Walt Disney and Disneyland

Walt Disney and Disneyland

When the subject of the Disney Enterprises is brought up, one often thinks of cartoons, musicals or other movies, amusement parks, and famous characters such as Mickey Mouse.

And now, nearly four decades after his death, the maker of said creations, Walt Disney, is not nearly as recognized as he should be. Not only are his works and other projects intriguing, his morals and techniques personally behind them are as well. And yet they weren’t just his morals, they were shared by the country’s people who so desired an example of good principles. Perhaps the most significant scheme of all was his creation of his very own amusement park in 1955, Disneyland, located in Anaheim, California.

Called “the happiest place on earth,” Disneyland was gorged with Disney’s beliefs, hopes and values (that were in common with the nation) that were apparent not only in the movie-themed areas but in the whole park and the way it was run as well. Disney, a man keen on innocence and being happy, wanted Disneyland to be a representation of just that, as well as conveying a sense of Americana. The creation of Disneyland not only encompassed and showcased the ideals of Walt Disney but also served as a haven in which people with similar beliefs could come and celebrate such principles as the preservation of innocence, appreciation of simple joys, and nationalism in a postwar country.

Moreover, Disneyland was and remains an epitome of the American Dream.

Walt Disney, the man who was the creator of the Disney Company and products we know and love today, was certainly extraordinary. He is considered to be one of the most successful people in American history, and rightfully so because the magnitude of his accomplishments is astounding. His films (and the films that are produced under his name now after his death), amusement parks and other merchandise are acknowledged and appreciated throughout the entire world. Nearly all the Disney films and merchandise, and all of the amusement parks target an audience of young children, and therefore Disney endorses his creations with stories containing good morals and an emphasis on maintaining innocence.

When Disney first started creating his hit animated features, the nation was in a postwar state and was going through some turmoil within itself as well.

Times were changing. The pristine lives most o...

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... icon, and because the park truly did embody and reinforce such American beliefs, Disneyland turned out to be an American success.

Disney, a man for such strong support for what he believed was right and good in life and society, was not afraid to hold back his thoughts. He conveyed them throughout his films and in his own physical creation, Disneyland. Fortunately for both him and the people of the United States, both he and society agreed on what was morally right. The nation supported his ideals and was grateful for the outlet to this wonderland that he provided. As a man full of -not political- but social power, Disney used his influence to his advantage: to advertise these morals to people all over the world. He began with his creation of what some call his alter ego, Mickey Mouse, worked to producing films, and later opened his own amusement park. From there the Disney empire expanded to beyond belief, more amusement parks popped up not only in America, but also all over the world, and films are still being created under his name. And Walt Disney, the man who started it all -and added a flair of his and the nation’s good morality-, will remain a household name forever.