Evolution Of Walt Disney

The Evolution of Walt Disney

Period: Dec 1, 1900 to Feb 17, 2016

Walter Elias "Walt" Disney Was Born

Dec 5, 1901

Walter Elias "Walt" Disney was born on December 5, 1901 in Chicago's Hermosa Community to Elias and Flora Disney. He was of German and Irish-Canadian descent. Walt Disney was an American entrepreneur who became a very prominent figure in the animation industry in the 20 century. His life accomplishments made their way into many American homes and left children with childhood memories that would be passed down generation by generation. http://www.notablebiographies.com/De-Du/Disney-Walt.html

Disney Family Moved to Kansas City

Nov 29, 1910

When Walt Disney was just 9 years old, the Disney family moved to Kansas City and Disney attended Benton Grammar School. While attending Benton, Disney met a friend named Walter Pfeiffer. Pfeiffer would introduce Walt Disney to the wonderful world of animation. http://shs.umsystem.edu/historicmissourians/name/d/disney/

Walt Disney Dropped Out of High School and Joined the Red Cross

Nov 1, 1917

While Disney was a freshman at McKinley High School, he took some night courses at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts to expand his craft and became the cartoonist for the school newspaper. At the age of 16, Disney dropped out of high school and wanted to join the army. Due to being underage, he joined the Red Cross instead. After enlisting in the Red Cross, he was sent to France after WWI and became an ambulance driver. http://www.ourstory.info/library/2-ww1/Disney.html

Walt Disney Moved to Hollywood

Jan 17, 1923

After several short lived companies with no success, the Disney brothers moved to Hollywood and started a cartoon studio. It became the location of the first Disney Brothers Studio until 1939. https://www.nyfa.edu/student-resources/quick-history-animation/

Disney Married Lillian Bonds

Nov 25, 1925

While the Disney studios were growing, Disney hired a young lady by the name of Lillian Bonds. Lillian Bonds worked as an ink and paint celluloid and would soon have a bigger part of the company then Disney thought. Soon after meeting and dating for a short time, the couple married on July 25, 1925. http://www.disneyhistoryinstitute.com/2011/12/walt-lillian-disney1935-academy-awards.html

Walt Disney Renamed His Studios

Nov 25, 1926

Walt Disney renamed his studio from "Disney Studios" to "Walt Disney Studios" and created his castle logo. http://www.closinglogos.com/page/Logo+Variations+-+Walt+Disney+Pictures

Mickey Mouse Became a star!

Nov 18, 1928

Disney created a mouse named “Mortimer” which was renamed by Lillian Disney to “Mickey Mouse” because she thought Mortimer was not appealing to children. The first animation that featured Mickey was a silent film called Plane Crazy. After several attempts, Disney released the Mickey Mouse series, which was the first animated cartoon with sounds. Disney used his own voice as Mickey until 1947.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mickey_Mouse

Minnie Mouse Joined Mickey Mouse

Dec 30, 1928

Soon after Mickey Mouse made his big appearance, Minnie Mouse joined her boyfriend in Disney's short film Steam Boatwillie. Soon they would be together in almost every film that Walt Disney produced featuring Mickey Mouse. http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Minnie_Mouse

Pluto, A Mouse's Best Friend

Jan 1, 1930

They say a dog is a man's best friend, or in this case, a mouse's best friend. Pluto made his first debut as Mickey's Mouse pet dog in the cartoon, The Chain gang. Pluto appeared in 24 Mickey Mouse films before receiving his own in 1937. http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Pluto

Walt Won First Awards for Mickey Mouse

Jan 1, 1932

Walt Disney won his first Academy Award for his creation of Mickey Mouse. https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1933

Goofy Was Created

May 25, 1932

Walt Disney created Goofy as a close friend of Mickey. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goofy

Lillian Disney Gave Birth to Diane Marie Disney

Dec 18, 1933

After a failed pregnancy, Lillian Disney gave birth to Diane Marie Disney on December 18th, 1933. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=120560426&PIpi=92976694

Donald Duck Joined the Group

Jun 9, 1934

Walt Disney created Donald Duck. He mets Mickey and Goofy and became a part of the famous trio. http://www.playbuzz.com/jonb10/how-well-do-you-know-mickey-mouse

Three Little Pigs Made Their Debut.

