Death & Disney: Walt's Morbid Obsessions
Caitlin Doughty・2 minutes read
Disneyland, associated with American culture and positivity, was influenced by Walt Disney's fascination with death, reflected in various aspects of the park and characters like Mickey Mouse. His personal tragedies, including his mother's death and his wife's miscarriages, also played a significant role in shaping his creations and themes within Disney.
Insights
- Walt Disney's fascination with death, influenced by personal tragedies and losses, permeated various aspects of Disneyland and the Disney empire, adding a layer of complexity to the park's seemingly cheerful facade.
- Despite Disneyland's image as the epitome of happiness, Walt Disney's personal life was marred by profound grief and guilt, reflected in the absence of mothers in many Disney characters, showcasing a darker undertone beneath the surface of the park's magical facade.
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Recent questions
What is Disneyland known for?
Disneyland is renowned as the happiest place on Earth, associated with American culture, movies, merchandise, and promoting positivity.
Who was Walt Disney?
Walt Disney was the visionary behind the Disney empire, known for his fascination with death that influenced various aspects of the park and his creations.
What is Disneybounding?
Disneybounding is the practice of coordinating outfits to match Disney characters using colors and accessories, creating a subtle homage to the beloved characters.
How did Mickey Mouse originate?
Mickey Mouse, initially named Mortimer, was created by Walt Disney in partnership with animator Ub Iwerks, with a background in death imagery that influenced his creation.
What tragedies marked Walt Disney's life?
Walt Disney faced personal tragedies, including his wife's miscarriages and his mother's death from carbon monoxide poisoning, which deeply impacted him and possibly influenced his work.
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Summary
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"Dark Disney: Death, Tragedy, and Myth"
- Disneyland is known as the happiest place on Earth, associated with American feel-good consumption, movies, merchandise, and positivity propaganda.
- Walt Disney, the man behind the Disney empire, had a deep fascination with death that influenced many aspects of the park.
- Disneybounding involves matching outfits with Disney characters through colors and accessories.
- Walt Disney's early partnership with animator Ub Iwerks led to the creation of Mickey Mouse, originally named Mortimer, with a morbid background in death imagery.
- Walt Disney's personal life was marked by tragedies, including multiple miscarriages suffered by his wife Lillian, which deeply affected him.
- Walt Disney's mother died from carbon monoxide poisoning, leading to a sense of guilt and devastation in Walt.
- Several Disney characters are motherless, possibly reflecting Walt's own loss and grief.
- The opening day of Disneyland in 1955 was chaotic, with counterfeit tickets, broken rides, and a sinking riverboat, but the park quickly gained popularity.
- The myth of Walt Disney's cryogenically-frozen head is a widely-believed Disney legend.
