Disneyland and Walt Disney Books

[Jeff Barney]

Hey Micechatters,

[Steve DeGaetano]

Re: Disneyland and Walt Disney Books

Michael Broggie's book, Walt Disney's Railroad Story, is only marginally about trains. It's really about Walt Disney, and won the Ben Franklin award for Best Biography in 1997. It's also a darn good book about the park.

[barfownz]

Re: Disneyland and Walt Disney Books

Disneyland Detective is an awesome book. Tells a brief description and history about every single shop, ride, store, etc in Disneyland.

[hollywood1939]

Re: Disneyland and Walt Disney Books

I would say Mouse Tales 1 and 2 but I've heard a lot of people discredit a bunch of the stories in them (i.e. the girl dying on Space Mountain).

[PLAZAINN1]

Re: Disneyland and Walt Disney Books

There is a book entitled, How to be like Walt, which gives a nice history about Walt and how you can apply his successes to your own life. There is also Bob Thomas' biography on Walt.

I have two other books about Walt's life, but can't remember the titles and authors. When I get them , I will post them here for you. I think one of them is called "Remembering Walt".

[Saddlesore Swanson]

Re: Disneyland and Walt Disney Books

My favorite Disneyland history books are Disneyland: Inside Story, The Nickel Tour, Walt Disney Imagineering: A Behind the Dreams Look At Making the Magic Real and The E Ticket Magazine (not a book :-).

[Loomis]

Re: Disneyland and Walt Disney Books

I have a number of Disneyland books, some of which are out of print, others are not directly related to the history, but are still worth exploring. Allow me to list them here (not so) briefly.


Walt Disney Imagineering: A Behind the Dreams Look At Making the Magic Real
While I don't actually own this one, I have it out on permanent loan from the library I work in. It is an essential volume full of sketches, concept art and many attractions that never came to be from around the world. The only problem is that is was obviously written under tight scrutiny by Mr. Michael Eisner, as they are constantly praising him throughout the book. Otherwise, it is a thorough examination of how the Imagineering department came to be, and what makes them tick at the various parks around the work.


Around the World with Disney (Disney Editions - May 2006): Previously available as a Theme Park exclusive, this attractive hardcover volume does just what the title promised - takes you around the world with Disney. With the exception of the Hong Kong park, all of the theme parks are represented: Disneyland, Walt Disney World Florida, Tokyo and Paris. By no means a perfect book - it spends some 12 pages on the Carousels of the parks, while it only spends 8 on the unique and variety Haunted Mansions, Pirates of the Caribbean and Tower of Terror combined - it reads more like an in-park souvenir guide than a serious comparison of the parks. If you are content to simply look at pictures of the theme parks, and given how far I am from a Disneyland pictures will have to suffice for now, this is a beautifully presented pictorial of the Disney parks that is easy to recommend as a gift or a coffee table book. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a more in-depth overview of the park, you may have to look elsewhere.

This next review I've taken from my older summary of the books of 2005 for Ultimate Disney:



Disneyland: Then, Now and Forever
Disney Editions, May 2005, SRP: $24.95

Disneyland celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2005, and you can bet that the merchandising machine is taking advantage of it. While we all wait for the visual wonders that the long-delayed Secrets, Stories & Magic of the Happiest Place on Earth DVD will hold, Disney Editions has brought a glorious 190-page celebration of the history of the California Resort. In much the same vein as the long out-of-print Disneyland: The First Quarter Century and Disneyland: The First Thirty Years, Imagineer Bruce Gordon and marketing executive/Disney expert Tim O'Day bring us a nostalgic look at the history of the original Disneyland Park, and its California Adventure extension. After brief introductions from actress Julie Andrews, who is the Honorary Homecoming Ambassador, and Michael Eisner, former CEO of the Walt Disney Company, we are given a wonderful visual and textual history of the park. Accompanying the informative text is an enormous collection of sketches, maps and early construction photos of many of the major attractions that now populate the park. In addition to those rides and attractions that still remain, we get an inside look at long-extinct attractions such as Submarine Voyage and Indian Village, which predates both Bear Country and Critter Country. Indeed, the best part of this book is the wealth of images of a Disneyland past, along with a section dedicated to unbuilt attractions, such as International Street and Liberty Street. Even the most dedicated Disneyland aficionado is bound to find something new or exciting about this book. This is about as close to a definitive Disneyland book that we are going to get for a long time. Disneyland: Then, Now and Forever is presently available through Disney Theme Parks and Downtown Disney only.

Art of Disneyland (Disney Editions - September 2006)/140 pages/Jeff Kurti & Bruce Gordon

With Disneyland celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2005, Disney wasted no opportunity to publicize that milestone. With some excellent books being published over the last year - including the comprehensive park-exclusive Disneyland: Then, Now and Forever (reviewed above) - Disneyland fans have been spoiled for choice.

This latest entry, another one that was previously exclusively available in the theme parks but has now been released to the wider market, is one of the most beautiful yet. Rather than taking a nostalgic look at the different eras of the park, or even the technical aspects of the ride-making and Imagineering, this concentrates purely on the concept art that has either been used a model for beloved rides and attractions (or even the park itself), or has at the very least inspired the Imagineers to reach for the stars.

After a brief introduction from recently retired Imagineering legend Marty Sklar, the reader is taken through the park land by land with concept art; sketches and paintings of what would eventually become - and sometimes not become - fixtures of our favourite theme park. Covering everything from initial park concept art to Indiana Jones, artists include such big Disney names as Mary Blair, Marc Davis, Eyvind Earle, John Hench and Herbert Ryman and commentary is provided where appropriate. While there is some repeition with previous books on the marker - particularly the aforementioned Disneyland: Then, Now and Forever - and Disneyland buffs are sure to have seen much of this material before, the sheer volume of art and coffee table value alone is enough to keep most fans interested.




