My Journey To Becoming An ‘Almost’ Pixie-Duster – Part 1: Early Influences Of Disney

I have a confession. I am an ‘almost’ pixie-duster.

I know, I know.  For SHAME SpaceDave, for SHAME.

Mickey walks down Main Street USA at Disneyland. (Credit: Mortimer Productions)

It didn’t happen all at once mind you! It didn’t happen even consciously to be honest. It happened over many decades and was influenced by many factors, some subtle and other more obvious.

Being a GenX’er, my first memory of Disney was when I was a small child getting records for my small record player that included Robin Hood, Pete’s Dragon and even the Black Hole in the early/mid 1980’s.

With these, you were able to follow along with an awesome color filled booklet and the record itself which had music and narration from either the movie or the television program associated with the title. I would play those records over and over again, singing the tunes as they belted out of my little records player. Little Spacedave was in wonder and had begun his first real ‘connection’ with the wonderful world of Disney!

Soon my attention was caught by The Wonderful World of Disney re-runs with Walt Disney himself. There he would interact with the original five or even introduce new characters and features/movies coming to Disney. He would play movies or cartoons that featured all sorts of Disney Treasures and adventures. The vision and talents of Walt inspired my young imagination, and the innocence of Disney was formed in my mind. It truly seemed magical.

During that time, I also watched a couple of amazing movies, Tron and The Black Hole. I didn’t even realize they were created by Disney at that time. However, the impact they made on a young boys’ mind was incalculable. Tron specifically lit an interest in computers and the ‘grid’ and The Black Hole piqued my curiosity of space and astronomy (and might I add scared a young boy into nightmares! Maxamillion…yikes!  Watch at your own risk!!)

The Black Hole (1979), Walt Disney Pictures

Being an 80’s kid also brought the 80’s Saturday morning cartoon revolution! Not only were there Transformers, GI-Joe, and Smurfs…there were new Disney classics such as Ducktales (my personal favorite), Adventures of the Gummi Bears, The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and Chip’N’Dale Rescue Rangers. I cannot recall exactly how many hours I spent watching these shows…but while typing each tile, the theme song still rings loud in the back of my mind. “Chip Chip n dale…rescue rangers…chip chip…and Dale!” Sorry about that.  Nostalgia is a powerful ‘drug’ as they say!

Going into my teens in the 90’s, the selection of Disney classics did not stop, but only seemed to increase and get even better! Disney introduced Talespin, Darkwing Duck, Goof Troop, Tiny Toons, Aladdin, Gargoyles, and so many more cartoons. Each having unique characters, stories and wonderful adventures!

TaleSpin (1990), Walt Disney Television

Not only that, but the Disney Renaissance began in the theatres from the late 1980’s and into the 1990’s spearheaded by a renewed vigor from Disney Animation Studios! Admittedly I was becoming a bit disconnected as a teenager by the more ‘childlike’ stories, but the movies still caught my eye and were animated with passion and on a level never seen before. Almost all of them came with fantastic stories and even better, fantastic soundtracks. Never had animated movies displayed such masterful abilities to bring a story to life, like Disney could. It was often referred to as ‘Disney Magic’! Many a day I used the old VHS and eventually DVD’s to catch the attention of the kids I was babysitting in order to earn a few extra bucks in college or late high school. But I must admit, I watched and sang along just the same as they did!

Another studio that caught everyone’s attention at that time was Pixar. And it also appeared to catch Disney’s attention as well, as they solidified the distribution of Pixar IP’s and later outright purchased the studio (a story for another article).

Pixar’s Toy Story was my first introduction to Computer Generated Imagery, or CGI, and it was mind blowing at the time. Beyond being a technical masterpiece, the movie’s story left an impression on all age groups even to this day.  It is considered a ‘masterpiece’ in ever form possible.

Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear flies through the sky carrying Tom Hank as Woody in Toy Story (1995), Pixar

Further to that Pixar and Disney continued into the early 2000’s with more masterpieces and IP’s that spoke to every age group, race, and both males and females. It seemed Disney had hit IP gold and very rarely created anything that was not considered excellent or at the very least great.

So these connections began to solidify my appreciation for Disney. My slow journey into becoming an ALMOST Pixie Duster.

Cinderalla’s Castle in Walt Disney World via 4k WDW YouTube

Next in this series I’ll explore becoming a father in the 2000’s and how that time is also etched into my sub-conscious.  One of the steps along the road of becoming an ‘almost’ pixie-duster!

I hoped you’ve enjoyed this introduction and please, feel free to share any childhood connections you have with Disney, below!

Till next time, SPACEDAVE …. Out!