Inspiring Disney Couple

This blog post is one in a series by the Magical Blogorail about famous Disney couples. During the series you will have the opportunity to win a D23 2-piece luggage set from American Tourister. Read through this post to learn how you can enter to win.

Since 1937, when Snow White and Prince Charming fell in love, Walt Disney brought love stories the big screen and left so many of us having dreams and wishes that our hearts make.  Realistic or not, the love stories are beautiful and enjoyable to so many.

For me - my favorite Disney love story isn't animated - it's real.  Walt and Lillian Disney.  Okay, I don't really know too much about their relationship.  But, I know they lived a 'normal' married life- they struggled, they loved, the had a family, they traveled.  They lived!  They dealt with life - their daughter Diane, miscarriages, adoption - their daughter Susan.

They met while she was working for the Disney Studios as a secretary for the Ink and Paint department.  Lillian always took pride that Walt would drive several of the girls home and would take her home last, even though she had the closest stop.  Apparently, due to the struggling studio, Walt asked her not to cash her work checks ($15/week).  They married in 1925 and remained until Walt's untimely passing in 1966.

As Disney fans, we probably all know how Lillian helped make Disney what it is today.  After Walt lost Oswald, he sat on the train creating his cartoon mouse, which he thought to name Mortimer.  We have Lillian to thank, as she is known for telling Walt that Mortimer was "too formal.  How about Mickey?"

Walt and Lillian traveled the world during their marriage.  On Walt's South America trip, the government sponsored goodwill tour in 1941, that inspired The Three Caballeros.  

Walt named his favorite backyard train the Lilly Belle, after his beloved and is also the name of one of Walt Disney World's locomotives.

 Walt's Backyard 1/8th scale locomotive, the Lilly Belle

I found two fantastic quotes about Walt and Lillian.  While reflecting on their marriage in the 1990's, after his 1966 death (and her subsequent second marriage which her 2nd husband passed away in 1981), she said:

"We shared a wonderful, exciting life, and we loved every minute of it. He was a wonderful husband to me, and wonderful and joyful father and grandfather"

I can only imagine the wonderful and magical life they lived, spending time with family above the firehouse at their Disneyland apartment.

And, like out of a Nicholas Sparks novel - Lillian suffered a stroke on December 15th, 1997, exactly 31 years after Walt's death.  She passed away the next day at age 98, only 2 months shy of her 99th birthday and is buried with Walt.

While we don't know the intricate detail about Walt and Lillian like we may know of the Disney princesses, knowing a little of their story - I found numerous quotes from Lillian saying they had a wonderful marriage and he was a wonderful husband.  I can only imagine the craziness, happiness, and the extremes they experienced.  Together.

To read more - check out this awesome article by Jim Korkis, Disney historian!