"It all started with a Dream and a Mouse..." Walt Disney
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Steamboat Willie 1928
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Original pencil drawing of Mickey Mouse by Walt Disney
Original Poster of Walt Disney's Laugh-O-grams Studio at 31st & Forest St. in Kansas City, Missouri......
Walt's FIRST STUDIO when he was 18 was known as KAYCEE STUDIO...also in Kansas City!
WALTER ELIAS DISNEY
The Walt Disney Company, commonly known as Disney, is an American diversified multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate, headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California. It is the world's second largest media conglomerate in terms of revenue, after Comcast. Disney was founded on October 16, 1923 – by brothers Walt Disney and Roy O. Disney – as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, and established itself as a leader in the American animation industry before diversifying into live-action film production, television, and theme parks. The company also operated under the names The Walt Disney Studio and then Walt Disney Productions. Taking on its current name in 1986, it expanded its existing operations and also started divisions focused upon theater, radio, music, publishing, and online media.
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Disneyland Park, originally Disneyland, is the first of two theme parks built at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, opened on July 17, 1955. It is the only theme park designed and built under the direct supervision of Walt Disney. It was originally the only attraction on the property; its name was changed to Disneyland Park to distinguish it from the expanding complex in the 1990s.
Entrance to Walt Disney World Orlando. Florida
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Epcot is an Amusement Park at the Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake, Florida, near Orlando. It is owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company through its Parks and Resorts division. Inspired by an unrealized concept developed by Walt Disney himself, the park opened on October 1, 1982, and was the second of four theme parks built at Walt Disney World, after the Magic Kingdom. Spanning 300 acres, more than twice the size of the Magic Kingdom park, Epcot is dedicated to the celebration of human achievement, namely technological innovation and international culture, and is often referred to as a "permanent World's Fair". The park is divided into two sections: Future World, made up of eight pavilions, and World Showcase, themed to eleven world nations.
WDW is currently 25,000 acres. At it's peak Disney World occupied 30,000 acres, however portions of that had been sold or de-annexed.
The original Disney World Property started with 30,500 acres which is equalt to 47 square miles! Over time they have set aside areas for positive Conservation and have sold off other land.
The Walt Disney Company founded by Walter Elias Disney & Roy Oliver Disney
First Opening Day Advertisement for Disneyland Park in The Los Angeles Times & The Orange County Register July, 1955...
Disney: The Happiest Places On Earth!
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Walt Disney: THE eminent and most remarkable creative genius, artist, and business entrepreneur! THE original Imagineer for all people - for all of the generations, and for all of the ages!
Walter Elias Disney & Lillian Bounds Disney
Walter Elias "Walt" Disney and Lillian Bounds Disney were two of the most genuine people to influence the culture of Hollywood film making and the entire entertainment and cultural worlds! They influenced American culture in such positive and endearing ways both for current and future generations as well! Not only the greatest animated films of all time, and as well, true-life and such vast and varied feature motion pictures and such beloved cartoon characters starring Walt's iconic Mickey & Minnie Mouse, Donald & Daisy Duck and Pluto and Goofy and so many other enduring and timeless characters. Walt Disney produced "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" in 1937 as the first full feature-length animated film and the film won eight Academy Awards® as well as countless other notable accolades! This Disney animated feature classic is considered among the "100 Greatest Films of all-time" by the American Film Institute. Walt Disney won 26 Academy Awards® aka Oscars® during his lifetime--still, to this day, by far, the most Oscars® awarded to anyone in history! What first originated as a one-man animation studio concept in Kansas City, Missouri so many years ago, has grown into the multifaceted The Walt Disney Company, all originating from one man known as Walter Elias Disney. He dared to dream such fantastic dreams and to fulfill his dreams with such enduring and positive visions and images that continually metamorphosed into the beautiful and fantastic fantasies that actually bridge all generations and are as timely and relevant for today as the morning news!
Walt Disney holding Mickey Mouse doll
In addition, the many family venues such as the original Disneyland Park (now named Disneyland Resort) opened July 17, 1955 and in later years the addition of Disney California Adventure opened February 8, 2001 in Anaheim, California, and the huge Walt Disney World multi-complex near Orlando, Florida, opened on October 1, 1971, Tokyo, Japan Disneyland Resort opened April 15, 1983, Disneyland Paris, France opened April 12, 1992, Hong Kong, China Disneyland Resort opened September 12, 2005, Shanghai, China Disneyland Resort opened June 16, 2016.
Genuine Disney Culture influences countless individuals and families worldwide in such affirmative, positive, and enduring ways! Often imitated....never matched!
Genuine Disney Culture influences countless individuals and families worldwide in such affirmative, positive, and enduring ways! Often imitated....never matched!
Walt Disney's first Animation Studio known as Laugh-O-Grams
located in Kansas City, Missouri...the building still exists!
This is the Kansas City, MO building where Walt Disney first established his LAUGH-O-GRAMS Studio. This image is how the building appeared when Walt's studio was on the secod floor
The Disney Family Home in Kansas City, Missouri...
The Disney Family home in Kansas City, Missouri. This is where Elias Charles and Flora Disney and their children Herbert, Raymond, Roy, Walt and Ruth lived for several years
Shed behind the home in Kansas City, Missouri built by Elias Charles Disney where Walt Disney and close friend Ub Iwerks set up their first animation studio
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Walt Disney's first animation studio known as LAUGH-O-GRAMS located on the second floor of a building at 31st St. & Forest Ave. in Kansas City, Missouri where this building still exists! This is where Walt's early visions of a mouse he first named "Mortimer Mouse" were created and that later became his famous iconic "Mickey Mouse!"
Early Laugh-O-Gram Films office in Kansas City, Missouri
Walt Disney when he was twelve years of age in Kansas City, Missouri Tennis, anyone?
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From Kansas City to Los Angeles, California...
Roy O. Disney & Walt Disney in front of the Disney Bros. Studios that was later in 1926 named Walt Disney Studio and in 1928 Walt Disney Productions that has grown into what is today known as The Walt Disney Company
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Roy Oliver Disney & Walt Disney at Walt Disney Productions in Burbank, California
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Walt Disney & Ub Iwerks with early Mickey Mouse Image
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Several of our very favorite pictures of Uncle Walt Disney and
How we love to remember Walt and his beloved family... Charles Elias Disney
Uncle Walt Disney smiling and we do believe this is one of our very favorite pictures of him, ever!
