Courage is the main quality of leadership, in my opinion, no matter where it is exercised. Usually it implies some risk – especially in new undertakings. Courage to initiate something and to keep it going – pioneering and adventurous spirit to blaze new ways.
Walt Disney
Walt Disney was no stranger to adversity and even failure.
The setbacks, tough times, and even failures of Walt Disney are well-documented. In every case, he led the company bearing his name to greater success in spite of adversity.
March 2020 was a sobering, disconcerting time to be a Cast Member of any Disney organization. As the reality of the COVID pandemic set in, I had conversations with both current and former Cast Members, and to a person, there was been one trait that stood out.
Optimism.
Even when it was hard to see in the increasing numbers of Cast Members laid off, the curtailment of operations, the postponement of work in progress, and the likely cancellation of future planning, optimism is the underlying strength of the Walt Disney Company.
Even now, three years later, there have continued to be many ups and downs.
So where does the optimism come from?
Jim Korkis was a Disney historian and long-time writer and teacher about Walt Disney and the organization he created. Who’s the Leader of the Club: Walt Disney’s Leadership Lessons is a departure for Korkis in that his usual subject matter was about the culture and history of Disney, a topic which he is uniquely qualified to write about.
As a boy, he grew up grew up in Glendale, California, which just happened to be located next to Burbank – the home of the Disney Studios. Korkis was an inquisitive and undaunted fan of Disney who not only watched the weekly Disney television series but took the initiative to write down the names he saw on the end credits.
He matched passion with inquisitiveness and began to look for those names in the local phonebook. Upon finding one, he would call the individual up and ask them about their work. Many were gracious enough to invite Korkis to their homes where he spent hours being enthralled by their stories of their work at the Disney organization.
Fast forward decades, where you will find that Korkis relocated to Orlando FL to take care of aging parents. In his own words,
I got a job at Walt Disney World that included assisting with the professional business programs, where I met many executives who had worked with Walt Disney and been trained by him.
I was often called on to research, design and facilitate customized programs for different Disney clients like Feld Entertainment, Kodak, Toys “R” Us and more that touched on both the connections of the individual companies to Disney history, as well as how Walt did business.
I was tapped to do this work because of my knowledge of Walt Disney and his approach to business.
I got the opportunity to meet with some of Walt’s “original cast.” I was enthralled by their stories and experiences and took detailed notes. Hearing stories about how Walt led and how he expected others to lead with compassion, integrity and common sense made a huge impact on me.
Korkis goes to great lengths to use Walt Disney’s own words, from a variety of published and unpublished interviews, as well as the words of those who personally experienced him in action, to help elaborate and describe the basic concepts.
In doing so, Korkis delivered to us a refreshing breath of fresh air – a business book using the words and actions of a rare genius that are glaringly absent from most organizations today.
68 years after Walt Disney’s death, and on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Disney Company, his achievements and legacy continue to inspire new generations.
In my case, it’s actually to re-inspire older generations! As a Baby Boomer, I grew up with “The Wonderful World of Disney” as a weekly television show. As a child, I was taken to see most of the Disney films of the 60’s and early 70’s. As a teenager, I took myself – and then, once I became a father, took my family to see those movies. Though I only visited Walt Disney World once as a teenager, I maintained a fascination with the Disney organization that has continued to grow through the years.
In the early 2000s my vocational role as a consultant with churches took on a specific niche – a focus on guest experiences. That lead to a Disney immersion of research, books, films, on-site visits, and conversations with Disney Cast Members past and present. Over the past decade plus, I have spent over 100 days on Disney properties from coast to coast – and on the oceans. My Disney library numbers over 475+ volumes – the oldest released in 1939; the newest released in the last few weeks.
Vital to that immersion was the work of Jim Korkis – through his books and writings for and about Walt Disney and the Disney organization.
By his own admission, Who’s the Leader of the Club was the most difficult book Korkis has ever written. That may be true from his perspective, but the words and stories flow off the page and into the reader’s conscience in an almost imperceptible manner.
Leaders of any organization would do well to settle in with Who’s the Leader of the Club, and be prepared for a story-filled journey of insight into one of the most creative geniuses of recent history.
Along with the stories the reader will find seven “lessons” about Walt Disney’s leadership. Best of all, Korkis concludes each of the “lesson” chapters with a one page checklist called “What Would Walt Do?” summarizing the key points in the lesson and a space to write notes.
For those who are more curious about the chapters in the book, here is the Table of Contents:
Section One: Disney And Leadership
Who Was Walt Disney?
What Type of Leader was Walt?
Leaders and Managers: Walt and Roy
Roy O. Disney and Manager Skills
Walt Disney and Leadership Skills
Section Two: Leadership Lessons
Lesson One: Know The Story
Lesson Two: Share The Story
Lesson Three: Take a (Calculated) Risk
Lesson Four: Make ‘Em Laugh
Lesson Five: Eager To Learn
Lesson Six: Understand People
Lesson Seven: Live The Story (Integrity)
Section Three: Additional Guidance
Walt’s Bad Leadership Traits
Walt’s Advice to Leaders
Create Leaders
Letting People Go
Walt and Money
Do You Know Your Story?
Remembering Walt’s Leadership (Quotes from those who worked for Walt)
Final Words from Walt (Quotes from Walt not previously used in the book)
Recommended Reading
Quotation Sources
Of course, when Korkis wrote the book, he could not have anticipated the uncertainty caused by the disruption to the Disney “kingdoms” around the world by the pandemic in 2020 and the ongoing uncertainties since then.
Disney emerged from the pandemic a greatly-changed organization – and future generations of families – and leaders – will benefit from it. Recent announcements highlight a 60 billion dollar investment in Disney properties around the world. Only time will tell if they come to fruition.
After all, Walt Disney himself went through countless setbacks, and even failures, before the launch of the Walt Disney Company in 1923…
…and look what that has brought to the world in the 100 years since!
What are you waiting for? It’s time to join the “club!”
J. Jeff Kober’s book, “Disney, Leadership, and You” is an excellent work that more than delivers on its title.
Drawing from an inquisitive mind and keen insight, Kober has nearly five decades experience with Walt Disney – from both within and without the company – which provide a very readable, practical, and thoroughly enjoyable leadership book that you will find yourself returning to time and again for just the right nugget to use.
I have known of Jeff for years through his writing, and several years ago was grateful to meet him and engage his services for an immersive park experience with a group I was leading. The warmth, wit, and sheer knowledge of Disney, coupled with his ability to instantly link it to practical applications of my group, was one of the highlights of our experience. That same experience has been translated into this book.
If you are a leader in any size or type of organization, the stories Jeff Kober has captured in “Disney, Leadership, and You” should be a valuable addition to your library, a source of personal encouragement, and a wealth of practical training for both you and your team.
The book is divided into four sections:
Defining Leadership
Leaders Attain Results
Leaders Build Relationships
Putting It All Together
In those four sections you will find 18 themed chapters, each chock full of leadership principles illustrated with stories of Disney leaders from all ranks. The principles are solid in themselves, but what makes them memorable is the stories of the Cast Members.