Jun 10, 1934

The Three Little Pigs made their debut to add to the memorable characters Walt Disney created. http://wondersofdisney2.yolasite.com/threepigs.php

Sharon Mae Disney

Dec 31, 1936

After several attempts to have more children failed, the Disneys adopted Sharon Mae Disney in December 1936 to join her sister Diane Disney. https://www.tumblr.com/search/sharon mae disney

Snow White and the Seven Drawfs

Dec 21, 1937

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was the first full-length, animated movie that Walt Disney produced and the beginning of the Walt Disney Animated Classics series. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow_White_and_the_Seven_Dwarfs_(1937_film)

Disney Studios Moved to Burbank, CA

Jan 1, 1940

Walt DIsney's success meant the company was growing rapidly and Disney decided to move the Walt Disney Studios to Burbank, CA. On a 51 acre lot, he would establish the Walt Disney headquarters, as well as several sounding stages and production for the motion pictures. http://thedisneyblog.com/2015/09/15/walt-disney-documentary-continues-tonight-on-pbs/

Pinocchio Was Released

Feb 23, 1940

Pinocchio was the second Disney animated movie to be produced after Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs success. Pinocchio was made to teach children the benefits of hard work and values. http://www.britannica.com/topic/Pinocchio-film-1940

Daisy Duck Made Her Way into Daffy's Life

May 16, 1940

With Minnie Mouse being Mickey Mouse's companion, Daisy Duck joined the crew as Donald Duck's girlfriend. She was very much like Donald but more outspoken, bursting into rages very often. She was very sassy but classy at the same time. She became Minnie Mouse’s best friend. http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Daisy_Duck

Mickey Made a Comeback in Fantasia

Nov 13, 1940

After Mickey Mouse's popularity was slowly fading, Walt Disney released Fantasia. Fantasia was an animated musical starring Mickey Mouse and his band and the music was conducted by Philadelphia Orchestra. The production cost grew higher than expected and was unable to make profit due to WWII cutting off distribution in the European markets. http://www.filmsite.org/fant2.html

Dumbo Flies onto Our Screens

Oct 23, 1941

After taking a financial loss with Fantasia, Walt Disney created Dumbo, the story of a baby elephant that was ridiculed for his big ears but had the advantage of being able to fly. The story also goes into the different relationships between animals. Dumbo’s best friend is a small mouse named Timothy, which shows the bond between two different animals. http://screenrant.com/dumbo-live-action-remake-disney-tim-burton/

Bambi Made His Debut

Aug 13, 1942

After Dumbo was released, Disney decided to keep going with animal characters and released Bambi. Since Walt Disney was born in North America, he wanted to create an animal that was native to his area. Bambi was a white-tailed deer who lived in the woods and learned lessons from his father about the dangers human hunters posed to the forest and animals.human hunters pose to the forrest and animals. http://thedisneyblog.com/2015/07/31/the-secret-behind-the-voice-of-disneys-bambi/

Cinderella Danced Her Way into the 50's

Feb 15, 1950

During WWII, Walt Disney productions suffered a big loss with the European film makers. Trying another approach away from the animal animation, he went back to create another princess to join Snow White. Cinderella was created, and she was the biggest hit since Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Cinderella, was a young girl who lost her father but never gave up hope. She lives happily ever after with a little help from prince charming. http://all-that-is-interesting.com/cinderella/2

Alice Fell into a Disney Production

Jul 26, 1951

Alice in Wonderland was based on a book by Lewis Carroll. This was Walt’s Disney’s first time creating a British-American animation with an English accent. Disney was criticized by Europeans for trying to Americanize English literature. Alice was a young girl who fell down a hole into a magical world of mysterious creatures, far from the normal Disney creations at the time. http://animatedfilmreviews.filminspector.com/2012/12/alice-in-wonderland-1951-culmination-of.html

Walt Disney Had an Idea....

