Without Walt Disney, I feel like there would be something missing in the world. Actually, I think there would be a lot of things missing from the world. Without Walt Disney and his brilliant imagination, there would always be something lacking. Imagination, magic and being a kid at heart wouldn't be as prominent without him and his enormous impact on the world. What would you do without your favorite Disney movie you love to watch? What if you couldn't have watched Disney Channel while you were growing up? Or not being able to visit the Happiest Place on Earth? Would you know what to do? Yeah, I know--me either.
You know how people ask the question, "If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be?" My answer is always Walt. I would take the time to thank him for the influence he's unknowingly had on my life, like being able to believe I'm a princess. I would thank him for my childhood and even my life now, from his films and theme parks and the wonderful things that have come from his company. I would thank him for making imagination come alive and leaving so much happiness in a world in need of more of it. I would thank him for the overwhelming feeling of joy I get from a glimpse at Cinderella Castle that brings me to tears. I would thank him for all of the memories I've had with friends and family over his contributions to the world. I would also thank him for the opportunities he has given me, like having the option to work for his company through various programs. I would thank him for the nostalgia, whether it be from me, a 20-year-old girl, or my parents and grandparents that still inspire us to be children at heart. I would thank him for never giving up on his dreams so others could live theirs, even decades later. Most importantly, I would thank him for creating the amazing mouse that started it all.
Walt Disney is so much more than a name or a business, Walt Disney is an imagineer, an innovator and dream creator.
So, thank you, Walt. Thank you for everything you've done to make your dream a reality.
"Laughter is timeless, imagination has no age, and dreams are forever." -Walter Elias Disney