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Walt Disney sitting in his "official" Uncle Walt Chair reading a story to his associates in 1947
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Uncle Walt Disney in his office in Burbank, California October, 1964
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Seated: Diane Disney Miller & Lillian Disney & Sharon Disney Lund. Back row: Ron Miller, Walt Disney & Bob Brown
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Walt Disney with daughters Diane & Sharon on the Carolwood Railway circling the Disney backyard
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Walt Disney reading to his daughters Diane & Sharon
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"The Two Walts!" Walt Disney and Kansas City boyhood friend who was Walt Pfeiffer...
Walter Elias Disney and Walter Pfeiffer in Kansas City, Missouri
Walt Disney and a Kansas City boyhood buddy, Walt Pfeiffer, worked up little skits to act out at amateur-night competitions at vaudeville theaters as "The Two Walts!" Walt often played Abraham Lincoln and Charlie Chaplin! A talent for art also clearly emerged, and Walt drew his own versions of Maggie and Jiggs, a popular comic strip.
Walt Disney considered the Pfeiffer home as his “laughing place.” The Pfeiffer family introduced Walt Disney to the world of vaudeville and the movies! Years later, Walt Pfeiffer was employed by Walt Disney Productions in Burbank, California in various capacities from 1935 until his retirement in 1972. The Two Walts remained good friends for the rest of their respective lives!
Walt Disney considered the Pfeiffer home as his “laughing place.” The Pfeiffer family introduced Walt Disney to the world of vaudeville and the movies! Years later, Walt Pfeiffer was employed by Walt Disney Productions in Burbank, California in various capacities from 1935 until his retirement in 1972. The Two Walts remained good friends for the rest of their respective lives!
Walt & Lillian "Lilly" Disney
Walt & Lilly Disney with daughters Diane & Sharon setting sail on the Queen Elizabeth for England
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Roy O. Disney & mother Flora & father Elias and sister Ruth & brother Walt Disney
Walt and daughter Diane Marie & wife Lilly Disney
Ground breaking & blessing for the construction of Saint Joseph's Hospital in Burbank, California. Walt Disney shovels the very first ground with the Los Angeles Cardinal-Archbishop James Francis McIntyre & Catholic Priests & Nuns & many other Religious Leaders & the Boy Scouts Color Guard watching on. Saint Joseph's opened in 1943. This hospital is located directly across the street from the world headquarters of The Walt Disney Company
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Walt & Lillian, Ron & Diane Miller & Sharon Disney in their private apartment in Disneyland
Walt never forgot his very deep Midwestern roots from Marceline, Missouri to
Kansas City, Missouri...
Lillian & Walt Disney
Walter Elias "Walt" Disney and his older brother Roy Oliver Disney, embraced and lived out their Midwestern values throughout their entire lifetimes they learned as children growing up in Marceline, Missouri and Kansas City, Missouri. Walt's other siblings included, in addition to Roy, brothers Herbert Arthur Disney, Raymond Arnold Disney, and one sister Ruth Flora Disney. Walt's parents were Elias Charles Disney and Flora Call Disney. It was in Marceline where Walt learned to love all animals and where he did his first drawings on the side of a small barn and where he had "The Dreaming Tree." Walt earned his first money drawing a horse named "Rupert" for a neighbor known as "Doc" Sherwood. In Marceline he learned to love trains as the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad ran through the town!
Walt was, and continues to this day, to be one of the most uniquely creative individuals to ever be involved in the film and multiple entertainment industries worldwide! Walt Disney often collaborated with his wife Lillian and she influenced much of what he imagined and created. When Walt originally named his most famous mouse “Mortimer Mouse," it was Lillian, while she and Walt were on a Santa Fe train from New York to Kansas City, who suggested the name of “Mickey Mouse” as likely to become a more acceptable and endearing name for what was to become his most iconic creation! And of course Mickey’s girlfriend is Minnie Mouse. Mickey and Minnie were created by Walt and his close friend and collaborator Ub Iwerks from their early friendships and collaborations in Kansas City, Missouri and later in California, when both Walt and Ub expanded upon the Mickey Mouse creations. Walt's father moved the family to Kansas City in 1911 and they resided at 3028 Bellefontaine Avenue and Walt and Ruth attended Benton Elementary School at 3004 Benton Boulevard. This is where Walt lived when he and his older brother Roy Oliver Disney delivered The Kansas City Times and Star newspapers for their father Elias Charles Disney. Walt Disney launched his stellar career in 1919 when he was eighteen and his FIRST STUDIO (and short lived) was known as Kaycee Studio in Kansas City, Missouri and later in a building located at 31st Street and Forest Avenue his studio that he called Laugh-O-gram Studio that would lead to his earliest creations that laid the very foundation that led to making him the preeminent animator and creative genius of all-time!!
Unfortunately, Walt declared bankruptcy in Kansas City and he then followed brother Roy who had already moved to California where, after settling down, Walt and Roy started their own studio! Walt recalled that his only "formal" education in art was gained as a teenager, circa 1915-1917, when he took various Saturday classes at the Kansas City Art Institute. Even then, Walt's vivid imagination likely was beyond any work he might have completed at this great art institute! Walt's early excitement and enthusiasm was for Electric Park, an iconic Kansas City, Missouri amusement park, that did initiate his earliest dreams for such a beautiful place that remained with him as he would later reveal when he developed Disneyland in Anaheim. Walt and his sister Ruth often would go to this Kansas City amusement park formerly located on the Southeast corner at 46th Street and The Paseo Boulevard where currently the Village Green Apartments and Gates Bar-B-Q headquarters are now located.
In addition to the many times in later years when he accompanied his two daughters, Diane Marie and Sharon on Saturdays so they could ride a Merry-Go-Round in Griffith Park in Los Angeles and the memories of these happy times also had a profound influence on Walt as he was starting to imagine Disneyland. Walt started dreaming as he would recall: "About a place where families could enjoy an entirely new variety of original attractions and shows in a clean and safe and affirming environment as I watched my daughters enjoying the ride in Griffith Park and my thoughts also went back to the times when my sister Ruth and I visited Electric Park in Kansas City!"
