Was Roy Disney dying when WDW opened in 1971?

[Walt Disney1955]

Honestly, I've always wondered this. We know the story of Roy, he takes over things when Walt dies to oversee the construction of WDW. He is there for the opening in October 1971 and then dies on December 20th, 1971. He had retired after the opening.

Roy was a huge part of the company so much that his statue is still on Main Street (although it does move from bench to bench).

But since he died just a couple of months later was he sick when WDW opened? He died from what is called an intracranial hemorrhage. Not sure if that affected him two months prior or not.

 

[ppete1975]

I dont know, and its an interesting question. I was thinking anyone no matter what age can have that happen with no warning at all. If so he didnt know he was dying because of that. Now those can also be caused by a fall, and at his age that is quite possible.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Theoretically, we all start dying at the moment of birth. Distance away being the important factor. He looked pretty good in the pictures of him at the dedication, but, lots of things can be lurking inside that we are not even aware of and then comes on strong. However, he was 78 years old at the time. Not old, but, in that range.

 

[marni1971]

If I recall he was retired (officially or unofficially) but came back to active status to open WDW

 

[Heppenheimer]

Intra-cerebral hemorrhages tend to occur suddenly with little warning. He probably wasn't in stellar health at the time, but he may have felt at his usual baseline right before the fatal blood vessel burst. If not treated promptly (and they probably had far fewer tools to treat them in 1971), the patient usually dies very quickly.

Of course, I know nothing at all about Roy Disney's health. There could have been other things going on, like a series of smaller prior strokes, or a brain tumor that would put him at risk for bleeding. But often, cerebral hemorrhages just errupt suddenly and kill an otherwise active individual with little prior warning.

If Roy lived the same unhealthy lifestyle as his brother, a cerebral hemorrhage would be one of the possible expected outcomes.

 

[LAKid53]

If I recall he was retired (officially or unofficially) but came back to active status to open WDW

That's what I remember. He came out of retirement to see Walt's new park built.

 

[LAKid53]

Intra-cerebral hemorrhages tend to occur suddenly with little warning. He probably wasn't in stellar health at the time, but he may have felt at his usual baseline right before the fatal blood vessel burst. If not treated promptly (and they probably had far fewer tools to treat them in 1971), the patient usually dies very quickly.

Of course, I know nothing at all about Roy Disney's health. There could have been other things going on, like a series of smaller prior strokes, or a brain tumor that would put him at risk for bleeding. But often, cerebral hemorrhages just errupt suddenly and kill an otherwise active individual with little prior warning.

If Roy lived the same unhealthy lifestyle as his brother, a cerebral hemorrhage would be one of the possible expected outcomes.

A massive cerebral hemorrhage killed my mother, so I concur.

If Roy smoked like Walt, his days were numbered.

 

[Sonconato]

My father was 53 when he had his cerebral hemorrhage. He had gone to work that day, and had the cerebral hemorrhage while driving home and never came home again. It was quite sudden, and is quite possible that Roy had no clue.

 

[DisneyDoctor]

Most occur without a warning. He could've had an aneurysm brewing and it ruptured. Smoking is a huge risk factor. Stress is as well, which, I imagine, he was under quite a bit throughout his life.

 

[DisneyDoctor]

Why smoking is a risk to brain

Smoking is a risk to blood vessel health. Aneurysms are actually kinda common in smokers. Basically the vessels weaken and parts balloon out. These balloons are at risk of rupturing. They can occur in the brain, as in intracranial hemorrhages when ruptured, or other places like the aorta, known as a AAA (abdominal aortic aneurysm).

 

[networkpro]

What about for people who vape?

Not as long of a track record to study, but you can look at the studies for popcorn lung as as a start.

 

[WheelsUpRN]

Not as long of a track record to study, but you can look at the studies for popcorn lung as as a start.

Supposedly, they isolated the chemical causing popcorn lung (diacetyl) and that is no longer in the liquids people vape. I’m not sure how regulated the industry is though in terms of ingredients of the liquid.

 

[DisneyDoctor]

What about for people who vape?

We don't really know enough about vaping to say it's a healthier alternative to smoking tobacco. I saw recently that the first case of lung cancer linked to vaping was reported, but it's an isolated case so tough to make conclusions from it.

 

[DisneyDoctor]

what about the blood vessels?

I'm not aware of any studies demonstrating the relationship between smoking and vessel health.

 

[Driver]

Little known fact about Roy and his wife, they were both alcoholics.

 

[Kobe!!]

We're all dying, slowly, each and everyday...

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

I would love to see the full Dedication of Wdw..But this is the closest thing we have to that..

 

[Cosmic Commando]

I feel like I remember hearing that the grand opening was delayed because of his health (it wasn’t until 10/25/71), but I can’t find anyone online saying it now.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

I feel like I remember hearing that the grand opening was delayed because of his health (it wasn’t until 10/25/71), but I can’t find anyone online saying it now.

The parks blog site mentions it

Vintage Walt Disney World: A Dedication with Style at Magic Kingdom Park

Walt Disney World Resort opened its doors to guests on October 1, 1971, however the official grand opening and dedication took place on October 25, 1971. The dedication plaque was read aloud by Roy O. Disney with Mickey Mouse at his side.

disneyparks.disney.go.com

 

[Cosmic Commando]

The parks blog site mentions it

Vintage Walt Disney World: A Dedication with Style at Magic Kingdom Park

Walt Disney World Resort opened its doors to guests on October 1, 1971, however the official grand opening and dedication took place on October 25, 1971. The dedication plaque was read aloud by Roy O. Disney with Mickey Mouse at his side.

disneyparks.disney.go.com

I wasn't clear; I don't think most people realize the grand opening with that picture of Roy and Mickey they've seen wasn't on 10/1, but I don't think that's a secret. I just couldn't quickly find a site that mentioned the reason for having the grand opening when they did was because of Roy's health.