The stories and principles perfectly describe how Disney Cast Members create magic each day through their hard work and respect for Walt Disney’s original vision.
You organization is not Disney, but you can learn from their excellence. “Disney, Leadership, and You” is an extraordinary source of lessons and learning to help you make a dramatic impact on why you do, what you do, and how you do it.
Leadership means that a group, large or small, is willing to entrust authority to a person who has shown judgement, wisdom, personal appeal, and proven competence.
Do what you do so well that they will want to see it again and bring their friends.
Walt Disney
Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World is beautiful from every angle…
…but the most interesting view is underneath.
Deep underneath Cinderella’s castle in the middle of the Magic Kingdom is a utility corridor running from Main Street Square to Fantasyland. There is also a circular corridor running around the circumference of the Magic Kingdom. Though it gives the appearance of a tunnel, and many Cast Members call it a tunnel, these long passageways are really corridors, built on ground level and then covered over with 5 million square yards of dirt and sand dredged to create all the beautiful water features you see around the park. The visible park you see is really the second story of the park – but that’s really another story.
In recent years I have spent over 100 days at Disney parks, museums, and a cruise. Because of proximity, most of that time was at Walt Disney World, with much of the time observing and talking with Cast Members and Guest Experience Managers of all four theme parks. In a one year stretch, I was able to be on Disney property 31 days! During my time onsite, there have been many stories but there is no better summary than this:
Imagine, if you will, that long central corridor described above where almost all Magic Kingdom Cast Members pass through in their work at the park. To one side of that corridor, beginning a long wall of photos, sayings, and displays of the history of Walt Disney World, is a very large, but simple poster with a picture of Walt Disney and these words:
Walt Disney’s vision for a great guest experience:
Safety, Courtesy, Show, Efficiency
In a line past that poster, you will see 4 more large posters, with a smiling Cast Member’s picture on each, with these words below:
I practice safe behaviors in everything I do
I am courteous and respectful to Guests of all ages
I stay in character and perform my role in every story
I use my time and resources wisely
Known by various terms but most often called the 4 Keys, they were a result of Walt Disney’s vision for Guest Experiences – first at Disneyland when it opened in 1955, then at the Magic Kingdom in 1971, and at every other theme park, cruise ship, and Disney organization since then.
In literally every conversation I had, the 4 Keys were mentioned – as a group, as individual stories, and how they are used as training tools.
That’s powerful.
These 4 keys are simple service standards, and they can be powerful tools in any organization – but especially in churches that want to provide an Exceptional Guest Experience.
There is power in establishing a framework of values from which everyone in your organization operates. Within that framework, you can empower team members in a way that gives them a sense of ownership and purpose. You create a consistent image across the entire organization.
Disney’s standards have stood the test of time for almost 70 years – shouldn’t you consider creating standards for your organization that will stand the test of time as well?
Yes, you should. And here’s the guide to help you do just that!
Whether they are called clients, customers, constituents, or, in Disney-speak, Guests, all organizations must better serve the people who purchase their products and services or risk losing them. Now, for the first time, one critical element of the methods behind the magic that is the Walt Disney World Resort – quality service – is revealed in Be Our Guest.
Even before Tom Peters and Bob Waterman profiled Walt Disney World Resort in their groundbreaking book In Search of Excellence, the most popular resort destination in the world enjoyed a reputation as a company that sets the benchmark for best business practices.
Be Our Guest outlines proven Disney principles and processes for helping your organization focus its vision and align its people and infrastructure into a cohesive strategy that delivers on the promise of exceptional customer service.
Five years after the publication of Imagineering in 1996, Walt Disney Studios CEO Michael Eisner had finally overcome the hesitations he had for years regarding Disney’s “insider’s secrets” – first with Imagineering, and now with the Guest Services found in the Parks and Resorts. It also marked the 15th anniversary of the Disney Institute – professional development programs delivered to organizations worldwide.
At the time of the publication of Be Our Guest in 2001 (and revised in 2011), the Disney Institute had established a significant presence in the training world for its ability to appeal to leaders in multiple industries, and to customize content into programs that uniquely connected participants to their own heritage, values, people, and guests.
And what better way to highlight the Disney Institute than to shine a spotlight on quality service?
Quality Service means exceeding your guests’ expectations and paying attention to detail.
Be Our Guest has been the invitation for people coming to a Disney theme park long before the song from “Beauty and the Beast” became a box office hit.
It underscores an important element in the Disney vocabulary, that customers are not referred to as such, but rather as Guests. In the Disney nomenclature, the word “Guest” is capitalized and treated as a formal noun.
What’s the difference between treating someone like a customer, and treating someone like a Guest?
The obvious analogy is that we do things differently when we bring Guests into our home. We clean up the house. We dress up. We prepare something special to eat. We host them. We take care of their real needs.
Disney Expects Guests
This principle has to be the starting point, the foundation on which all else is built. Everything – and I mean everything – is done with the Guest in mind. At Walt Disney World, exceeding Guest expectations is the standard call to duty for all cast members, both those “onstage” and “backstage”.
At Disney, everyone is a part of the Guest Experience team.
For years, Disney cast members talked of sprinkling “pixie dust” to create magical experiences for their Guests. There really wasn’t any pixie dust – but the pixie dust was real in that it is the show that has been created from the moment a Guest arrives on the property until they leave for home.
It’s a practical magic that occurs both onstage (whenever cast members are in public areas of the parks and in front of Guests) and backstage (when they are behind the scenes where the everyday work of operating a city devoted to entertainment is conducted).
The onstage component of practical magic is the response that it produces in Guests when everything comes together in a seamless, seemingly effortless performance. The backstage component is comprised of the nuts and bolts of creating practical magic. Practical magic is whatever it takes to exceed Guest expectations.
Superlative face-to-face service is just one element in the work of exceeding Guest expectations. It means:
Paying attention to every aspect of the Guest experience
Analyzing that experience from the Guest’s perspective
Understanding the needs and wants of the Guest
Committing every element of the business – from the design of each element of the infrastructure to the interactions between Guest and cast – to the creation of an exceptional experience for each of them
Exceeding Guests’ expectations is Disney’s service strategy, and paying attention to every detail is the tactic by which it is accomplished.
Friendly, helpful Parking Teams
Getting you from the parking lot to the park entrance
Beautifully maintained landscaping
Trash – nonexistent
Baby strollers organized and waiting for Guests
Team Leaders visible everywhere – leading by example
Personalizing and enhancing the Guest Experience
Giving a “face” to the place
Disney expects Guests – and plans to exceed their Guests’ expectations every time. What about you?
The Disney organization is perhaps the greatest practitioner of Guest Experiences around today. Books have been written about what the “cast members” at Disney do to make people feel welcome (I know – I’ve read all of them, and own most of them).
As we move into the holiday season, I’m reminded of a very special visit to Walt Disney World about this time of year. My wife and I “opened and closed” the Magic Kingdom (we were there from the opening at 8 AM to closing at midnight) including Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party as a part of a wedding anniversary celebration.
Once again, I was amazed at the exceptional attitude of the cast members.
Observing hundreds of Cast Members, dealing with tens of thousands of Guests, there’s only one word to describe their attitude: Magical.
