the W.E.D. way

There was nothing special about his beginning. Small town...small means...but large ambition.

I can't quite figure out why I am so fascinated with Walt Disney. It's been something that goes back as far as I can remember. I used to watch the Disney Channel when I was a kid and stay up late just to watch the old clips of Walt introducing cartoons and his TrueLife Adventures.

I suppose I can thank my Mom for a lot of the fascination. I grew up with Mickey Mouse cartoons and stuffed animals. My first trip to Disneyland was when I was 6. Event then, the concept of magic and wonder was evident. I later went to Walt Disney World when I was 9, then again when I was 12.

My first trip to EPCOT really sticks out in my mind. There moments when I felt as though I would grow up overnight while there. The attractions made a kid like me feel like the world was massive and the future was just as big.

I began to really read about Walt after my Walt Disney World honeymoon. I found a book by Bob Thomas and just tore it apart. I loved it! It was so amazing to read about this guy who failed several times, but always let his belief in the imagination and the possibilities of the future guide his ambition.

I wish I could be more like Walt. He had a goal and he achieved it. He wanted to be an animator...now we have animation as an Oscar category (Beauty and the Beast was actually nominated for Best Picture before the animation category). He wanted to build a small park for he and his daughters to enjoy together...now we have Disneyland. He wanted to explore the possibilities of a vast amount of land and creativity...now we have Walt Disney World. He was - IS amazing! I wish I could have met him. I wish I could just spend a day with him and ask him question after question. But at least he left his legacy for me to enjoy and like him, enjoy with my little girl.