The Mouse Who Sold The World (Walt Disney Lives)

Introduction; The Greatest Showman
The Mouse Who Sold The World
The Incredible Story of Walt Disney, America's Showman

1650150862416.png


__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Part I: America's Greatest Showman

Excerpt from A World of Laughter, A World of Tears (Or How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Walt Disney Company) By NostromoNancy from YouTube, July 17th, 2015.


[click on video] Title card and intro for NostromoNancy plays.

Walter Elias Disney, the human, was born on December 5th, 1901, but Walt Disney, America's Greatest Showman, Uncle Walt and a bunch of dozen more names that has been attributed to America's favorite straight white man, was born on October 27th, 1954 with the premiere of the anthology television series named "Disneyland". To help fund the almost-completed in construction park, the Disney Brothers entered an agreement with the ABC Television Network. The Network agreed to help finance the park on the condition that Walt would create an anthology series for the network.

1958-walt-disney-disneyland-tv-guide.jpg

(Image source "ClickAmericana.com")

This turned out to be a lucrative deal for both sides on the entertainment spectrum to promote the park, on top of the funding, Walt had acquired the ability to promote the park as well as showcase some of Disney's previous animated films and to promote upcoming projects from the studio. The key element that would elevate this anthology series was Walt himself, who would host the said program, and while Walt had performed on-screen in specials before, this would be his first consistent role as a television personality. And the immediate power of his charming performance had on the impact on American culture cannot be overstated. The character of "Walt Disney" was warm, funny, and all-around calming.

Given how deep the Disney brand is ingrained in our popular culture today, it's hard to imagine a world or time without Walt Disney, his company, his theme parks, and his movies. For some, the man can sometimes be seen as god, and one of the most prestigious accomplishments of the American Dream. But like all American History, the history behind Walt Disney the human, has been consistently and constantly revisionised, if not changed.

And there's no better way to describe what I call: "Disney Revisionism" then the second episode of the first season of Matt Groening's Futurama "The Series Has Landed"

[A clip from the aforementioned episode plays]

BENDER: Fine! I'm going to build my own theme park! With blackjack! And hookers! You know what- forget the park!

1650156115377.png

(Image source "futurama.fandom.com")

In this second episode of the popular adult animated sci-fi sitcom, the main character of the show, Curtis J. Fry [1], has been unfrozen after 1000 years in cryogenic sleep and has not yet had time to assimilate into the shifted prespectives and priorities of the 31st Century. Now, a delivery boy for a planetary delivery service, his first delivery is a trip to the Moon. An exotic adventure for Curtis, but a mundane trip, to well, Disneyland for the rest of them.

The only thing worth visiting on the moon, in fact, is a chintzy theme park: a very theinly veiled allegory to the Disney theme parks as well as also what Disney does best: Revising history and changing it to suit the park's best needs. Which the park goers are almost ambivalent to, but Curt knows to be inaccurate. So, when Curt points out that the infamous "BANG, ZOOM" line in the 1950s sitcom, the Honeymooners, was actually a metaphor of domestic abuse, it's almost always met with bitter annoyance. People just want to take in the theme park's attractions at face value without thinking about the implications of this so-called "revised history" and then go home.

For the purposes of this long-form essay that is being split into... 4 parts to keep my own sanity in check. *Mimics Mickey Mouse's voice* Oh, boy!

(Please fucking kill me.)

This example, however, is a pretty spot-on parody on how the Walt Disney Company and its tendency to sawdown, strip, and sprinkle pixie dust on... well, everything. The constant revisionism of Walt Disney, as a person and showman, has... uh, ruffled some feathers? To put it into the nicest possible way.

And before you run to the comment section, to fill the comments with diatribites on how old Uncle Walt was rascist, homophobic, fascistic, antisemitic sack of shit. Let's just say that's a conversation for another day! *Wink-wink, raises middle finger.*

It ultimately doesn't matter whether or not Walt was the patron saint of all that is good and pure about humanity, or the very face of evil, depending on who you ask on any given day of the week. But both seem to miss the fact that when you accept him in all of his childlike naivety and eccentricity and inflated ego and stubbornness, he's just one of the most fascinating figures in modern history.