Jan 1, 1952

Walt Disney always envisioned his employees spending time with their families. He always had a vision for a theme park and got his idea after visiting Children Fairyland in CA with his daughters. Disney created WED Enterprises to carry out the plan he had always dreamed of. http://blogs.disney.com/insider/articles/2013/07/24/60-years-of-imagineering-the-impossible/

Disneyland's Deal with ABC

Oct 25, 1954

Walt Disney knew that building Disneyland would be expensive, so he made a deal with the investors at ABC to give them 30% revenue if they would build Disneyland for him. http://davelandblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/abc-tv-deal.html

Walt Disney’s Weekly Television Show

Oct 27, 1954

Every Wednesday night, Disney featured an anthology television series with many different characters from the Walt Disney collections. The show had many different titles during its successful airing. At first, the show was airing as an advertisements for the park, but it soon became the 2nd most watched TV show. The last show aired on Christmas 2008.The last show aired on Christmas 2008. http://clickamericana.com/eras/1950s/walt-disney-presents-disneyland-the-tv-show-1954

Disneyland Opened

Jul 17, 1955

Disneyland made its grand opening in Anaheim, California on July 17th 1955 with a live news broadcast and future President Ronald Reagan in attendance. http://gossiphotlist.com/2015718yesterday-disneyland-celebrated-their-60-years-of-being-open-video/

Mickey Mouse Club House Was Formed

Oct 1, 1955

The Mickey Mouse Club House was formed and aired from 1955 to 1996. The Musketeers performed in many musicals and the cast was made mostly of teen performers. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mickey_Mouse_Club

New York World's Fair

Apr 22, 1964

Disney introduced his new technology at the New York World Fair in 1964. Disney introduced the Audio-Animatronics, in which he used computers and electro mechanics to act as robots in many of up coming his movies. http://www.wdwfanzone.com/2014/04/new-york-worlds-fair-50th-anniversary/

Mary Poppins Was Released

Jul 1, 1964

Mary Poppins was based on a book in the series by Walt Disney Productions and made into a movie in 1964. Mary Poppins was the most popular film in the 1960s and received nomination for 13 Academy awards. Still to this day, Mary Poppins, the musical, is performed around the world. http://thefilmspectrum.com/?p=20960

Disney’s Futuristic City EPCOT Opened

Nov 15, 1965

Disney always had a big dream to create a futuristic city. He made that dream come true by opening EPCOT Center (Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow) on October 1, 1982. Epcot is the second built of the four major theme parks at Walt Disney world in Florida. Disney dedicated to the celebration of human achievement, technological innovation and international culture. Currently it is the third most visited park in North America. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epcot

Walt Disney Discovered That He Had a Tumor

Nov 2, 1966

Walt Disney was a smoker his entire life. Disney underwent surgery for a neck injury caused by playing Polo for many years at the Riveria Club in Hollywood. On Nov. 2 during the pre-Op X-rays doctors discovered a tumor in his left lung. After removing the lung on Nov. 11, Disney was told he had only 6 months to 2 years to live. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000370/bio

Walt Disney Passed Away

Dec 15, 1966

Just days after his 65th birthday on Dec. 15, 1966 at 9:30 am, Walt Disney passed away after collapsing at his home. Disney died of a circulatory collapse caused by lung cancer http://disneyandmore.blogspot.com/2014/12/48-years-ago-walt-disney-passed-away-at.html

The Last Production - The Jungle Book

Oct 18, 1967

The Jungle Book was the last movie Walt Disney would be alive to see the production of. Disney died while it was still in production. The Jungle book follows a young child who was raised in the Indian jungle by wolves and is trying to be convinced to leave by his friends (a bear and panther) before an evil tiger arrives.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jungle_Book_(1967_film)

Walt Disney World's Grand Opening

Oct 1, 1971

Walt Disney World opened on October 1, 1971 in Bay Lake, FL. It is 27,258 (43 sq. miles) with 27 themed resort hotels, nine non-Disney hotels, four theme parks, two water parks, four golf courses, one nine-hole golf course, one camping resort and a shopping district with entertainment venues. Disney referred to Walt Disney World as the “Florida Project” due to it not only being a theme park but including many other attractions as well and lodges.

