How To Be Like Walt

“Growing older is mandatory, but growing up is optional.” How did Walt Disney harness this timeless philosophy to create visions that captivated generations and reshaped entertainment forever?

1. Walt Disney’s Childhood Instilled Discipline and a Love for Storytelling

Disney's early years molded his relentless work ethic. Growing up in Kansas City, young Walt and his brother Roy worked for their father delivering newspapers, rising at 3:30 a.m., regardless of weather conditions. This grueling routine not only planted seeds of discipline but also gave rise to recurring nightmares later in his life.

Despite his tough upbringing, Disney found joy in entertaining others. At school, he was a creative performer. His fifth-grade Abraham Lincoln reenactment, which included delivering the Gettysburg Address, showcased his knack for drama and comedy. These early moments taught him the magic of storytelling and engaging an audience.

Walt’s ability to dream amidst his hardships laid the foundation for his future work. His daydreams and doodles fueled his creativity and pushed him to imagine worlds beyond harsh realities—leading to iconic stories like Cinderella, which mirrored themes from his own childhood struggles.

Examples

• Delivering newspapers every morning built his perseverance.
• Dressing as Abraham Lincoln and reciting a speech engaged his entire school.
• His challenging childhood inspired works like Cinderella and other tales of triumph.

2. Creativity Was a Muscle That Walt Disney Trained

Disney believed that creativity wasn’t an innate gift but a skill that could be developed. He honed his imagination by observing the world around him and turning everyday experiences into entertaining anecdotes and ideas.

When his Oswald the Lucky Rabbit character was taken from him, Walt responded not with despair but by creating Mickey Mouse—an enduring global icon. Similarly, a simple traffic stop inspired the Mickey Mouse cartoon “Traffic Troubles.” By transforming even frustration into humor, Disney proved creativity is often about perspective.

Collaboration further fueled his creativity. For example, when actress Ilene Woods performed "Oh Sing Sweet Nightingale" for Cinderella, Disney envisioned soap bubbles showing her reflection. This transformed a simple cleaning scene into an enchanting visual moment celebrated by viewers and artists alike.

Examples

• Reinvented cartoon characters after Oswald was taken.
• Turned a traffic cop experience into a Mickey Mouse film.
• Used a singer's performance to add storytelling magic to Cinderella.

3. Risk-Taking Fueled Walt Disney’s Success

Walt was unafraid of failure, pursuing dreams others considered impossible. His first full-length animated film, Snow White, was a massive financial gamble, costing nearly $1 million when the studio had minimal resources. Yet he pressed ahead.

To ensure Snow White’s success, Walt attracted top-tier talent, even inviting experts like muralist Jean Charlot to mentor his staff. Despite enormous pressure, Walt’s vision prevailed. The movie grossed $8.5 million during its initial release, convincing skeptics of his daring approach.

Disney’s calculated risks were rewarded not just financially but through cultural impact. His willingness to innovate, even at great cost, created a template for modern creative industries to follow.

Examples

• Persisted with Snow White despite limited finances and opposition.
• Brought in top-tier experts to enhance creativity and quality.
• Achieved global success with a film industry milestone.

4. Success Didn’t Shield Walt Disney From Tragedies

Even at the peak of his success, Disney faced personal losses and setbacks. After Snow White’s success in 1938, his mother Flora tragically died from a preventable gas leak in a home Walt had bought for her. This left him emotionally scarred for life.

Professionally, not every film was an instant triumph. Pinocchio was critically acclaimed but failed financially due to closed European markets during World War II. These struggles proved that even a creative genius had to navigate difficulties with resilience.

Yet Walt’s ability to reinvest his energy is evident in his next efforts. He used his setbacks to fuel future creativity, paving the road for other classics and further experimentation.

Examples

• Endured grief after his mother’s unexpected death.
• Faced financial struggles with Pinocchio’s release during the war.
• Turned tragedies into lessons that inspired greater creative projects.

