Disney Fact Friday

Did you know that Walt Disney actually rode through the model of the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction on a wheelchair to get a better feel for what the final product would be like?

Becky.

The 48th Anniversary of Walt Disney's Death

I know that we have only just celebrated the birthday of Walt Disney, but now it is the 48th anniversary of his death. So, I wanted to make a special post to commemorate this.

Walt Disney was only 65 when he died, of lung cancer, on the 15th of December, 1966. I can only imagine how the world must have reacted to the news. I am sure that many people, people he had never met, but still affected, mourned him.

He left an amazing legacy. People all over the world can quote his movies, can sing his songs, and I am sure that everyone has at least one character from a Disney movie that they absolutely adore.

I know that my life would be very different without Mickey Mouse and all of his friends. Whenever I am feeling anxious, depressed, ill, or I am in pain, Mickey always helps to put a smile on my face. What would be my happy place if I didn't have Disney?

And, let us not forget about all of the happy family memories of the Disney parks! I went when I was a child, with my family, and I went to the Tokyo Disney Resort with my husband this year, and I will always treasure the memories!

What is your favourite memory that surrounds Disney? Do you think that Walt would be proud of his legacy? Please, let me know!

Becky.

Walt Disney

Well, yesterday was Walt Disney's birthday. He was born on the 5th of December in 1901! This year marks his 113th birthday.

Now, I wish to invite you to imagine a world without Walt Disney. What would our childhoods have been like without his movies? Without his characters? Without his parks? Without his belief that anything could happen? I cannot even imagine it!

Walt Disney inspired millions of people, young and old, all over the world. He encouraged their imaginations. He encouraged their curiosity. He encouraged their sense of wonder. And, he encouraged them to chase their dreams. 

So, instead of writing out facts about Walt's life today (which many of you probably already know), I want to encourage you to follow your dreams, just as Walt did. And remember, you can start with the most humble of beginnings, but that does not mean that you cannot achieve amazing things! That is a lesson I definitely learned from Walt Disney.

Happy birthday Mr. Disney!
Becky.

Disney Fact Friday

Did you know that once, Walt Disney accidentaly kidnapped US president Richard Nixon?

Walt wanted to take him on the monorail, and did so, but the president's body guards were unable to get on. Technically, that constitutes kidnap.

Whoops!

Disney Fact Friday

Did you know that in the short cartoon 'Get a Horse' (which was played before Frozen in cinemas), Mickey Mouse was 100% voiced by Walt Disney?

The WDAS staff went through all of the cartoons where Mickey was voiced by Walt, and gathered all of the dialogue they needed from there. The only word that they couldn't find was 'red', so they took the sounds needed for the word from other words that Walt voiced.

Perhaps not a big deal for a lot of people, but for big Disney fans, that is really exciting!

Becky.

Happy Birthday Mickey Mouse!

Well everybody, today is the 86th birthday of Mickey Mouse, one of the most beloved cartoon characters ever created!

Walt Disney had just lost the rights to Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, which was very upsetting to him. But, more than that, if he wanted to keep his company going, he needed another character. He came up with Mickey Mouse on a train, with his wife. Originally titled Mortimer Mouse, Lillian Disney suggested that Mortimer was a bit too snooty, and Mickey came to be.

Mickey debuted on the 18th of November, 1928, in 'Steamboat Willie', so this date is his birthday. 

Steamboat Willie was the first animation with integrated sound, and in fact was not Mickey's first cartoon. Two other Mickey Mouse cartoons were created before this one, but Walt Disney delayed them when he learned about integrated sound technology. So, these two other cartoons were actually
 released to the public after Steamboat Willie.


So, if you would please join me in wishing Mickey a happy birthday...

One...

Two...

Three...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICKEY MOUSE!!!

Becky.