One Hundred and Five years ago today, Elias and Flora Disney welcomed their fourth son into the world. He was named after their pastor, and gave him his father’s name for a middle name. Walter Elias Disney was destined to make the world a more magical place. Let’s learn some lesser known facts about Disney’s birthdays, just for the occasion.
Walt was an unassuming man, and he didn’t make a big fuss over his own birthday, but he did send annual birthday letters to his little sister Ruth, whose birthday was just a day after Walt’s. After his move to California, Ruth would receive letters full of chatty accounts of his family and the projects he was working on, along with a little birthday treat.
Walt’s 100th birthday in 2001 was celebrated worldwide. At Walt Disney World Resort, “100 Years of Magic” celebrated his life and achievements. There was a special parade in his honor, fireworks, and Mary Poppins herself. As well as the sweetest tribute to Walt ever, a twenty five foot portrait made of cakes. There were also life sized snow globes all over the Magic Kingdom during the fifteen month event. Walt’s “hometown” of Marceline Missouri dedicated a train depot to Walt, Mickey and Minnie stopped by, and there was a grand parade through town. On Walt’s 100th birthday, the first wave of Disney Treasures DVD’s began, which celebrated some of his finest achievements, like Mickey Mouse, Silly Symphonies, Disneyland, and Davy Crockett. The Walt Disney Company commissioned Eric Robinson to create 100 portraits of Mickey, to be displayed at the Disney Gallery at Disneyland Resort. Pins are still available displaying these images.
Walt has the same birthday (but not birth year) as President Martin Van Buren, writers Joan Didion and Calvin Trillin, and General Custer.
Why not commemorate by curling up with Alice in Wonderland and singing the Unbirthday Song?