Walt was, and continues to this day, to be one of the most uniquely creative individuals to ever be involved in the film and multiple entertainment industries worldwide! Walt Disney often collaborated with his wife Lillian and she influenced much of what he imagined and created. When Walt originally named his most famous mouse “Mortimer Mouse," it was Lillian, while she and Walt were on a Santa Fe train from New York to Kansas City, who suggested the name of “Mickey Mouse” as likely to become a more acceptable and endearing name for what was to become his most iconic creation! And of course Mickey’s girlfriend is Minnie Mouse. Mickey and Minnie were created by Walt and his close friend and collaborator Ub Iwerks from their early friendships and collaborations in Kansas City, Missouri and later in California, when both Walt and Ub expanded upon the Mickey Mouse creations. Walt's father moved the family to Kansas City in 1911 and they resided at 3028 Bellefontaine Avenue and Walt and Ruth attended Benton Elementary School at 3004 Benton Boulevard. This is where Walt lived when he and his older brother Roy Oliver Disney delivered The Kansas City Times and Star newspapers for their father Elias Charles Disney. Walt Disney launched his stellar career in 1919 when he was eighteen and his FIRST STUDIO (and short lived) was known as Kaycee Studio in Kansas City, Missouri and later in a building located at 31st Street and Forest Avenue his studio that he called Laugh-O-gram Studio that would lead to his earliest creations that laid the very foundation that led to making him the preeminent animator and creative genius of all-time!!
Unfortunately, Walt declared bankruptcy in Kansas City and he then followed brother Roy who had already moved to California where, after settling down, Walt and Roy started their own studio! Walt recalled that his only "formal" education in art was gained as a teenager, circa 1915-1917, when he took various Saturday classes at the Kansas City Art Institute. Even then, Walt's vivid imagination likely was beyond any work he might have completed at this great art institute! Walt's early excitement and enthusiasm was for Electric Park, an iconic Kansas City, Missouri amusement park, that did initiate his earliest dreams for such a beautiful place that remained with him as he would later reveal when he developed Disneyland in Anaheim. Walt and his sister Ruth often would go to this Kansas City amusement park formerly located on the Southeast corner at 46th Street and The Paseo Boulevard where currently the Village Green Apartments and Gates Bar-B-Q headquarters are now located.
In addition to the many times in later years when he accompanied his two daughters, Diane Marie and Sharon on Saturdays so they could ride a Merry-Go-Round in Griffith Park in Los Angeles and the memories of these happy times also had a profound influence on Walt as he was starting to imagine Disneyland. Walt started dreaming as he would recall: "About a place where families could enjoy an entirely new variety of original attractions and shows in a clean and safe and affirming environment as I watched my daughters enjoying the ride in Griffith Park and my thoughts also went back to the times when my sister Ruth and I visited Electric Park in Kansas City!"
Electric Park in Kansas City where Walt and his sister Ruth enjoyed the beautiful gardens...actually set the stage in Walt's heart for future Disneyland!
Electric Park on the east side of 46th Street & The Paseo Boulevard in Kansas City, Missouri where Walt Disney and his sister Ruth would walk around the beautiful gardens. Walt always remembered this amusement park and many ideas coming from Electric Park were later contained in Disneyland so many years later
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Electric Park at the east side of 46th Street & The Paseo Boulevard in Kansas City, MO with bright lights at night where the Village Green Apartments and Gates Bar-B-Q headquarters are now located
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Rare color picture of Electric Park in Kansas City, Missouri located at 46th and The Paseo Blvd.
Marceline, Missouri where Walt first learned to love animals and to dream his earliest dreams he made real in the future...
The Disney Family Home in Marceline, MO
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Roy O. Disney & Walt Disney at "The Dreaming Tree" in Marceline, MO
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Roy O. Disney and brother Walt Disney at the train depot in Marceline, Missouri
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Walt Disney's "Happy Place Barn" in Marceline, MO
where he made drawings on the outside walls
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Walt Disney was the consummate dreamer and hands-on imaginative, inventive, artistic, and original creator...
Walt Disney with Fawns
Walt Disney created so many, many, wonderful family films and classical images that have endured across so many generations. Walt always had a personal special fondness and love for his animated classic “Bambi.” Walt said this animated story of Bambi really spoke to his own heart. Often he liked to end his business week at his Walt Disney Productions in Burbank, California being accompanied on his Steinway Grand piano by Richard and Robert Sherman in his personal office with Walt singing “Feed the Birds” from his classic film "Mary Poppins" which was likely his all time favorite song. Often times Walt's oldest daughter Diane Marie Disney would also join him in singing this classic song in his office. He cherished and rewarded good and loyal friends and business associates, and when he opened the original Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California on July 15, 1955, Walt surrounded himself with close friends like Ronald Reagan, Art Linkletter and Bob Cummings, when the gates opened to the throngs of "guests" who crowded into the venue on that exciting beautiful sunny Sunday morning. Walt always considered all people coming to Disneyland as his "guests," not merely paying customers! Walt expanded on his original concepts for Disneyland in his own lifetime and his brother Roy O. Disney fulfilled Walt's dreams after Walt passed away in 1966 by continuing to create Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Very sadly, something Walt Disney never lived to enjoy was his massive Florida entertainment development!
Disney Family Home in Kansas City, Missouri as of June 1, 2015. Note an image of Mickey Mouse is in the upstairs window as well as in the bird bath in the front yard
Walt Disney and his brother Roy delivered The Kansas City Star & Times Newspapers twice daily to nearly 700 homes. Walt is pictured here with some of the newsboys and he is in the front on the right!
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Thomas Hart Benton Elementary School at 3004 Benton Boulevard in Kansas City, Missouri, a short distance from their home where Walt and Ruth Disney were students
Walt Disney sitting at his work bench in Kansas City Film Ad Company
Walt Disney drove an Ambulance in WWI for the Red Cross. Note the Disney drawing on the canvas on the side of thevehicle!
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Walt Disney at his Disney Bros. Cartoons Studio
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Roy & Edna "Just Married" truck in Hollywood, California
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Walt Disney at Benton Elementary School in Kansas City, Missouri
Walt is shown on the front row, fourth from the left!
Ruth Flora Disney & big brother Walt Disney
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Ruth Flora Disney Beecher & brother Walt Disney
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Raymond Arnold Disney one of Walt's older brothers
Herbert Arthur Disney
one of Walt's older brothers
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Raymond Arnold Disney
one of Walt's older brothers
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Ruth Flora Disney and her older brother Walter Elias Disney
Disney Home in Marceline, Missouri (Completely remodeled from the time the Disney's resided here!)
