(Cover) - EN Movies - John Lasseter says a trip to Disneyland inspired him to become a moviemaker.

The 54-year-old animator-and-director is chief creative officer at Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios. John has helmed modern Disney Pixar classics such as Toy Story, Cars and its sequel Cars 2.

John remembers visiting iconic tourist attraction Disneyland, now known as Disneyland Park, soon after it opened in California back in the 1950s.

"My Disney memory is probably going to Disneyland as a little boy. I was born in 1957, two years after Disneyland opened and I remembered going very young," he beamed.

"It's about as magical as anything could be. And look at me; it's inspired me to do this for my life's work."

John has been sharing his memories in aid of the Million Disney Memories campaign, which aims to help Britain's Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity. The campaign has an interesting twist, with Disney fans encouraged to recount their favourite memories. Once 1,000,000 memories have been received, Disney will donate 1 million to the charity.

John remembers feeling as though he had entered a different planet upon arrival at Disneyland. He adores the way cartoon characters feel like real people there.

"When you go into Disneyland you are transported to another place, it's remarkable what that place makes you feel, and all the characters came alive," smiled the animation mogul. (C) Cover Media