So I’m sure you won’t mind if we go backstage and back in time at Disney to learn about their 7 Guest Service Guidelines – a list of actions that every Disney team member learns during their orientation.
When Disneyland opened in 1955, Disney was looking for a set of generic behaviors that ensured that cast members knew how to act courteously and respect the individuality of each Guest. Over the first ten years, the four values of Safety, Courtesy, Show, and Efficiency became the foundation from which all succeeding service standards were developed.
During the 1960s, these standards were translated into a set of behavioral actions called Guidelines for Guest Services, which became the centerpiece of training for all Disney cast members. Appropriately enough, the seven guidelines were personalized with the characters from the seven Dwarfs:
7 Guidelines for Guest Services
Make eye contact and smile
Greet and welcome each and every Guest
Seek out Guest contact
Provide immediate service recovery
Display appropriate body language at all times
Preserve the “magical” Guest Experience
Thank each and every Guest
These seven phrases serve a variety of purposes. First, they define behavior in terms of Guests. They also communicate cast member responsibilities. Finally, they showcase ways to customize service to individual Guests.
Even though these Guidelines don’t exist in this form anymore, my experiences over the years reminded me that the spirit of the Guidelines are very much in practice by cast members today.
Your organization probably won’t have tens of thousands of people coming through your doors every day – but the principles Disney uses as a baseline starting point for training its Cast Members are appropriate your use.
I don’t want the public to see the world they live in while they’re in the park. I want them to feel like they’re in another world.
Get a good idea, and stay with it. Dog it, and work at it until it’s done, and done right.
Walt Disney
Frequent readers of this site know of my fondness (well, let’s call it what it is – extreme fanaticism) for the genius of Walt Disney and the amazing “kingdom” that bears his name. Recently, I’ve been researching the early history of animation at Disney through various sources, mostly first-person accounts of the animators from the 1930s.
When I had the opportunity, I also spent a few days in Anaheim, CA at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. In a unique dining experience while talking with Cast Members, I was reminded again of the vision Walt Disney exercised to bring Snow Whiteand the Seven Dwarfstolife.
Tucked inside the entrance gates to Disney’s California Adventure is an iconic reproduction of the Carthay Circle Theater in Los Angeles. One of the most important theaters in the Golden Age of Movies during the Twenties and Thirties, it represents the premier of a tremendous achievement by Walt Disney – the first full length animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Though we now view Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs as an animation classic, in the mid-1930’s the idea of a full-length “cartoon” was unheard of. Walt Disney took one of the biggest risks of his career, putting almost all of his resources – both business and personal – into the film. Called “Disney’s Folly” by most of Hollywood (and more than a few inside Disney Studios itself), the film opened to critical and financial success, paving the way for Disney to continue expanding his creative genius.
With critics becoming more vocal, Walt Disney knew he would have to inspire his team of artists and writers as never before.
The rest is history…
Ken Anderson, Art Director for Snow White, remembered it this way:
Walt approached a group of employees late one afternoon, gave each of them fifty cents, told them to grab dinner across the street and then return to the soundstage that evening. None had any idea of what Walt had in mind.
When they arrived and took their seats on wooden tiers at the back of the room, Walt was standing at the front lit by a single spotlight in the otherwise dark space.
Announcing that he was going to launch an animated feature, he told the story of Snow White, not just telling it but acting it out, assuming the character; mannerisms, putting on their voices, letting his audience visualize exactly what they would be seeing on the screen.
He became Snow White and the wicked queen and the prince and each of the dwarfs.
Anderson said the performance took over three hours. One animator later claimed, “that one performance lasted us three years. Whenever we’d get stuck, we’d remember how Walt did it on that night.”
Along about the same time, Disney demonstrated his vision in another way. The new medium of television, though in its infancy, was growing.
According to Keith Gluck, writing for The Walt Disney Family Museum,
Before Walt Disney even understood the new medium of television, he still had the foresight to invest in it. Walt had learned from dealing with shady characters in the past to pay close attention to contracts. When his distribution deal with United Artists was coming to a close, he chose not to renew. UA was insisting on the television rights to all Disney cartoons. “I don’t know what television is, and I’m not going to sign away anything I don’t know about,” Walt said. He ended up signing with RKO Pictures in late 1935.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs premiered in 1937, distributed by RKO Pictures. It was a smashing success, and was later given an honorary Academy Award for its groundbreaking achievements. It was no typical Oscar, either – the award instead was one statuette with seven miniature statuettes!
There’s one more piece to this vision puzzle…
Over a decade later, Walt’s interest in television began to develop. In 1948 he spent a week in New York with the specific purpose of watching and learning more about television. By the time he returned to the Studio, he was convinced it was just the forum to help promote his work. He even told Studio Nurse Hazel George, “Television is the coming thing.” While other movie studios were trying to think of ways to thwart the coming of television, Walt was gearing up to embrace it.
– Keith Gluck, The Walt Disney Family Museum
By being the first studio producer to become involved with the fledgling medium of television, Disney was able to leverage that partnership into a financing arrangement that allowed him to bring another dream to reality – Disneyland.
Walt had a grander vision of what his shows could do on ABC, and how they could be used to promote Disneyland. Despite pressure from the other studios, Walt and Roy Disney signed a contact with Leonard Goldenson of ABC, in which the network put up $500,000 in cash, guarantee $4.5 million in loans, and receive one-third ownership in Disneyland (which it later sold back to Disney).
With the opening of Disneyland in 1955, Walt’s vision and imagination took on a reality that people could see, hear, and feel – an experience that changed entertainment forever.
Walt Disney’s Vision Lesson for Leaders Today
Walt Disney’s unique vision, personalized in the telling of Snow White, demonstrated in the far-reaching aspects of a contract, and brought to life at Disneyland, can be a model for leaders today.
What vision is burning inside of you, a vision that can captivate your team, influence the influential, and be brought to life in your community?
People often ask me if I know the secret of success and if I could tell others how to make their dreams come true. My answer is you do it by working.
To make the dream of Disneyland come true took the combined skills and talents of hundreds of artisans, carpenters, engineers, scientists, and craftsmen. The dream they built now becomes your heritage. It is you who will make Disneyland truly a magic kingdom and a happy place for the millions of guests who will visit us now in the future.
Walt Disney, to Disneyland Cast Members in 1955
In 2017, I was able to be at Walt Disney World for 31 days – most time spent in the parks and resorts in any calendar year of my long history there.
Thanks to the unexpected generosity of two of my kids, my 2016 Annual Pass was renewed for 2017. That, coupled with a lot of client work in the Central Florida area, was all I needed to have an amazing year of yes, magical, experiences.
Let me unpack this a little: I don’t do attractions that have motion to them (vertigo). Most of those days were solo trips (though I did have some very special time with my wife in April, and my wife and daughter in November). On a few of those days I would drop in for just a few hours – maybe during the evening hours for a single show and a meal. On most of the days, it was a full day experience including a stay in one of the Resorts. On one particular day, I spent almost 20 hours at the Magic Kingdom, beginning with a 5:45 a.m. visit with the Parking Lot Cast Members, and ending at 2 a.m. the next day closing the park out.