And his childhood, if anything is quite... sad? An interview between him and Oprah Winfrey, back in 1992, a year before his death, is the greatest example of why this "Disney Revisionism" exists in the company, even today:

Walt Disney: Have you ever been to Kansas City, Mrs. Winfrey? Do you know Missouri at all?

Oprah: I have, a couple of times.

Walt Disney: Well, it's mighty cold there in the winters. Bitter cold. And my dad, Elias Disney, he owned a newspaper delivery route there. A thousand papers, twice daily; a morning and an evening edition. And dad was a tough businessman. He was a "save a penny any way you can" type of fella, so he wouldn't employ delivery boys. No, no, no... he used me and my big brother Roy. I was eight back then, just eight years old. And, like I said, winters are harsh, and Old Elias, he didn't believe in new shoes until the old ones were worn through. And honestly, Mrs. Travers, the snowdrifts, sometimes they were up over my head and we'd push through that snow like it was molasses. The cold and wet seeping through our clothes and our shoes. Skin peeling from our faces. Sometimes I'd find myself sunk down in the snow, just waking up because I must have passed out or something, I don't know. And then it was time for school and I was too cold and wet to figure out equations and things. And then it was back out in the snow again to get home just before dark. Mother would feed us dinner and then it was time to go right back out and do it again for the evening edition. "You'd best be quick there, Walt. You'd better get those newspapers up on that porch and under that storm door. Poppa's gonna lose his temper again and show you the buckle end of his belt, boy."

[Oprah looks noticeably unsettled by his story]

Walt Disney: I don't tell you this to make you sad, Mrs. Winfrey. I don't. I love my life, I think it's a miracle. And I loved my dad. He was a wonderful man. But rare is the day when I don't think about that eight-year-old boy delivering newspapers in the snow and old Elias Disney with that strap in his fist. And I am just so tired, I'm tired of remembering it *that* way. Aren't you tired, too, Mrs. Winfrey? Now we all have our sad tales, buy don't you want to finish the story? Let it all go and have a life that isn't dictated by the past? [2]


it is impossible to define a person in a word. Walt was a simple man, and at the same time, a very complicated one. He was a futurist that traded in nostalgia. A conservative obsessed with progress. A gentle mentor with an impatient temper.


__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[1] Consider this as your first look of one of the many, MANY butterflies that will be in this timeline.

[2] Obviously lifted, and slightly retooled from Saving Mr. Banks.

Greeting folks, I originally started this thread back in March, before briefly cancelling it, and, well, bringing it back. I super duper promise this time, this time, it's different. No more delays, no more cancellations. I plan on achieving this by piecing together created primary and secondary sources, video, and other forms of media to tell the story of this timeline from 1966-2021. The premise of this timeline is simple. Walt doesn't die in 1966, instead he lives on (not forever, but just a little longer than our timeline). I will examine how this would've changed the development of Disney World, Florida, and America as a whole. I will be bringing you guys into the parks, resorts, and try my best to even bring you guys into the film and alternate world that this timeline establishes.

There will be plenty of surprises, many changes, but what I hope to accomplish is split. On one hand I want to showcase how different the world can be through small changes in small events, the second thing I hope to accomplish is to explain my grand theory behind the Disney company. I believe that the Walt Disney Company is perhaps the most important company ever founded on American soil. It has defined the American self-identity, not just through its film and television but through its parks and resorts. Rising to prestige simultaneously with the United States, Disney has been with America every step on the way to the present. And with recent... events, that have occured involving the company, I believe the time is perfect to re-examine this most American of America's companies. So sit back, and I'll see ya real soon!
 
The Florida Project
Part II: The Florida Project
Excerpt from Disney's America: How Walt Disney Built 20th Century American Pop Culture from Kevin Perjurer [1] On YouTube, April 16th, 2019

After months of debate within the company over the direction of Project Future, Roy Disney decided he and his brother needed to reach a compromise. Visiting Walt at his home off Carolwood Drive, they discussed Walt’s vision for the Florida site. After three hours of intense debate, Roy had secured a promise from Walt to propose his plan to the board of directors.

