Walt Disney said that his life
exemplified both dreaming and doing. Even after being told by a newspaper owner
he didn’t have the talent to be a cartoonist. Around a half century ago, rumors
circulated that ole Walt was dreaming of what is now known as Disney World in
Orlando. Many said that something that huge simply could not be built.
Before his death Disney said he hoped
people would not lose sight that all of it came about because of a mouse.
Disney was a man who dreamed big, really big, and had what it took to bring it
to fruition.
He dreamed of a resort property that was
large enough to hold his dreams, as well as the inclusion of a buffer zone
which protected his “land of make believe” from the encroachment of the ‘real
world.’
At least he owned 43 square miles of scrub
land near Orlando. Today Walt Disney World is the most popular vacation destination
in this or any other universe.
Walt passed away from cancer on
December 15, 1966, five years before the grand opening of Disney World. But his
wife, Lillian and his brother, Roy Disney went ahead with the project. Walt
Disney’s dream did not die when he died.
After more than ten years of dreaming
and planning, some 10,000 VIP’s gathered for the opening and dedication of Walt
Disney World on October 1, 1971.
Following the gala celebration, a VIP
well-wisher came to Lillian Disney and lamented,
“Oh Lillian, I wish Walt could have
seen all this.”
Lillian responded,
“He did.”
(Anonymous with editing by William
McDonald, PhD)
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