Misconceptions about Disney - mental_floss on YouTube (Ep. 28)

TL;DR

Elliott debunks popular Disney myths about Walt Disney, Mickey Mouse, Tinkerbell, and more.

Transcript

Hi I’m Elliott. This is Mental Floss on YouTube. Today I’m going to talk about some misconceptions about Disney -- both the man and the company. Misconception #1: Walt Disney was cryogenically frozen. After Disney died in 1966, he was cremated. But, the rumor that he was frozen was so persistent that his family opened the Walt Disney Family Museum ... Read More

Key Insights

• ❓ Walt Disney was not cryogenically frozen but was cremated after his death.
• 📛 Mickey Mouse was not named after Mickey Rooney; Lillian Disney suggested the name.
• ⚾ Tinkerbell was based on model Margaret Kelly, not Marilyn Monroe.
• ❓ The Disney logo is not Walt's actual signature, but a stylized version created by employees.
• 😀 The urban legend of Disney's face in the Haunted Mansion actually depicts Thurl Ravenscroft.
• 🥰 The Haunted Mansion was not shut down due to a guest's heart attack; events like Disney's death postponed its opening.
• 💖 Deaths have occurred at Disney parks, debunking the myth that no one dies on Disney property.

Questions & Answers

Q: Was Walt Disney cryogenically frozen after his death?

No, Walt Disney was actually cremated, contrary to the popular myth that he was cryogenically frozen.

Q: Who designed Mickey Mouse?

While Walt Disney came up with the idea, Mickey Mouse was actually designed by Ub Iwerks, Walt's partner.

Q: Did Disney animators base Tinkerbell on Marilyn Monroe?

No, Tinkerbell was based on model Margaret Kelly, who posed for the character in the film.

Q: Is the word "SEX" hidden in The Lion King?

There is a scene where dust spells out "S-E-X," but animators claim it stands for "S-F-X" for special effects.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Walt Disney was not cryogenically frozen, as commonly believed; he was cremated after his death.

• Walt Disney did not design Mickey Mouse; the character was a collaboration with Ub Iwerks.

• Various misconceptions about Disney characters and the Disney logo are debunked.