This draft, known internally as the “Genesis Memo” give us an insight to how Walt was envisioning the project in early ’65. The memo broke down Walt’s planned phases for the Florida site with there being five phases in all. Walt’s planned development stretched from 1970 to 1985. According to Disney employees that saw “Genesis,” Walt’s plans involved the Visitor’s Center, EPCOT's Urban Core, and Display Center, along with the Industrial Park, and International Airport being completed by 1972. Phase two included the construction of the Magic Kingdom and four themed hotels and a golf course by 1976. Phase three would’ve been centered around EPCOT expanding, this expansion was planned to be finished by 1985. All in all, Walt had planned for 15 years of development—he was thinking long-term.

The memo was not well received amongst board members. Many felt it simply too big a risk, Roy included. They didn’t understand Walt’s vision for the city with one board member rumored to say: "If Walt wants to get into politics, let him run for Mayor and we'll pay for his campaign, hell, if he wants to start a campaign to be the GOP nominee for President in '68 [2], we'll pay for that too! But, please god, let us not waste our money building a goddamn fucking city for him!" Imagineers were divided too. On one end many were excited by the prospect of EPCOT, Walt’s enthusiasm had trickled down. Many more though were uncomfortable with the scope of Walt’s plans, they were far more comfortable designing for another Disneyland—not a futuristic city. Shortly after release, Walt’s plans were rejected by the Disney Board of Directors, which launched weeks of further infighting. Finally, by the July of ’65, it was decided, much to Walt’s frustration, that the Magic Kingdom would be built first. No longer included in phase one was the EPCOT urban core or the International Airport. Walt’s singular concession from his original draft was the EPCOT display center. Even the Visitor’s center had been cut from the phase one plans.

Walt fumed. Realizing that he would not live forever, and likely wouldn’t live to see his Disney World dream fully realized he demanded the Visitor Center be built. He believed that its location on the far southern end of the property would force the company to build both the airport and EPCOT if he were to not live to finish it himself. After much wrangling with executives, Walt was able to ensure it would be built. Additionally, Walt was able to ensure that the EPCOT Preview Center would include the main parking structure and hotel/convention center which would be known as the Contemporary Resort and Convention Center.

By the end of 1965, the company had purchased nearly 30,000 acres in central Florida and it became increasingly difficult for the company to keep Florida’s press off its tail. Then, on December 24th, 1965 the dam broke. The Orlando Sentinel broke the news that the Walt Disney Company had purchased the 30,000 acres of land near Kissimmee, but official confirmation would not come until a press conference held on January 5th, 1967. At that press conference, Walt hinted at his massive ambitions for the resort, but it wouldn’t be until a year and a half later that spring Florida residents and legislators would get an idea of what the Disney Company was planning for their new land.

1650219551449.png

(Source: "allears.net")

On May 17th, 1967 the company released a video that explained Walt’s plans for Disney World and a corresponding pamphlet to Florida’s legislators. Both titled “Project Florida: A Whole New World”, these materials gave legislators a taste of what Disney had in store. Only 300 copies were made, but they proved to be a hit. So much so that the film was repackaged as an episode of “Disney’s Wonderful World of Color” and released to the nation a month later. Excitement for “Walt’s Florida Project” was growing across the country, and no where more so than the sleepy part of Florida that stood to benefit. Much of the excitement centered around Walt’s plans for his Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow; a city of the future with a population of 5,000. Out of public view, the Disney company had also begun reaching out to American corporations for sponsorship of the Phase 2 Industrial Park, the response was overwhelmingly positive. For Walt, it truly seemed that his better tomorrow was just a day away.

21567189_1.jpg

(Source: "iCollector.com")
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[1] For you Defunctland enjoyers at there!

[2] A reference to the popular A World of Laughter, A World of Tears TL.
 
