I Thought Dick Van Dyke Sharing Delightful Walt Disney Memories Would Be Lovely, But It Also Made Me Feel Really Sad

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Next week, Dick Van Dyke will celebrate his 100th birthday! The beloved actor has lived a full century, much of it dedicated to bringing joy to others. Throughout his life, he’s also had the chance to work with legends like Walt Disney.

Dick Van Dyke’s Memories Of Walt Disney Are Heart-Warming

Walt Disney’s 124th birthday was earlier this month. Despite the large age gap, Dick Van Dyke says he and Disney connected immediately while working on Mary Poppins because they both loved making kids happy. Van Dyke explained…

I was lucky enough to know Walt Disney personally, and as far as I know, I’m one of the last people still around who did. We really connected and became good friends. We even joked that we both had the emotional maturity of thirteen-year-olds, which is probably why we were so passionate about creating entertainment for children. He was a playful, enthusiastic person, and I truly loved him.

It’s lovely to hear Dick Van Dyke speak so highly of Walt Disney. His words also brought to mind a rather sad thought I’ve had before.

Dick Van Dyke Isn’t The Last Person Alive To Know Walt Disney, At Least Not Yet

While Dick Van Dyke is often cited as one of the last people still living who knew Walt Disney, he isn’t actually the last. Bob Gurr, a 94-year-old Disney Imagineer who helped create attractions like Autopia and the Monorail, also knew Disney personally. There are probably others still alive as well.

There aren’t many people left who actually knew Walt Disney personally, and that number is dwindling. We’ve recently lost several key figures who worked closely with him, including songwriter Richard Sherman and former Disney Parks leader Dick Nunis.

Disney+ subscriptions start at $11.99 per month with ads. Sign up through this link to enjoy classic entertainment like Mary Poppins starring Dick Van Dyke, and episodes hosted by Walt Disney himself from Disneyland and World of Color. See the deal here.

It’s just heartbreaking to think that Walt Disney left us at 66 – it feels so young. I often wonder what even more incredible things he could have accomplished if he’d lived just ten more years. He dreamed up so much, even a whole city! But what really gets to me is that soon, there won’t be anyone left who actually knew him. It’s going to make him feel like a legend from a distant past, and we’ll lose those precious firsthand stories – stories like the wonderful ones Dick Van Dyke shares, stories that bring him to life.

It’s less about trying to imitate Walt Disney and more about preserving the memory of a remarkable man who deeply impacted our culture. The new Walt Disney animatronics at Disneyland and soon at Walt Disney World are a welcome addition, as they were created by people who actually knew him and will help future generations remember his legacy.

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2025-12-09 04:38