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Marceline, Missouri Train Depot where Walt Disney would watch trains & also where he boarded as a newspaper & candy vendor as a boy
Roy & Walt Disney at "The Dreaming Tree" while visiting in Marceline, Missouri in 1964
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Elias Charles Disney
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Flora Call Disney
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Walt Disney at Kansas City Ad Company
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Walt Disney visiting the Kansas City Art Institute in 1963
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Walt and his Mother Flora and sister Ruth Disney in 1909
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Flora Call Disney in Chicago
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Walt Disney with his Mother Flora Disney in 1938
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Roy Oliver Disney in the U. S. Navy
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Walt & Roy O. Disney Walt is seated & Roy is in his new US Navy Uniform
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Walt Disney chalk drawing of Mickey Mouse
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Walter Elias Disney
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Lillian Bounds "Lilly" Disney
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Walt Disney & Lilly Disney at home
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Diane Marie Disney Miller
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Walt & Sharon Disney Lund & William Lund when Sharon was married
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Walt Disney in his office at Christmas 1964
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Walt Disney & Lillian Bounds are married on July 25, 1925
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Walt & Lilly in New York City
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Walt Disney with daughter Diane at home
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Walt Disney with daughters at home also their dog
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Walt always had quality time for his family and his extended close family and friends...
Diane, Lillian, Walt, and Sharon Disney
Walt and Lilly and their daughters Diane and Sharon celebrated Walt and Lillian's 30th Wedding Anniversary on July 13th, 1955, four days before Disneyland opened on July 17th, 1955. The celebration was held in Disneyland on the Mark Twain Riverboat and included many family and longtime friends, and business associates. Their guests were treated to a lavish "Tempus Fugit Celebration" and with a huge four-tiered white butter cream cake--Walt and Lilly's favorite! Meredith and Charles Elias Disney were guests at this lovely anniversary celebration. Meredith recalled: "Walt Disney climbed down one of the posts from the balcony in the riverboat dining room to be greeted by Lilly and Diane and Sharon---what a delightful and unexpected surprise for everyone in attendance!"
When Disneyland opened on Sunday, July 17, 1955, it was by invitation only to friends, Disney associates, construction people and the press. But, tickets were counterfeited and over 30,000 people entered the park and some rides would break down and the park refreshment stands ran out of food and drinks! These problems were overcome by the next day and the park welcomed thousands of "guests" and everything runs much smoother and continues to do so up to the present! Disneyland in Anaheim, California fast became the most popular entertainment destination in the country!
When Walt was dreaming about his plan to bring Abraham Lincoln to life exhibition, he conferred with his older brother Raymond Arnold Disney, also an avid Lincoln admirer, and both of them spent countless months developing what was to eventually bring Lincoln to life with their "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln" as a stage show featuring an Audio-Animatronic version of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln. This exhibit is best known for being presented at Disneyland Park since 1965. It was originally showcased as the prime feature of the State of Illinois Pavilion at the 1964 New York World's Fair. One year after its debut at the World's Fair, the show opened at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. Both Walt and brother Raymond were on hand for the Disneyland opening of their "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln" show and exhibit!
Disney ideas and dreams will always accompany future generations and their new ideas and dreams will often be created and initiated by the Disney Imagineers to continue to bring so much joy and happiness to children of all ages and all cultures both now and forever into the future.
Charles Elias Disney was perhaps personally most influenced by Walt Disney when he endured an extended illness known as Rheumatic Fever when he was eleven years old. This life-threatening illness influenced his health for many years and Walt Disney personally drew some funny strips he gave to his nephew Charles Elias showing how Donald Duck had dealt with a similar illness! Walt's strips encouraged him throughout the duration of this dreaded disease that nearly cost Charles Elias his life in 1951. Charles Elias Disney is forever grateful for the extended love and encouragement and personal influence that came from both Walt and Lilly so many years ago! As Charles Elias says: "Family and friends always do make a difference! Walt Disney was and continues to inspire the world, ever since he passed away directly across the street from his Walt Disney Productions in Burbank, California in Providence-St. Joseph Medical Center located at 501 S. Buena Vista Street at 9:30 AM on Thursday, December 15, 1966. Walt was quite a wonderful and loving man! And countless people, do truly miss him, even after these many years! And this most certainly includes all of his family...!"
Walt Disney was a devout member of the Christian Congregational Church and politically he was a very Conservative Republican. He always supported conservative causes and politicians! He supported Barry Goldwater for President and close friend Ronald Reagan when he switched to the Republican Party in 1962. These lifetime beliefs were instilled in Walt as a young man by his father who was Elias Charles Disney. Walt was always open and respectful about his political beliefs and the beliefs of others!
We can never be limited by the constraints of time and space when expressing thoughts and facts about Walt Disney! Our Disney2Disney.com site will continue to emphasize and honor and expand upon Walt's very successful, magical, fulfilled, and iconic and archetypal life!
When Disneyland opened on Sunday, July 17, 1955, it was by invitation only to friends, Disney associates, construction people and the press. But, tickets were counterfeited and over 30,000 people entered the park and some rides would break down and the park refreshment stands ran out of food and drinks! These problems were overcome by the next day and the park welcomed thousands of "guests" and everything runs much smoother and continues to do so up to the present! Disneyland in Anaheim, California fast became the most popular entertainment destination in the country!
When Walt was dreaming about his plan to bring Abraham Lincoln to life exhibition, he conferred with his older brother Raymond Arnold Disney, also an avid Lincoln admirer, and both of them spent countless months developing what was to eventually bring Lincoln to life with their "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln" as a stage show featuring an Audio-Animatronic version of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln. This exhibit is best known for being presented at Disneyland Park since 1965. It was originally showcased as the prime feature of the State of Illinois Pavilion at the 1964 New York World's Fair. One year after its debut at the World's Fair, the show opened at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. Both Walt and brother Raymond were on hand for the Disneyland opening of their "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln" show and exhibit!
Disney ideas and dreams will always accompany future generations and their new ideas and dreams will often be created and initiated by the Disney Imagineers to continue to bring so much joy and happiness to children of all ages and all cultures both now and forever into the future.