Last edited:
To All Who Come To This Happy Place
Part III: To All Who Come To This Happy Place
Excerpt from Walt Disney: America's Prince, an Unauthorized History by Kevin Perjurer


On August 1st, 1970 Walter Elias Disney opened The Magic Kingdom and Disney World Resort to excited crowds. The Magic Kingdom would open with 6 themed lands. Each land would be based on the original Disneyland areas, but Walt had the blessing of size and was able to create a more built-out version of the park. The resort costed a total of $400 million dollars (around $2.5 billion in 2016). It opened with two resort hotels, the Contemporary and the Polynesian Resorts, a monorail line going around the property, and the Magic Kingdom.

The Magic Kingdom was 22 acres larger than Disneyland and never one to repeat himself, Walt insisted on new concepts and attractions for the Magic Kingdom. It featured six unique lands; Main Street USA, Fantasyland, Liberty Square, Frontierland, Adventureland, and Tomorrowland. Each land differed in some fashion from their Disneyland counterparts and had plenty of land to expand and improve.

From August-December, 1970 nearly 200,000 visitors poured in to see Walt's new creation. The opening of the resort had been broadcast live, similar to Disneyland, and saw nearly 100 million viewers tune in. Also present at the opening festivities was President Richard M. Nixon who had been present at the opening of Disneyland as well. The President at opening stated, "This wonderful park and resort complex symbolizes everything that is great about our nation. Our creativity, our vision, and our ambition. It is my hope that this resort is successful and my hope that as it grows, America too grows."

wdo498323LARGE.jpg

(Source "disney-parks-blog")

Main Street U.S.A.

Main_Street_Collage.png


Main Street USA is the first land guests found coming into the park. The first building guests saw was the large Victorian style train station. After walking under the train station guests found the Town Square. On the left of the Town Square is the City Hall and fire station, on its right is the Main Street Theater and Hotel, further off to the right is a pathway to Cherry Tree Lane and down the center of the land is the main buildings of Main Street that lead towards the hub and towering Cinderella Castle. All down the main core of the main street is an elevated train.

Inside the city hall is a meet and greet for Mickey and Minnie Mouse, and the surrounding Town Square features a public plaza with a tall victory column. America, Disney World, and Florida state flags are found here. The centerpiece of this area is the Main Street Theater and Hotel. The theater shows a special film written by Walt entitled "Magic City U.S.A.". The film is a spin off of the popular Magic Highways film and goes through in great detail the history of American urban planning and leads into a promotion of the E.P.C.O.T. project being developed. Continuing down Main Street U.S.A. guests find the Emporium (a large department store), a Barber Shop, Ice Cream Parlor, Arcade, Photo Center, restrooms, Antonio's Italian Restaurant, and other amenities. By taking a right turn after passing Antonio's Italian Restaurant guest go down a side street that brings them to Cherry Tree Lane. On Cherry Tree Lane is the Mary Poppins Jolly Holiday attraction. Brand new to Disney World it was based off of a ride originally designed by Tony Baxter. The attraction goes through the Mary Poppins story. At the left end of Main Street is the Crystal Palace restaurant. The biggest change from Disneyland is the Main Street Hotel. The Hotel is actually a functioning hotel with 100 rooms. Oppulant and decadent, the hotel is the nicest and most expensive on-site. Guest who stay there have their own entrance into the park and get to stay a night or two inside the park. The hub of the Magic Kingdom is largest of any Disney Park and features great foliage. A stage in front of the castle holds daily performances.

Tomorrowland

Tomorrowland_Collage.png


Tomorrowland was the largest land built on the right side of the park. Its towering symbol was Space Mountain, a thrill attraction. Its concept was based around the idea of a Worlds Fair in 2070 and the land held all new attractions completely separate from those at Disneyland. The land featured a garden like design with curving paths that seemed to braid and intertwine.

