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Disney's Grand Tour: Walt and Roy's European Vacation, Summer 1935
DISCOVER A FORGOTTEN CHAPTER IN DISNEY HISTORY
In 1935, as the artists and animators at the Disney Studio toiled mightily on the animated feature film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs , Walt and Roy Disney traveled with their wives to New York and boarded the luxury liner Normandie to begin their "grand tour" of Europe.
With the full cooperation of Walt's late daughter Diane Disney Miller, Didier Ghez spent years researching this seminal but little-known event that became so vital to the continued growth of the Disney company right through the creation of Disneyland two decades later. His book, Disney's Grand Tour , is the culmination of that research.
Walt Disney's European Vacation
The early 1930s was a crucial time for Walt despite the global success of Mickey Mouse, Walt knew he couldn't rely on his iconic alter-ego to sustain his studio indefinitely. He needed new triumphs. So he staked his creative future and his cinematic fortune on Snow White . But the pressure was driving Walt to another nervous breakdown; he needed a vacation.
Walt's brother Roy suggested a trip to Europe with their wives. The trip would take the Disneys from England to France, Germany, and Italy, and then back home. While the couples intended to relax and enjoy the comforts of Old World Europe, Walt also had business in his grand tour was not just about taking in the sights but about building the Disney brand in Europe and bringing back to America ideas and source material for new films, new cartoons, and far down the road, a new theme park.
Your Travel Itinerary with Walt
In Disney's Grand Tour , famed historian Didier Ghez traces the footsteps of Walt and Roy Disney as they board the Normandie in New York and sail to England, then travel through France, Germany, and Italy prior to boarding another luxury liner, the Rex , for the trip home. But the book is no mere you will be at Walt's shoulder as he conducts Disney business; meets some of the luminaries of his day, including H.G. Wells and Louis Lumiere; attends gala events staged in his honor; and recharges his creative powers for the astonishing Disney projects ahead.
Your trip with Walt and Roy
And much more besides! In addition to the many "small and delightful surprises" that noted animation historian (and author of The Animated A Life of Walt Disney ) Michael Barrier mentions in his preface to the book, Disney's Grand Tour features over 200 notes for those inclined to dig deeper into the story. It also contains a list of the hundreds of books that Walt personally selected in Europe for transfer back to the Disney Studio library. These books inspired Disney artists and animators for decades.
So pack your bags. The Normandie whistle blows. Embark with Walt Disney and join him on a grand tour of Europe!
In 1935, as the artists and animators at the Disney Studio toiled mightily on the animated feature film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs , Walt and Roy Disney traveled with their wives to New York and boarded the luxury liner Normandie to begin their "grand tour" of Europe.
With the full cooperation of Walt's late daughter Diane Disney Miller, Didier Ghez spent years researching this seminal but little-known event that became so vital to the continued growth of the Disney company right through the creation of Disneyland two decades later. His book, Disney's Grand Tour , is the culmination of that research.
Walt Disney's European Vacation
The early 1930s was a crucial time for Walt despite the global success of Mickey Mouse, Walt knew he couldn't rely on his iconic alter-ego to sustain his studio indefinitely. He needed new triumphs. So he staked his creative future and his cinematic fortune on Snow White . But the pressure was driving Walt to another nervous breakdown; he needed a vacation.
Walt's brother Roy suggested a trip to Europe with their wives. The trip would take the Disneys from England to France, Germany, and Italy, and then back home. While the couples intended to relax and enjoy the comforts of Old World Europe, Walt also had business in his grand tour was not just about taking in the sights but about building the Disney brand in Europe and bringing back to America ideas and source material for new films, new cartoons, and far down the road, a new theme park.
Your Travel Itinerary with Walt
In Disney's Grand Tour , famed historian Didier Ghez traces the footsteps of Walt and Roy Disney as they board the Normandie in New York and sail to England, then travel through France, Germany, and Italy prior to boarding another luxury liner, the Rex , for the trip home. But the book is no mere you will be at Walt's shoulder as he conducts Disney business; meets some of the luminaries of his day, including H.G. Wells and Louis Lumiere; attends gala events staged in his honor; and recharges his creative powers for the astonishing Disney projects ahead.
Your trip with Walt and Roy
And much more besides! In addition to the many "small and delightful surprises" that noted animation historian (and author of The Animated A Life of Walt Disney ) Michael Barrier mentions in his preface to the book, Disney's Grand Tour features over 200 notes for those inclined to dig deeper into the story. It also contains a list of the hundreds of books that Walt personally selected in Europe for transfer back to the Disney Studio library. These books inspired Disney artists and animators for decades.
So pack your bags. The Normandie whistle blows. Embark with Walt Disney and join him on a grand tour of Europe!
164 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 10, 2013
8 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Didier Ghez
100 books27 followersDidier Ghez runs the Disney History blog (disneybooks.blogspot.com), the Disney Books Network website (www.didierghez.com), and serves as managing editor of the Walt’s People book series.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 30, 2015
Well researched and thorough, this brief book chronicles the trip taken by Walt, Lillian, Roy, and Edna Disney in 1935 - a trip to allow Walt to revive spirits trodden down by overwork and both men to make and improve important business connections in Europe. We learn where Walt found some of the inspiration for scenes in Snow White and later movies, how much the world already admired him (remember, Mickey was only seven years old at this time), and how complicated his business world had already become. While we all know that Walt was the genius and the inspiration behind his kingdom, this book reveals some of the important machinations behind the brothers' business success. It also denies some of the rumors that followed Walt - that he had an audience with the Pope, that he met Mussolini - and suggests the elegance that now surrounded the boy who grew up poor in the Midwest.
October 31, 2020
Certainly a nice addition for the library of the Disney enthusiast already familiar with the history of the man who started it all.
However it must be warned that there isn't much here for the casual fan (or those just jumping into Disney history) as it only covers one brief, although significant, chapter of Walt's life.
However it must be warned that there isn't much here for the casual fan (or those just jumping into Disney history) as it only covers one brief, although significant, chapter of Walt's life.
April 20, 2017
Well researched, but extremely brief. Of interest mostly as a supplement to Walt Disney, Triumph of the Imagination and as a source tracing the root of many of Walt's ideas.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews