The Walt Disney Birthplace

Imagine & Learn

Laughter is timeless. Imagination has no age. And dreams are forever.

­ — Walt Disney​

Mission

To enable and nurture children, families and communities to become creative and innovative dreamers and doers in the spirit of Walt Disney and his brother Roy.

Our Work

To develop, implement, and provide hands-on workshops, unique learning experiences, engaging educational materials, and innovative events designed to nurture and support the development of creativity and innovative thinking.

Vision

We envision a world where Walt’s personal story inspires children, families and communities around the globe. Through collaboration with local and international partners, CECCI aims to catapault every creative and innovative dreamer to the next level.

Values

  • Creativity
  • Communication
  • Collaboration
  • Community
  • Curiosity
  • Inclusion
  • Innovation
  • Inventive Problem-solving

  • Empathy
  • Experience
  • Exploration
  • Flexibility
  • Open-mindedness
  • Resilience

  • Wonder

The Learning Initiative

We have hosted outreach events at local schools, including William P. Nixon Elementary, located just blocks away from the Birthplace. This school, which Roy O. Disney attended until 1906, is currently an underserved community school with the overcrowded classrooms typical of so many schools today. The Walt Disney Magnet School hosted The Walt Disney Birthplace and Joanna Disney Miller for some onsite discussions on Walt’s birthday in 2016. We hope to continue working with these and other local schools.

“The Walt Disney house serves as a unique inspiration to the children and families of Hermosa, a reminder that even from humble beginnings anything is possible.”

— Diana Gomez

Principal of Nixon Elementary School in Hermosa, Chicago

The Little Library

In 2019, Greg Waller made a very generous donation to sponsor The Walt Disney Birthplace’s free “little library” as a community resource for the city of Hermosa.

The library is named to honor the memory of his wife Diana Waller, who was one of the project’s biggest individual supports.

Moving Forward

“The path to innovation begins with curiosity.”

­ — Bob Iger

Dina Benadon

Project Director, Founder

Brent Young

Project Director, Founder

John Heinsen

Managing Director

Rey Colón

Project Lead

Christine Griswold, M.A.

Director, Learning Experiences

Scott Curran

Beyond Advisors

Robert Coker

Development