Walt Disney's History
What was the financial background of Disney's family?
Not wealthy.
They started out with humble beginnings, and constantly moved around when their father found new jobs.
What was the first theme park Walt Disney opened?
Disneyland.
It opened on July 17, 1955 in Anaheim, CA.
What was Disney's first fully animated series?
Steamboat Willie
Who was the first non-white Disney princess?
Princess Jasmine of Agrabah (1992)
This film was then later followed by Pocahontas in (1995) and pushed forward the idea that not all Disney princesses were going to be white.
What was the ethnic background of Walt Disney's parents?
Father: Elias Charles Disney was of Irish-Canadian descent
Mother: Flora Call Disney was of German-American descent
Who were the founders of Disney?
Walter Disney & Roy O. Disney
What was Disney's first film?
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
This film started their trend of portraying young damsels in distress looking to be rescued by their prince and living happily ever after.
What was the first Disney princess film with no love interest or romance theme?
Moana
Moana is the only princess who has not had a romantic theme or scenario throughout the whole film, as well as no love interest. This movie focuses on family and her conquering fears through adventure.
How did his mother die?
She fell through the furnace of her home.
After his success Walt Disney and his brother bought their parents a home. He then asked his studio crew to fix the furnace of their home which lead to them falling through it. His mother died and his father was injured. Which is what led to Walt Disney having his characters motherless or with absent parents.
What are Disney's five major businesses?
1. Media Networks
2. Parks & Resorts
3. Studio Entertainment
4. Consumer Products
5. Interactive Media
Walt Disney lost rights to what character?
Oswald the Lucky Rabbit
This was technically his first animated series and character, but he lost rights to that character since they belonged to Universal Studios. Which is why Walt Disney created Mickey Mouse and his first series Steamboat Willie.
What was the first princess to go against typical Disney princess stereotypes?
Merida from Brave
Merida did not want to get married to a prince, instead she wanted to be able to be her own true self and pursue her own dreams. Throughout the movie she is seen acting what traditionally would be called unlady-like and doing activities such as fighting and fishing;which would not be something normally done by princesses in Disney films.
When did Walt Disney's love for drawing begin?
At an early age.
As a young boy he would draw in school and take art classes in high school. After serving in World War I he moved to Kansas City to work as a commercial illustrator. His company there failed, and he moved to Hollywood to pursue his dream career.
What year was Disney founded?
1923
What record does Walt Disney hold for Oscar Awards?
Disney holds the record for most individual Oscar wins (22) and nominations (59)
Who was the first feminist Disney princess?
Belle from Beauty and the Beast
Although she does end up following the Disney princess pattern of a prince with a happily ever after, she is the first princess to stand up for herself. In the film she refuses to just be another pretty face and instead chooses to read and learn which is not a popular decision for women or a well supported decision by her townspeople.
Who were the members of the Disney Family?
Father: Elias Charles Disney
Mother: Flora Call Disney
Children: Herbert Arthur Disney, Raymond Arnold Disney, Roy Oliver Disney, Walter Elias Disney, and Ruth Flora Disney
What was the original founding name of Disney?
Disney Brothers Studio
Did he make propaganda films for the U.S. Government?
Yes
During World War II Disney made multiple films for federal agencies to support the war. One of them being "The New Spirit" for the Treasury Department to encourage people to pay their taxes to support the war effort.
Which is the only Disney princess that does not sing?
Merida
In the movie Brave there is no scene where she begins to express herself through song like Disney princesses usually do. She was the first and so far the only princess to not sing.