Charles Elias Disney was perhaps personally most influenced by Walt Disney when he endured an extended illness known as Rheumatic Fever when he was eleven years old. This life-threatening illness influenced his health for many years and Walt Disney personally drew some funny strips he gave to his nephew Charles Elias showing how Donald Duck had dealt with a similar illness! Walt's strips encouraged him throughout the duration of this dreaded disease that nearly cost Charles Elias his life in 1951. Charles Elias Disney is forever grateful for the extended love and encouragement and personal influence that came from both Walt and Lilly so many years ago! As Charles Elias says: "Family and friends always do make a difference! Walt Disney was and continues to inspire the world, ever since he passed away directly across the street from his Walt Disney Productions in Burbank, California in Providence-St. Joseph Medical Center located at 501 S. Buena Vista Street at 9:30 AM on Thursday, December 15, 1966. Walt was quite a wonderful and loving man! And countless people, do truly miss him, even after these many years! And this most certainly includes all of his family...!"
Walt Disney was a devout member of the Christian Congregational Church and politically he was a very Conservative Republican. He always supported conservative causes and politicians! He supported Barry Goldwater for President and close friend Ronald Reagan when he switched to the Republican Party in 1962. These lifetime beliefs were instilled in Walt as a young man by his father who was Elias Charles Disney. Walt was always open and respectful about his political beliefs and the beliefs of others!
We can never be limited by the constraints of time and space when expressing thoughts and facts about Walt Disney! Our Disney2Disney.com site will continue to emphasize and honor and expand upon Walt's very successful, magical, fulfilled, and iconic and archetypal life!
Walt Disney and brother Roy Oliver Disney and Mickey Mouse doll at the Disney Bros. Studio on Hyperion Avenue in Hollywood, California
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Walt Disney in France during WWI as Red Cross Ambulance Driver in 1918 ~ notice the Walt Disney drawing on the canvas truck cover!
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Roy Oliver Disney
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Edna Francis Disney
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Roy Oliver Disney: Walt's brother, his financial impresario, and Walt's confidant and closest friend...
Roy O. Disney & Mickey Mouse when Walt Disney World first opened in Orlando, Florida
Roy Oliver Disney was one of the the older brothers of Walt Disney. Edna Francis Disney was Roy's wife and she greatly influenced many of Roy's decisions relating to the amount of money she felt Roy and Walt should be spending on their earliest animation projects! Roy spent much of his time with Walt throughout their younger years in Marceline and Kansas City, Missouri. He influenced Walt perhaps more than their father who was Elias Charles Disney. Elias did believe his sons should study and work hard and not give their time to "Foolish notions like nickel movies and just plain wasting time!" In Kansas City, delivering first edition The Kansas City Times newspapers was a daily task Elias expected Walt and Roy to complete--beginning early each day at 3:00 A. M. and again in early evenings delivering the final evening The Kansas City Star editions! In the winter months, Walt said: "Often the snow was like navigating through molasses to get those papers delivered and dad expected us to place each paper inside the storm or screen door at every home--often a daunting task for two teenagers!" Roy and Walt always respected and loved their dad and did what he expected them to do.
Roy attended the Manual Training High School in 1912 in Kansas City. When Roy joined the military, Walt followed and ended up as an Red Cross ambulance driver in France during World War I. Roy was a bank teller as was his older brother Raymond Arnold Disney, at the First National Bank at 10th and Baltimore Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri. (This bank building still exists intact and is now the Central Kansas City Public Library in downtown). Roy was the first of the family to move to California for his chronic asthma condition. When Walt later joined him, after he filed for bankruptcy for his Laugh-O-gram Studio in Kansas City, the brothers first formed the Disney Bros. Animation Studio in Hollywood, that continues on today as The Walt Disney Company with headquarters in Burbank, California. Bob Iger is the great head of the Company today!
From the beginning it was Roy who figured the many financial considerations the brothers were to encounter throughout their many early and later years! Roy always figured out which bills must be paid and in what order and as Roy would say: "To keep ahead of the bill collectors" the young entrepreneurs encountered. Walt was the creator-genius and Roy was the guy who handled the finances! This order continued throughout their lifetimes and even when the company was finally out of the red, Walt was always the creative mind and Roy was always the financial wizard! Together, Walt and Roy Disney made a very formidable and unique team that would soon change the art of film animation forever, thus leading their enterprise into the multi-faceted and immense Disney empire of today!
When Walt passed away in 1966, it was Roy who guided the company through the development of Walt Disney World and the continued dreams of his younger brother. Originally, while Walt was still living and the head of the Company, the huge development in Florida was to be known as "Disney World" but immediately after Walt passed away, Roy updated the development name to "Walt Disney World!" Walt always set the pace and built the foundation that led the Company to develop into so many varied enterprises. Roy was an astute businessman and he always kept in mind the culture and creative visions that Walt envisioned and insisted for "Everything Disney!" Roy never fully accepted the passing of his beloved brother Walt for the rest of his own life. Roy did genuinely fulfill what Walt dreamt and desired for the Company! Roy and Edna had one son Roy Edward Disney. Roy Oliver Disney passed away on December 20, 1971 and Edna Francis Disney passed away on December 18, 1984.
Roy attended the Manual Training High School in 1912 in Kansas City. When Roy joined the military, Walt followed and ended up as an Red Cross ambulance driver in France during World War I. Roy was a bank teller as was his older brother Raymond Arnold Disney, at the First National Bank at 10th and Baltimore Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri. (This bank building still exists intact and is now the Central Kansas City Public Library in downtown). Roy was the first of the family to move to California for his chronic asthma condition. When Walt later joined him, after he filed for bankruptcy for his Laugh-O-gram Studio in Kansas City, the brothers first formed the Disney Bros. Animation Studio in Hollywood, that continues on today as The Walt Disney Company with headquarters in Burbank, California. Bob Iger is the great head of the Company today!
From the beginning it was Roy who figured the many financial considerations the brothers were to encounter throughout their many early and later years! Roy always figured out which bills must be paid and in what order and as Roy would say: "To keep ahead of the bill collectors" the young entrepreneurs encountered. Walt was the creator-genius and Roy was the guy who handled the finances! This order continued throughout their lifetimes and even when the company was finally out of the red, Walt was always the creative mind and Roy was always the financial wizard! Together, Walt and Roy Disney made a very formidable and unique team that would soon change the art of film animation forever, thus leading their enterprise into the multi-faceted and immense Disney empire of today!
