Hello!
I have been doing a lot of research over the past 2 years
on famous folks with learning differences to use with my
own students (as a way to encourage them with positive role
models). I have been researching intensely, yet without
much luck, to find an exact quote regarding Walt's alleged
learning disability. Many, many websites list him as having
a learning disability, but I have not found reference to
it in bios. Is this true?
Thank
you very much!
Catherine
Dear Catherine,
We thank you for writing us to get a clarification on this
issue. We are aware that some sources have indicated that
Walt Disney had dyslexia. The reason you have been unable
to find any mention of this in any of his biographies is
that there is no reason to believe it is true.
Certainly, when Walt was a young man, there was far less
awareness of learning disabilities than is the case today,
and so it's impossible to absolutely verify that Walt had
no learning disabilities. However, it is clearly the case
that he was able to read quickly, fluidly, and with remarkable
understanding all his life. He spent many, many hours reading
scripts and editing them, and there were no impediments to his doing so. He was a very
quick study, and easily retained information he received both
visually and orally. And he was unusually capable of communicating
that information to others. All that, we know to be true.
As a result, it is difficult to believe that he suffered
from any learning disabilities.
Thank you very much for writing.
best,
Katherine and Richard Greene
Museum Curators
Hi!
I have
been to the Disney Studios in Florida and have spent plenty
of time combing through all the displays in One Man's Dream.
In that attraction, Walt's original office is on display.
On two occasions, I have asked the Cast Member in charge
to tell me who was the person in the picture that was hanging
in Walt's office. It appears to be a priest in a cassock.
Neither Cast Member could answer the question. Now reading
here, I see that Walt got his middle name from the pastor.
Is that
who is hanging in his office?
Thanks,
Joe
Dear Joe,
Actually, although we were very familiar with the photograph
you mention, we didn't know the answer to your question,
either; but we knew where to find it. Dave Smith, who runs
the Disney Archives has identified the photo
as Maurice Chevalier, in costume for "Monkeys Go Home," with
an autographed inscription for Walt.
We hope this helps, and that you will continue to visit
the Museum.
best,
Katherine and Richard Greene
Museum Curators
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
I heard
that Mr. Walt Disney and the founder of McDonalds (I don't
know if it was Richard McDonald, Maurice McDonald, Neil
Fox, Ray Kroc or who ever...) were good friends during World
War II. Is that true? And who was it?
Thanks
for your answer,
Jan
Dear Jan,
Walt Disney trained for the Red Cross Ambulance Corps,
in which he served after the end of World War I (not II),
with a company in Lakeville, Connecticut. Ray Kroc, who
founded the McDonald's chain was also with that company.
They certainly would have known one another; though we have
no evidence that they were close friends.
We hope this helps.
best,
Katherine and Richard Greene
Museum Curators
Dear Museum Curators,
I was wondering if Walt was a baseball fan?
Dear Museum Guest,
Thanks for writing us at the Walt Disney Family Museum,
at Waltdisney.org. To the best of our knowledge Walt was
not an avid fan of professional baseball; though in the
early days in the studio he did participate in baseball
games with staffers. We can tell you -- though you didn't
ask -- that his brother Roy once commented that he could
never throw a ball with much reliability.
best,
Katherine and Richard Greene
Museum Curators
Dear Museum Curators,
What
was Walt's favorite movie?
Dear Museum Guest,
When we get questions about Walt's favorite movie -- or
his favorite attraction at Disneyland, or his favorite cartoon
-- we're always a bit stymied. The fact is, through Walt's
life, he was always most enthusiastic about the project
he was working on at that moment. He never really commented
on his favorite movie of all time.
That said, everyone present reports that he really loved
his work on "Mary Poppins," was terribly proud of the film
when it was finished, and was involved in every element
of its production. If we were forced to guess which was his favorite,
then, "Mary Poppins" would be our answer. But remember, that's
only a guess.
best,
Katherine and Richard Greene
Museum Curators
Dear
Museum Curators,
On the
museum page I read that the original show aired was being
re-broadcast on A&E but if we missed it. I have gone
to the Museum Gift Shop site at least 5 times in the past
few weeks and can find NO WHERE to purchase that video.
Help finding it would be appreciated. I did see the original
showing of Walt's story but wanted to have a tape since
I enjoyed it so much. Please help me find a way to purchase
the video.
Thank
you.
Peggy
Dear Museum Guests,
When we originally answered Peggy's note, she was absolutely
right. We hadn't yet gotten the video into the Museum Gift
Shop. We promised Peggy that it would be there within days,
and we were true to our word. So, for any visitors interested
in purchasing the video, there it is.
best,
Katherine and Richard Greene
Museum Curators
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