How Walt Disney’s Obsession Transformed Disneyland' Experience
Lessons from Walt Disney’s Vision for Founders
I flew twelve hours, drove one hour, and waited nearly eleven more. I had traveled across the world for an event that, in the end, never happened.
Let me explain.
We all know Disney—iconic movies like Snow White and The Lion King, as well as beloved characters like Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. We may have even visited Disneyland and Disneyworld, the theme parks where these familiar movies and characters come to life. But how much do we know about the man behind it all—Walt Disney?
I recently finished reading his 912-page biography, "Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination." It was incredibly enlightening, surprising, and educational. Disney was a true creative visionary whose passion and vision drove innovation at every level.
First animation with sound? Disney. First in color? Disney. Innovating scalable creative processes? Disney. Creating 90-minute animations when the standard was 15-20 minutes? Disney. Adding emotions to animated characters to create distinct personalities? Disney. Developing early surround sound technology for cinema in 1940? Disney.
I can continue, but you get the point.
Disney was incredible at pushing boundaries and innovating technology, processes, structures, channels, and profit models (think merchandising in the 1930s or creating TV shows). If you're familiar with Deloitte’s 10 Types of Innovation, Disney ticks almost all of them.
A Personal Pilgrimage to Disneyland
Now, back to my travels. It had been 26 years since I had last visited Disneyland. After finishing the book and gaining insight into how Disney conceived of his creation, I wanted to go back and, this time with eyes wide open, take in and appreciate all of the obsessive details he had poured his heart into.
If you haven't been to Disneyland, you should. At the risk of sounding cliché, it is a magical place.
69 years after it opened on Sunday, July 17, 1955, in Anaheim, California, Disneyland still maintains its charm. When I visited this summer of 2024, families of all ages and from various countries, often wearing matching t-shirts, were strolling through the park. Older couples without kids as an excuse to visit were having fun, and groups of teenagers were running from ride to ride. When they say it is the happiest place on earth (cliché again!), there is a sense of truth to it.
What stood out in the book was Disney's meticulous attention to detail. Like other creative leaders I often write about, Disney proved that a leader's involvement in the creative process is crucial. The higher you climb the ladder, the more important it is to protect the creative spirit.
I was surprised, though perhaps not entirely, to learn that his attention to detail and desire to be involved in every aspect of the park led him to build an apartment inside Disneyland. Walt Disney was so deeply involved in the park's operations that he constructed a small, 500-square-foot apartment above the fire station on Main Street, U.S.A. This apartment allowed him to stay close to the ongoing work during construction and monitor daily operations after the park opened. It served as both a private retreat and a place for him to remain fully immersed in his creation.
The Perfectionist’s Touch
How obsessive was he with details? The book provides many examples, and I will write about them in the future, but I will just mention here the one that particularly inspired me to make the trek out to California—the fireworks show over the Magic Castle, which somehow or another has made its way into the memory bank of most anyone's mind.
On Disneyland's opening day, with over 28,000 visitors and numerous issues arising, Disney never lost sight of his goal—delighting his customers. Amid the excitement and chaos, Walt Disney himself was busy with his notes, ensuring everything was running smoothly. As the day concluded with a grand fireworks display, Disney wasn’t just enjoying the show; he was sitting on his apartment rooftop counting the rockets being shot off, making sure each one went off as planned.
How crazy is that? Here was a globally renowned founder and CEO of the largest entertainment company in the world, counting fireworks—not to save money, as some CEOs might do, but to ensure visitors had the best experience possible. This level of scrutiny highlighted his unwavering commitment to perfection.
Back to my story.
I was looking forward to visiting Disneyland again and experiencing the park with fresh eyes.
As we reached the end of the day, we headed toward the famous Disney castle. It was almost 8:00 PM, so the Californian sun was starting to set, painting the sky with beautiful colors. You could have felt the excitement in the air. The sweet smell of churros and popcorn drifted through the crowd. Families were sitting together, laughing and chatting, enhancing the sense of anticipation.
We found a spot near the castle and sat down, the cool evening air settling in as the sun descended. The castle looked beautiful against the coming evening. As the start time approached, we stood up along with hundreds of others, all eyes on the sky, waiting to see the day's highlight—the famous fireworks show above the castle (you know, the one depicted in the Disney logo at the beginning of each movie).
Five minutes passed, and nothing happened. Another ten minutes went by before an announcement came—due to technical difficulties, the show wouldn't happen. So there I was, in Disneyland, having flown from Madrid, spent the day at the park, and read Disney's biography for months, only to have to wait for another chance.
Was I disappointed? Definitely! I wanted to experience it again and be able to share the images with you, my readers. Was it worth it? Absolutely! Disneyland is a wonderful, magical place. Not everything will go perfectly—you might stand in long lines—but you will have fun, and for a moment, you might even enjoy it as much as you did as a child.
Disney's commitment to our happiness - his guests - continues to stand. This commitment is an incredible lesson for any founder aiming to achieve greatness rather than just making a quick buck. Disney never let his ego interfere; he considered it his duty to count fireworks and ensure every detail was perfect. This attention to detail and customer focus is essential, and surprise surprise - is profitable. In 2023, Disney Parks generated $32.5 billion, with the 12 existing Disney theme parks worldwide averaging approximately $2.71 billion per park.
This remarkable success demonstrates the power of focusing on the details and creating a timeless experience - for people. So, as you build your own ventures, remember: it's the meticulous attention to detail and commitment to the customer experience that transforms good into great. Just like Disney.
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