Art Is… by Bev Jackson Cotter

How did Walt Disney do it? How did a kid from a farm in Missouri become known world wide as the creator of an untold number of cartoon characters, movies, tv shows, books and even Disneyland. Aah, Disneyland.

No matter how you label him — creative, artistic, ego oriented, loving, needing to transcend his own difficult upbringing with an abusive father or determined — Walt Disney led a remarkable life. He recognized the need for both children and adults to feel safe, to delve deep into their own fantasy worlds, to learn and to have fun.

I’ve just finished reading Glenn Beck’s book, “Dreamers and Deceivers, More True and Untold Stories of the Making of America.” In it, he shares the stories of Charles Ponzi, Steve Jobs, Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball and a number of others whose successes —or failures — arise from unusual circumstances. Beck defines biographical information in an easily readable and enjoyable style.

Back to the Walt Disney story. His incredible success stems from believing he was right and never, ever backing down from the goals he set for himself, his employees and the public.

Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Porky Pig, Goofy and many others — introduced to the world in Disney’s delightful manner — would seem like enough success for anyone, yet Walt Disney continued to dream.

His wife enjoyed the beautiful home and prestige that his successes brought, but she only allowed one piece of Disney art in their home and it was tucked away in their daughter’s bedroom. She did not encourage his ideas for a theme park, a small town with a castle and a lake. She had listened to his dreams and numerous ideas that never came to fruition and she believed that this new idea — a park where families could immerse themselves in the stories of life-size Disney characters, rides and entertainment — was at best a silly idea. She followed him to amusement parks, fairs and zoos throughout Europe and America, and finally said, “Walt, if you are going to look at more zoos, I am not going with you!”

Roy Disney, Walt’s brother and partner, was the logical, practical business side of the company.  He questioned the idea and believed in his brother, but when he began contemplating the annual operating cost of such a venture, he knew that millions of visitors would have to come to the park each year and they would have to come back often. They discussed and discussed, but Walt would not back down.

So then, where did the money come from to develop this park?  Walt had another new idea, a Disney television show, sponsored by one of the major networks. It was practical and logical Roy approached the networks to offer the possibilities. NBC was not interested. CBS was not interested. But ABC, third in the 1950s television ratings, was excited to do the show. They

agreed to forward $500,000 toward the Disneyland project and pledged $4,500,000 more towards its completion. The dream was going to come true

During the building process, Walt was a severe taskmaster.  There would be no ugly water tower on the site, glass must be stained glass, a tree must be moved six feet further from the entrance, the design for a ride was wrong and must be redrawn and the city inspectors with their restricting codes knew nothing about building the castle for Sleeping Beauty.

The park opened to traffic snarling crowds of people and rave reviews. Critics had a heyday.  One of them even mentioned the asphalt roads were so new that women’s heels became stuck in the tar. The water system was not completed prior to opening day and although the toilets worked, the drinking fountains did not. Walt was blamed for pushing Pepsi products to thirsty visitors.

However, since that day in July of 1955, millions upon millions of people have enjoyed the incredible vision that Walt Disney brought to the world. He wanted to present “a new experience in entertainment — a fair, an exhibition, playground, community center, museum of living facts, a showplace of beauty and magic.”

He did. We all know the success of Walt Disney’s dream — the result of his creative thinking, his creative energy, and his determination to make his plans come true. This artistic kid from a Missouri farm showed us just what magic can happen when you believe.

Bev Jackson Cotter is a member of the Albert Lea Art Center where Christmas on Clark at 226 West Clark and Winter Wonderland at Northbridge Mall continue through Wednesday, December 23.