The development of animation does not just live on screens, but it lives in the real world, where animation comes to life. It primarily seen in toys for young children. Some of the most iconic animated characters have had great success promoting the products such as: plates, cereal, milk and even bread. The more common products are Pez, lunch boxes and board games. In fact, Pez was supposed to be a breath mint not intended for kids. However, in their first year of production, sales plummeted. The company sought to shift their target to kid by advertising with cartoon characters as the Pez heads.
Most of society associates major cartoon characters with specific products. One perfect example is Spinach... Popeye's Spinach!
The use of cartoon characters as figure heads has been utilized ever since the 30's, and will only be continued until they decrease in popularity on screen.
Walt Disney visited Cuba in the late 50's attempting to create better communication. He was selected because he was a world renowned celebrity loved by all.
A Theme Park?
"What this country really needs is an amusement park that families can take their children to. They've gotten so honky tonk with a lot of questionable characters running around, and they're not to safe. They're not well kept. I want to have a place that's as clean as anything could ever be, and all the people in it [his park] are first-class citizens, and treated like guests." - Walt Disney
Walt Disney envisioned an amazing amusement park prior to its actual construction in 1954. He wanted a park where families were together, felt safe and most of all had fun. He visited parks all over the country, gaining knowledge of how they should be laid out. Walt Disney knew exactly what he wanted, in fact he dreamed of having a "Mickey Mouse Park". He dreamed of combining his love of animation and the togetherness of family into one grand amusement park. He had such high aspirations that he had to turn to ABC for funding. ABC granted a large sum of money in exchange for a regular television show featured on ABC, which became the primary network for Disney to air his most famous features. Probably the most iconic piece of Disneyland, Cinderella's Castle, began construction on July 21st, 1954. On July 17th, 1955 Disneyland opened for the public with attractions such as Peter Pan's Flight, Sleeping Beauty's Castle, and shortly after, Dumbo Flying Elephants and the Mickey Mouse Club Theater. Opening day was so moving for Walt that a Mouseketeer recalls, "When I looked up at him, he had his hands behind his back, a grin from ear to ear, and I could see a lump in his throat and a tear streaming down his cheek. He had realized his dream."
About 10 years later, Walt Disney envisioned another amusement park. This one, would become known as Walt Disney World, or commonly known as Disney World in Florida. Walt Disney passed away December 15th, 1966. He was unable to see the completion of Disney World, or the immense impression he left but, "his legacy still lives on with us. Throughout Disneyland and throughout the entire world, he will always be there."
Walt Disney envisioned an amazing amusement park prior to its actual construction in 1954. He wanted a park where families were together, felt safe and most of all had fun. He visited parks all over the country, gaining knowledge of how they should be laid out. Walt Disney knew exactly what he wanted, in fact he dreamed of having a "Mickey Mouse Park". He dreamed of combining his love of animation and the togetherness of family into one grand amusement park. He had such high aspirations that he had to turn to ABC for funding. ABC granted a large sum of money in exchange for a regular television show featured on ABC, which became the primary network for Disney to air his most famous features. Probably the most iconic piece of Disneyland, Cinderella's Castle, began construction on July 21st, 1954. On July 17th, 1955 Disneyland opened for the public with attractions such as Peter Pan's Flight, Sleeping Beauty's Castle, and shortly after, Dumbo Flying Elephants and the Mickey Mouse Club Theater. Opening day was so moving for Walt that a Mouseketeer recalls, "When I looked up at him, he had his hands behind his back, a grin from ear to ear, and I could see a lump in his throat and a tear streaming down his cheek. He had realized his dream."
About 10 years later, Walt Disney envisioned another amusement park. This one, would become known as Walt Disney World, or commonly known as Disney World in Florida. Walt Disney passed away December 15th, 1966. He was unable to see the completion of Disney World, or the immense impression he left but, "his legacy still lives on with us. Throughout Disneyland and throughout the entire world, he will always be there."
- "Disneyland History." Disneyland History. Disney, n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2015.
- "Ben George." In person interview. 18 Mar. 2015.