loved to imitate the silent film hero, Charlie Chaplin.

Later on, Walt snuck out of the house to perform comical skits at local theaters. In 1918, Walt tried to enlist in the military when he was 16, but couldn’t because he was underaged. Then Walt joined the Red Cross. He was sent overseas to France. His job was to drive the ambulance. Instead of being covered in camouflage, the ambulance was covered in Disney cartoons.

When he returned to Kansas City, Walt began to make short animated films for businesses. Not even twenty-two yet, Walt went bankrupt and packed up for Hollywood in hopes of being discovered and starting a new business. His brother, Roy, was already in California. Roy helped out Walt by giving him $250. Then they borrowed another $500. The two of them then set up a small studio in a garage. Soon, they moved into a Hollywood real estate office. Walt’s dreams were coming true.

Disney with Mickey Mouse (google images)

On July 13, 1925, Walt married one of his first employees, Lillian Bounds, in Idaho. They had two children, both girls, Dian and Sharon. Three years after getting married, something happened that would affect the cartoon industry. Walt had created Mickey Mouse. Mickey Mouse was in his first cartoon, Steamboat Willie. This was the first synchronized sound cartoon. On November 18, 1928, Steamboat Willie premiered at the Colony Theater in New York. In 1937, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs premierd in Los Angeles. This was the first full-length musical feature. Later on, more classics were created, such as Bambi, Dumbo, Pinnochio, and Fantasia.

In 1938, Walt’s mother died of asphyxiation from a faulty furnace in a new home that Walt and Roy had bought their parents one month after Snow White was released. In 1955 Walt’s dream was released to the public as Disneyland, Walt’s first amusement park, was opened. The $17-million park has entertained over 200 million people. In 1965, Walt expanded his park with a design of an Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow or as we know it, EPCOT. EPCOT opened October 1, 1982. Walt died December 15, 1966. Walt Disney is my hero because with his creativity, he was able to touch the world.