Dear Walt,
There are so many things I’d like to say to you and I believe I stand with everyone when I say this, thank you. My life and the lives of so many have forever been changed because of you and you have touched my heart in more ways than one. Thank you for never giving up on your dreams even when so many said you would fail. Because of you, you have created dreams for so many. Especially me. You remind us that growing old is mandatory but growing up is optional. They say home is where the heart is and that is exactly where I feel when I walk into your world of fantasy and make believe, I am truly home.
When I step foot into Animal Kingdom I get the instant feeling of happiness and butterflies start to race through my stomach. Your hard work has brought this fantasy to life for so many to enjoy. When I see the tree of life or step foot onto Kilimanjaro Safari’s every worry I face in the outside world is magically gone. You bring a smile to not only my face but happiness to my heart. Thank you for timeless laughter, smiles, and happiness. I am forever thankful for your encouragement to see beyond reality and step foot into your world of magic and fantasy. Your stories have brought smiles to not only my face but the face of many. They have brought tears, obsession and happiness. They make little girls and boys believe that anyone can be a princess and anyone can be a prince or hero. Like you once said, laughter is timeless, imagination has no age, and dreams are forever. You can be 2 or 102.
Through your dreams, you have truly inspired me to chase my dreams and never give up when things get hard. When I wish upon a star my dreams can come true. You have taught us that we are all imagineers and if you can dream it, you can do it. As you once said yourself, “I only hope we never lose sight of one thing, that it was all started by a mouse.” So thank you, Mickey Mouse and thank you Mr. Disney. For you I am eternally grateful.
