“I would rather entertain and hope that people learned something than educate people and hope they were entertained.”
- December 5, 1901 – December 15, 1966
- Born in the United States
- Animator, film director, entrepreneur, producer
- Best known as the creator of Mickey Mouse, he established the animation film industry. As the founder of Disneyland, he is globally recognized as an iconic figure in the world of entertainment.
Quote
“I would rather entertain and hope that people learned something than educate people and hope they were entertained.”
Explanation
In this quote, Walt Disney articulates his belief in the power of entertainment as a tool for both enjoyment and education. He suggests that by prioritizing entertainment, he can naturally engage people and, in the process, impart valuable lessons. Disney was a firm believer that learning should be enjoyable and that through entertainment, people could absorb lessons more effectively. By offering entertainment first, the audience is more likely to be engaged, open-minded, and receptive to the educational content embedded within the experience. This philosophy guided much of his work, particularly in films like Fantasia and The Jungle Book, where artistic expression and educational elements were seamlessly intertwined.
Historically, Disney’s ability to blend entertainment and education was a major innovation in the world of animation and storytelling. His films were not just meant to amuse but also to inspire and teach. For instance, Fantasia used classical music to educate audiences about the arts while entertaining them with stunning visuals and animation. Similarly, Disney’s nature documentaries, such as the True-Life Adventures series, combined education about wildlife and nature with engaging storytelling. Disney understood that entertainment, when done well, has the ability to teach far more effectively than a strictly educational approach.
In the modern context, Disney’s approach continues to influence how media and entertainment are created today. Many of the most successful educational programs and films, from children’s cartoons to documentaries, focus on entertainment as the first priority, knowing that people, especially younger audiences, are more likely to retain information when they are genuinely engaged. This quote serves as a reminder that learning through fun can be just as valuable, if not more so, than purely educational methods, encouraging creators to combine enjoyment with instruction to reach and resonate with a wider audience.