As one of my friends put it, “Why?”
Simply put, I am always amazed by the Cast Members as they fulfill Walt Disney’s dream referenced above for Disneyland, and by extension, to all Disney endeavors the world over.
A picture is worth a thousand words:
Start with the image on the left: the Cast Member is smiling at the large crowd headed her way. But as you look at the next two images on the upper right, she is looking downward – seemingly away from the crowd approaching her. As the final image shows in the lower right, her focus all along has been on children right in front of her, but masked by the crowd from my initial viewpoint.
Boom.
The 31 days at Walt Disney World provided me with dozens of conversations with current and former Cast Members just like this. I was able to spend hours just watching interactions between Cast Members and Guests. I photographed thousands of “moments” that tell stories. Whether an hour or a day, my time at Walt Disney World provided an immersion into the excellence of Disney’s Cast Members when it comes to interactions with Guests.
Here are just a few personal stories from my Disney visits that would illustrate this takeaway:
The very helpful Cast Members who helped with my Backstage Magic tour arrangements
Cast Members at the parking lot ticket booth and in the parking lots who understood I was just being dropped off for the day
Bob, the Security Team member who told me I was in for a good day
Wayne and Ernesto, our Disney Institute tour guides, who were knowledgeable and passionate about all things Disney
The funny and loud Cast Members of the Whispering Canyons restaurant, who fed and entertained us at the same time
Cast Members who smiled and greeted us backstage and onstage all day
I could go on and on, but maybe the best story is one from the past:
courtesy Disney Imagineering
In 1978, Disney announced it was opening another part of Walt Disney World in 1982. Not just a new section – this was Epcot, one of Walt Disney’s original dreams for Disney World. And the opening was specific: October 1, 1982.
At the time, Epcot was the largest construction project in the world. Most of the people working on the project did not work for Disney; they worked for all the contractors and subcontractors all over the country.
What Disney decided to do was to make these workers feel as though they were part of the Disney family – to get them to identify with Epcot even though they weren’t actually part of the Disney organization. Here’s how they did it:
They closed down the job site one Sunday a month for over a year. Keep in mind that this was the world’s biggest construction project, moving toward a rock-solid deadline that had been announced almost four years in advance. To shut the place down one day a month was a big deal.
Disney brought in several big circus tents and set the up in what was eventually to be the Epcot parking lot. Food service went in one of the tents – hot dogs, hamburgers, and the whole works – a picnic.
In another tent, the Disney Imagineers created a miniature Epcot: the ground was sculpted to show where the land and water would be; photographs of the work were posted; artists’ renderings showed what the completed project would look like. Everything was kept up-to-date for over a year.
On that one Sunday a month, the project was shut down, and all the construction workers and their families were invited to enjoy the picnic and look around. They would enjoy the food and see what their Dad or Mom was doing.
Disney continued this for over a year so the families could watch it grow and the workers could see what they were creating – not just the big picture, but where their piece happened to fit into the big picture.
This went on all the way through the construction cycle until Epcot opened. The $1.2 billion project came in on time and on budget, with very few snags. This was in part thanks to thousands of people who were not Cast Members, and had little motivation to do so. Disney wasn’t writing their checks; they weren’t giving them benefits. They couldn’t do the traditional things that you normally do to keep employees happy.
Instead, they treated them like Cast Members. And it worked. At the grand celebration of the opening of Epcot, there was a huge celebration with thousands of people attending – most of them the construction workers and their families.
When a rough-necked iron worker is seen wearing mouse ears, you know he understands the dream.
Don’t you love the surprise of getting something extra when you least expect it?
Disney’s Custodial Cast Members are some of my most favorite Cast Members to observe as they go about their role. It’s a very important role, far more than you might think. The Custodial Cast Member is much more than a “janitor” or a “street sweeper.” They are independent for the most part – meaning they have the freedom to move around in different sections of the parks because of their white costumes don’t clash with any theming. They receive extra training because of their visibility and accessibility. Their official title is Custodial Guest Services Cast Member for a reason – their very visible presence in all the parks allows them to answer guest questions, make personal connections, and create artwork…
Wait a minute – create artwork?
That’s what I said! In addition to upholding Walt Disney’s vision for keeping the parks clean for guests, members of the custodial team can also become water artists.
Custodial Cast Members can sign up for a class where they learn to draw various Disney characters with their pan, broom, and a little water.
Not to be outdone, on a recent trip to the Magic Kingdom I even saw a few regular Cast Members practicing a little art magic with masking tape.
Lee Cockerell, former executive vice president of operations at Walt Disney World Resorts, talks about this in his book The Customer Rules:
With a little bit of imagination, you too can delight customers by giving them a little extra when they least expect it. They’ll surprise you in turn by coming back early and often and by singing your praises to others.
That’s right – some of the best comments and thanks from Guests go to the Custodial teams. That speaks so powerfully to the culture at Disney.
Now for a tough question – think of the “least desirable role” in your organization. Do those team members have the same passion and culture exhibited by the Custodial Cast Members at Disney?
We train them to be aware that they’re there mainly to help the guest.
From blue sky ideation, to pencil on paper, to digital models, to plaster and paint, Imagineers build dreams. They never say “never,” and the sky is not the limit. That quest has created a new art form and a new kind of artist, one whose canvas is the world itself and whose tools are whatever it takes to turn that world into a fantastic, enveloping story.
Leslie Iwerks, “The Imagineering Story”
The books in my Disney library are a valuable resource for my ongoing quest in learning the story of Walt Disney and the “kingdoms” he created; kingdoms that continue to expand in the 57 years since his passing.
But even books have limitations…
You can dream, create, design, and build the most wonderful place in the world…but it requires people to make the dream a reality.
Walt Disney
Over the years I have been fortunate to make friends among Disney Cast Members, both current and past. A handful of those friends have been Imagineers, and as you may imagine, they are amazing storytellers, creative geniuses, and innovative to the core.
So…learning more about Imagineering? Sign me up – literally!
When the news that a new steaming service called Disney+ was coming in the fall of 2019, I was delighted – so much, that I signed up for a 3-year subscription as soon as they became available.
When the initial programming schedule was released, and included the 6-part series “The Imagineering Story,” I was ecstatic – it was among the first programs I watched on the new service.
When the book The Imagineering Story was announced, I was literally stopped what I was doing and pre-ordered the book.
There’s really no secret about our approach. We keep moving forward – opening new doors and doing new things – because we’re curious. And curiosity keeps leading us down new paths. We’re always exploring and experimenting…we call it Imagineering – the blending of creative imaginational and technical know-how.
The book goes deep into the personalities, stories, and adventures of the men and women who brought create magic around the world.
More than just the theme parks (though that would have been awesome enough), every resort hotel, shop and business setting, cruise ship, and entertainment setting exists largely through the men and women of Disney Imagineering.
The Imagineering Story greatly expands the award-winning filmmaker Leslie Iwerks’ narrative of the fascinating history of Walt Disney Imagineering.
