The Inspiration of Walt Disney

If you do a Google Image search for Walt Disney quotes, you'll get thousands of results. And there are plenty of Disney insiders and bloggers who like to argue over whether or not Walt actually uttered some of them.

But put all of that aside and really think about it...Walt Disney was a visionary in every sense of the word. He built the foundation of what is now an entertainment juggernaut recognizable by nearly every human being on planet earth. I seriously doubt that he put his feet on the floor one morning and said to Lillian, "I'm going to turn this little mouse guy into a multi-billion dollar business." He was hardworking, incredibly creative and resilient in the face of imminent doom. There's plenty to be learned from his legacy.

I've been fighting a serious case of writer's block, so I went looking for a Walt quote that would, in turn, inspire a blog post. Reading this one (in the photo) got me thinking about WHY Walt Disney World Resort has such a pull for me and my little family. There are 963 reasons I could list, just as many photos I can show you from numerous vacations...but what does it boil down to?

The feeling.

The pure, unadulterated JOY that I feel driving under that sign at the property entrance. The RUSH of putting down a room deposit, getting a hard-to-secure advance dining or FastPass reservation. I can't really compare it to much, except maybe singing your favorite song at top volume when you're in your car, alone. (That can't just be me...but I digress).

I embarrass the hell out of my husband because I cry during the end of 'An American Adventure', tear up when Voices of Liberty sing our national anthem. IllumiNations gets me every time. As the kids say 'right in the feels'. The first time my nieces met Cinderella, I was lucky enough to be there and I was a train wreck.

From the bottom of my heart: Thank you, Walt Disney, for your idea. For seeing it through to reality. Thank you to the Cast Members who carry the torch sparked by your imagination so many decades ago. Thank you ALL for that feeling, the fun, the memories made and those still to come.