Walter Elias Disney


Walter Elias Disney is the man responsible for creating the modern theme park. It all started like this: One day, he took his children to a nearby amusement park. He was shocked at what he saw. Litter was strewn all over the ground, restrooms were unclean, some rides could not be enjoyed by the whole family. He set out to change all this, thus creating the now famous Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
Walt always stressed customer first, cleanliness, and first-class rides that could be enjoyed by all. He also stressed quality, believing that unless the attraction was perfect, it should not be seen by the park guest. Every detail was inspected, up to the most minute of items.
His Disneyland consisted of sections, each of which followed a certain theme. This "theme" idea propelled the amusement park industry. He pulled the industry out of the slump that was caused by the Great Depression.
Walt was also an innovator. He commissioned the first steel roller coaster, the Matterhorn, to be built in his park. He had his team of imagineers design audio-animatronics, figures that could talk and move synchronized to an audio track.
For all that he has done for the amusement park industry, Walter Elias Disney truly deserves the distinction of being one of the Great Minds in Amusement Park History.

On December 5, 2001, Walt Disney had his 100th birthday. Happy B-day Walt!