Creating the Magic: The Story of Walt Disney

Walt Disney once stated, “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them,” and pursue them he did! Born in Chicago, Illinois on December 5, 1901, Walter Elias Disney became the master of cartoon animation, receiving his first Academy Award in 1932 by creating a mouse named, “Mickey.” Not long after creating Mickey, Disney also created Minnie Mouse, Mickey’s girlfriend, and later, Pluto, Goofy, and Donald Duck-- who would become Disney’s second most popular cartoon character of all time! Disney then took a major gamble. He decided to produce the first animated feature-length film which his critics felt would destroy Disney Studios. They called it, “Disney’s Folly.” Proving his critics wrong, Disney forged ahead with the production of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” The film would become the flagship of what would be known as “The Golden Age of Animation” for Disney Studios with Disney winning one full-size and seven miniature Oscars.

Historian, Jim Gibbons, will present information on the life of Walt Disney--the winner of seven Emmy Awards; twenty-two Academy Awards; a Cecil B. DeMille Award; and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Gibbons will show you the genius behind Bambi, Cinderella, Pinocchio, 101 Dalmatians, and Mary Poppins, as well as Disneyland and Disney World. Walt Disney was the man who proved that when you wish upon a star, your dreams will come true!