Walt Disney Day

Walt Disney Day is observed worldwide on the first Monday of December each year. This day honors Walt Disney, the visionary who brought beloved cartoons and memorable characters to audiences around the globe. Let’s explore his life and accomplishments!

History

Walter Elias Disney was born on December 5, 1901, in Chicago, Illinois. His parents worked as a teacher and a carpenter. When he was four, the family moved to Marceline, Missouri, where they ran a farm. Walt loved to draw, but his family couldn’t afford pencils, so he used sticks and coal to sketch pictures. He earned 25 cents drawing a horse for a neighbor.

By age seven, Disney was selling cartoons, contributing to the school newspaper, and taking art classes. At ten, his family relocated to Kansas City, Missouri, near a large mansion that inspired Walt’s dream to one day build a castle—a vision realized forty years later at Disneyland.

In 1923, Walt and his brother Roy rented a garage and founded the Disney Brothers Studio, marking the beginning of a new era in animation.

Interesting Facts

• At sixteen, Walt ran away from home and worked for the Red Cross as an ambulance driver during World War I.
• His brother Roy provided the initial funding for their animation studio.
• Walt’s wife, Lillian Bounds Disney, contributed creative ideas and designs to the studio’s work.
• Despite a childhood fear of mice, it was Mickey Mouse—co-created by Walt—who made him famous.
• Before entering animation, Walt worked as a cartoonist for the Kansas City Star, honing his skills.

How to Take Part

Revisit your favorite Disney films or discover a new one! Gather friends, prepare snacks, and relive childhood memories. Celebrate the joy Walt Disney brought to the world!

When is Walt Disney Day in 2025?

Walt Disney Day is observed on the first Monday of December each year.

Observations