I love Walt Disney. There, I said it.
I know it’s not cool to admit this. When you work around artists, you tend to take some heat for wanting anything to do with Disney. From obnoxious cross promotions with fast food chains, to long lines for the Dumbo ride, and even the concept of Hanna Montana–it’s easy to take the high road with Disney and laugh at the fools who are sucked into this world.
Except, I am one of those fools.
When I was a child, my favorite TV show was The Wonderful World of Disney. My earliest theater memory is The Jungle Book. Before Walt Disney World opened in 1971, we drove down from Jacksonville to Kissimmee to stand on a platform and stare into a long-distance viewer through which we could see Cinderella’s Castle being erected. When Disney World opened, we were there within a week. There was something about Disney back then which both helped me escape the constant horrors of Vietnam on television, and also instilled in me a deep respect for the power of the imagination.
More than Walt Disney the man, I latched onto Walt Disney the idea a long time ago and have never let go. I’ve walked through the gates of the Magic Kingdom hundreds of times, I’ve seen just about every Disney movie ever made, and we’re currently raising two daughters who are Disney kids. Only, not like how you might think. Yes, we watch Disney movies (among others), we visit Disney parks (between other trips), we listen to the Jonas Brothers (along with Arcade Fire, Taylor Swift, etc.). But our kids play–and I mean play. They dance. They sing. And if you give them some colored chalk and a driveway? They’ll spend the entire day creating worlds that Walt himself would envy. They’re beautiful, brilliant children with vivid imaginations.
For about 15 years I worked in static jobs that required little or no creativity. But deep down I always believed that my imagination was capable of taking me on great adventures. I became a writer in my 30s and it was as though I’d been doing it my whole life. Sure, I sell out to commercialism, but I still get to use my imagination when I do. And that’s better than the alternative.
So say what you want about Disney. Call me uncool. I don’t care. I feel lucky that when I was a kid Walt Disney grabbed me by the Toughskins, threw me up into the air and said, ‘Dream!’ I did.
I still do.
***
Jim Mitchem #imaginationgeek
Will Conley
Apr 2, 2009
You’re going to Disney World this April 5? Man that sounds like fun. Never been, but at this stage of my life I am enjoying revisiting all the things I used to scoff at. Have fun.
DC Grrl
Apr 2, 2009
Next to my punk rock records, I’ve got a Walt Disney video collection to die for. I have 4 copies of Fantasia because I played one VHS to death in college, bought another, and now I’ve got two DVDs just in case. I can’t imagine childhood without Disney.
Kimberley
Apr 3, 2009
I am convinced that it is very difficult for those who did not visit Disney World (or Land) as a child to really get how much this meant back then. Nothing was intended mainly for kids back then and Disney’s vision was considered ridiculous. For me Disney World remains a monument to how truly wrong people can be when faced with something that does not follow “the way things are done.”
It stands as miraculous today…even though Eisner did everything he could to cheapen and reduce the magic. Walt is still in there. And I am called uncool all the time for saying so.
Thanks for the post.
tink
Apr 4, 2009
I’m so with you on this! Three generations of Disney lovers in our family and we make no apologies for it.
Mike Moore
Apr 4, 2009
Kimberly, great comment…
and Jim, great post…and thanks for the memories of Jacksonville in the early 70’s!
Being Happy | Obsessed with Conformity
Oct 18, 2011
[…] grew up in North Florida and was seven when WDW opened. We there a week later and returned many times over the years until we moved west when I was 13. […]
Bob Aycock
Dec 5, 2011
Another excellent post, Jim. You know my passion for all things Disney. Uncle Walt has been in my life since I was a child and I’m glad he and his ideas still are today. I happily took my wife to Walt Disney World for her first visit when we were dating in college. She loved it and immediately was hooked. I am happy we are raising two boys to love using their imaginations to play and dream, just as Walt encourages us all to do. We only have one TV in our home, too. That’s plenty. We’d much rather spend time together as a family, or travel to a Disney Park. Our 4-year-old loves to watch Disney Parks vacation planning DVDs and recreates his own version of WDW with his Disney figures and blocks often.
Rebecca Bingham
Jun 10, 2017
Still a great read and great lessons, eight years later. Powerful lesson. Thanks for sharing.
My novel – Minor King
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