Blog 3/10: Historical Disney Facts

Welcome to Blog 3 in our magical series! Today we’re taking a dive into Disney’s rich past and sharing historical facts that will change the way you look at this magical empire. Whether you’re a fan of Walt Disney himself or the development of the iconic parks, here’s everything you need to know!

21. Walt Disney started out as a paperboy.

Walt Disney earned his first pocket money by delivering newspapers in his hometown. His hard work ethic started at a young age.

22. The first Disney animated film was a fairy tale.

Disney's first feature film was Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs , released in 1937. It was the world's first full-length animated film and was a huge success.

23. Walt Disney smoked, but it was hidden.

Although Walt Disney was a chain smoker, you won't see him with a cigarette in any official photo or video. The company deliberately kept this out of the picture to keep the brand child-friendly.

24. Disney's first colored film was Flowers and Trees .

In 1932, Disney released the animated film Flowers and Trees , the first color film to use Technicolor. It also earned Disney the first Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.

25. Walt Disney won 22 Academy Awards.

Walt Disney is the person with the most Oscars ever. He won a total of 22 statuettes and received 59 nominations during his career.

26. Disneyland was built in just one year.

Construction of Disneyland Anaheim began in 1954 and was completed in July 1955, just in time for the opening. An impressive feat of planning!

27. “It's a Small World” was originally for the World's Fair.

The It's a Small World attraction was originally created for the 1964 New York World's Fair and then moved to Disneyland.

28. The first Disney character was not Mickey Mouse.

Walt Disney's first big success was Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. When he lost the rights, he created Mickey Mouse to replace him.

29. Walt Disney did not draw Mickey Mouse.

Although Walt Disney created Mickey Mouse, it was animator Ub Iwerks who created the first sketches of Mickey.

30. Fantasia introduced stereo sound in cinemas.

The 1940 film Fantasia first used a revolutionary sound system called “Fantasound,” which introduced surround sound.

A Magical Closure

Thanks for reading this historic journey through the world of Disney! What facts surprised you? Let us know in the comments or on social media.

And did you know that you can buy licensed Disney products at www.startedwiththemouse.com ? From historical memorabilia to modern items – we have it all!

Stay tuned for Blog 4/10: “Disney Characters: Behind the Scenes of Your Favorites” . See you soon, and keep dreaming!