While Disney may be best known for turning folktales into multi-million dollar animated dreams, it also sometimes draws inspiration from real life.
Between 2006 and 2011, Disney presented a CGI intro at the beginning of all its films – with elements that were dear to creator Walt Disney.
The intro begins with a glowing star shining in the night sky, with the shiniest star representing the second star to the right of Peter Pan.
The ‘camera’ then moves to Magic Kingdom and crosses a bridge over a river towards the sea as a train travels along a railway line.
He then flies over the top of a castle that resembles both Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella’s castle, holding a flag with the Disney family crest, as fireworks go off and a glowing arc flies over it.
While many recognize Peter Pan’s famous castle and star, people often don’t realize that the river and bridge were inspired by a river in a valley near Idaho and Washington.
Between 2006 and 2011, Disney presented a CGI intro at the beginning of all its films – with elements that were dear to creator Walt Disney
The river and bridge represent the Snake River in the Lewiston Clark Valley, which borders the states of Idaho and Clarkston, Washington
The reason why this particular river is seen before the start of every Disney movie is due to its special connection with the studio’s creator, Walt.
The Valley is located near Lewiston, Idaho, where its creator’s wife, Lillian Marie Disney, moved in 1920 and attended business school.
The river and bridge represent the Snake River in the Lewiston Clark Valley, which borders the states of Idaho and Clarkston, Washington.
The reason why this particular river is seen before the start of every Disney movie is due to its special connection with the studio’s creator, Walt.
The Valley is located near Lewiston, Idaho, where its creator’s wife, Lillian Marie Disney, moved in 1920 and attended business school.
In December 1923, Lillian moved to Los Angeles to be with her sister for a job and ended up at the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studios after Walt asked her to work for him.
In 1925, the couple finally returned to Lewiston to marry at her brother’s home.
In December 1923, Lillian moved to Los Angeles to be with her sister for a job and ended up at the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studios after Walt asked her to work for him.
In 1925, the couple finally returned to Lewiston to marry at her brother’s home
According to the Official Walt Disney Fan Club, Lillian and Walt were on a train together from New York en route to Los Angeles in 1928 when Lillian came up with the name “Mickey” for the iconic anthropomorphic mouse.
According to the official Walt Disney Fan ClubLillian and Walt were on a train together from New York en route to Los Angeles in 1928 when Lillian came up with the name “Mickey” for the iconic anthropomorphic mouse.
As Walt decided to call him “Mortimer Mouse” and told Lillian about it, she replied firmly, “Not Mortimer.” It’s too formal. What about Mickey?’
A real-life incident between the couple involving their dog also served as inspiration for the film Lady and the Tramp, according to T.the Walt Disney Family Museum.
At the age of 98, Lillian suffered a stroke on December 15, 1997 – the same day as Walt’s death in 1966 – and died the next day.
The couple is buried in Forest Lawn in California.