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Credit: Inside the MagicWhen we think of Disney, a few thoughts come to mind.
Of course, the Disney parks are one of the most iconic in the world. While Mickey Mouse standing in front of Cinderella Castle or Sleeping Beauty Castle is an iconic look, Disney did not begin with theme parks and rollercoasters. Disney’s start began with movies.
Walt Disney, a name synonymous with animation and childhood wonder, built an empire from a dream. His journey began in 1923 when, along with his brother Roy, he founded the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio in Hollywood, California. This marked the genesis of what would become The Walt Disney Company.
Their first foray into animation was a series of shorts called the Alice Comedies, which combined live-action with cartoon characters. However, it was the creation of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit in 1927 that brought them initial success. Unfortunately, a contract dispute with the distributor led to Disney losing control of Oswald, a devastating blow at the time.
Undeterred, Disney and his team created a new character in 1928 – Mickey Mouse. This spunky rodent, initially voiced by Walt himself, debuted in the silent film Plane Crazy followed by the first sound cartoon, Steamboat Willie. Mickey’s infectious personality and catchy sound effects propelled him to instant stardom.
The success of Mickey Mouse allowed Disney to establish himself as a leader in animation. He continued to innovate, releasing groundbreaking films like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) – the first full-length animated feature film – and Fantasia (1940), a visually stunning experiment combining animation with classical music. These films were critical and commercial triumphs, solidifying Disney’s reputation as a visionary storyteller.
However, Disney’s path wasn’t without challenges. Labor strikes in the 1940s strained employee relations, and the company faced financial difficulties during World War II. Additionally, Disney’s artistic vision sometimes clashed with the demands of the market.
Despite these setbacks, Disney persevered. He diversified his portfolio, venturing into live-action films, theme parks (the first Disneyland opened in 1955), and television. He also continued to push the boundaries of animation with films like Cinderella (1950), Peter Pan (1953) and Mary Poppins (1964).
A key element of the Disney experience is the iconic castle intro that preceded their films.
This image, initially a hand-drawn silhouette of Cinderella’s castle, has undergone subtle but significant changes over time. In the 1940s and 50s, the castle was often accompanied by fireworks and a starry night sky. As technology advanced, the intro became more dynamic, incorporating animation and variations in color and lighting.
One of the latest iterations, introduced in 2006, features a computer-generated version of Sleeping Beauty Castle with a shimmering, fairytale quality. This evolution reflects both the company’s technological advancements and its enduring commitment to fantasy and wonder.
But, it seems there is another intro that fans are certain existed, but it never did.
Marelize.pretorius shared a TikTok that has since gone viral, shocking the fans of Disney fans everywhere as it claims that the version of the Disney movie intro of Tinker Bell flying over the castle creating the half circle rainbow never existed, even though fans are commenting that they are certain that they saw it over and over again as a kid.
@marelize.pretorius Man how is this real? #fyp #foryoupage #disney #shocked #isthisreal ♬ original sound – Marelize Pretorius
A recent firestorm has erupted on TikTok, leaving Disney fans questioning their childhood memories. At the center of this controversy lies a seemingly innocuous detail – the presence of Tinkerbell in the classic Disney intro sequence. M
Many users have expressed vivid recollections of the fairy flitting across the screen, sprinkling pixie dust, and playfully “dotting the i” in the iconic “Disney” logo.
“How this even possible?” ponders one user in a TikTok video showcasing the intro. Comments reveal a collective sense of disbelief:
“Is Tinkerbell in the beginning of Disney movies?”
“Fake. Based on everything that we know, this never actually happened. Disney did not release a video intro where Tinkerbell ‘dots the I’ on the word Disney,” clarifies another. “Instead, people are likely combining several memories into one.”
This revelation has sparked a wave of passionate debate. Disney devotees are understandably shaken. One user writes, “I’m tired of people telling me I remember wrong. This I remember vividly.” Another echoes the sentiment: “I remember this intro from around 25yrs ago. It was on all the Disney VIDEOS not CD or Blu-ray…VIDEOS.” Comments like these capture the frustration and confusion surrounding this collective misremembering.
However, the lack of any concrete evidence supporting the Tinkerbell intro’s existence has fueled the theory of the Mandela Effect. This psychological phenomenon describes a situation where a large group of people share a false memory. Experts suggest that memory is a reconstructive process, susceptible to external influences. Cultural references, conversations, or even fan-made content can potentially shape and distort our personal recollections.
In the case of the Disney intro, fragmented memories of flying characters (perhaps Dumbo or Peter Pan) combined with the undeniable presence of Tinkerbell in Disney lore might have coalesced into a collective false memory. The intro sequences that did exist likely featured different elements, leaving a hazy impression on viewers’ minds.
The comment section on the viral TikTok post reflects this spectrum of reactions. “It did happen, I saw this as a child, I’m 35 and I saw this when I was 5..before google was born,” insists one user, clinging to their memory.
Another offers a variation: “I remember this intro with a different Tinkerbell. One user claimed it was only the intro for Peter Pan.” However, others acknowledge discrepancies: “I’ve never seen this intro with Tinkerbell on,” and “I don’t remember this, it’s obv fake. But there’s a cartoonist one where she flies around and dots the I, I swear.”
The absence of the Tinkerbell intro doesn’t necessarily invalidate the genuine conviction of those who hold this memory dear.
It highlights the intricate workings of human memory and the power of shared cultural experiences. While the intro may not be a verifiable fact, the emotional resonance it evokes underscores the enduring magic of Disney and its lasting impact on generations of viewers.
This incident serves as a reminder of the subjective nature of memory and the potential pitfalls of relying solely on personal recollection.
It also opens a door for further exploration of the Mandela Effect and its implications for our understanding of how memories are formed and preserved.
The “Tinkerbell Intro” controversy, though sparked by a seemingly trivial detail, serves as a fascinating window into the complexities of human memory and the power of collective experience.
So, regardless of how certain you are about Tinker Bell being in this Disney intro, it is not something The Walt Disney Company had ever created themselves.
There are other versions of introductions before Disney movies that have evolved overtime, such as the DVD intro below, that do use Tinker Bell.
Funny enough, even the comments on this video are from those who first saw the video, claiming the Mandela Effect version was also real.
This is not the only Disney topic that the Mandela Effect has touched, the Haunted Mansion, Indiana Jones Adventure, and more have been playing with the minds of Disney fans for years.
Do you remember the Disney intro with Tinker Bell flying over the castle?