The entire legacy of Walt Disney Imagineering is covered from day one through future projects with never-before-seen access and insights from people both on the inside and on the outside. So many stories and details were left on the cutting room floor for the series – this book allows an expanded exploration of the magic of Imagineering.
Every one of the 731 pages was filled with stories that brought the Disney Experience alive.
The experience of Disney – primarily in the theme parks, but now expanded to other resorts, retail shops, and cruise ships – can be traced back to Walt Disney. His untimely death in 1966 could have left a void in the creativity of the Disney empire.
But I believe his greatest act of genius had its origins in 1952, as he began to pull together veterans of film and animation work for a special project that came to be known as Disneyland.
That group of versatile animators and art directors was the foundation of a group that came to be called the Imagineers.
Out of this group, Disney historian Tim Hauser reflects, “came the theories, aesthetics, design, and engineering of Disneyland; the advancement of three-dimensional storytelling; the development of robotic techniques in Audio-Animatronics; and the perpetuation of an ‘architecture of reassurance’ as inspired by Walt Disney’s personal sense of optimistic futurism.”
Today Walt Disney Imagineering remains the design, development, and master-planning branch of company, with over 140 disciplines working toward the common goal of great stories and creating great places.
Walt Disney wanted Disneyland to be essentially a movie that allows you to walk in and join in the fun. Imagineers – many whom had worked with Walt Disney since the 1930s – literally brought those movies to life with their multiple disciplines. He knew from his filmmaking experience that story was everything to the audience. Disney knew he must immerse the theme park guest in living storytelling scenarios.
Designing the Guest’s experience is what Walt Disney’s Imagineers came to call “the art of the show,” a term that applies to what the Imagineers did at every level, from the broadest conceptual outlines to the smallest details, encompassing visual storytelling, characters, and the use of color.
Walt Disney realized that a visit to an amusement park could be like a theatrical experience – in a word, a show. Walt saw that the Guests’ sense of progressing through a narrative, of living out a story told visually, could link together the great variety of attractions he envisioned for his new kind of park. While traveling through their stories, Guests would encounter, and even interact with, their favorite Disney characters, and who would be transformed, as if by magic, from their two-dimensional film existence into this special three-dimensional story world.
As designers, the Imagineers create spaces – guided experiences that take place in carefully structured environments, allowing the Guests to see, hear, smell, touch, and taste in new ways. In effect, Imagineers transform a space into a story place.
Ultimately, the Imagineers gave Guests a place to play, something Walt believed that adults needed as much as children. The design of the Imagineers gives power to the Guests’ imagination, to transcend their everyday routine. Walt Disney insisted that Guests should “feel better because of” their experiences in Disney theme parks, thus establishing the art of the show.
For the Imagineers, that meant considering everything within and relating to the parks as design elements. To build effective story environments and assure Guest comfort, the designers realize that they always had to assume the Guests’ position and point of view, and just as Walt did, to take the Guests’ interests to heart and defend them when others didn’t think it mattered.
It is up to the designers to provide Guests with the appropriate sensory information that makes each story environment convincing. This means that design considerations go beyond the attractions themselves to the service and operations staff, transportation, restaurants, shops, rest rooms – even the trash cans.
Everything Begins With a Story
Storytelling has played a vital role in our survival – allowing us to share information, knowledge, and values from generation to generation. Story is the medium through which we receive our early learning as to right and wrong, good versus evil, reward and punishment, social values, etc.
We respond to storytelling. It engages our attention; no matter how old we get, who doesn’t love a good story?
Understanding this, Walt Disney utilized a technique in the early days of his cartoon films that helped illustrate the flow and continuity of stories – the storyboard.
Storyboards are tools that allowed Walt and his artists to envision a film prior to production. It allowed his team to have a shared vision of the story they were telling and how it would unfold. As a bonus to driving the creative development, it also offered a cost-effective way to experiment with a film early on, so that when production began, costs could be minimized.
Decades later, the tradition of storyboards continues on, though it has long expanded past just films. At Walt Disney Imagineering, rides, shows, and films for Disney’s theme parks around the world are the objects of regular storyboarding.
For each ride, show, or attraction, a logical story sequence is created. Almost every aspect of a project is broken sown into progressive seen sketches, called storyboard panels, that reflect the beginning, middle, and end of a Guest’s park experience.
The boards are eventually covered with every written thought, idea, and rough sketch the Imagineers can come up with.
Starting with brainstorm sessions, the Imagineer’s first thoughts, ideas, images, and feelings about the story they are creating are captured on note cards and quick sketches. For example, here’s an early sketch of Animal Kingdom’s Tree of Life:
courtesy Disney Imagineering
The beauty of the Tree is matched by its engineering marvels as well. It is a massive structure, towering 145 feet into the air with a full canopy of natural-looking leaves, enclosing a 420-seat theater and meeting all building codes, including withstanding 145 mph winds. The engineering feats accomplished, it was time for the Imagineering team of sculptors to create the magnificent bark of the tree – which is actually representations of animals. That process alone took almost a full year.
courtesy Orlando Sentinel
One of the most amazing pieces of art ever created by Disney’s Imagineers, it is beautiful and meaningful, and captures the essence of Animal Kingdom at a glance. It’s a poetic statement of the majesty of nature, the stunning diversity of animals, and our respect for our place in the world. As you approach the tree and the animal forms begin to reveal themselves, it becomes clear that there is almost no tree at all. That tree is the animal kingdom.
The experience of viewing the Tree of Life is like looking for animals in the clouds. The longer you look, the more you see – maybe even all 325 of them! This effect is the result of very careful planning during the design phase with the use of storyboards.
The storyboards are worked, re-worked, rearranged, and edited until the story is strong and clear. Only then will production proceed – with stunning results:
At Walt Disney Imagineering, everything they do revolves around the story – and storyboards have remained an essential tool in helping them tell the story.
That is the power of story – it is an experience that enables us to escape to another world, to be captivated and be in the moment.
The secret to Disney magic that the Imagineers bring to life is in the story!
Recently celebrating their 70th anniversary, the Imagineers have delivered – time and time again. To date, the Imagineers have built twelve theme parks; dozens of resort hotels; 5 cruise ships with two more under construction; 2 water parks; and ongoing development in existing parks and Disney properties around the world.
The Imagineers bring the Disney magic alive.
The Imagineering Story brings the Imagineers to life.
I have a hard time ranking the books in my Disney library – but The Imagineering Story is going to be in my all-time Top Ten from now on, and a highly-recommended book for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of the creative genius (and occasionally weirdness) of that special and unique blend of artists and engineers who took the dreams of one man, Walt Disney, and brought them to life.
Walt was a storyteller above all. Walt didn’t write the stories but he envisioned them. He told stories better than anyone else around and he got the people around him to turn his stories into movies and theme park attractions.
My brother Walt and I first went into business together almost a half-century ago. And he was really, in my opinion, truly a genius – creative, with great determination, singleness of purpose and drive; and through his entire life he was never pushed off his course or diverted to other things.
Roy Disney, at the Dedication of Walt Disney World, October, 1971
The year 2023 marks a momentous occasion for Disney enthusiasts and fans of the magical world of animation and entertainment. It’s the 100th anniversary of the Disney Company, a celebration that invites us to take a journey through time and rediscover the remarkable story of two brothers who forever changed the landscape of the entertainment industry: Walt Disney and Roy Disney.