Secrets of Disney's Glorious Gardens (Disney Editions - June 2006): After many delays, this book finally arrives in glorious hardcover format. If you've ever been to a Disney park, you'll appreciate that a lot of effort has gone into making it bright and beautiful and green all the year 'round. This book is far more than just a collection of photos showcasing these gardens, although it does serve that function in part, but it is really more of a gardening guide for the reader. It isn't quite like your traditional garden book either, but it does provide handy hints as to how to make your own potting mix, when the right time to plant is and so forth.

After a brief introduction about the history of the parks, the book goes on to cover specific topics such as building an entry arbor; selecting the right plants for your region; planting a productive potting garden; and getting the right colour/border mixture. From there, a great section entitled 'Setting the Mood' examine the ways in which you can re-create the 'feel' of a Haunted Mansion through to Tomorrowland by choosing the right plants and arranging them. The 'International Flora' section concentrates largely on the World Showcase at the Walt Disney Resort in Florida, while the final section, enticingly titled 'Trade Secrets', examines how they make those topiary animals and floral portraits, such as the one at the Main Entrance of Disneyland. Maybe one day your garden will look as good as Disney's - of course, I'd be nice to have the land and money they have too.


Probably for serious Disney Park enthusiasts only, and those that have an eye for gardening. To be honest, I just enjoy looking at the pictures.



Other books I can recommend if you can track them down on ebay:

- Disneyland: The First Quarter Century*
- Disneyland: The First Thirty Years*
- Any of the souvenir books

*These are especially helpful at giving you an idea of the historical nature of the park, and these two have a large number of photos of 'Yesterland', as it were. The 30 year book is an almost exact replica of the previous book, so unless you are deadly serious about owning lots of Disney books, I wouldn't try and get both.

However, if you want more on Walt himself, and some of the connection to the parks, I can also recommend The Walt Disney Biography by Bob Thomas (and anything by the author, actually).

[lazyboy97O]

Re: Disneyland and Walt Disney Books

This Halloween will be the release day of the brand new book Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination. It is an 880 page biography written by Neal Gabler.

[BigThunder]

Re: Disneyland and Walt Disney Books

My favorite book on Walt is, Walt Disney an American Original by Bob Thomas. Fantastic insights into the man and the company he built. Should be required reading for all Disney execs and managers.

[Broadway Guru]

Re: Disneyland and Walt Disney Books

"Disney's World" by Leonard Mosley
Extremely well-researched. Even gives background on the family history. Very good at showing warts and all w/o degenerating into tabloid territory. Don't know if it's still in print. Watch out--it does fall into the "Walt was frozen" trap, mostly because it was published soon after he died.

"Disneyland:Inside Story" by Randy Bright
Good luck finding this one. Start checking the used bookstores and be prepared to pay $150 for it. Well worth it, however. At 12 years old, I blew my vacation allowance on this in the Disney Gallery and have never regretted it. This, I believe, was the first DL history book.

"The Art of Walt Disney" by Christopher Finch
Oldie but goodie.

"The Disney Films" by Leonard Maltin
Thorough articles on every film Walt made in his lifetime. Includes episode guides for "Disneyland" TV show and "Wonderful World of Color."

[DLDan]

Re: Disneyland and Walt Disney Books

My favorites are: How to Be Like Walt , Mouse Tales 1,2 , Magic Quizdom, 101 things you never knew about Disney land and Disney War You can find them all on Amazon for fairly cheap!!!!! Good Luck!!!

[Alchimedes]

Re: Disneyland and Walt Disney Books

My favorite book on Walt is, Walt Disney an American Original by Bob Thomas. Fantastic insights into the man and the company he built. Should be required reading for all Disney execs and managers.

The best Book out on Walt Disney. If you want Disneyland in particular, Saddlesore made an excellent choice in"The Nickel Tour" book
"Walt Disney's Missouri" is good as well.

[mikeland]

Re: Disneyland and Walt Disney Books

"Building a Company: Roy O. Disney and the Creation of an Entertainment Empire" isn't really about Walt, per-se, it's about his brother Roy. If you're interested in the business side of the Walt Disney Company this is the book to read. It's fascinating!

[scorsese]

Re: Disneyland and Walt Disney Books

I agree with everyone who said An American Original and How to Be Like Walt. Those are both excellent books on Walt Disney. Just reading those two alone will allow you to learn more about the man than most current Disney employees probably know. It should be required reading to work in the company!

[Gothemi]

Re: Disneyland and Walt Disney Books

I have read most of the above books listed, but the best one I have read is called "Inside the Dream, the Personal Story of Walt Disney." Diane Disney, Art Linkletter and many others close to Walt are featured in this book along with some great photos. I would also highly recommend the DVD verson of this book, which I found at the Resort. Several personal interviews and never before seen video of Walt with the family, around Disneyland and at the Burbank studios.

Again, the best book I have ever read about Walt Disney himself.

[disneytim]

Re: Disneyland and Walt Disney Books

My favorite book on Walt is, Walt Disney an American Original by Bob Thomas. Fantastic insights into the man and the company he built. Should be required reading for all Disney execs and managers.

I agree, but there's also a new biography on Walt coming out in the next month. I'm currently reading a preview copy of it and I think Disneyphiles are going to like it--but be forewarned it lacks the sentimentality of Thomas's book. Neal Gabler writes a very detailed warts-and-all bio on Walt and makes repeated efforts to get into his head and analyze what really motivated him, sometimes excessively. Nevertheless, it appears to be a very honest and meticulously researched book, nothing like Marc Eliot's abortive Dark Prince bio.

I'll be posting more on the book when I finish reading it.