Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista in Orange County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Sharing the Magic

Dedicated to Roy O. Disney

— Co-Founder of The Walt Disney Company —

Sharing the Magic Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, July 4, 2024

1. Sharing the Magic Marker

Inscription. In 1923, Walt Disney and his brother, Roy O. Disney, pooled their resources--Walt's creative vision and Roy's business sense--to form their own cartoon studio. Together, they successfully pioneered many new avenues in family entertainment.

Roy O. Disney completed his brother's last and greatest dream, the creation of the Walt Disney World Resort, and dedicated the Magic Kingdom on this site on October 25, 1971.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical date for this entry is October 25, 1971.

Location. 28° 25.015′ N, 81° 34.871′ W. Marker is in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, in Orange County. It is in Walt Disney World. It can be reached from Main Street. The marker is inside the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, to the right of the statue of Roy Disney and Minnie Mouse that can be found in the "Main Street U.S.A." square near the park entrance. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Orlando FL 32836, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Orlando

and in Central

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Florida.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Visit Carousel of Progress (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Liberty Tree (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named The Liberty Tree (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named The Liberty Bell (approx. 0.2 miles away); Tom Sawyer Island (approx. ¼ mile away); Forced Eastward (approx. 3 miles away); Live Oak (approx. 3.4 miles away); The Legend of Ol' Man Island (approx. 3.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lake Buena Vista.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Liberty Bell (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been permanently removed).

More about this marker. Another plaque to the left of Roy Disney's

The Roy Disney-Minnie Mouse statue and marker at Magic Kingdom image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, July 4, 2024

2. The Roy Disney-Minnie Mouse statue and marker at Magic Kingdom

The marker is to the right of the statue of Roy Disney. Cinderella's castle can be seen in the far background. The marker on the left is dedicated to Roy's brother, Walt Disney.

statue is dedicated to his brother Walt.

Regarding Sharing the Magic. Roy Disney was eight years older than his brother Walt and served as the business leader of the company (as CEO and chairman) while his younger brother was the creative force behind the company. The park that would be come Walt Disney World was the brainchild of Walt, who had dreamed of creating a larger park in Orlando, as Disneyland in Anaheim, California, was limited in its ability to expand as that area had become developed. When Walt Disney died in 1966, Roy personally oversaw the construction of the Florida theme park. Walt Disney World opened in October 1971 — Roy insisted that the park be named in honor of his brother. Roy died a few months later at the age of 78. Roy's son, Roy E. Disney, would serve as vice chairman of The Walt Disney Company.

Also see . . .
1. Gentle Visionary: Roy O. Disney. A biography of Roy Disney from the Walt Disney Family Museum

Excerpt: "Roy O. Disney forsook banking work and a hospital bed, where he was recuperating from tuberculosis contracted during wartime, to start as the cameraman, bookkeeper, and even cel
Photographed by Sean Flynn, July 4, 2024

3. Roy Disney statue
A rear view of the Roy Disney statue; the building at the park entrance is in the background
washer for a time at the little animation studio in 1923. This cofounder of the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio bowed out of the title in 1926, when it became The Walt Disney Studio, Ltd. Roy proposed this change. By 1929, Roy was Executive Vice-President of Walt Disney Productions. He succeeded Walt as President in September 1945 to relieve him of administrative responsibilities. Roy, in turn, shed this title in 1968, becoming Chairman of the Board. He had assumed command of the unnamed 'Florida project' after Walt’s death in order to complete it in Walt’s honor. To do so, Roy deferred his own retirement, at great personal cost."

(Submitted on July 10, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. The True Story Behind Roy and Minnie’s Statue. From insidethemagic.net

Excerpt: "If you’ll notice, Roy has his hand out and Minnie’s hand is cupped up on top of it. By supporting Minnie, he’s really supporting his brother, Walt, which he did his entire life. Roy insisted upon having Mickey Mouse stand by his side during the dedication. He felt that that was the closest thing to having his brother Walt by his side.”

(Submitted on July 10, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Plaque dedicated to Walt Disney image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, July 4, 2024

4. Plaque dedicated to Walt Disney

This plaque is to the left of the statue of Roy Disney that is in Main Street U.S.A. at the Magic Kingdom. The text of the plaque: "Walt Disney World is a tribute to the philosophy and life of Walter Elias Disney... and to the talents, the dedication, and the loyalty of the entire Disney organization that made Walt Disney's dream come true. May Walt Disney World bring Joy and Inspiration and New Knowledge to all who come to this happy place... a Magic Kingdom where the young at heart of all ages can laugh and play and learn - together. Dedicated this 25th day of October, 1971. Roy O. Disney."

Disney brothers at Florida press conference image. Click for full size.

State Archives of Florida, Department of Commerce Collection, November 15, 1965

5. Disney brothers at Florida press conference

Walt Disney (left) and Roy Disney (right) appear at a press conference with Florida Gov. Haydon Burns in November 15, 1965 at Orlando's Cherry Plaza Hotel. At this appearance, Walt Disney announced the acquisition of the land that would eventually become Walt Disney World. It was Walt Disney's only visit to Orlando; he died exactly 13 months later in 1966, and his brother Roy would oversee the efforts to complete his brother's dream.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 10, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 1,062 times since then and 164 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 10, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.