Walter Elias Disney was born on December 5th, 1901. Regarded as a pioneer in the American animation industry, he is what many would call a cultural icon. Walt Disney was born in Chicago. As a young boy, he took extra art classes and eventually got a job as a commercial illustrator at the age of 18. In the early 20s, he and his brother Roy O. Disney established the Disney Brothers Studio which would go on to be known as the Walt Disney Animation Studios. This studio became popular through the creation of many characters and intellectual properties, such as Mickey Mouse, that are still well known today.
As the studio grew and became increasingly successful, Walt Disney became more adventurous with his ideas. Later, he introduced synchronized sound and color to his animations. Walt Disney opened Disneyland in 1955, and after its success, he went on to create what would be known as Disney World, at that time describing it as an 'Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow.'
Walt Disney's creations went on to change the face of the animation industry even after he died of lung cancer in 1968. The last film that Disney himself worked on was 'Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day.'
The company of Disney today is now split into many different divisions, but the one probably most influenced by Walt Disney himself is the Walt Disney Animation Studios. This division is located in Burbank, California.
From 1966 until 1984, there was a severe decline in the popularity of Disney films. It wasn't until Michael Eisner took over the restructuring that Disney returned to prominence and eventually led to what now is called the Disney Renaissance in 1989. The Disney Renaissance is easily identifiable by many of their most cherished films such as 'Beauty and the Beast,' 'The Little Mermaid,' and 'The Lion King.'
These films would go on to create a legacy of excellence for Walt Disney Studios to live up to. They achieved a status in the industry rarely seen for...