Click here to learn about our authors, and learn some expert tips on visiting the parks. Okay, not expert, but pretty close.
A very proud Walt Disney poses with the Monorail as it waits for passengers in the Disneyland Hotel He looks like he’s about to cry
This photograph makes me want to cry. All Walt wanted out of life was to put magic in the world, and create a “happy place”. In making his own dream come true, he’s made dreams come true for thousands of others. He could have done something else with his imaginative talent, but he chose to make a home for those that had none. He allowed children to be princesses and cowboys and pirates in a kingdom where no one could tell them to grow up. And look how happy he is.
You did it, Walt. You did it really, really well. <3
Walt Disney is VERY happy about opening Disneyland’s SkyWay attraction, June 1956
“As the original Mary Poppinsbudget of five million dollars continued to grow, I never saw a sad face around the entire studio—and this made me nervous.“I knew the picture would have to gross ten million dollars for us to break even. But still, there was no negative head-shaking. No prophets of doom. Even Roy was happy. He didn’t even ask me to show the unfinished picture to a banker.
“The horrible thought struck me: suppose the staff had finally conceded that I knew what I was doing.”
— Walt Disney
Disneyland “Now and Then” photos
Based on the photos here.
Imagineering Disney has a great set of ‘then and now’ photos posted.
This one really got to me though, because I loved the old Swiss Family Robinson treehouse (Tarzan overlay, blegh) - but also just the likely unintended poignant contrast of what is missing. Not the same without him, and hence a lot of the modern changes which are the opposite of subtle or well-thought out to the original Disneyland…
We miss you, Walt.
A casual reminder to all of those at the Oscars…
…..You’ll never beat Walt.
Walt Disney was nominated for 59 Academy Awards, won 22, and earned 4 honorary recognitions from the Academy.
