Gertie

Have you ever wondered why there is a dinosaur sitting in the middle of Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World?

Have you ever questioned...who is "Gertie?"

Well here's the scoop...

In Walt Disney World's Hollywood Studios, sitting right on the edge of Echo Lake, just across from the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular sits a soft-serve ice cream snack spot shaped like a dinosaur.

You may be thinking:  "A dinosaur?  Why is there a dinosaur here?  There is no dinosaur theme in this part of the parks.  Dinosaur Gertie isn't in any Walt Disney feature film.  Who is Dinosaur Gertie?  And why should I care?"

Well let me just say that we should all care!  Dinosaur Gertie played a pivotal role in the history of animation.  Why, if it wasn't for Gertie, we may not have a Walt Disney World at all!

No, Dinosaur Gertie was not a character from the mind of Walt Disney, but she was a huge influence on the development of his art.  In fact Gertie was first seen when Walt was only 12 years old in 1914.  "Gertie" was created by Winsor McCay and the film's biggest claim to fame is that it was the first film to be created with keyframe animation.  And although "Gertie" was not the first animated film, it was the first cartoon to feature a character with an "appealing personality."  

In 1994 "Gertie" was named #6 of the 50 Greatest Cartoons of All Time, and has been preserved by the US National Film Registry.

So next time you are in Disney's Hollywood Studios, stop by Dinosaur Gertie's and get yourself some delicious soft-serve ice cream, and soak in a little animation history.

HAVE A MAGICAL DISNEY DAY!

Candice