Falling in Love

I fell in love at an early age. I was about 4 when I was first introduced to them. Growing up they weren't far away. I was surrounded by things they made. I traveled the 1 hour and 17 minute drive to see them almost every weekend. I grew up with them. For the rest of my life they will have a special place in my heart. They helped shape me into the fun loving, still a kid at heart person I am. They are Disney.

The Walt Disney Company founded by Walt Disney and Roy O. Disney took life in 1920 when a then young Walt Disney began his career as a writer and illustrator. It wasn't until 1927 when Oswald the Lucky Rabbit started what would become the most revolutionizing enterprise the world has seen today.

When Walt's bosses took the rights of Oswald from Disney he modified Oswalds appearance and Mickey Mouse was born! Mickey featured in two short silent films before Steamboat Willie premiered which was the first Mickey Mouse Cartoon. Throughout the 1930's Walt Disney Productions dominated the animation market with additions to Mickey's crew including Donald Duck, Pluto, and Goofy.

Disney was a success but it wasn't until Walt Disney took the biggest risk to date of the company's short history. That the step to becoming the empire it is today came to fruition. Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. With the creation of Doc, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, Dopey, Bashful, Sneezy, and of course Snow White The Walt Disney Company revolutionized animation. From the 1940's to 1955 Disney created classic after classic including: Pinocchio (1940), Dumbo and Bambi 1941, and 42, and Cinderella and Peter Pan in the early 50's.


Disney then took things to a whole new level. Flexing his muscles in 1955 Walt Disney and his company opened Disneyland in Anaheim, California. About the same time the company came out with Buena Vista Productions creating total control over his films their production and marketing. Walt Disney and his company continued its ascent throughout the 1950's and 60's growing with Television shows, as well as continued dominance with animated movies.
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Even with all his success Walt along with his company were never financially secure even at his death in 1966. He had however put the steps in place beginning in the early 1960s to create the giant that Disney is today. In 1965 under a multitude of names and companies Disney had acquired over 27,000 acres of barren swamp-land in central Florida. His most ambitious and creative idea to date, The Walt Disney World Resort.

To date Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL attracts over 52 million visitors a year from across the globe. Disney has expanded opening up Disney Worlds in Paris, Tokyo, and Hong Kong. Disney on the Film and Television side of things has acquired, ABC, Pixar, and Marvel acquisitions that cost the Company $7.4 and $4 billion dollars respectfully. Disney went on to acquire Lucasfilm from filmmaker George Lucas securing the Starwars series a Disney film. Most recently in a deal finalized this year The Walt Disney Company bought 21st and 20th Century Fox in a deal valued at over $70 billion


Today the place, characters, and people I fell in love with over 15 years ago is valued at over 130 billion dollars.

The Happiest Place on Earth without me

"You just won the Super Bowl what are you going to do next?"

"I am going to Disney World"

One of the most well known advertisements that is almost not even an ad at this point. Growing up in Tampa exactly one hour and four minutes from the happiest place on earth I grew up a Disney kid. This was before everything was so technologically advanced and you could walk up to the front gate get tickets and have yourself a Disney day without much trouble.

For my spring break this year, I went home and worked as well as interviewing for summer jobs. My parents however took a trip to Disney. While in the beginning I was quite envious of the situation it became something that was more of a reminder. How one brand can have such an impact.

Disney is one of the most widely known brands in the world. Here are 15 facts that you may not know about the brand that can make anyone feel like a kid again.

1. Disney was founded in 1923

2. Disney's first film was Alice's Wonderland

3. The first Disney character was a rabbit

4. They produced the first ever feature animation film

5. Many of their films have reached over 1 billion dollars in revenue and are still growing to this day

6. They have twice made over 4 billion dollars in a calendar year in film

7. The first Disney resort was in California

8. Bob Iger is the current CEO and Chair

9. Headquarters are in California

10. They acquired Pixar in 2006

11. The acquired Marvel in 2009

12. They acquired LucasFilm in 2012

13. Walt Disney World in the largest resort/ park in the world

14. Admission prices to the parks have increased all but three years of existence
-1976
-1977
-1988

15. There are 5 Walt Disney Resorts and Parks around the Globe