Cary Brown

Review of The Walt Disney Studios

The Walt Disney Studios are a working entertainmen...

The Walt Disney Studios are a working entertainment factory. Organized confusion that somehow makes beautiful movies and television. This is a city dedicated to the making of fantasy. It is as real as magic can be; and just as wonderful.

I've spent my life in the "Business." To me, movie factories are as magical as my imagination can make them. I was visiting the studio for a screening of the 2018's musical, Mary Poppins Returns. Our family, including our ten year old granddaughter, loved it. I know this sounds silly, but the three of us had tears in our eyes. My wife and grandchild just loved the actors and the characters they play. I was mesmerized by the quality of production. This was a complex, difficult film and it was pulled off brilliantly. In the years since my retirement, movie makers have become more able to deliver the script that writers dream.

The Disney lot looks like a "hot set," polished and perfect, ready for production. The buildings are beautiful. Particularly the executive offices' top floor which is held up by statues of the Seven Dwarfs. In the lobby, in front of the elevators, is a hugh mosaic of Walt Disney looking down at you. Yes, it is intimidating.

On the plaza, in front of the executive office building is a statue of Mr. Disney holding hands with a three foot tall statue of Mickey Mouse. Mr. Disney has been quoted as crediting Mickey as the Mouse that built the studio. A few steps away are statues of Mr. Disney and Minnie Mouse, sitting on a bench in conversation.

Under the plaza is the multi-level underground parking structure. Parking is wheelchair accessible, easy and efficient. Elevators bring you to plaza level.

Here's an interesting background story. When Walt Disney was developing, "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," he needed additional work space for his animators. So he went to the bank asking for a loan. Now remember, no had ever made a feature length cartoon before. The bankers found the loan too much of a risk, unless the animation rooms could also be used as hospital rooms, as St Joseph hospital is next door. So if worst came to worst: the dwarfs would have good medical care. The rest is history.

The image of animated charactors, holding up the roof, with Walt looking on, holding Mickey with his left hand, directing with his right, is just as it should be. Thanks for keeping the tradition alive.