Angelique Romike-Duran 3rd Pd February 22, 2013 Research Paper

Walter Elias Disney

Imagine a place so magical, where everything is perfect and there are animated characters all around. A place where everything sparkles with joy and happiness. Walter Disney was one of the most successful businessmen of his time and maybe even of today. His business has changed the lives of many children and even some adults. His dedication to his dream has been an inspiration to me and a lot of people around the world. Walter Walt Elias Disney was born in Chicago, Illinois, on December 5, 1901. He was born to father, Elias Disney and mother, Flora Call Disney. Walt was one of five children, four boys and a girl. He was raised on a farm in Missouri. Disney became interested in drawing at an early age; he was known to sell his sketches to neighbors when he was only seven years old. He attended McKinley High School in Chicago. During his time there he divided his time between drawing and photography; he was also an active member of the school paper. Often Disney would take night classes at the Academy of Fine Arts to continue his education as a cartoonist. After high school Walt tried to enlist in the military, he was soon rejected because of his young age at the time. Instead he decided to join the Red Cross to drive emergency vehicles. It has been said that his ambulance that he drove was covered in drawings and sketches that he completed during his down time. When the war was over Disney moved to Kansas where he started his career as a cartoonist. This was the starting point for Walt Disneys animated cartoons.

Walt Disney was presented with his first struggle when returned to Kansas after the war. He did not make any money while he was there so he packed up all his materials and left for Hollywood with only $40 in his pocket. After moving to Hollywood he met his brother there and together they borrowed $500 to start their first production, Alice Comedy. Another hardship that Walt Disney was faced with, after the Disney Company was created was the Disney Strike. The Disney Strike occurred after the release of Snow White and during the making of Dumbo. This strike occurred because of the large amount of layoffs that were given out during this time. The workers were extremely upset because they had been giving Walt Disney free overtime hours and did not receive the bonuses that were promised. This strike did not badly affect the Disney company it was more of an inside trouble which caused relationships with other animators to fall apart. These were just a few of the hardships that Walt Disney was presented with but even so he kept his dream alive by pursuing it even when times were tough. The most famous character in the entire Disney world is Mickey Mouse. Mickey Mouse was created in 1928; little did Walt know that this silent cartoon character would be the famous face of Disney Today. Mickey made his screen opening in the first sound-animated cartoon "Steamboat Willie in 1928. The Disney enterprise has come up with many new ideas throughout the years and has changed the way kids grow up. First off the Disney Corporation has made many animated movies. Some of which have received some that teach valuable lessons such as sharing, family values, and how to use your imagination. Two of the greatest Disney accomplishments are Disneyland and Disney World. The first of the two was Disneyland, the world of Yesterday, Tomorrow and Fantasy. The grand opening of Disneyland occurred on July 15, 1955 in Anaheim, California. This theme park is the only one designed, built, and opened up by Walt Disney. Disney World opened on October 1, 1971 in Orlando, Florida where 10,000 visitors were waiting to enter this fantasyland. The only theme park available at the time was Magic Kingdom but since then

Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom have been added. Lastly the Disney Corporation has helped out millions across the world. They started a Disney marathon, which is held at the Disney Wide World of Sports and raises money for children with life-threatening illnesses. Another way the Disney Corporation gives back is the Disney Worldwide Outreach. This is a collection of charities that Disney plays a major part in. The charities include Toys for tots and the American Red Cross. Walt Disney was one of the most successful businessmen of his time and maybe even of today. His business has changed the lives of many children and even some adults. His dedication to his dream has been an inspiration to me and a lot of people around the world. Next time you watch a Disney movie or travel to Disney World remember all the work that was put into the magical world of Disney.

Works Cited
"The Disney Strike, 1941." Animation Guild. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2013. <http://animationguild.org/disney-strike-1941/>. Gitlin, Marty. Walt Disney: Entertainment Visionary. Edina, MN: ABDO Pub., 2010. Print. "Home | The Walt Disney Company." Home | The Walt Disney Company. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2013. <http://thewaltdisneycompany.com/>. "Home." Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2013. <http://www.waltdisney.com/>. "Missouri Over There: Walt Disney in World War I." Missouri Over There: Walt Disney in World War I. Missouri Over There Staff, 5 Dec. 2012. Web. 17 Feb. 2013. <http://missourioverthere.blogspot.com/2012/12/walt-disney-in-world-war-i.html>. Sutcliffe, Jane, and Walt Disney. Walt Disney. Minneapolis: Lerner Publications, 2009. Print. "Walt Disney Biography." Walt Disney Biography. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2013. <http://www.norsknettskole.no/fag/ressurser/itstud/fuv/gunnargrodal/bio.htm>. Wingert, Chris. "Walt Disney Short Biograpy." Walt Disney Short Biograpy. JustDisney.com, July 1999. Web. 17 Feb. 2013. <http://www.justdisney.com/walt_disney/biography/w_bio_short.html>.