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Mar 7, 1977

Winnie the Pooh was based on a book by A.A Milne, who has a son named Christopher Robin. Christopher had a toy bear named Winnie, a Canadian black bear he often saw at the London Zoo, and "Pooh" was a swan they had met while on a holiday vacation. Winnie the Pooh became another household name that is still around til this day. http://cocohitsnyc.blogspot.com/2013/05/disney-canon-many-adventures-of-winnie.html

Mickey Joined the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Nov 1, 1978

Mickey was the first of many Disney characters that joined the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His star is located at 6925 Hollywood Blvd. Mickey is the first of many chacaters that joined the Hollywood Walk of Fame. https://theinvictusgroupinc.wordpress.com/2013/11/18/

Disneyland in Tokyo Opened

Apr 15, 1983

Tokyo Disneyland became the first Disney park outside of the United States to be built. The park was constructed in the same style as Disneyland in California, and it is owned by The Oriental Land Company who licenses the theme from The Walt Disney Company. http://www.olc.co.jp/en/50th/03.html

Pixar Created

Jan 1, 1986

John Lasseter was an animator at Disney. He was then fired but met George Lucas and created Pixar Graphics Group in January 1986. Pixar became a big animation company that Disney productions later purchased on January 24, 2004. John Lasseter then returned to Disney and was named Chief Creative officer for both Pixar and Disney Feature Films. http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704816604576333750195274430

Disneyland Paris Opened

Apr 12, 1992

Disneyland Paris is the second Disneyland to open outside of the United States. Disneyland Paris, which was originally named Euro Disney Resort, opened on April 12, 1992. In 2002, Paris Disneyland expanded and opened Walt Disney Studios Park within the same resort. Just like the Disney World in Florida, Disneyland Paris is set up with the same kind of attractions, several hotels, shopping, dining and entertainment complex. http://ciaobambino.com/visiting-euro-disney-paris-with-kid/

The Lion King Roared into Theaters

Jun 15, 1994

The Lion King was a very popular movie made during Disney’s renaissance. The Lion King was about a young cub named Simba who lost his father because of his Uncle Scar’s jealous ways. After growing up, Simba returned back to his pride land and reclaimed his place as head of the pride. http://www.people.com/article/lion-king-20th-annniversary

Lillian Disney Passed Away

Dec 15, 1997

Lillian Disney was married to Walt Disney for 41 years and remarried shortly after his death in 1966. She suffered a stroke on December 15, 1997, exactly 31 years after the death of her first husband, Walt Disney. Lillian was 98 years old and was in the process of opening up Walt Disney’s Concert Hall in memory of their marriage. Walt Disney’s Concert Hall opened in 2003, 6 years after her death. http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Lillian_Disney

Tarzan Swung His Way into the Disney Collection

Jun 18, 1999

Tarzan is a story about an orphan baby who is raised by a group of gorillas and finds love after struggling to find himself. Tarzan's character showed the true meaning of hope, courage, and unconditional love. http://www.saikoplus.com/2016/01/28/the-legend-of-tarzan/

Walt Disney Company Bought the Muppets

Feb 17, 2004

The Muppets, burlesque style puppets created by Jim Henson in 1955, became popular by appearing on Sesame Street in 1969, as well as in several later movies. After the Muppets creator Jim Henson’s death in 1990, Disney sought to acquire the characters. It wasn’t until 2004 that Disney purchased the rights to the Muppets and released several films. http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/The_Walt_Disney_Company

Wreck it Ralph Smashed His Way Up

Oct 29, 2012

Wreck it Ralph smashed his way into theaters being an angry game villian who rebels against his role and dreams of becoming a hero. He traveled between games in the arcade, and ultimately must eliminate the threat that could affect the entire arcade. He ended up becoming the hero and winning the hero's medal he always wanted. http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Wreck-It_Ralph

Frozen Melted Our Hearts

Nov 27, 2013

Frozen is the 53rd animated movie in Disney's Classic Films. Frozen is about a fearless princess who set out into the woods to find her estranged sister, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom in eternal winter. Frozen became the highest grossing Walt Disney Film ever produced and the best-selling film of 2014 in the United States. By January 2015, Frozen had become the all time best selling DVD as well. http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Frozen

Big Hero 6 Made a Giant Debut

Nov 7, 2014

Big Hero 6 is the first Disney animated film to feature Marvel Comics characters, whose parent company was acquired by The Walt Disney Company in 2009. Big Hero 6 is about a young boy whose brother was killed by an evil villain. The evil villain then stole his robotic invention to destroy the world. The big Hero 6 teams up before the evil villain takes over the world. http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Big_Hero_6_(team)