Menu

Satirical Rumors Say Walt Disney to Replace Benjamin Franklin on the $100 Bill

In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the inception of The Walt Disney Company, satirical rumors are swirling that the image of Walter Elias Disney will reportedly be printed on U. S. currency through June 2024.

walt disney disneyland castle

Related: Disney Has Until June 2023 to Build the Walter Elias Disney International Airport at Disney World

The year 2023 marks the 100th anniversary of the beginning of The Walt Disney Company, though, in 1923, the company looked nothing like it does today (in more ways than one–read more about that here).

One hundred years ago, in October 1923, the Disney brothers–Walt and Roy–opened the Disney Brothers Studio in California. From that tiny hole-in-the-wall studio, Walt’s beloved company grew and grew, and grew some more, and today holds assets worth more than $203 billion dollars.

Fortune” Recognizes Disney on List of “World's Most Admired Companies” - The Walt Disney Company

Credit: Disney

The Walt Disney Company is also one of the most recognizable companies in the world, especially as the Disney brand continues to permeate nearly every marketplace domestically and around the globe. Disney Parks have been built in the United States, China and Hong Kong, Japan, and France. If you live on planet earth, chances are that you’ve heard and seen the Disney name multiple times, even if you’re not one of those crazed Disney Adults.

Disney also ranks #5 on Fortune‘s list of the World’s Most Admired Companies and has made the list for 19 years in a row.

One-hundredth anniversaries are special in any scenario, but as Disney turns 100, it seems undeniably fitting for the Company to pull out all the stops with a worldwide celebration of the magic, the memories, the movies, and the moments that have been experienced and shared by people all over the world in the last century, thanks to “one man’s dream.”

Unknown - Walter "Walt" Disney and Mickey Mouse in Disneyland - Original Press For Sale at 1stDibs

Credit: Disney Archives

In light of the celebratory festivities (and a dose of satirical humor), rumors are swirling that U. S. currency will feature the likeness of the man behind the mouse and the magic, Walt Disney.

A Dose of Satire!

According to a satirical report, Mr. Disney’s image will be featured on the $100 bill in place of Benjamin Franklin beginning this month. Walt’s image would be printed on the $100 bill through June 2024, at which time Franklin’s likeness will begin to be printed again.

The joke goes on to say, that the U. S. bills will reportedly be circulated currency with Walt’s likeness printed on them. Below is an image of the front of the false bill.

walt disney $100 bill

Credit: MouseTrap News

Related: Here’s Why the Walt Disney $100 Bill Can’t Happen

At this time, there are no fun photos of the backside of the bill; however, it reportedly would have looked reminiscent of Disney Dollars, which were once sold in Disney Parks.

The satire continues noting that the Walt Disney $100 bill would be legal tender and used anywhere that accepts United States currency.

If this was real… the question would be, will there be enough of the anniversary currency to go around? And how long will it be before the bills find their way to eBay, selling for far more than $100? (And how long will it be before the counterfeiters begin to do their work?)

Happy Birthday Walt Disney! | The Disney Blog

Credit: Disney

Sorry, Disney fans! Of course, the United States government’s plan to print “Disneys” in place of “Benjamins” is purely a satirical humor to give Disney fans a good laugh.

We agree that the incomparable genius Walt Disney would certainly be due for such a place of prominence. And why not the $100 bill? We’re pretty sure Disney’s done more for the United States economy (one way or the other) than Benjamin Franklin.

No offense, Mr. Franklin.

About Becky Burkett

Becky's from the Lone Star State and has been writing since she was 10 and encountered her first Disney Park when she was 11. It was love at first Main Street Electrical Parade. Joy is blank lined journals, 0.7 mm pens, and all things Walt, Woody and Buzz, PIXAR, Imagineering, Sleeping Beauty (make it blue!), Disney Parks history and EPCOT. At Disney World, you'll find her croonin' with the birdies at the Enchanted Tiki Room or hangin' with Woody and the gang at Toy Story Land. If you can dream, you really can do it!