As we explore the extraordinary partnership of Walt and Roy Disney, we’ll look at highlights of their shared vision, unwavering dedication, and the remarkable accomplishments that define their legacy.
From the earliest days of their lives in the bustling city of Chicago, Illinois, to the groundbreaking achievements that revolutionized animation and theme parks, the story of Walt and Roy Disney is a tale of creativity, innovation, and the power of collaboration. Together, they laid the foundation for a global entertainment empire that continues to enchant and inspire generations of dreamers and believers.
Join me on this journey as we unravel the tale of the Disney brothers whose partnership laid the foundation for a magical world where dreams come true. Through the highs and lows, triumphs and challenges, their story is a testament to the enduring spirit of innovation and the belief that anything is possible when you have a dream and someone to share it with.
Childhood and Early Years
In the heart of the bustling city of Chicago, Illinois, in the early years of the 20th century, two brothers were born who would go on to change the face of entertainment forever. Walter Elias Disney, known to the world as Walt, and his younger sibling Roy Oliver Disney, came into the world with an innate curiosity and a shared passion for art and animation.
Shared Upbringing
The Disney brothers grew up in a modest household, where their father, Elias Disney, worked as a carpenter, and their mother, Flora Disney, nurtured their creative spirits. It was within the confines of this supportive and nurturing family that the seeds of their future dreams were sown.
From an early age, it was clear that Walt and Roy possessed a unique bond. Being eight years older, he would often push the infant Walt in a carriage along the streets of their home. Even after a move from Chicago to a farm in Marceline, MO in 1906, the brothers remained close. Having three older brothers, Walt was mature for a seven-year old, and Roy treated him as an equal, rather than a pesky little brother.
When the two older brothers left the family farm to strike out on their own, and with their father Elias weakened by illness, the responsibility of keeping up the farm fell to Roy. It was too much for a boy who was also attending high school, so the Disney family sold the farm and moved into a small house in Marceline, primarily so the three children (Roy, Walt, and sister Ruth) could finish school.
In 1910, the family moved to Kansas City, with Elias becoming a newspaper distributor – and drafting his sons Roy and Walt to make deliveries in the early hours before school began and late afternoon, after school had been dismissed. These long hours of shared work were an foreshadowing of the partnership that continued throughout the remainder of their lives.
Separate Paths
After graduation from high school and working a few odd jobs, Roy settled into the world of banking as a teller. Walt’s love of drawing since boyhood deepened throughout his school years. Walt often came to see Roy because he wanted a quarter or half-dollar for paper to draw on. That pattern became the story of their lives: Roy providing the money for Walt’s artistic endeavors.
As the U.S. began its involvement in WWI, Roy enlisted in the Navy, serving for two years. Back in Kansas City, Elias Disney grew dissatisfied with the newspaper business, and moved his family back to Chicago. Walt finished high school in Kansas City, then moved to Chicago for a brief time, before convincing his reluctant parents to allow him to volunteer for the Red Cross and go the the battlegrounds of Europe.
When the war ended in 1919, Roy returned to Kansas City and his job as a bank teller. Walt, drawn innately by the bond he had with Roy, also settled in Kansas City. He announced he had decided to make a career out of his passion: he would become an artist.
The Birth of the Disney Brothers’ Animation Ventures
In the years that followed, the Walt began to experiment with animation techniques, driven by his insatiable curiosity and an eagerness to bring drawings to life. He embarked on a series of jobs that helped him hone his craft. After a few setbacks, he borrowed money from friends and family and launched “Laugh-O-Gram Films.” After some initial success, Walt had overextended Laugh-O-Gram, and it went bankrupt. Desperate, he reached out to his older brother for advice through a series of letters and telegrams.
Roy had not been well since his return from the Navy; he was diagnosed with tuberculosis, and sent to a series of veterans’ hospitals in New Mexico and Arizona to recuperate. After some recovery, he moved to California and began a hunt for a job. After a few small jobs, he suffered a relapse from TB and entered the VA hospital in Los Angeles. Receiving disability payments, he would often reply to Walt’s letters with a $20 bill enclosed – because he knew Walt needed the money.
Upon the failure of Laugh-O-Gram, Walt received a letter from Roy encouraging Walt to leave Kansas City. The next day, Walt boarded a train to join his older brother Roy in California.
Founding of Disney Brothers Studio
In the early 1920s, as the world was on the brink of a new era, Walt and Roy Disney were about to embark on an adventure that would forever change the course of entertainment history. It was a time of boundless creativity and innovation, and the Disney brothers were poised to be at the forefront of it all.
From Humble Beginnings to Ambitious Dreams
The Disney brothers had come a long way from their modest upbringing in Chicago. In 1923, with a few sketches from the Kansas City days, an old camera, and an unyielding determination to succeed, they founded Disney Brothers Studio in Hollywood, California. Staring in their uncle’s garage, they soon moved to rented rooms behind an realtor.
The inception of Disney Brothers Studio marked the birth of what would eventually become The Walt Disney Company. At this early stage, the company was a small animation studio with big dreams. Walt Disney, the visionary and creative force behind the operation, had a clear vision for what he wanted to achieve: to create innovative and captivating animated content that would transport audiences to magical worlds.
The Complementary Roles of Walt and Roy
One of the hallmarks of the Disney brothers’ partnership was the way in which they complemented each other’s strengths. Walt was the dreamer, the artist, and the storyteller. He had a knack for creating beloved characters like Mickey Mouse and crafting unforgettable narratives. Meanwhile, Roy was the pragmatist, the financial wizard, and the one who kept the studio afloat during challenging times.
Roy’s role in the early days of Disney Brothers Studio cannot be overstated. While Walt poured his heart and soul into the creative process, Roy handled the business side of things. He secured contracts, managed budgets, and ensured that the studio had the financial stability to continue its groundbreaking work. Roy forsook banking work and a hospital bed, where he was recuperating from tuberculosis contracted during wartime, to start as the cameraman, bookkeeper, and even cel washer for a time at the little animation studio. Without Roy’s steady hand guiding the company, Walt’s creative visions might never have seen the light of day.
Alice Comedies
Walt’s experimentation of putting a live person into an animated cartoon was a success, and soon the brothers had a contract to move forward. Eventually, they produces a series of 56 Alice shorts over the next three and a half years, each one becoming more popular than the previous one. With the success of the Alice comedies, the brothers moved into an all new and larger studio in 1926.
Oswald
In 1927, the debut of Walt and Roy’s first true cartoon star, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, furthered their creative accolades and reputation. Oswald appeared in a series of 26 silent cartoons, but the Disney Brothers Studio lost the rights to Oswald through a contract dispute with the distributor.
