Places to find Walt
Whether you’re a fan of Walt’s life, work, business, love of trains, family or you’re a Disneyland or Walt Disney World fan, you can learn more here. And, if you have photos of Walt somewhere that’s not listed here, let us know and we’ll add it.
Disney points of interest
Full list of Disney points of interest
Walt Disney was an American film and television producer, well known as a pioneer in the field of cartoon shorts, animated films and as the creator of Disneyland.
Walter Elias Disney was born in Chicago, Illinois on December 5, 1901. He and one of his brothers, Roy, founded Walt Disney Productions, which has become one of the best known production companies in the world. There are few people in history that have affected nearly every person on the planet. Walt was one of those people. His innovations in animation and entertainment, the creation of Mickey Mouse and of course, Disneyland.
In 1918 Walt tried to enlist in the Army but was rejected because he was only 16. He modified his birth certificate and joined a Red Cross Ambulance Corps as a driver. At the end of World War One he moved to Kansas City, MO and began producing his first shorts with friend and partner, Ub Iwerks.
August 1923 Walt moved to Hollywood and finished the first of his ‘Alice Comedies’. On July 13th, 1925, Walt married one of his employees, Lillian Bounds.
In 1955, Disneyland cost $17 million to build. It was sometimes called “Walt’s Folly”, as other amusement parks were dirty and usually seedy. Disneyland was different, as it was a ‘theme park’, rather than just an ‘amusement park’, focusing on the theme from early Disney features.
