The Walt Disney Think Tank would examine Disneyland's impact on the world – The Mercury News

An Orange County research university within the shadow of Disneyland may soon develop into home to an educational think tank dedicated to studying Walt Disney's life's work and the Anaheim theme park's impact on the world.

Disney historian Jeff Kurtti and Chapman University Professor Brian Alter explore the feasibility of developing a Walt Disney Think Tank on the research university, positioned 5 miles from Disneyland in Old Towne Orange.

Disney historian Jeff Kurtti (left) and Chapman University Professor Brian Alters. (Courtesy of Chapman University)
Disney historian Jeff Kurtti (left) and Chapman University Professor Brian Alters. (Courtesy of Chapman University)

The think tank would examine the life, legacy and global impact of the Disneyland founder, in addition to his influence on art, music, culture, business, economic development, transportation, urban planning, thematic environments, placemaking, science, technology and innovation.

“A think tank on Walt Disney is such an interesting and deep area of ​​research,” Kurtti said during a telephone interview. “Even today, almost 60 years after his death, the things he imagined are still relevant. People keep coming back to them. Our intention is to explore this aspect of Walt Disney’s personality – biographically, creatively and professionally.”

Walt Disney tells a visitor, Bob Thomas of the Associated Press, in Anaheim where the two Disneyland trains will stop to pick up passengers for the ride around the grounds. The train station in the background is visitors' first view of Disneyland. There are two entrances to the site on either side of the station. (Associated Press file photo)
Walt Disney tells a visitor, Bob Thomas of the Associated Press, in Anaheim where the 2 Disneyland trains will stop to choose up passengers for the ride across the grounds. The train station within the background is visitors' first view of Disneyland. There are two entrances to the positioning on either side of the station. (Associated Press file photo)

Alter has taught science and education at Chapman, Harvard and McGill universities. His hottest course at Chapman: The Pursuit of Happiness and Knowledge: Charles Darwin and Walt Disney.

“Walt Disney is a visionary whose career has spanned numerous industries and continues to shape everyday life around the world. From an academic perspective, Walt Disney remains woefully under-researched,” Alter said in an announcement released by Chapman.

Walt Disney, shown in December 1958, points out features of the technologically advanced monorail system that opened at Disneyland the following year. Disney's TV show and theme park often celebrated the wonders of scientific discoveries. (File photo by Don Brinn, Associated Press)
Walt Disney, shown in December 1958, points out features of the technologically advanced monorail system that opened at Disneyland the next yr. Disney's TV show and theme park often celebrated the wonders of scientific discoveries. (File photo by Don Brinn, Associated Press)

Almost the whole lot Walt Disney worked on either expanded an idea, evolved an idea, or pushed it forward with a brand new dynamic that continues to resonate today, Kurtti said.

“Whether it's movies, music, parks or placemaking, these are all things that Walt Disney still touches on, long after he's gone,” Kurtti said.

In this photo taken around 1966, Walt Disney stares at one of the characters that would be part of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland. Disney died in December 1966 and was never able to ride the completed attraction, which opened on March 18, 1967. Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Imagineering and Disney Enterprises, Inc.)
In this photo taken around 1966, Walt Disney stares at one in all the characters that might be a part of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland. Disney died in December 1966 and was never in a position to ride the finished attraction, which opened on March 18, 1967. Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Imagineering and Disney Enterprises, Inc.)

Kurtti visited Disneyland for the primary time as a baby in 1971 and immediately became a “huge Disney nut.” He was hired by the Disney company in 1986 and spent the following many years working on projects at Disneyland.

“For me, there's always this great feeling because it's Walt's Park,” Kurtti said. “It’s the one he got his hands on.”

Kurtti can't consider a greater place for a Walt Disney Think Tank than Chapman University.

“In the evenings I sat on my laptop and could hear the fireworks every night at 9:30 because it's so close to Disneyland,” Kurtti said. “It’s almost as if Chapman was created to have something important to do with the study of Walt Disney.”

Alters and Kurtti are expected to finish the Walt Disney Think Tank feasibility report in a couple of yr.

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