When Walt passed away in 1966, it was Roy who guided the company through the development of Walt Disney World and the continued dreams of his younger brother. Originally, while Walt was still living and the head of the Company, the huge development in Florida was to be known as "Disney World" but immediately after Walt passed away, Roy updated the development name to "Walt Disney World!" Walt always set the pace and built the foundation that led the Company to develop into so many varied enterprises. Roy was an astute businessman and he always kept in mind the culture and creative visions that Walt envisioned and insisted for "Everything Disney!" Roy never fully accepted the passing of his beloved brother Walt for the rest of his own life. Roy did genuinely fulfill what Walt dreamt and desired for the Company! Roy and Edna had one son Roy Edward Disney. Roy Oliver Disney passed away on December 20, 1971 and Edna Francis Disney passed away on December 18, 1984.
Roy Oliver Disney co-founded with his brother
Walt Disney what developed into
The Walt Disney Company
Roy Edward Disney, Edna Disney, Patricia Disney and Roy Oliver Disney
Ron & Diane Disney Miller, Walt & Lilly Bounds Disney, Bob & Sharon Disney Brown
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Ron & Diane Miller at Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco, California 2010
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Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company & Diane Marie Disney Miller & Michael Eisner former CEO of the Company at the 50th Anniversary of Disneyland's opening in Anaheim, California on July 17, 2005
Ronald W. Miller
Ronald W. Miller: Walt's son-in-law, very successfully created The Disney Channel and set the stage for Disney Live Broadway Shows...and numerous other very significant Disney creations...
Ronald W. Miller initially worked at Walt Disney Productions for a few months in 1954 as a liaison between WED Enterprises and Disneyland before he was drafted into the U. S. Army later that year. When he came home from the Army, he played professional football, and later he was prompted by Walt to return to work for him. Walt sponsored his son-in-law, (Ron was married to Walt's daughter Diane Marie), and got him into the Screen Director's Guild and Ron worked as a second assistant on Old Yeller (1957). He soon rose up the ranks to a variety of producer positions and also directed many of Walt's lead-ins for the popular weekly Sunday evening Disney television series. Miller spent his time in the film division and his co-producer credits appear on such Disney classics as Son of Flubber, Summer Magic, and That Darn Cat!. His first movie with full producer credit was Never a Dull Moment (1968). Miller continued to receive producing credits on films like Tron, Pete's Dragon and Escape to Witch Mountain.
He became president of Walt Disney Productions in 1978 and CEO of the Disney Company in 1983. Miller is perhaps best known for creating the Touchtone Pictures label, which allowed Disney to produce and release adult-oriented films (Never X-rated films) without harming the family-friendly reputation of the famous Disney name. (Its first film was Splash starring Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah). Miller was also responsible for establishing The Disney Channel and funding the films of young Tim Burton who produced Vincent and Frankenweenie, and acquiring the film rights and placing into development the Who Framed Roger Rabbit project, initiating Disney's first attempts at computer animation such as with the film Tron. He was creative in his own right! Ron funded Disney's first Broadway show Total Abandon with Richard Dreyfuss, (1983), all of which actually established the foundations for future Broadway success for the Disney Company. Ron Miller was always quite loyal to Walt Disney and he fondly recalls: "His love for and his relationship to Walt and Lilly and Diane."
Ron Miller was responnsible for creating many very successful and popular Disney ventures! He has been concerned with certain alternate decisions he perceives the top management at Disney has made and he openely has voiced his concerns since leaving the company.
Ron and Diane established the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco, California to emphasize the life and times of Diane's father Walt Disney! Diane wanted everyone to understand that her beloved father was not just a great cultural icon but that Walt Disney was a "real person!" Diane and her mother Lillian Disney worked very closely with the funding, design, and intense insistence on the famed architect Frank Gehry to design and work to completion of the Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles. Fortunately, this Concert Hall is responsible for much of the interest in the revival of the core of downtown Los Angeles! Ron and Diane Miller were very successful entrepreneurs and vineyardists across many years! Ron Miller was always such a kind gentleman and he treated everyone so fairly! Very sadly, Diane Marie Disney Miller passed away on November 19, 2013 as the result of an injury she sustained from a fall in her home on September 13, 2013.
He became president of Walt Disney Productions in 1978 and CEO of the Disney Company in 1983. Miller is perhaps best known for creating the Touchtone Pictures label, which allowed Disney to produce and release adult-oriented films (Never X-rated films) without harming the family-friendly reputation of the famous Disney name. (Its first film was Splash starring Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah). Miller was also responsible for establishing The Disney Channel and funding the films of young Tim Burton who produced Vincent and Frankenweenie, and acquiring the film rights and placing into development the Who Framed Roger Rabbit project, initiating Disney's first attempts at computer animation such as with the film Tron. He was creative in his own right! Ron funded Disney's first Broadway show Total Abandon with Richard Dreyfuss, (1983), all of which actually established the foundations for future Broadway success for the Disney Company. Ron Miller was always quite loyal to Walt Disney and he fondly recalls: "His love for and his relationship to Walt and Lilly and Diane."
Ron Miller was responnsible for creating many very successful and popular Disney ventures! He has been concerned with certain alternate decisions he perceives the top management at Disney has made and he openely has voiced his concerns since leaving the company.
Ron and Diane established the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco, California to emphasize the life and times of Diane's father Walt Disney! Diane wanted everyone to understand that her beloved father was not just a great cultural icon but that Walt Disney was a "real person!" Diane and her mother Lillian Disney worked very closely with the funding, design, and intense insistence on the famed architect Frank Gehry to design and work to completion of the Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles. Fortunately, this Concert Hall is responsible for much of the interest in the revival of the core of downtown Los Angeles! Ron and Diane Miller were very successful entrepreneurs and vineyardists across many years! Ron Miller was always such a kind gentleman and he treated everyone so fairly! Very sadly, Diane Marie Disney Miller passed away on November 19, 2013 as the result of an injury she sustained from a fall in her home on September 13, 2013.
The Walt Disney Concert Hall including the REDCAT- Roy O. & Edna Disney/California Arts Theater
WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL color artist rendering
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WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL in Downtown Los Angeles, California including the REDCAT: Roy O. & Edna Disney/Calfornia Arts Theater. Lillian Disney and Diane Disney Miller initiated the important creative and financial elements that brought about the design and construction of the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Renowned Architect Frank Gehry designed the luxurious Hall that opened on Friday, October 24, 2003.
