The Magic Of Walt Disney

By | December 3, 2018

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American producer, director, and animator Walt Disney (1901 - 1966) uses a baton to point to sketches of Disneyland, 1955. Source: (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

These days, the Walt Disney Company is one of the largest and most well-known entertainment corporations in the world. No longer just for children, they have acquisitions in major brands such as Star Wars, Marvel, and ABC Studios. They’ve also expanded their interests in the travel industry across the globe, with theme parks in several countries, transatlantic cruises, and Adventures by Disney itineraries on six continents. But it all started over a century ago with a little boy who liked to draw. 

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Walter Elias Disney. (Source: Pinterest.fr)

Walter Elias Disney was born in Chicago, Illinois on December 5, 1901. He was the youngest of four sons born to Elias and Flora Disney, though his sister would be born two years later. While living in Marceline, Missouri, he developed an interest in drawing and painting, eventually selling his creations to friends and family.

The family moved to Kansas City in 1911 and it was there that Walt became fascinated with trains. The interest was likely inspired by his uncle, Mike Martin, who worked as an engineer. Eventually, Walt would get a job with the railroad himself, though it was only a summer job selling snacks and newspapers to the passengers.