2023 is the 100-year anniversary of the debut of the Disney
cartoon studio. Walt Disney’s legacy is hailed as the great American rags-to-riches
story, but in 1931 it nearly came to a screeching halt. Walt and Lillian had
been trying to start a family. There was a miscarriage, and Walt responded by
throwing himself into his work. Walt said, “I had a hell of a break-down. I went
to pieces.” Their doctor prescribed a vacation and more exercise. In October, Walt
and Lillian took their first trip together, which they called a “gypsy jaunt.” They
packed their bags and left on an impromptu cross-country trip that ended with
them sailing through the Panama Canal aboard the S.S. California. Walt, finally
realizing there was more to life than work, took up horseback riding and polo. Shortly
afterward, the Silly Symphonies cartoon series appeared. And, soon after that,
so did the Disneys’ first daughter, Diane.
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