Channel Frederator Blog

I was on the Disney lot in Burbank the other day, and showed some friends the statues directly in front of the Team Disney building.

“Who’s that guy on the bench?” they asked

Roy Oliver Disney was Walt Disney’s older brother, and co-founder of what is now The Walt Disney Company. While Walt had the tough job of heading up the creative side of things, Roy’s job was much more difficult: keeping the company financially sound. This was often times easier said than done.

After Walt’s passing in 1966, Roy made sure that Disney World would be completed and renamed it Walt Disney World in order to make sure that no one would forget his brother. After Walt Disney World opened in October 1971, Roy Disney finally retired. He died from a stroke at home two months later, age 78. Given his role in the company, his place on the bench on the side while his brother stands in the center of the courtyard is quite fitting.

Roy O Disney’s son, Roy Edward Disney, KCSG currently serves as a consultant for the company and Director Emeritus for the Board of Directors.

-Floyd Bishop