The famous Walt Disney (Walter Elias Disney) was born on December 5, 1901 in Chicago, IL. However, the talented Disney we all know did not emerge until 1919 when he began his career as an illustrator.
In 1928, Disney created Mickey Mouse, a character he sketched while on a bus. Today, the cartoon character is the centerpiece of the entire Disney brand.
Things weren’t always so easy for Disney. In 1923, his first business venture called Laugh-O-Gram Studios went bankrupt.
At the time, he had only $20 to start over, so Disney decided to head to Hollywood where he created a few cartoon characters with his brother. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to attain legal copyright for them.
Then Mickey Mouse and other memorable characters such as Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Goofy, and Donald Duck arrived. From thereon, there was no turning back.
After a few years, Disney began developing feature-length cartoons such as “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Pinocchio,” “Fantasia,” “Dumbo,” “Bambi,” “Cinderella,” and “Mary Poppins.” Disney made these animated creations during the 1940s to 60s.
Due to the success of these cartoons, it was not a surprise when Disney won 22 Oscars for his role as an American animator, film producer, and voice actor. But as we know, Disney didn’t stop there.
He also opened theme parks in 1955. The Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, was under construction when Disney passed away in 1966.
In 2018, the theme parks had already hosted over 157.3 million guests from across the world.
Falcon News interviewed students and staff about their Disney preferences.
Ninth-grader Tobias Thompson
Question: What is your favorite Disney movie?
Answer: “Aladdin.”
Q: Who is your favorite Disney character?
A: “The genie from Aladdin.”
Q: Have you ever been to Disneyland/ Disney World, and if so, what’s your favorite ride?
A: “I have. My favorite ride is probably the Guardians of the Galaxy ride.”
Q: In your opinion, who is the worst Disney villain.
A: “Probably Edgar from Aristocats.”
Sophomore Kyler Colwell
Q: What is your favorite Disney movie?
A: “Cars. The OG one. The rest couldn’t compete with the originality of the first one.”
Q: Who is your favorite Disney character?
A: “Jack Sparrow.”
Q: Have you ever been to Disneyland/ Disney World, and if so, what’s your favorite ride?
A: “I have not.”
Q: In your opinion, who is the worst Disney villain.
A: “Maleficent. She’s fake. She’s for the streets.”
Junior Quinton Buckland
Q: What is your favorite Disney movie?
A: “Cars, The first one. All the other ones suck.”
Q: Who is your favorite Disney character?
A: “Nemo.”
Q: Have you ever been to Disneyland/ Disney World, and if so, what’s your favorite ride?
A: “I’ve never been there.”
Q: In your opinion, who is the worst Disney villain.
A: “The Underminer from the Incredibles.”
Senior Isaiah Wilson
Q: What is your favorite Disney movie?
A: “Ratatouille.”
Q: Who is your favorite Disney character?
A: “Olaf is him.”
Q: Have you ever been to Disneyland/ Disney World, and if so, what’s your favorite ride?
A: “I have, but I don’t know any of the rides so I’m gonna say the ferris wheel.”
Q: In your opinion, who is the worst Disney villain.
A: “Scar is also him.”
Instructional Assistant Ashley Haag
Q: What is your favorite Disney movie?
A: “The Little Mermaid.”
Q: Who is your favorite Disney character?
A: “Ariel.”
Q: Have you ever been to Disneyland/ Disney World, and if so, what’s your favorite ride?
A: “Yes, I’ve been to both. My favorite ride is Splash Mountain.”
Q: In your opinion, who is the worst Disney villain.
A: “Jafar.”