The lands entrance pulled guests into Expo-Futura. This semi-circular building featured shops and restaurants along with an exhibit funded by the United Nations entitled Horizons. Horizons was in many ways a sequel to the Carousel of Progress and provided guests the opportunity to journey into the world of the future. The world was unified and humanity expanded into space. Guests visited four unique areas; Moon City U.N.A. (United Nations Association), Oceania, Demtopia, and Sky City. Each area provided guests with insight into the future of cities and the world. Also located in this area was Communicore. This area provided guests a futuristic place to relax and make reservations for their Disney trip. Leaving Expo-Futura, guests come into Future Plaza, in its center is the jet pack center and towering over the area is Space Mountain. Located on guests left was Mission to Mars, their right FuturePort, and their center the entrance into Space Mountain. Tracks spilled out and around the mountain which added to the excitement of guests entering. Mission to Mars was a Pirates of The Caribbean like attraction that told the story of Mans first mission to mars. Space Mountain took guests on a high-speed thrill journey through the cosmos. FuturePort featured the Astronaut Depot Cafe, which combined the interactive technology of the Tiki Room with exciting dinning. Also here was the Tomorrowland Theater which showed the unique stage show 'Mickey the Cosmonaut'; Mickey Mouse played a NASA astronaut inspiring kids to reach for the stars and push humanity forward. Connecting all these buildings together is the Tomorrowland People Mover. At the far left end of the land, heading towards Fantasyland is the Rocket Racers, set throughout the Tomorrowland city, guests got on 'flying' cars and traveled around the city of tomorrow.

Fantasyland

Fantasyland_Collage.png


As guests passed under the entrance gate of Cinderella castle, walked through its central corridor, they emerged into a fantasy-medieval village. Fantasyland had received particular attention from Walt who was disappointed by Disneyland's more carnival like design and wanted to build a land that looked like it was right out of an animated film. The land was completely contained with the 'castle walls' with the exception of the Fantasyland Forest area which is where Tomorrowland and Fantasyland met.

Cinderella Castle featured a meet and greet with Cinderella and the entrances to the Cinderella dark ride attraction and Royal Table restaurant. These two features made the Castle more than just a symbolic icon of the park. On the upper-levels of the Castle was Walt's private apartment. From his window he could see the entire park and surrounding resort area. The Fairytale Hall complex allowed guests to meet their favorite Princess, Princess, and Fantasy characters, all in their own unique biome or setting. By going out of the Palace gates, guests would find Sleeping Beauty's Cottage and meet and greet. Peter Pan's flight, Snow Whites Scary Adventure, restaurants and shops (like the Village Haus) could all be found within the palace area. Dumbo was also located within the palace walls. At noon everyday an interactive festival would be held. The Mad Tea Party and It's a Small World were located in the Fantasyland Forest. Though the land did not feature as many rides as Disneyland, it featured new attractions, a better design, and was fit with plenty of space to expand.

Frontierland

Frontierland_Collage.png


The anchor of Frontierland is the Thunder Mesa mountain complex. The entire land was themed to the American west and frontier of the 1840s-1880s. Log cabins, sweeping mountain vistas, and western style architecture were hallmarks.

Thunder Mesa mountain towered and dominated the land. Within the mountain were three attractions and a café. The Thunder Mesa café served country styled cooking and gave guests a great view of the land and mountain. The first attraction was Clarke’s White-Water Canoe, a flume water ride where guests embarked on a canoe and traveled through the mountain before finally emerging outside in a dramatic drop. The second attraction was a Thunder Mountain Run-Away. A mine train got off track and sped throughout the Mesa erratically. The largest attraction within Thunder Mesa is the Western River Expedition.

The fourth ride in the land was Davey Crockett’s Journey. The ride was a dark ride based on the adventures of Davey Crockett. It was not popular and closed two years after its originally opening. Next door was the Golden Saloon Revue. The restaurant/show experience was unique. Each night the cast of Golden Saloon would perform an interactive and exciting dinner theater experience. The food was rich country cooking. During the daytime, the restaurant served lunch and quick service. Also located here was Club 70. An exclusive club. At the far end entrance of the park is a collection of shops and arcade games.
 
Last edited:
Top