Even Walt Disney’s Dreams Don’t Go As Planned

As someone who dreams big and loves embracing that spark of imagination, I’ve had to learn how to feel comfortable when things do not go as planned.
Ideas won’t always land how we pictured them. Especially on the first run.
People around you will seem to not “get it.” And there definitely moments that test our commitment.

But we don’t quit.
We adjust the plan.
We patch what we can.
We keep chasing the dream anyway.
Walt Disney said it best:

“We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things.”

And that’s not just a theme park thing.
It’s a leadership thing.
It’s a life thing.
If we want to create meaningful experiences for the next generation, we have to be willing to break the mold.
To listen to the feedback.
To feel the discomfort.
And to lead the way anyway.

On July 17, 1955, 70 years ago today, Disneyland officially opened its gates to the public. It’s now known as The Happiest Place on Earth, but that opening day was far from perfect. In fact, it’s often called “Black Sunday.”

Between a massive heatwave, rides breaking down, food running out, and counterfeit tickets flooding the park, the day was full of unexpected chaos.

And yet… here we are.

70 years later, people from all over the world still walk through those gates full of wonder, connection, and joy. Add in the additional global park and cruise experiences, I’d say things have turned out better than Walt could have imagined the day he sat on the bench dreaming up the idea of a place where adults and kids could have a bit of fun.

That’s the power of vision.

That’s the power of persistence.

That’s the power of leading others in a way that keeps them committed to making magic happen, even on the less than lovely days.

Let’s be the ones who dream a bit bigger, do things a bit differently, and embrace curiosity and creativity. For our own good and the good of those we serve. Because professional magic?
It’s built one spark at a time.

Do yourself a favor and embrace the spark. ✨