Disney Legends Honor Walt's Timeless Inspiration
On August 14th at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, an hour-long show celebrated Walt Disney's 125 years of inspiration. Hosted by Bret Iwan, the official voice of Mickey Mouse and a Disney artist, the event featured music, memories, and stories about Walt.
The show began with Phat Cat Swinger performing iconic Disney songs, including their thrilling opening number, 'Be Our Guest' from Beauty and the Beast. Iwan welcomed the crowd, referencing an image on stage's LED screen of Walt alongside Mickey, saying that both embody optimism and faith in happy endings.
Jeanie Miller, Walt Disney's granddaughter, shared stories about her childhood at the Studios Lot. She remembered walking around with her siblings, exploring sets from Mary Poppins and Zorro. Miller also recalled taking photos and signing autographs with her grandfather at Disneyland, where he would always keep pre-signed autographs in his pocket to ensure everyone got a signature.
The event featured other Disney legends, including Bob Gurr, Floyd Norman, and Tania Norris, who worked alongside Walt on various projects. They shared their experiences of working with him, noting that Walt never gave orders but instead encouraged collaboration and creativity.