The Debut of Mickey Mouse and a Turning Point
In 1928, Disney Brothers Studio faced a critical turning point. The studio had experienced some success with its Oswald series, but in the same dispute in which they lost Oswald, they lost almost all their animators. Returning to California from New York City with the bitter news, Walt telegraphed Roy:
LEAVING TONIGHT STOPPING OVER KC ARRIVE HOME SUNDAY MORNING SEVEN THIRTY DON’T WORRY EVERYTHING OK WILL GIVE DETAILS WHEN ARRIVE—WALT
Walt later told the story of coming up with the character of Mickey Mouse on that long and painful ride from NYC. It was the creation of Mickey Mouse in the groundbreaking short film Steamboat Willie that catapulted them to fame. There were actually two earlier Mickey Mouse cartoons – Plane Crazy and The Gallopin’ Gaucho – but Steamboat Willie was the first cartoon with sound. Mickey Mouse quickly became a cultural phenomenon, capturing the hearts of audiences around the world.
Steamboat Willie was not only the first synchronized sound cartoon but also the birth of a global icon. It showcased Walt’s innovative spirit and Roy’s ability to navigate the evolving landscape of the film industry. Together, they had struck gold.
A World of Imagination Unveiled
By the late 1920s into the 1930s, Disney Brothers Studio had firmly established itself as a leader in animation. With beloved characters like Mickey Mouse capturing the hearts of audiences, the studio was poised for growth. Walt Disney’s unceasing creativity gave birth to a world of imagination, as he introduced a cavalcade of new characters and storytelling techniques.
The Silly Symphonies series allowed for experimentation in animation, paving the way for innovations like the multiplane camera, which added depth and dimension to their films. Each new release was a testament to Walt’s artistic vision, while Roy, always the financial steward, ensured the studio’s continued financial success.
Snow White
Buoyed by the success of his animation projects, Walt brought to life a dream he had held onto since 1917 – a full-length animated feature film, Snow White. Taking three years to produce, requiring great financial sacrifice, and despite the derision of Hollywood, it opened to tremendous acclaim on December 21, 1937.
Because of the long development process, there was time to contract licensees during production (Roy’s idea) and Snow White marked the first time a complete licensed merchandise campaign was in place upon a film’s release. Additionally, a 3-record set of recordings from the film became the first feature-film soundtrack release – before the word “soundtrack” was used.
The success of Snow White provided resources for the construction of a new, state-of-the art studio in Burbank, and by October 1940 the Disneys’s new studio was ready to usher in a new generation of filmmaking advancements.
The Disney Magic Expands to Television
In 1950 the Disney brothers expanded their reach into television. While other Hollywood studios ignored the rise of television, Walt and Roy embraced it. They saw the medium as a new platform for storytelling – one which allowed him to communicate directly to audiences.
Over the years, shows like The Mickey Mouse Club and Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color brought Disney’s magic into living rooms across America. Once again, Walt’s storytelling prowess and Roy’s financial management were the perfect recipe for success.
These television programs not only showcased beloved Disney characters but also provided a platform for Walt to share his insatiable curiosity and passion for education and innovation. This commitment to learning and growth would become a cornerstone of the Disney legacy.
In addition, it was the partnership with the fledgling ABC network that allowed the seed money and loan backing for a project that had been on Walt Disney’s heart since boyhood – an amusement park.
Challenges and the Birth of Disneyland
As the Disney brothers reached the 1950s, they faced a monumental challenge that would test their partnership like never before: the construction of Disneyland. The idea of a theme park where families could step into the enchanting world of Disney was a bold one, but it also came with enormous financial risk.
Walt’s boundless creativity and Roy’s financial acumen were never more critical. Roy’s relentless pursuit of funding secured the necessary resources for Disneyland to become a reality. On July 17, 1955, Disneyland opened its gates, and the world was forever changed. The Disney brothers had created a place where dreams came true, and it was an immediate success.
Walt Disney World
By the mid-1960s, with the critical and commercial success of Disneyland, and bolstered by Disney’s expanding innovation in attractions, Walt and Roy know that the Disney entertainment empire was ready to leave the comfort of sunny California and head east. Beginning with secret research and land acquisition, their eventual target was central Florida near Orlando, and the “Florida Project” was formally announced in 1965.
The Disney brothers’ decision to begin on an entertainment destination the likes of which the world had never seen would change the faces of themed entertainment and international tourism forever.
With a blank canvas of over 27,000 acres, by 1971 Walt Disney World had become the largest private construction project in U.S. history, with more than 8,000 workers onsite at the peak of activity.
But first it had to cross a tragic hurdle: the death of Walt Disney in December 1966. This would be the ultimate – and final – test of the siblings’ bond, and Rory charged on in deference to his late brother’s wishes. Adhering to Walt’s guiding principles, Roy postponed his own retirement and devoted all his energy to what he insisted should be call Walt Disney World.
The Lasting Legacy of Walt and Roy Disney
The story of Walt and Roy Disney is a tale of two brothers whose dreams transcended generations. As we venture into the final chapter of our exploration, we pay homage to their enduring legacy—a legacy that continues to enchant, inspire, and unite people from all corners of the globe.
The End of an Era and the Beginning of a New Chapter
The passing of Walt Disney in 1966 marked the end of an era. Walt’s creative genius had been the driving force behind Disney Brothers Studio, and his absence left a void that seemed impossible to fill. However, Roy Disney, ever the steadfast partner, stepped into the spotlight once more to ensure that Walt’s vision would live on.
Roy took on the role of CEO of The Walt Disney Company, guiding it through the completion of projects Walt had initiated, including the opening of Walt Disney World in Florida in October 1971. His dedication to his brother’s dreams never wavered, and his leadership was instrumental in preserving Walt’s legacy.
Roy’s Final Act
In December 1971, just months after Walt Disney World opened its gates in Florida, Roy Disney passed away. His departure marked the end of an era for Disney, but it also signaled the beginning of a new chapter. The magic that Walt and Roy had conjured together continued to shine brightly, enchanting visitors and fans alike.
Walt Disney World, with its vast array of attractions and immersive experiences, became a testament to the enduring spirit of the Disney brothers. It was a place where dreams could come true, where imagination had no limits, and where the legacy of Walt and Roy Disney thrived.
A World of Imagination Lives On
In the grand tapestry of entertainment history, the names Walt and Roy Disney occupy a place of honor and reverence. Their extraordinary partnership leaves a legacy that spans a century of creativity and innovation and has shaped the way we experience and imagine the world. As we conclude the journey through their remarkable story, we celebrate the enduring influence of the Disney brothers.
The Boundless Creativity of Walt Disney
Walt Disney, the visionary, was a relentless dreamer. His imagination knew no limits, and he had the remarkable ability to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. From the creation of Mickey Mouse to the development of groundbreaking animation techniques, Walt was a true pioneer.
His passion for storytelling, artistry, and innovation not only defined Disney’s early years but also set a standard that continues to drive the company’s creative endeavors. Walt’s words, “It’s kind of fun to do the impossible,” still resonate as a call to dream big and never give up on the pursuit of one’s vision.
The Stewardship of Roy Disney
Roy Disney, the steady hand, was the unsung hero behind the scenes. His financial acumen and unwavering support allowed Walt’s dreams to become a reality. Time and again, Roy ensured that the company had the resources it needed to grow and flourish.
