Dispatch From Disneyland
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Disneyland Inspirations
Note: This column continues the series of the little things that inspired Walt to create Disneyland. This is the 100th year of Walt Disney’s birth and I wanted to pay tribute in my own fanciful way to possible events in Walt’s life that might have inspired him when building Disneyland.
In my quest to find the little things that inspired Walt Disney to build Disneyland, I’ve found something that has inspired me. Every once and a while a new book hits the scene that is a must have for the Disney enthusiast (and I dare say, the Disney executive). This year that book is The Quotable Walt Disney. It features over 260 pages of quotes from the founder and chief creative force behind the Walt Disney company.
Dave Smith, the Uber-Disney Archivist, has compiled a wide-range of quotations that reflect Walt’s feelings from America to Entertainment, and from animals and nature to business and the Walt Disney Company.
Take for instance this quote on Mass Communication that predicts the current media giant status of his little garage born company,
“All of us who use the implements of Mass Communication have tremendous responsibility to utilize them more fully in the interest of common humanity in the light of present world conditions."
With the ABC network, Internet properties, and various radio stations in its bag of tricks the Disney company has to wield its responsibility wisely.
“It is a curious thing that the more the world shrinks because of electronic communications, the more limitless becomes the province of the storytelling entertainer.”
This second quote, placed on the same page, highlights how the Disney company can utilize its media tools in the interest of common humanity, through storytelling. Whether or not the company has strayed from that path is the topic of much debate right now.
Walt was never tied down to the past. In another interesting pairing of quotes Smith shows us some of Walt’s advice to children.
“People sort of live in the dark about things. A lot of young people think the future is closed to them, that everything has been done. This is not so. There are plenty of avenues to be explored.”
“To the youngsters of today, I say believe in the future, the world is getting better; there still is plenty of opportunity. Why, would you believe it, when I was a kid I thought it was already too late for me to make good at anything.”
Some people believe there will never be another Walt Disney, but it seems he didn’t. His advice on becoming the next entertainment mogul--to continue to explore to use your imagination--is reflected in this quote,
“I can never stand still. I must explore and experiment. I am never satisfied with my work. I resent the limitations of my imagination.”
Lot’s of people have been guilty of deifying Walt Disney, myself included. We all know Walt was no saint, but even if you can’t separate the man from his work, you can learn from his words, take the best of them, and try to improve yourself by following them.
If that is your interest, then I suggest you find this wonderful book and read it cover to cover.
And for the present regime in Anaheim and Burbank, I would leave them with these words of encouragement.
“You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.”
Related Links
- The Quotable Walt Disney (click
to purchase on Amazon.com)
Compiled by: Dave Smith
Published by Disney Editions. Copyright: 2001
MRSP: US$10.95
Indigo's Rating: A
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-- Indigo
Dispatch from Disneyland: Memories and fantasies woven together to create whimsical tales that can happen any day at Walt Disney's magic kingdom. Through Indigo's dispatch you can experience some of the wonderful moments that make Disneyland such a magical place.
Dispatch from Disneyland is posted on the first Wednesday of each month.
The opinions expressed by our Indigo, and all of our columnists, do not necessarily represent the feelings of LaughingPlace.com or any of its employees or advertisers. All speculation and rumors about the future plans of the Walt Disney Company are just that - speculation and rumors - and should be treated as such.
-- Posted May 2, 2001