The Quotable Walt Disney (2024)

I’m just going to leave this right here. Think Walt is rolling over in his grave? Disney’s own resorts are too outrageously expensive for the average family.

“The one thing I learned from Disneyland was to control the environment. Without that we get blamed for the things that someone else does. When they come here, they’re coming because of an integrity that we’ve established over the years, and they drive for hundreds of miles and the little hotels on the fringe would jump their rates three times. I’ve seen it happen, and I just can’t take it because, I mean, it reflects on us. I just feel a responsibility to the public when I go into this thing that we must control that, and when they come into this so-called world, that we will take the blame for what goes on.” - Walt Disney

“You hate to repeat yourself. I don’t like to make sequels to my pictures. I like to take a new thing and develop something, a new concept.” - Walt Disney

Wonder what he’d think of all the live-action remakes. 🤔😵‍💫

Walt Disney was a very vibrant character whose innovation and innocence created a world of characters that I've cherished since I was a child. I enjoyed seeing his thoughts on a variety of topics.

Walt Disney is, of course, an icon on multiple levels. He was a titan of creativity, business, art, and animation. The Quotable Walt Disney gives us a fine smattering of quotes and is capably divided into sixteen sections with such focal points as Disney quotes on Mickey Mouse, America, nature, money, and so forth. For those interested in the man or those who love quotes, this should be considered an essential text.

The only qualm I have about the book is that the quotes often lack context that would have been informative. Details such as to whom was Disney speaking, the time of the quote, and other contextual clues are not revealed and the frequent omission of the information seemingly lowers the historical value and data of the otherwise fine book.

With a wealth of quotes across various broad topics, most fans of the man who was Disney willfind much to love, but many may also find the missing historical context irksome as it is a missed opportunity to place a man who has become a legend in a real world context.

Overall, I recommend it, but it left some questions because if the missing contextual elements.

There is no question that Walt Disney was a visionary and creative genius. I enjoyed reading through this collection of his quotes, divided into themed sections. The design and inspiration behind his massive franchise of media and theme parks shone throughout this book. It was incredibly interesting to see his view that he would never play down to children, but wanted to create a magical experience for anyone consuming his products.

I'm choosing to attribute this book to the Design challenge for Nonfiction November 2019.

The quotes were for the most part rather dry. It was well researched and arranged well.

A fun read right after a trip to Disney World.

The Quotable Walt Disney - Compiled by Dave Smith
Purchased: Walt Disney World - $10.95 [Received as Gift]
My Rating: 5 of 5 Stars

This is a compilation of quotes from walt Disney himself on the many things that have encompassed his life such as Disneyland, Mickey Mouse, Family, and much much more. Now with this book there isn’t really a need for what I liked most, or what I liked least. There is a chance for me to show you some of my favorite Walt Disney quotes from this book.

“Before sitting down to count my blessings, I want to make you a promise. I promise we won’t let this great honor you have paid us tonight go to our head-we have too many projects for the future to take time out for such a thing. On top of that, after forty-some-odd years or ups and downs in this crazy business of ours, we know too well-you are only as good as your next picture. [Taken from an awards speech] Pg. 13

“I’ve never believed in doing sequels. I didn’t want to waste the time I have doing a sequel; I’d rather be using that time doing something new and different. It goes back to when they wanted me to do more pigs.” Pg. 29

“Women are the nest judges of anything we turn out. Their taste is very important. They are the theatergoers, they are the ones who drag the men in. If the women like it, to heck with the men.” Pg. 33

“A word may be said in regard to the concept and conduct of Disneyland’s operational tone. Although various section will have the fun and flavor of a carnival or amusem*nt park, there will be none of the ‘pitches,’ game wheels, sharp practices, and devices designed to milk the visitor’s pocketbook.” Pg. 49

“I function better when things are going badly than when they’re as smooth as whipped cream” Pg. 111

“I don’t make films primarily for children. I make them for the child in all of us, whether we be six or sixty. Call the child innocence. The worst of us is not without innocence although buried deeply it might be. In my work I try to reach and speak to that innocence, showing it the fun and joy of living; showing it that laughter is healthy; showing it that the human species, although happily ridiculous at times, is still reaching for the stars.” Pg. 128

“There is more treasure in books than in all the pirates’ loot on Treasure Island and at the bottom of the Spanish Main . . . And best of all, you can enjoy these riches every day of your life.” Pg. 155

“There are fashions in reading, even in thinking. You don’t have to follow them unless you want to. On the other hand, watch out! Don’t stick to closely to your favorite subject. That would keep you from adventuring into other fields. It’s silly to build a wall around your interests.” Pg. 234

“The only problem with anything os tomorrow is that at the pace we’re going right now, tomorrow would catch up with us before we got it built.” Pg. 250

A fun and simple little book packed with the wisdom of Walt Disney.

This book collects quotes from Walt Disney on a wide range of topics, including Mickey Mouse, Disneyland, movies and animation, television, education, America, business, the Walt Disney Company (known as Walt Disney Productions when Walt was still alive), animals, art & music, and other areas as well.

Many of the quotes in this book are fairly well known ("...it was all started by a mouse.", "we keep moving forward", "we call it Imagineering - the blending of creative imagination and technical know-how", etc.) as well as many that are on the more obscure side. As you read through this book, you get a sense of how Walt Disney approached his life and his work. You also get a glimpse into the philosophy that made Walt Disney one of the most influential creative geniuses in history.

We all have things to learn through our lives, and finding the right teachers and role models is one of the most important things we can each do to improve our lives. No matter who you are or what you want to do with your life, Walt Disney has something to teach you, and this book is a great place to start your lessons.

I recommend this book anyone interested in learning more about Walt Disney.

I really enjoyed this book. recently, I've just been keeping it on my bedside table to delve into whenever I felt like it, to read a little bit of wisdom. I have now read every single quote in the book, and they are abut a wide variety of topics including life, Disneyland, innovation and lots more. sometimes I just read one quote, other times, up to ten. Walt Disney was a person who inspires me greatly. he achieved success, not only doing what he loved, but by making motion pictures and cartoons that staggering amounts of people loved and still love, and this book reflects all of that. It is a really interesting read.

One of the best books I own. Qotes or interviews are priceless to me and one of my favorite things in this world. I want to know the people I am interested in and there is no better way than to go directly to the source, THEM.

Even if some quotes are redundant, some of them are very much memorable. We get to understand more about the values of this wonderful createor and the way he see the entertainment business. It is a very good read and I enjoyed it very much.

It took me a while to read this book because I really wanted to enjoy it. But oh my god it was so perfect. This man has inspired me to believe in myself and to always follow my dreams. Walt Disney thank you for all the magic that you created and for being such an inspiration.

A must-read company profile for knowledge workers, managers, directors, C-levels, and entrepreneurs.

This was all really interesting, and captures Walt's hopes for Disney, and we can see the the product we have nos is exactly what he wanted. "It was all started by a mouse" - WD

A truly enjoyable book. Written about a man that was way ahead of his time. Has marvelous quotes to live by. It was very interesting and inspiring.