Walt Disney

As you already well know, December 5, 2001, marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Walt Disney. With all that is happening in the world and being that it is the holiday season, it just seemed like a perfect time to reflect on what Disney means to me personally and how the birth of a man named Walt has influenced my life in so many positive ways.

It may be surprising to learn that I have not been a Walt Disney fanatic my whole life. Certainly, Disney has played a roll in my life since I was a wee baby. I was not immune to having Disney drapes or Disney toys or Disney eating utensils. I certainly have great memories of visits to Disneyland but trips to Magic Mountain and Knott's Berry Farm made me throw up from excitement the night before just the same. My favorite cartoon character for much of my formative years wasn't even Mickey Mouse, but rather Snoopy. It is rather strange to think that I actually grew up and into a Disneyphile.

I think it all began in the summer of 1985 when my family - mom, sister, uncle - and me went to Disneyland for two consecutive days. We lived about two hours north of Disneyland so the idea of staying in a hotel in Anaheim to enjoy Disneyland like this seemed a bit odd. To do so was definitely a treat. We stayed across the street from Disneyland at what we affectionately called the Sleeze Motel. Let me just say that you get what you pay for. But it was two days at Disneyland just the same and we loved it. My grandma had just passed away the month before and this trip was certainly a cathartic experience for me.

We'd have more adventures to Disneyland including a stay at the Disneyland Hotel and the purchase of annual passes. We'd gotten the Disney Channel. We'd go to the theater to watch Disney movies. The addiction had begun. My wardrobe consisted primarily of attraction T-shirts from Disneyland. I began buying every Disney book that I could get my hands on. I recorded Duck Tales every afternoon. At school, Disney became a topic of every paper I had to write. My four-year high school career unit centered around my becoming a Walt Disney Imagineer.

For any of you who have read various articles I've written for StartedByAMouse.com, you know that I met and fell in love with my best friend while working at the Disney Store together. Kathy and I are celebrating 10 years of being a couple in just a few days. All those books I read about Disney, the Disney movies I watched and having the Disney Channel on all the time helped lead to my becoming a Triviateer and all of the great adventures that that entailed. Disney has certainly played a big part of my life. Disney is my passion. It's what I turn to for fun and entertainment.

Because of all of this, Walt Disney has become a personal hero to me. I feel a deep connection with him that I cannot rationally describe. I cry when I hear or read about his death. His biography by Bob Thomas is perhaps my favorite reading material. And I spend my free time learning what I can about him and his legacy and try to bring that knowledge to others through this website.

I'm not sure Walt Disney would want to be my hero. I'm sure he'd probably think that his faults shouldn't warrant it. He was a genius who had a knack of knowing what the public would enjoy but he was a regular guy too. He was a devoted husband and father and grandfather. He enjoyed playing with toy trains. He smoked too much. He had a bad temper. He liked to eat chili and beans. He cried at his daughters' weddings. He was a real human being with foibles and problems of his own. And that's precisely why Walt Disney is my hero.

Some people treat Walt Disney almost as if he was some sort of deity. They treat him as if he could do no wrong and that his successors have screwed up everything that Walt worked so hard for. But, you see, these people aren't paying attention. Walt made his share of mistakes. But he learned from them. Walt produced things that weren't of the highest quality - not "Disney" quality. But his batting average remained incredibly high. To err is human and Walt most certainly was. It simply wasn't his nature to linger on the bad but rather to look ahead to whatever was coming up next.

Walt Disney was a man who believed enough in himself to go after his own dreams. He pulled himself up after early failures and was better for the experiences. He didn't dwell on the negative. He was optimistic about what the future held for everyone - especially children. He believed the best way to get started was by quit talking and start doing. He didn't neglect his family for business. He believed in quality. He believed in smiles. He believed in fantasy and talking mice and princesses waiting to be awakened by true love's first kiss.

I wasn't fortunate enough to ever meet Walt Disney. He died years before I was born. Although I love the image of "Uncle Walt" that I see in his introductions to the old Disney anthology television series, I'm smart enough to realize that even that image wasn't Walt. Walt was a complex character of his own, a personality that I enjoy trying to understand through his words and the words of others.

Today, I celebrate the life of the man who brought so much to so many. I am thankful for the entertainment that he and his company have brought to me personally. I have met many friends because of Walt's worlds. Had lots of incredible experiences because of my interest in Walt Disney. I've even found my wife because of him. So on the anniversary of his birth 100 years ago, I simply want to say happy birthday and thanks for a lifetime of happiness. The world is a better place because of him.

- Story by Matthew Walker; Photo ©Disney
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