Roy’s commitment to preserving his brother’s vision, even after Walt’s passing, exemplifies the strength of their partnership. His leadership and dedication during challenging times underscore the importance of resilience and the power of believing in a shared dream.
A Century of Dreams Realized
In commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Disney Company, we pay tribute to the Disney brothers’ everlasting influence. Their legacy continues to inspire generations, ignite the flames of creativity, and remind us that, with courage and imagination, all our dreams can come true.
The Disney brothers’ story is a testament to the power of dreams, the magic of storytelling, and the enduring spirit of partnership. It is a legacy that will continue to enchant, inspire, and unite people around the world for generations to come.
From the early days of animation to the creation of theme parks and a global brand that bears their name, their story is a example of the enduring magic of imagination and the belief that, in the words of Walt Disney himself, “All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.”
Walt used to say that Disneyland would never be finished, and it never will. I like to think, too, that Walt Disney’s influence will never be finished; that through his creations, future generations will continue to celebrate what he once described as “that precious, ageless something to every human being which makes us play with children’s toys and laugh at silly things and sing in the bathtub and dream.”
Roy Disney
I always go and check with my brother. Always. But I don’t always agree with him. Roy had faith in me. I think that Roy has done a lot of things against his better judgment because he felt that I wanted to do it. Most of our arguments and disagreements I think have been because Roy has felt that he had to protect me.
On October 16, 2023, the Walt Disney Company will celebrate its 100th Anniversary. Today kicks off a series in recognition of this event – a series looking into the characteristics that have made the Walt Disney Company a beacon of innovation and imagination, enchanting audiences of all ages with its timeless stories, beloved characters, and groundbreaking achievements.
Some of the articles have existed before and been refreshed for this series; others are brand new. In either case, I hope you will enjoy reading about the dreamers, the believers, and the magic-makers who have brought us a century of enchantment.
To say that Walt Disney was merely a train enthusiast understates the extent to which his life was intertwined with railroading. In Walt’s case, his small-scale fascination led to a full-scale kingdom.
Michael Broggie, Walt Disney’s Railroad Story
With love of Disney history, I’m always grateful to visit Disney properties and immerse myself in the stories and culture of Walt Disney and the “kingdoms” he began. During one multi-day visit to California, I had the opportunity to visit Disneyland several days, experiencing both the familiar and new perspectives.
Take this image, for example:
In talking with current Cast Members, Tour Guides, and former Imagineers, various stories were given as to the origin of Disneyland:
It was Walt Disney’s fascination with trains, beginning as a boy, that led him to first create a scale model railroad in his backyard. Not satisfied, he begin to develop an ever-growing park that would include a railroad. When Disneyland opened in 1955, the first object you saw approaching the park was a train station, and a 5/8 scale railroad encircled the park.
Saturday’s were “Daddy’s Day,” and Walt often took his daughters to play in nearby parks. While sitting on a bench in Griffith Park, Walt imagined what a park would look like that would allow both parents and children to be immersed in a story-rich, safe, clean park.
Fascinated by miniatures, Walt began a hobby of crafting extremely detailed miniature items, building entire rooms filled with objects that were not only beautiful to look at, but fully functional. He envisioned a place to display these miniatures so that people from all over the country could enjoy them.
By the late 1940’s-early 1950’s, Walt had grown tired of making animated pictures, and even his recent venture into live-action motion pictures left him dissatisfied. He imagined a place were people could actually be a part of a story, immersed in all the rich details that a “theme park” could provide.
What is the true origin of Disneyland?
I believe that all of the above contributed to the creation of Disneyland. And the common denominator of all of them?
Passion.
I want it to look like nothing else in the world.And it should be surrounded by a train.
Walt Disney
The creation story of Disneyland, the first “theme” park in the world and the model for all Disney parks to follow, is somewhat clouded.
Depending on who is telling it, or even when it is told, the origins of Disneyland can start with a park bench, model making, boredom, or a boyhood fascination with trains.
There is a measure of truth to all of them. It is certain is that all of these influences in the life of Walt Disney contributed to the resulting creation.
Personally, I lean toward Walt’s love of trains as the primary inspiration for Disneyland.
As a bona fide Disney fan, focusing on the history of the man and the company that bears his name (especially from the late 1920s to the mid-1960s), I can trace “railroad” stories from Walt (and about Walt) that reinforce this.
Those railroad stories could (and do) fill several books – the best of which is Walt Disney’s Railroad Story, by Michael Broggie.
It’s a fascinating book, and when the author knew of Walt Disney as “Uncle Walt,” and had the enviable role as a teenager to assist Walt in the operation of the Carolwood Pacific Railroad (Disney’s personal, rideable miniature railroad in the backyard of his home), you know the stories are going to be memorable, filled with detail, and a fascinating read.
You see, Michael Broggie’s father Roger E. Broggie was a precision machinist who joined the Disney Studios in 1939. Broggie’s accomplishments at the studio were wide-ranging, but in the early 1950s he was promoted to the head of the Disney Studios’ Machine Shop, where he became a transportation specialist.
And where did he fine-tune the skills needed to create all the unique transportation vehicles found at Disneyland and later at Walt Disney World?
In building Walt Disney’s backyard railroad…
On the Carolwood Pacific Railroad.
The Carolwood Pacific Railroad (CPRR) was a 7 1/4-inch gauge ridable miniature railroad run by Walt Disney in the backyard of his home in the Holmby Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles, California.
It featured the Lilly Belle, a 1:8-scale live steam locomotive named after Disney’s wife, Lillian Disney, and built by the Walt Disney Studios’ machine shop. The locomotive made its first test run on December 24, 1949. It pulled a set of freight cars, as well as a caboose that was almost entirely built by Disney himself.
It was Disney’s lifelong fascination with trains, as well as his interest in miniature models, that led to the creation of the CPRR. The railroad, which became operational in 1950, was a half-mile long and encircled his house. The backyard railroad attracted visitors to Disney’s home; he invited them to ride and occasionally drive his miniature train.
With the creation of a personal railroad, Disney’s next step could only be designing and building the real thing.
Research into the earliest development of Disney’s “park” reveals a constant: the presence of a railroad with a steam engine pulling cars that people could ride in.
So, any visit to a Disney theme park for me must include a ride on the Disney Railroad.
Unfortunately, on my last visit to Walt Disney World on the occasion of its 50th anniversary on October 1, 2021, the railroad had been out of commission since 2018 for the pandemic-delayed construction of the TRON Lightcycle Run, a new attraction coming to the Magic Kingdom. The train tracks have been rerouted through the Lightcycle attraction inside a tunnel as shown in this concept art.
I knew any surprise announcement that the train would be running on October 1 was unlikely, but it wasn’t until I rode the People Mover early that morning and saw the view of the dismantled train tracks, plainly visible where they would run through the future Lightcycle Run attraction, that the disappointment set in.
In the meantime, the train was available as the perfect backdrop for a memorable photo at different places in the park. Just before Christmas 2022, it began to run again.
For me, “the perfect backdrop” of a static display is a far cry from the swaying motion of the train as it leaves the station and begins to circle the park…
..the way Walt Disney dreamed about it from the time he was a young boy…
27gen.com 