Disney's 1945 feature, the musical "The Three Caballeros," combined live action with the cartoon medium, a
process he used successfully in other features such as "Song of the South" and the highly acclaimed "Mary
Poppins." In all, 81 features were released by the studio during his lifetime.
Walt's inquisitive mind and keen sense for education through entertainment resulted in the award-winning "True-Life
Adventure" series. Through such films as "The Living Desert," "The Vanishing Prairie," "The
African Lion," and "White Wilderness," Disney gave audiences fascinating insights into the world of wild
animals and taught the importance of conserving our nation's outdoor heritage.
Disneyland, launched in 1955 as a fabulous $17 million Magic Kingdom, soon increased its investment tenfold and had
entertained, by its third decade, more than 250 million people, including presidents, kings and queens, and royalty from
all over the globe.
A pioneer in the field of television programming, Disney began television production in 1954 and was among the first
to present full-color programming with his "Wonderful World of Color" in 1961. "The Mickey Mouse Club"
and "Zorro" were popular favorites in the 1950s.