This is part two of the Walt Disney’s blog post I wrote… in memory of Walter Elias Disney (December 5, 1901 – December 15, 1966).
To read the first part: http://sys-talk.com/inspiration/to-make-the-dream-a-reality-the-walt-disneys-way/
Soon after the completion of The Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World,
someone said, “Isn’t it too bad Walt Disney didn’t live to see this?”
Mike Vance, Creative Director at Disney, replied, “He did see it. That’s why it’s here.”
You can even follow @Disney on Twitter and see the sketches made for EPCOT, Tomorrowland at WDW, pictures of Walt showing the concept arts, and read his famous words of wisdom. He did see it in his vision: EPCOT, Tomorrowland, and many more.
Even at the time before he passed away. Hours before, he still spoke to a reporter and let the reporter write his imaginary vision of DisneyWorld and EPCOT on his hospital ceiling while lying in bed. Barely able to speak clearly, he asked the reporter to came closer so that he could whisper it. Such passion, determined to fulfill that dream, and Walt’s belief that one day it will be there even if he couldn’t really see it being built with his own eyes. But in reality, it was already built in his mind on that hospital ceiling wall, and people believed in it also, especially his older brother, Roy (who postponed his retirement and determined to continue Walt’s unfulfilled dreams). That’s why it’s there and still there, even continue growing and expanding, even now. Walt’s death actually pushed his employees more determined toward completing those dreams in honor of Walt.
“I know of no other man whose personality has continued to inspire so many for so many years.”
Charlie Ridgway, Disney Press and Publicity Director
But vision, hope and dreams, also enthusiasm alone won’t make all that appear out of nowhere. Even a dreamer, innovator, inventor, artistic genius like Walt Disney himself was aware of this.
“I’d say it’s been my biggest problem all my life… it’s money. It takes a lot of money to make these dreams come true. “
Walt Disney
Thankfully, Walt was so fortunate to have the support of his beloved older brother, Roy O. Disney. Since he moved to California, his older brother Roy supported him, and helped him most from the financial side. When Walt came up with an idea, he went to his brother and asked him to prepare some capital to finance his ideas and dreams. At the end of the day, “Just get the money for me,” Walt said to his brother.“My business is making people, especially children, happy.”Walt Disney
Yes, Walt let Roy took care of the funds and capital, so that Walt could focus on his business: making people, especially children happy. His brother, Roy must have loved Walt so much that he understood and also let Walt focus on his dreams, pour all his heart and mind on his ideas. The ability to focus and excel in the things you like doing, and the support of the people you cared most are God-send.
“I could never convince the financiers that Disneyland was feasible, because dreams offer too little collateral.”Walt Disney
“People look at me in many ways. They’ve said, ‘The guy has no regard for money.’ That is not true. I have had regard for money. It depends on who’s saying that. Some people worship money as something you’ve got to have piled up in a big pile somewhere. I’ve only thought about money in one way, and that is to do something with it. I don’t think there’s a thing I own that I will ever get the benefit of except through doing things with it.”Walt Disney
“I knew if this business was ever to get anywhere, if this business was ever to grow, it could never do it by having to answer to someone unsympathetic to its possibilities, by having to answer to someone with only one thought or interest, namely profits. For my idea of how to make profits has differed greatly from those who generally control businesses such as ours. I have blind faith in the policy that quality, tempered with good judgment and showmanship, will win against all odds.”Walt Disney
.“Walt Disney World is a tribute to then philosophy and life of Walter Elias Disney and to the talents, the dedication and loyalty of the entire Disney Organization … may Walt Disney World bring joy and inspiration and new knowledge to all who come to this happy place.”Roy Disney, October 1971, formal opening and dedication of “Walt Disney World”
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