5. Walt Disney Pioneered “Plussing” – Continuous Improvement

Disney epitomized the pursuit of excellence. He developed the habit of “plussing,” improving projects to make them better at every stage. For instance, to make Bambi unique, Walt brought live animals into the studio for animators to observe and invited artist Tyrus Wong to add evocative lighting to the backgrounds.

This mindset extended to sound and color innovations in his films. By introducing synchronized sound with Mickey Mouse and exploring stereophonic sound for Fantasia, Walt continually advanced cinematic experiences, redefining industry standards.

Plussing wasn’t just an internal practice—it allowed Disney to always remain ahead of the competition, ensuring that his work was not only relevant but revolutionary.

Examples

• Hired live animals for animators sketching Bambi.
• Invested in sound innovations for Mickey Mouse and Fantasia.
• Revolutionized animation by being the first to use color.

6. Dreams Mattered More Than Money

Disney always prioritized his ideas over monetary concerns. Building Disneyland required Walt to mortgage his home and borrow from his life insurance, long before the project’s feasibility was established.

Even when others doubted Disneyland, Walt found solutions. He persuaded ABC to finance his dream park in return for TV programming. By never letting practical hurdles thwart him, Disney turned impossible ideas into unforgettable realities.

This passion for dreaming, rather than profits, is what separated Walt from many others.

Examples

• Pledged personal assets to fund Disneyland.
• Convinced ABC to provide seed money for his park.
• Persisted with visionary passions over financial logic.

7. Collaboration Was Key To Disney’s Vision

Walt’s openness to collaboration transformed his projects. He solicited ideas from everyone, regardless of hierarchy. For example, while designing the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, a Louisiana worker suggested adding fireflies to the swamplands. Disney embraced the suggestion with enthusiasm.

Similarly, in 1931, the storyboard—a now-standard industry tool—was developed in Disney Studios due to Walt’s encouragement of experimentation. By creating platforms for idea-sharing, he made individuals feel valued, further enhancing their contributions.

This team-oriented approach fostered innovation and revealed Walt’s belief that creativity flourishes when shared.

Examples

• Added fireflies to Pirates of the Caribbean based on a worker’s comment.
• Supported the invention of the storyboard process.
• Encouraged employees to contribute ideas on every project.

8. Disney Built Institutions That Supported Young Artists

Walt invested in the next generation of creative talent by founding the California Institute of the Arts. This school integrated diverse disciplines like writing, performance, and engineering to prepare students for multidisciplinary careers.

He also mentored promising individuals himself, such as Ken Wales, whom he brought to his studio to teach filmmaking. Walt even financed Ken’s education at USC, demonstrating his commitment to fostering talent.

By creating environments dedicated to nurturing creativity, Disney ensured his passion for imagination lived on beyond his lifetime.

Examples

• Established the California Institute of the Arts to train artists.
• Personally mentored young professionals like Ken Wales.
• Partnered with renowned teaching institutions like the Chouinard Art Institute.

9. Walt Disney Was Always Open To Change

Disney thrived on innovation, embracing new technologies and ideas. From talking cartoons to technicolor animation, Walt’s willingness to adapt set him apart.

For example, against widespread skepticism, Disney pioneered synchronized sound in Steamboat Willie, elevating Mickey Mouse’s charm. He was also one of the first filmmakers to embrace Technicolor, adding vibrancy to his Silly Symphonies series.

By constantly rethinking how things could be done, Walt captured imaginations and stayed ahead of evolving audiences.

Examples

• Brought synchronized sound to cartoons with Steamboat Willie.
• Embraced Technicolor, creating vivid animations.
• Constantly challenged established norms to amplify creativity.

Takeaways

1. Take risks on your ideas, even if the path is uncertain. Use setbacks as opportunities for growth.
2. Embrace learning from others. Seek diverse perspectives to strengthen your creativity and decision-making.
3. Always aim to improve, no matter how successful you become. Push boundaries to surprise and delight others.