January 5, 2023: Today’s character is extra special because it is the predecessor to the legendary Mickey Mouse. We learn the story of how Walt lost the rights to this character, and how the company itself would eventually get the rights back for the value of a famous sports broadcaster | On this day we celebrate the birthday of a legendary animator and instructor at Cal Arts, where some of the more prominent animators today first learned their trade | Jack Kirby, the real genius behind Marvel Comics, tells us that it is within ourselves and not a pencil or pen

January 4, 2023: Red Squadron check in. Red Two, are you standing by? Red Two? Hello Red Two? Why isn’t he answering me??? 🤔 | So the same actor voiced Mr. Stork from “Dumbo”, Kaa the Snake from “The Jungle Book”, Flower from “Bambi”, the Cheshire Cat from “Alice in Wonderland”, and the original voice of Winnie The Pooh??? | Teamwork = Togetherness

January 3, 2023: Now that we are into the depths of winter, it’s probably a good time that we recognize a soldier of winter (the Winter Soldier, that is) | Parades and annual anniversary celebrations are a tradition that go back to the very start of the parks | Walt believes in the importance and power of music in all of their works, and the audience appreciation for it seems to have dwindled over the years (in my opinion) … But personally I think Lin-Manuel Miranda is introducing music appreciation and its complexities for a younger generation. But of course, to Piper and me, the man who wrote Hamilton can do no wrong!

January 2, 2023: The reason Snow White had to be re-released into theaters is because during World War II Disney animation focused their resources into producing propaganda films for the US government. This meant a drastic drop in revenue which almost made the company go bankrupt. To avoid going under Walt Disney had the idea of re-releasing an already finished film to generate more revenue, since the upfront cost of a re-release is extremely minimal compared to the original production and release cost. This tactic actually saved Walt Disney and Walt Disney animation from bankruptcy and annihilation during World War II. Re-releasing movies, and the Disney vault concept, have been a key element in Disney’s revenue stream ever since | As far as our character of the day, he’s a fun-loving frog but probably Piper’s third favorite frog in the Disney library | On this day the voice of a key family member is born … and remember that “family means no one gets left behind” | Walt believed that his team was able to accomplish anything, and history showed that they broke just about every barrier that they faced | In unrelated Disney news, today is National Introvert Day. Let’s all celebrate together by watching our favorite Disney movie by ourselves 🤪

January 1, 2023: As we start the new year we’re gonna recognize a character who’s as fierce as a bear and reminds us that it’s the love of our families which is most important in this world | Today Walt’s parents celebrate a wedding anniversary ❤️ | A key animator, not Walt Disney himself, tells us that things become more complex the more you explore them

December 31, 2022: Today’s character is one of the scariest and most fearsome villains in the Disney library 😱 So of course it takes the greatest Disney princess of them all to defeat him ⚔️ | It’s hard to think that, at one point, 10 million guest at a Disney Park was a landmark milestone | Walt believes in the future, and wants children to believe in the future as well

December 30, 2022: i’m sure this Jamaican crustacean would pair nicely with garlic butter | Today’s the anniversary of two forgotten, but very important animated shorts that would usher forth the two titans of animation | Walt reminds us that we need to be true and honest, not only with our audiences, but most importantly with ourselves

December 29, 2022: Did you know that female lions are the ones that actually do the hunting for the pride? | Today a happy voice is born | Walt says the keys to success is persistence, and it looks like it worked out well for him

December 28, 2022: Going a little crazy today and featuring a character that’s not from the movies, but rather from the parks | On this day Bambi finds a place where it will be forever preserved in the Library of Congress | Wall tells us that the key to making a quality film is understanding the meaning within it

December 27, 2022: Today’s character is probably the most powerful and intelligent Marvel character, but perhaps that makes him a little too overpowered? | Walt is a TWO TIME cover model! | Today Walt tells us the key elements to creating a relatable character and, thus, a great story