Princesses and pixie dust, beasts and dragons, magical spells, and enchanted gardens – Walt Disney filled our lives with all this and so much more that the hearts of children and adults alike are filled with joy to celebrate the Disney 100 years of Wonder. Celebrating this huge milestone, this blog will take you through the glory of Disney. So, strap in for a journey into the Disney world and prepare to wish the Walt Disney Company a very happy 100th birthday. Walt Disney: The Man Who Made Our Lives Magical It would be unfair to talk about the “House of Mouse” without mentioning the man behind the empire. Walter Elias Disney, or Uncle Walt, was born in Chicago, Illinois, on December 5, 1901. He grew up in Kansas City and joined the American Red Cross by faking his age during World War I. He soon returned home and won a scholarship to the Kansas City Art Institute, where he met Ub Iwerks. The two started their own company, but it soon went bankrupt. They then went to Hollywood in 1923 and began working on the “Alice Comedies.” Walt’s brother Roy was his business partner, and the two backed the financially unstable “Alice Comedies.” In 1928, Walt created a new animated character, Mickey Mouse, after he lost the rights to Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Mickey Mouse cartoons quickly became popular, followed by “Silly Symphonies,” a cartoon series without a continuous character. In 1937, Walt produced “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” the first animated feature-length film, which won critical acclaim and special Oscars. Walt continued to make cartoon shorts and animated features, including Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, and Peter Pan. In 1955, he opened Disneyland, a theme park in Southern California, which became a great success. Walt also ventured into television production with The Magical World of Disney, The Mickey Mouse Club, and Zorro. Despite his death in 1966, Roy continued with plans to build Walt Disney World, an experimental prototype city in Florida. Disney over the Years Disney has a long and rich history spanning almost 100 years. Here is a brief overview of Disney’s history over the years: 1920s-1930s: The Walt Disney Company was founded in 1923 by Walt and Roy Disney. They produced a series of triumphant animated shorts in the early years, including the famous Mickey Mouse cartoons. In 1937, they released their first feature-length animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which was a huge success. 1940s-1950s: In the 1940s and 1950s, Disney continued to produce popular animated films, including Pinocchio, Fantasia, and Cinderella. They also ventured into live-action films like Treasure Island and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. During this time, Disney expanded into television with shows like The Mickey Mouse Club and Disneyland. 1960s-1970s: In the 1960s, Disney continued to produce popular films, including Mary Poppins and The Jungle Book. They also began to expand their theme park business, opening Disneyland in California in 1955 and Walt Disney World in Florida in 1971. In the 1970s, Disney released many successful live-action films, including The Love Bug and The Parent Trap. 1980s-1990s: In the 1980s, Disney began to focus more on animation, releasing films like The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin, which became box office hits. They also expanded their theme park business by opening Tokyo Disneyland in 1983 and Disneyland Paris in 1992. In the 1990s, Disney continued to produce successful animated films, including The Lion King, Pocahontas, and Toy Story. 2000s-2010s: In the 2000s, Disney continued to produce successful animated films, including Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, and Cars. They also expanded their business by acquiring other companies, including Pixar Animation Studios in 2006 and Marvel Entertainment in 2009. In the 2010s, Disney released many successful live-action films, including the Pirates of the Caribbean series and the Marvel Cinematic Universe films. 2020s: In recent years, Disney has continued to produce successful films and expand their business. They released the live-action adaptation of Mulan in 2020 and have several other highly anticipated films in the works. They also launched their streaming service, Disney+, in 2019, quickly becoming a significant player in the streaming industry. Iconic Characters Disney has created countless iconic characters with unique personalities, traits, and stories. Here are some of the most well-known: 1. Mickey Mouse: Whether it is Disney’s 100 Years of Wonder, or a child’s first introduction to Disney, its flagship character, Mickey Mouse, is an anthropomorphic mouse who first appeared in 1928. (I read this in Mickey Mouse’s voice, did you too!) He is known for his upbeat personality, cheerful attitude, and iconic ears. 2. Minnie Mouse: Mickey’s love interest, Minnie Mouse, is also an anthropomorphic mouse. She is known for her sweet, nurturing personality and trademark polka dot dress. (Are you, too, imagining Mickey blushing just standing beside Minnie, or is it just me?) 3. Donald Duck: A cantankerous duck with a short temper, Donald Duck is one of Disney’s most beloved characters. He is known for his distinctive quacking voice, sailor suit, and mischievous personality. 4. Goofy: Goofy is a tall, lanky dog with a goofy grin and a loveable personality. He is often portrayed as bumbling and clumsy but always means well. 5. Snow White: Disney’s first princess, Snow White, is known for her beauty, kindness, and gentle nature. She is the central character in Disney’s first full-length animated film, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” 6. Cinderella: Another iconic Disney princess, Cinderella is known for her perseverance and kind heart. Her story of overcoming adversity and finding true love has inspired generations of girls. 7. Ariel: The main character in “The Little Mermaid,” Ariel is a mermaid princess who longs to explore the world above the sea. She is known for her fiery spirit and determination. 8. Simba: The protagonist of “The Lion King,” a young lion who must confront his past and embrace his destiny as king. He is known for his bravery, loyalty, and