Disney in the Classroom
Page 4 of 4

Walt with his daughters

The last thing I will share about Walt Disney is what I consider his most important message. This is that our greatest responsibility is to take care of our family. Many accounts on the Walt...DVD describe Walt‘s commitment to his family. He went home most nights early enough to eat dinner with his wife and daughters. He drove his daughters to school every morning he was home and he attended most of his daughters' school events. He even taught his daughters to drive! Considering how busy Walt was running the Studio and later Disneyland this was a major commitment.  I think the greatest problem facing our nation today is that parents don't make this commitment. They let their jobs and interests take the place of time with their children. Walt Disney could have easily made his Company more important than his family.  He would be just as famous today, but I don't think what he did would be as important or as meaningful.

Disneyland's flag at half mast the day Walt died

When Walt Disney died many people could not believe it. How could someone who had created so much joy, so much magic be gone? When the shock wore off many people were overwhelmed with sadness. They felt a light had gone out, that the world was now a less hopeful place. Fortunately, this was not so. Walt Disney's dream, indeed his spirit, is too powerful to die. Yes, his spirit is obscured at times, and sometimes it seems to be gone from the Company he created. Yet, it always comes back. If you don't believe me, go see Finding Nemo or stand in Disneyland's Town Square at twilight-

And watch the light still burning.

Together forever ºo º

Two great sources for additional information on Walt Disney (and where I got most of the pictures for this article) are the online Disney Family Museum and Remembering Walt: Favorite Memories of Walt Disney.