Communities often will erect statues of the town founders or other prominent individuals in public spaces. Main Street, U.S.A. is no different. In the Central Plaza at the end of Main Street is "Partners," honoring the most prominent individual of all, Walt Disney.
The "Partners" statue was sculpted by Disney Legend Blaine Gibson and added to the Magic Kingdom in 1995 (it's actually a copy of the original "Partners" statue made for Disneyland). The statue was based on a life bust sculpted by Gibson during Walt's lifetime. Walt was far too humble to accept such a thing, and the bust was discarded, only to turn up years later in Roy Disney's garage. The bust provided the foundation for "Partners" (it was also used to create the bust of Walt seen at the Television Academy Hall of Fame Plaza at Disney's Hollywood Studios).
A few notes about "Partners": The statue of Walt is actually sculpted slightly larger than life. In reality, Walt was 5'10". The "STR" logo on Walt's tie is for Smoke Tree Ranch, a popular vacation destination for Walt and his family. Walt is depicted leading Mickey, representative of Walt's overall philosophy to "keep moving forward."
Down in the Town Square is "Sharing the Magic," another Blaine Gibson piece honoring co-founder Roy Disney. Of the two brothers, Walt was the leader. Roy was the supporter, so he is depicted supporting Minnie's hand. It's also appropriate that Roy is sitting on a bench, as he often did after the opening of Walt Disney World, observing and listening to his Guests.
Copies of "Sharing the Magic" were later added to the Disney Studio lot in Burbank and to the Tokyo Disney Resort, but this was the first. Fitting, since there would potentially not have been a Magic Kingdom without Roy.
When Walt Disney passed away in December 1966, Roy was prepared to retire. Without Walt, though, no one knew how the Company could go on. Roy made the decision to put off retirement and step up to run things. His goal was to see them through the opening of the Florida Project. At the time, the development was simply being called Disneyworld (as a counterpart to Disneyland). It was Roy's first act to have the project renamed Walt Disney World, so people would always know it was his brother's dream.
Roy O. Disney dedicated the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in October 1971. He passed away just two months later. Mission accomplished.
Nice post. But I would have liked to learn more about the statues in Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland, and Walt Disney Studios Paris. As well as the similar statue to be added to DCA.
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