Despite being one of the most influential people of the 20th century, Disney endured many failures before creating 'the Happiest Place on Earth.' Walt Disney's known as an extraordinarily successful creative whose visions as an animator, filmmaker and theme park developer changed entertainment in the 20th century and beyond. Yet, dig a little deeper into Disney's background, and you'll discover that his road to success was paved by an unhappy childhood along with countless business failures and setbacks. Disney had a strained relationship with his father.