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Walter Elias Disney & his older brother Roy Oliver Disney
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Edna & Roy O. Disney & Walt & Lillian Disney celebrating at The Brown Derby in Hollywood, CA
Charles Elias Disney & cousin Roy Edward Disney on September 13, 2007 at what would become the Roy Disney Animation Studios at The Walt Disney Company in Burbank, California on May 7, 2010
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Walt & Roy O. Disney in 1917. Roy was in the US Navy and Walt would soon join the US Red Cross during WWI serving as an ambulance driver in France
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Walt, Roy, Flora, Elias and Herbert Disney
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Roy Edward Disney as characterized in his sailboat known as the "Pyewacket" in County Cork in Ireland
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Walt Disney and newphew Roy Edward Disney
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Roy Oliver Disney, Walt Disney's older brother and busines partner
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Patty & Roy E. Disney at Disney's restored El Capitan Theatre opening of "Tarzan" animated feature film in Hollywood, CA on June 19, 1999. Daniel H. Disney & Charles Elias Disney attended this premiere with Roy & Patty Disney
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Roy E. & Patricia Disney celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary
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The Roy and Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center adjacent to Providence-St. Joseph Hospital in Burbank, California is directly across the street from the world headquarters of The Walt Disney Company
The Roy and Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center at Providence-St. Joseph Medical Center at 501 Buena Vista Street in Burbank, California opened on February 14, 2010 across the street from The Walt Disney Company at 500 Buena Vista Street in Burbank
Roy Edward and Patricia Disney
Roy Edward Disney, Walt's nephew, who continued, and expanded upon Walt's dreams--twice!
Roy Edward Disney and Mickey Mouse
Roy Edward Disney and Patricia Ann Dailey Disney are two of the kindest and most thoughtful and generous people in American history! Roy Edward was the nephew of Walt Disney and the son of Roy Oliver Disney and Edna Francis Disney.
Roy Edward Disney made it his personal passion to continue and expand the great legacy his uncle Walt and his father Roy O. had established. Twice, the company that is now known as The Walt Disney Company, teetered with serious financial problems! It was Roy E. Disney who brought in Michael Eisner who established another direction for the Company and who emphasized and built upon the dreams of the original Founders, namely, Walt Disney, and his older brother Roy Oliver Disney. Like his father. who was Roy Oliver Disney, Roy Edward was somewhat of a financial wizard! Following the progressive Michael Eisner years, it was Roy who wanted to return the Company to its roots and he finally reconciled with the new head of the Company, Robert "Bob" Iger, and returned as a member of the Board, where he remained active up until the time he passed away on December 16, 2009. Roy Edward Disney was passionate about again returning the Company to the dreams and aspirations of its Founders and he worked tirelessly to maintain the gravitas and his massive stock control that allowed for him to direct the Company toward its continued traditional family roots!
Roy and Patty truly enjoyed assisting others and each one of them looked for and found places where their generous gifts would impact others lives and create a lasting and positive environment for others. Roy and Patty's most generous gifts of personal time and treasury are impeccable and their generosity and kindness truly came from deep inside their very hearts and Souls!
What Roy and Patricia (Patty) Disney initiated to help advance Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California, namely, The Roy and Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center as well as the Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center in San Pedro, California, will literally inspire and advance the medical and spiritual healing of countless numbers of people in the coming generations. Their ongoing generosity is really admirable!
Roy and Patricia Disney have generously assisted with so many other worthy endeavors including the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Also, the Walt Disney Concert Hall along with Walt's wife Lillian Disney and their daughter Diane Marie Disney Miller, and with the REDCAT (Roy O. and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater). The majestic Cathedral and the great Concert Hall have both directly inspired and led to much of the renewal of downtown Los Angeles. When the new Roman Catholic Cathedral was dedicated on a beautiful sunny day on Monday, September 2, 2002, Roy E. and Patty Disney and Charles Elias and Daniel H. Disney were seated together as Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, the Archbishop of Los Angeles, blessed and dedicated the new Cathedral. Following the dedication, Roy and Patty and Charles Elias and Daniel enjoyed an extended lunch together downtown at the Los Angeles Athletic Club and later that same evening enjoyed dinner together in Roy and Patty's home. This was such a joyous day and Roy and Patty were so happy! One of the last times Charles Elias and Daniel were able to spend extended time together with their cousin Roy and Patty!
Roy and Patricia Disney are two of the finest examples of the goodness and empowerment that comes from individuals who do so generously and graciously freely share their great wealth and success with others! Roy Edward Disney passed away on December 16, 2009 and Patricia Ann Disney passed away on February 3, 2012.
Roy Edward Disney and Patricia Ann Dailey Disney are two of the kindest and most thoughtful and generous people in American history! Roy Edward was the nephew of Walt Disney and the son of Roy Oliver Disney and Edna Francis Disney.
Roy Edward Disney made it his personal passion to continue and expand the great legacy his uncle Walt and his father Roy O. had established. Twice, the company that is now known as The Walt Disney Company, teetered with serious financial problems! It was Roy E. Disney who brought in Michael Eisner who established another direction for the Company and who emphasized and built upon the dreams of the original Founders, namely, Walt Disney, and his older brother Roy Oliver Disney. Like his father. who was Roy Oliver Disney, Roy Edward was somewhat of a financial wizard! Following the progressive Michael Eisner years, it was Roy who wanted to return the Company to its roots and he finally reconciled with the new head of the Company, Robert "Bob" Iger, and returned as a member of the Board, where he remained active up until the time he passed away on December 16, 2009. Roy Edward Disney was passionate about again returning the Company to the dreams and aspirations of its Founders and he worked tirelessly to maintain the gravitas and his massive stock control that allowed for him to direct the Company toward its continued traditional family roots!
Roy and Patty truly enjoyed assisting others and each one of them looked for and found places where their generous gifts would impact others lives and create a lasting and positive environment for others. Roy and Patty's most generous gifts of personal time and treasury are impeccable and their generosity and kindness truly came from deep inside their very hearts and Souls!
What Roy and Patricia (Patty) Disney initiated to help advance Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California, namely, The Roy and Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center as well as the Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center in San Pedro, California, will literally inspire and advance the medical and spiritual healing of countless numbers of people in the coming generations. Their ongoing generosity is really admirable!
