4. Mineral King Valley Ski Resort
The Matterhorn represented more than simply the first steel roller coaster to Disney. It also embodied his love of the mountains. During the 1960s when the concept of destination entertainment was still in its genesis, Walt Disney envisioned a different style of resort getaway in addition to theme parks. Believe it or not, he seriously toyed with the notion of building a ski resort in California or Colorado.
Disney’s interest in skiing dated back to a chance meeting with champion skier, Hannes Schroll. The two men became quick friends, and a gift from Disney aided in the creation of the Sugar Bowl Ski Resort at Donner Pass. To wit, the previously named Hemlock Peak was changed to Mt. Disney to recognize the financial backing of Walt Disney.
As a lifelong fan of winter sports, Disney even incorporated his passion into his cartoons. Schroll himself provided the yodeling in the classic Goofy short, The Art of Skiing. In 1960, Disney was invited to participate in the 1960 Olympics. Some of the connections he made at this event emboldened him to build his own ski resort. He scouted locations in San Gorgonio, Mount Mammoth, and Aspen before eventually settling upon Mineral King Valley, close to Sequoia National Park. Planning was in the advanced stages to the point that the company gained authorization from the Forest Service and had a transportation deal with the governor of California. There was even an introductory press conference regarding the ski resort in September of 1966. Alas, Disney died less than three months later.
There are two schools of thought as to why the project never came to fruition. Some argue that in the wake of the icon’s death, the company felt that they should not be fighting a battle on two fronts. With Walt Disney World the focus of the company, a second resort would have distracted from the primary goal. Others note that Congress decided for the company by declaring the potential land a part of Sequoia National Park, thereby preventing private ownership.
5. Kurt Russell
No famous person in the history of civilization has written a final phrase as inscrutable as Walt Disney’s. In case you have never heard this odd bit of trivia, it is absolutely true that the last words written by Walt Disney were, “Kurt Russell.” He scribbled the name without offering any sort of explanation. At the time of Disney’s death, Russell was only 15 years old and while he had signed an extended service contract with the company by that point, his first Disney acting job had yet to air. To a larger point, nobody’s last words should be, “Kurt Russell,” not even Goldie Hawn.
Whatever Disney’s vision for the future of his company and Russell may have been, this brief missive did provide fascinating ramifications. The company felt the onus to go all-in on Russell as a young actor, and he rewarded them by becoming the studio’s “top star of the 1970s,” according to Turner Classic Movies host Robert Osborne. Russell starred in such Disney classics as The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes, The Strongest Dad in the World and Superdad. He also basically has a job for life with the company, as Russell’s relationship has continued in recent years with Disney projects such as Miracle and Sky High. So, no matter what Disney intended, his final note has had a lasting impact on his company’s movie division.
6. Disneyland
"Disneyland will never be completed as long as there is imagination left in the world."
The above is Walt Disney's profound statement about the constant need to keep his theme park(s) fresh. He understood that to ensure a thriving vacation destination, a group of visionaries must constantly keep their minds open to new ideas. This philosophy explains the creation of new Disney theme parks across the world as well. It is also the onus that has crafted the culture for Imagineers. As Disneyland approaches its 60th anniversary with appropriate updates and additions, Walt Disney’s stated expectations for the future of his company continue to define its growth.
Comments
I had wanted very badly to go to CALARTS and learn animation. I wanted to draw for Disney since I was five years old. Unfortunately, my parents couldn't afford to send me, the loans I took out weren't enough to cover tuition plus dorm, and I would have had to find a job to make up the difference. I went to a small local college and earned a degree in Commercial Art using loans and my paycheck. That career has never been as fulfilling as I believe a career in animation would have been.