Forever Disney

The frustration of the first Disney amusement park took its toll on Roy, but, as always, not on Walt. The imaginative executive made plans for "a park far grander than Disneyland...one that might cost $100 million" (276). That is a lot of money, and it's hard to believe Roy agreed to doing all the financing. Then again, the Disney brothers had already gone through a lot of conflicts pertaining to money, and, evidently, they have always come through. The Florida Project definitely did not unfold itself easily. Even three years could not hold all the things that needed to be attended to: "clear the dense growth, drain and refill lakes, build forty miles of canals, erect the Magic Kingdom and three large hotels, and perform thousands of other necessary tasks" (328). Despite these difficulties, construction was successful; Walt Disney World opened on October 1, 1971, and was a wondrous achievement for the Disney company.

Walt Disney World clearly was not titled as such for no reason. Roy named it so everyone would recognize "the creative genius behind all that the Disney company had accomplished" (316). After diagnosed with lung cancer, Walt died on December 15, 1966, which had a humongous impact on, ideally, everyone: "executives below Walt and Roy were uncertain as to how to proceed...[the nation] had not been prepared for it" (298-299). Not only had the studio lost its great conductor, but America lost a most loved icon. Roy continued to lead the company with the same force, but on December 20, 1971, Roy suffered a terrible brain hemorrhage. Unfortunately, Roy died "in the shadow of his renowned brother" (339). Luckily, we recognize how both creative and cunning minds started an everlasting presence that still lives in everyone today, dearly remembered for its glorious achievements.

~ Outside Reading #6

Thomas, Bob. Building a Company: Roy O. Disney and the Creation of an Entertainment Empire. New York: Hyperion, 1998.
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The spark to Disney success

Walt and Roy Disney were about to take their biggest gamble yet: an amusement park. Walt was dead set on his plan and making sure that it worked: "The idea became an obsession...he studied amusement parks and tourist attractions and talked with their operators...vision of a place to amuse and dazzle children" (179). His dream came true after only a year of construction, and more than 28,000 attended on opening day in 1955. However, none of these people may have been very satisfied, for Disneyland had more than its share of problems: "Women's heels sank in the newly laid asphalt. There were very long lines at every toilet. Eating places soon ran out of food and drink...Families stood for hours, waiting to enter the few rides that were operating" (197). However, these problems were gradually fixed, and Disneyland became the most popular amusement park in the country.

Success continued to ride into the Disney studio, especially from the spark from Disneyland. Walt and Roy's creation inspired other companies to do the same: "CBS converted an old amusement pier at Ocean Park into a collection of thrill rides and other attractions...The most ambitious new park was Freedomland in New York" (243). Unfortunately, these new grounds did not maintain popularity like Disney's. Fame also came from populations overseas. In 1930, Paul Winkler, an active French journalist, came to the studio and stated he wanted to introduce the fascinating Mickey Mouse to the European public. Roy gave him permission, and it did quite the trick: "Paul Winkler was the first of a cadre of Europeans who spread the Disney characters and product throughout Britain and the continent" (210). Much to the joy of Walt and Roy, the studio acquired many new staff members. It seems that the Disney company has gotten over the rough patches and is finally establishing the high position that it still holds today.

~ Outside Reading #5

Thomas, Bob. Building a Company: Roy O. Disney and the Creation of an Entertainment Empire. New York: Hyperion, 1998.
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