In 1901, Walter Elias Disney was born into a simple farming family. Over the years, Walt’s family moved around a few times, but no matter where they went, Walt felt at home with his drawings.
It began with some simple sketches of horses and other things he saw everyday, but in high school he began taking art classes at night. Before long, he was the cartoonist for his school’s paper, and moved on to drawing ads for newspapers, magazines and newspapers.
As they say, it all began with a mouse. After a rough start in the cartoon producing business, Walt came upon his best friend for life: Mickey Mouse.
Over the years, the Disney Brothers Studio came out with countless full-length animation films including favorites like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella, and Lady and the Tramp. But Walt had a grander dream.
He wanted to create a place where families could go for quality time together. He envisioned Disneyland originally as a place his employees could bring their children to. Walt worked tirelessly to perfect his vision of Disneyland, and turn his dream into a reality.
But it did not stop there. Walt felt an obligation to the entire world. He saw the ills of society, and he knew he had the means to help.
He dreamed of creating a better society that promoted progress and innovation. He envisioned people living, working, and recreating in one symbiotic community. Walt dreamed of the Experimental Prototype Community of tomorrow. EPCOT.
Walt bought almost 50 square miles of land in the heart of Florida, and believed that he could start from scratch there. He planned to build a larger Disneyland, and also to create his model community.
Unfortunately, Walt did not live to see his dream fulfilled – he died before Disneyland completed construction. But that dream that began with a mouse lived on in the hearts and minds of those Walt had inspired. 40 years later, millions of people enjoy Disney parks around the world, and enjoy an escape to a magical place far far away.
Walt believed in something, and he worked his entire life to see that vision come to fruition.
Posted by eimatai 
