Disney

By: Ava Ehrlich 

What would happen if there was no Elsa to sing “Let it Go”? What about no Jack Sparrow to sail across the Caribbean? What would our world be like if Walt Disney didn’t adapt the original fairy tale of Snow White to film? Didn't create an enterprise worth hundreds of billions today? I can say confidently that most of the children in the U.S  have been influenced by Disney. 

If I were to ask a toddler what their favorite movie is, there is no doubt in my mind that the majority of them would say some sort of Disney movie. As children become more exposed to media, they are increasingly shown work from Disney. Kids become more familiar with the Disney characters, which leads to their idols and role models being related to Disney in some way, shape or form. But, what would children be like if there was no Disney?

Most of the Disney movies children are watching are fictional ones that show princesses, superheroes, or some other figure of our imagination. This can create an inspiring image in a child's mind that the things they see on TV are real or achievable. Think about how many times you have seen a little girl dressed up as a disney princess and actually act and believe that they are that character? Or how many times have you seen a little boy dressed up as Buzz LightYear, or Woody, and act exactly like them? If Disney did not expose all of these characters to children, then kids might have a better understanding of what is real and what is not. Disney has such a large influence on the fantasies that children see and admire, and eliminating that would also eliminate the realistic ideas of those characters. It is not just Disney’s characters, but also their morals and the idealistic world they represent.

One thing that supports this, is how what many can agree to be “the most magical place on Earth,” actually displays these characters in real-life. Disney World is one of the most visited attractions in the U.S., and many of the people visiting are families with children. When kids see their favorite characters in person, talking and engaging with them, they will not only believe in the characters from the TV, but flaunt the fact that they actually met them.

If Disney wasn’t created, then all of the infamous villains wouldn’t foster fear in children as they watch their favorite protagonist be limited because of the villain. Whether it’s “What if Ursula is in the ocean?” or “Did the Evil Queen poison this apple?,” the characters that kids are watching will send messages that cause them to question reality, and develop fears that stem from fiction.

The individuals that children admire and watch daily is because of the invention of Disney. The Disney franchise is one that almost any person recognizes and knows well, and has impacted our world so much, to the point where kids just wouldn’t be the same without their favorite Disney shows and movies. If I was a child and Disney was taken away from me, then I would have had a completely different childhood.

A large number of toddlers dress up as princesses for Halloween.

Photo credit: Pinterest