A great idealist and visionary was born on this day 113 years ago. Walt Disney touched the lives of so many dreamers and adults that refused to grow up during his 65 years of life. Now, with the principles he believed in so strongly, his legacy still has a huge impact on children and adults today. Being one of the closest hotels to the Disneyland main entrance, we feel so connected to Walt’s dream of creating and continuing the legacy known as “The Happiest Place on Earth”.
Growing up I was obsessed with Disney’s films and watching them unfold right in front of my eyes at the Disneyland Resort. As I grew older I was able to dive deeper into the details of Walt’s life and why he created what he did. Through those years I have learned principles that I can apply to my life. To celebrate this great man’s birthday, I thought it fitting to dedicate this blog to him and to share it with all of our Disney friends:
1. Dream Big:
Walt Disney has showed me that no matter what the dream is, even if it seems impossible, that with courage, dedication, and passion, you can achieve your dreams. Ideas can turn into reality if you pursue them. The song “When You Wish Upon A Star,” featured in Pinocchio, states it simply, “Anything your heart desires, will come to you. If your heart is in your dream, no request is too extreme.”
2. Do for others before yourself:
All the enjoyment we get from Disneyland and Walt’s original motion pictures were not created selfishly. Walt Disney created Disneyland Park for the people who would attend in the future to have a place of enjoyment, happiness, and enchantment. This taught me that you need to use your talents for others and share your passions with those who can help you improve.
3. Reading is essential:
Reading shapes the minds of the children that in the future will become our leaders and inventors. Children’s minds are expanded so much through stories and learning new words. Walt knew what reading brings to our world and it reinforced my love for stories.
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4. Passion over money:
Love what you do or don’t do it. Walt said it best when he stated, “Money doesn’t excite me- my ideas excite me.” Don’t always focus on the end goal, but also enjoy the journey. Let your passion guide you and when you’re doing what you love, you’ll be rewarded.
5. Don’t worry about what everyone else thinks:
If we let other people’s opinions guide our lives, we wouldn’t live to our fullest. Disney went against what everyone said was possible and followed his heart. Animators, producers, and directors told him he shouldn’t and couldn’t make a full-length animated film; he sure proved them wrong with the success of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”. He commented on this subject by saying, “It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.”
6. Hard work pays off:
Disneyland wasn’t built in a day! This great visionary taught me that if I am persistent, success is so sweet. Walt Disney received more nominations and won more awards than any other person in history. He won 22 Academy Awards and was nominated 59 times.
7. Never grow up:
The second you step on the grounds of the Disneyland Resort, the inner child you normally have to suppress comes out. Disney taught me to throw my hands in the air and let out the scream of a 5-year-old girl. Then grab an ice cream shaped like Mickey Mouse without caring if chocolate gets all over my face. Life would be very boring if we didn’t keep our inner child alive.
It is a privelige to add to the Disneyland experience by working for Grand Legacy At The Park. Thanks to Walter Elias Disney for instilling joy, passion, and dreams into my life. His legacy adds so much to people’s lives around the globe and inspires them to reach for the stars.
“Fancy being remembered around the world for the invention of a mouse!” -Walt Disney
[…] that comes with the Disney experience, but there was something different. Maybe it is because Walt Disney himself had a hand in creating the original Disneyland. With the Resort in Paris, the park was […]