Corporate Disney has evolved from a humble beginning to one of the most powerful companies in the world. There are several significant milestones that have been steps up the ladder of success for Disney. But three milestones in particular, I personally believe, are the most important and outstanding accomplishments that allowed Disney to become a corporate giant.
1) Disney: From Tough Start to Triumphant End Walt Disney, the creator of this corporate phenomenon, had a surprisingly troubled childhood for a man with such imagination and child-like creativity. Growing up in a household with an abusive father, Disney had to live in what most would consider as “hell.” Many even say that the reason behind Walt’s genius in his adult life was to prove himself to his father, and to create within his cartoons the image of the life he never had. To have experienced years of an un-idealistic life only to blossom into a human representation of innocence, imagination, and “happily ever after,” is not only unheard of, but is also outstanding. This alone sets Walt Disney apart from many other recognized men in history due to the vibrant contrast in his previous life and the life he created for his audience. Without Walt Disney’s determination and perseverance, Corporate Disney would not have been created in the first place. And for that reason, this is the first and biggest milestone in the creation of this magical phenomenon.
2) Laugh-O-Gram Films: The First Big Step
Starting off roughly and without much under his belt, Disney used his love for drawing and animation skills to develop his own company. The creation of Laugh-O-Gram Films in 1922 was not only rocky and hard to maintain, but it proved to be the foundation of a successful career for Disney. This small company was hardly a competitor against the larger Hollywood animation companies at the time. In fact, Disney and his brother, Roy, were the only two men in the beginning who were operating and managing the company, all the while trying their hardest to present their material to Hollywood. The first projects created by Laugh-O-Gram studios were the Alice in Wonderland series, where 56 short films were made and loved by the public. This started off as a big beginning for the Disney brothers, and helped skyrocket into a whole new realm in Hollywood cartoons. The persistence and creativity of the Disney brothers helped this company step even higher in their career.
3) Mickey Mouse: The Breakthrough
During the tender time of Laugh-O-Gram Films, Universal Studios was giving Walt Disney a run for his money. Although the Alice in Wonderland shorts were received very well, Disney knew he had to create something, something new, that would revolutionize the idea of cartoons and children’s media. He needed something that would set him apart from all of the other big names in the business, and something that would help him get his foot in the door of accomplishing his dreams. And when this idea of a mouse entered into Disney’s imaginative head, he took the idea and ran with it. He presented his idea to Hollywood, and that is where the fame began. Mickey Mouse was the gateway to the success of Disney’s career, while milestones beforehand helped him reach his destiny. But all in all, the credit will always go to the creator. As Richard Shickel stated in 1960, “Walt Disney’s greatest creation was Walt Disney.” There can be no other statement that encompasses the trueness of the meaning behind these words. Walt Disney and his magical imagination began one of the greatest corporal giants of all time.
One of the main things that surprised me as a student of this class on Disney and all its aspects was the fact that the Disney company was created by the inspiration of one man, and with such a small foundation in the business world. Disney literally came from nothing. It was not a conglomeration of creators, writers, and big companies in order to create such a mighty name in the world of Hollywood. Rather, it was the dreams of one man, who encouraged others to follow their dreams too. It is also amazing that the Walt Disney Family even has its own museum in recognition to the lives of those who started this corporation. There are many big names in the corporate world that I am aware of containing a grand history, but Disney is set apart from all of them in such a magnificent way. I think this boggles my mind more than anything I have learned in this class so far.
I believe the keys to Disney’s success is the simple idea of following your dreams for a happily ever after. Every single animated movie that Disney has created has introduced this as its main theme. There are also many other themes that pertain to innocence, beauty, magic, love, and happiness, which all make the perfect combination of a beautiful story with a successful outcome. The difference that I see between Disney and other companies are the morals that it presents to the audience, morals that coincide with its original idea as well as relating to real-life situations that people can relate to. And for even the situations that are purely magical that wouldn’t necessarily happen in real life, it encourages imagination and wonder in the minds of the audience, especially children. Other companies can learn to reach the hearts and minds of children and families by the example of Disney creations, while incorporating values that should be cherished in everyday life.
Not only have I seen and learned the power of Disney for almost this whole past century, I see Disney becoming the biggest and only name in American media. I see this corporation dominating over every channel, every station, and every program, where its name will be displayed proudly. To me, Disney is a company that has displayed no limitations over the years. I believe there is and will be no end to Disney, and Walt’s happily ever after has become a forever. However, there are some challenges that might inhibit this dream. There is a lot to live up to when it comes to creating new material that is just as successful as Disney’s past classics. With generations evolving more and more, the adaptation to how children and audiences live and perceive media can be very difficult to attain. After watching Snow White for the first time since I was a little girl just the other day, I have seen how that cartoon, created so long ago, is so different than cartoons that are created today. Knowing society and what is acceptable can be very difficult to understand and to create new material for on a steady basis, but I believe Disney has the power to create and do anything it sets its mind to.