Roy and Patricia Disney have generously assisted with so many other worthy endeavors including the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Also, the Walt Disney Concert Hall along with Walt's wife Lillian Disney and their daughter Diane Marie Disney Miller, and with the REDCAT (Roy O. and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater). The majestic Cathedral and the great Concert Hall have both directly inspired and led to much of the renewal of downtown Los Angeles. When the new Roman Catholic Cathedral was dedicated on a beautiful sunny day on Monday, September 2, 2002, Roy E. and Patty Disney and Charles Elias and Daniel H. Disney were seated together as Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, the Archbishop of Los Angeles, blessed and dedicated the new Cathedral. Following the dedication, Roy and Patty and Charles Elias and Daniel enjoyed an extended lunch together downtown at the Los Angeles Athletic Club and later that same evening enjoyed dinner together in Roy and Patty's home. This was such a joyous day and Roy and Patty were so happy! One of the last times Charles Elias and Daniel were able to spend extended time together with their cousin Roy and Patty!
Roy and Patricia Disney are two of the finest examples of the goodness and empowerment that comes from individuals who do so generously and graciously freely share their great wealth and success with others! Roy Edward Disney passed away on December 16, 2009 and Patricia Ann Disney passed away on February 3, 2012.
Elias Charles Disney & Flora Call Disney were devoted to their family...
St. Paul's Congregational Church where the Disney Family weekly attended Church in Chicago, Illinois 1905. Elias Charles Disney helped build this church!
Elias Charles & Flora Call Disney
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Flora & Elias Charles Disney
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Elias Charles Disney & Flora Call Disney celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary on New Year's Eve 1937
with sons Herbert & Walt and standing behind Flora & Elias are sons Raymond & Roy
Elias Disney Birthday with sons Walt and Roy
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Roy, Flora, Elias, Ruth, Walt Disney
Elias Disney Contractor Window in Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California
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Elias Charles Disney & Flora Call Disney
With Mickey & Minnie Mouse Dolls
Elias Charles Disney and Flora Call Disney, The Disney Family Parents...
Elias Charles Disney and Flora Call Disney were the parents of Walter Elias Disney and Roy Oliver Disney as well as Herbert Arthur Disney, Raymond Arnold Disney, and Ruth Flora Disney Beecher.
They were Irish Immigrants who moved to Canada and then to the United States to Chicago and finally settling in the small farming community north of Kansas City known as Marceline, Missouri where Elias took up farming and both Walt and Roy helped him in this farming endeavor. Marceline is where Walt first expressed his love for art by drawing images on a small barn. Elias became ill with serious pneumonia and moved from Marceline to Kansas City, MO where he purchased a newspaper route. Walt and Roy delivered papers twice daily beginning at 3 o'clock in the morning and then the evening editions after school. The boys delivered the newspapers seven days a week! Elias stated: "Heck with the weather!"
Elias Disney was a builder and designer-carpenter. He also was a staunch member of the Congregational Church and part-time preacher, where he would often preach very strong sermons on sobriety! Elias and Flora didn't believe in gambling or drinking or swearing and they instilled these beliefs in their children. They were really, truly, "Salt of the Earth" parents who held deep-rooted Christian conservative beliefs throughout their lives!
When Walt and Roy returned from military service in France during World War I, they returned to Kansas City, Missouri where Walt pursued his dream of animated films first in his Kaycee Studio and then in his small studio he called Laugh-O-grams Studio on the second floor of a building that exists to this day located at 31st St. and Forest Avenue, and also at Kansas City Film Ad Company. The Disney family home was at 3028 Bellefontaine Avenue. When serious financial difficulties overshadowed them, Roy first, and then Walt, moved to California. Then Elias and Flora moved to Oregon to be near their son Herbert and finally to California to be near Walt and Roy who had moved to Hollywood years earlier to pursue Walt's dreams of animated films. Walt and Roy had enjoyed some financial success and so they purchased a new home for their parents in North Hollywood, California. So much more can be expressed about Elias and Flora and in the future this site will emphasize even more details about their lives!
Elias and Flora lived out their lives in Hollywood and Elias lived to see the Disney Bros. Cartoon Studio grow and develop into Walt Disney Productions, the forerunner to the present The Walt Disney Company. Flora Call Disney passed away on November 6, 1938, and Elias Charles Disney passed away on September 13, 1941.
They were Irish Immigrants who moved to Canada and then to the United States to Chicago and finally settling in the small farming community north of Kansas City known as Marceline, Missouri where Elias took up farming and both Walt and Roy helped him in this farming endeavor. Marceline is where Walt first expressed his love for art by drawing images on a small barn. Elias became ill with serious pneumonia and moved from Marceline to Kansas City, MO where he purchased a newspaper route. Walt and Roy delivered papers twice daily beginning at 3 o'clock in the morning and then the evening editions after school. The boys delivered the newspapers seven days a week! Elias stated: "Heck with the weather!"
Elias Disney was a builder and designer-carpenter. He also was a staunch member of the Congregational Church and part-time preacher, where he would often preach very strong sermons on sobriety! Elias and Flora didn't believe in gambling or drinking or swearing and they instilled these beliefs in their children. They were really, truly, "Salt of the Earth" parents who held deep-rooted Christian conservative beliefs throughout their lives!
When Walt and Roy returned from military service in France during World War I, they returned to Kansas City, Missouri where Walt pursued his dream of animated films first in his Kaycee Studio and then in his small studio he called Laugh-O-grams Studio on the second floor of a building that exists to this day located at 31st St. and Forest Avenue, and also at Kansas City Film Ad Company. The Disney family home was at 3028 Bellefontaine Avenue. When serious financial difficulties overshadowed them, Roy first, and then Walt, moved to California. Then Elias and Flora moved to Oregon to be near their son Herbert and finally to California to be near Walt and Roy who had moved to Hollywood years earlier to pursue Walt's dreams of animated films. Walt and Roy had enjoyed some financial success and so they purchased a new home for their parents in North Hollywood, California. So much more can be expressed about Elias and Flora and in the future this site will emphasize even more details about their lives!
Elias and Flora lived out their lives in Hollywood and Elias lived to see the Disney Bros. Cartoon Studio grow and develop into Walt Disney Productions, the forerunner to the present The Walt Disney Company. Flora Call Disney passed away on November 6, 1938, and Elias Charles Disney passed away on September 13, 1941.
"I only hope we don't lose sight of one thing--that it all started with a Dream and a Mouse!" ---Walt Disney