10 Most Notorious Walt Disney Urban Legends

Walt now lives with Queen Elsa in an ice palace underneath Disneyland.

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Despite having passed away almost 50 years ago, Walter Elias Disney remains an enigmatic figure to many. In part it is because he is one of the most important and influential filmmakers and entrepreneurs of all time, but also because so much of his persona and life is shrouded in mystery. 

He gave the world Mickey Mouse, and a host of animated classics that generations have grown-up watching; built his own theme park, which is now a set of global attractions; and won more Oscars than anyone else in history. There's also the stuff that can't be measured in box-office totals or theme park gates: he's a cultural icon, an inspiration to countless numbers of animators, writers, and anyone else who has dared to dream. 

But did you also know that he dropped out of high school to join the army? Or that he produced training and propaganda films for the United States government? And before his death, he was looking to build a ski resort? 

There's a lot of unknowns about the man, and perhaps that's one of the reasons so many myths have sprung up about him. He's a mystery wrapped in an enigma wrapped in a cryogenic chamber. Walt Disney did the impossible and made dreams come true, but even he isn't capable of these urban legends. 

10. Disney On Ice

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Let's start with the most well-known and oft-reported myth about Walt Disney: after his death, he had his body frozen so that he could be brought back to life in the future. 

Even ignoring the fact that it would make far more sense to freeze himself before he died, rather than afterwards (because that's obviously the biggest flaw with this...), it sadly isn't true. While it's nice to imagine a magical future where Walt strides out of his ice-coffin and takes a stroll down Main Street USA, it ain't gonna happen. 

It seems that the rumour was started by a group of Disney animators, playing a final prank on their old boss. In fact, the first cryo freezing didn't occur until a month after Walt had died, and it's been confirmed that he was actually cremated, as per his wishes. Wishful thinking plays a part in this legend, but it's time to let it go. 

Contributor
Contributor

NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.