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 sense of humor.
These are just a few examples of the many iconic characters Disney has created over the years. Trust us, we haven’t forgotten Daisy, Elsa, Olaf, Moana, Woody, Lightning McQueen, Nemo …and the list is endless (and it makes our hearts un poco loco). Each character has a unique nature and story, making them beloved by fans of all ages.
Celebrating Disney’s 100 Years of Wonder
What is Disney 100 Years of Wonder?
“It all started with a mouse,” and today we are celebrating 100 years of the Walt Disney Company in the form of The Disney 100 Years of Wonder. It is a year-long celebration that commenced on January 27, 2023, and will continue until January 2024. The festivities feature a theme with heavy use of platinum with accents of royal blue. There are a lot of things that Disney will be organizing throughout the period to keep the fandom excited. A detailed description is given below.
How is Disney celebrating the 100th birthday of the Walt Disney Company?
Disney is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a bang, offering new treats and collectibles to delight fans of all ages! The new Disney100 collection features an array of limited-time collectibles, including all-new mouse ear headbands, figurines, plushies, jerseys, and more. These novelties are a must-have for any Disney fan who wants to commemorate this special milestone! And for those who love to indulge in delicious snacks at the park, Disney offers special treats like the Disney 100 Churro, Disney100 Minnie platinum caramel apple, and Disney100 Minnie chocolate cake pop. You can also sip your favorite beverage using the Platinum Mickey Sipper or the Platinum Mickey Balloon Popcorn Bucket.
With so many exciting new treats and collectibles, Disney’s 100th-anniversary celebration will surely be a magical experience for all! But that’s not all – Disney is also introducing new culinary delights to celebrate its 100th anniversary. Indulge in the Violet Pretzel from Refreshment Corner, a cream cheese-filled pretzel drizzled with salted vanilla cream and lavender sugar. And for those with a sweet tooth, try the Disney100 Platinum Trifle from Jolly Holiday Bakery Café, featuring layers of chocolate cookie crumbles, cheesecake, cherry compote, and mousse, and crème fraîche chantilly with crunch pearls and a chocolate piece.
What’s More to this campaign?
Disney100: The Exhibition will showcase over 250 rarely-seen original artworks and artifacts, costumes, and props at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia before touring across the United States and Europe.
Disney100: The Concert will tour Europe with the Hollywood Sound Orchestra, featuring songs from beloved Disney films and live performances by solo artists. The celebration also includes a Comic-Con Experience in Brazil and the premiere of Disney100 in Concert at Argentina’s Opera House, with an 11-country symphonic tour featuring beloved characters.
In addition, Walt Disney Animation Studios will debut Wish, an original animated story with an original soundtrack, on November 22, 2023.
Looking at Disney through our Contemporary Lenses
Disney has been associated with perpetuating stereotypes and generalizations, conveying ideas of the right norm for many generations. These ideas have been portrayed by depicting characters in a certain way. Initially, women were often shown as being engrossed in housework, adhering to traditional gender roles. However, over time, Disney has also portrayed women taking charge and challenging these conventional gender roles. While some may assume that this should happen, it is essential to acknowledge the influence of media in shaping societal beliefs and critically evaluate the messages being conveyed.
On the occasion of Disney 100 Years of Wonder, let us look at these norms and stereotypes illustrated in Disney with a more critical view to understand how Disney has shaped our thinking.
The portrayal of women in Disney films has evolved over the years. Initially, female characters were depicted as homemakers who needed to be rescued by men. In the rebellious era, female characters were more independent but still depicted in stereotypical ways. The linguistics of the dialogue also showed male characters bossing female characters around. This portrayal of women in Disney films could reinforce long-standing gender stereotypes and leave a lasting impression on young children, as suggested by a study conducted by a family life researcher.
According to psychology researchers at the University of Calgary, Disney movies often referenced mental illness in ways that could denigrate or set apart characters, potentially leading child viewers to learn prejudicial attitudes against people with mental health problems. The researchers also warned that the prevalence of references to evil in Disney’s films could contribute to demonizing people who engage in perceived destructive behaviors if children watch the movie repeatedly. According to Fred Zimmerman, a behavioral economist at the University of California, Los Angeles, this could contribute to broader societal problems, such as political polarization and social exclusion.
While Disney films have faced criticism for perpetuating negative stereotypes and demonizing mental illness, they also have positive effects. Research has shown that children are inspired to help others by watching Disney characters help one another. According to one study, Disney films contain an average of one act of prosocial behavior per minute. However, earlier Disney films depicted work negatively, portraying it as exploitative and featuring manipulative managers. This may have contributed to millennials’ preference for self-employment and job flexibility.
Happily Ever After
Remakes of classic Disney animations, casting actors of color and representing diversity, have been applauded for offering girls and boys the whole spectrum to dream beyond castles and to imagine the full reach of their abilities. Recent Disney films have portrayed work more positively, and female characters in Frozen, Brave, and Moana represent Disney’s more independent and free-spirited era. So, don’t wait any longer. Play your favorite Disney movie or book your tickets to Disney World.
