Hey everyone, just like most of you I am a HUGE Disney Fan...I am looking for a book that is packed with interesting Disney facts, and information, as well as maybe some stuff from their "buisness perspective", I feel like I already know everything (I know this isnt true), but if anyone knows of a great book on WDW please let me know...Thanks!
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Good Books?
- Thread starter casconi
- Start date
I read "Disney War" by Stewart last year, and it had a very interesting perspective on Eisner's time with the Mouse. Not exactly about only WDW, but more about the Disney company as a whole. There was definitely stuff in there I didn't know and the whole book's not Disney-bashing. I still like it after reading it! 
sleepybear
New Member
I agree. "Disney War" is a fascinating read. So, too, are the Imagineering Field Guides to Magic Kingdom and Epcot. I also enjoy reading the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World because it's jam-packed with helpful tidbits and reader comments about WDW.
Epcot82Guy
Well-Known Member
John Hench's "Designing Disney"
Mouse Under Glass
There are also several coming out. I would suggest a search on Amazon for either Epcot, Magic Kingdom, or Imagineer. You will get some good results.
Mouse Under Glass
There are also several coming out. I would suggest a search on Amazon for either Epcot, Magic Kingdom, or Imagineer. You will get some good results.
jeffb
Well-Known Member
I too would recommend Disney War. James Stewart knows how to write a good read. His forward about getting to be a 'Character' is worth the price of addmission.
If you are curious about the events that led to Eisner and Wells coming to Disney then I would recommend Storming the Magic Kingdom by John Taylor which is from the mid 80s.
I would also recommend these two books (which have nothing to do with the business side of things):
Walt Disney Imagineering: A Dream Behind the dreams look at making the magic real and Designing Disney: Imagineering and the Art of Show.
If you are an EPCOT fan (particulary EPCOT Center) than I would highly recommend: EPCOT CENTER: Creating the New World of Tomorrow. Also non business.
Both the EPCOT and Storming books are out of print but you can usually find them on Ebay.
Happy reading!
If you are curious about the events that led to Eisner and Wells coming to Disney then I would recommend Storming the Magic Kingdom by John Taylor which is from the mid 80s.
I would also recommend these two books (which have nothing to do with the business side of things):
Walt Disney Imagineering: A Dream Behind the dreams look at making the magic real and Designing Disney: Imagineering and the Art of Show.
If you are an EPCOT fan (particulary EPCOT Center) than I would highly recommend: EPCOT CENTER: Creating the New World of Tomorrow. Also non business.
Both the EPCOT and Storming books are out of print but you can usually find them on Ebay.
Happy reading!
For the more business side of the parks try
The Disney Touch by Ron Glover (2nd ed - 1st ed has m0ore detail upto 1991)
and the great 1975 Married to the Mouse (out of print - try ebay or Abes) with LOTS of info about the preparing, construction and opening of WDW from a business point of view.
The Disney Touch by Ron Glover (2nd ed - 1st ed has m0ore detail upto 1991)
and the great 1975 Married to the Mouse (out of print - try ebay or Abes) with LOTS of info about the preparing, construction and opening of WDW from a business point of view.
There is a book called Be Our Guest that was put out by the Disney Institute a while back. Copies were available in the parks, I don't know if Amazon has it or not. It is more of a business read, but if you are interested in the business behind the mouse it is a good quick read.
HHI Surfer
New Member
The Imagineering books people have mentioned are great! I love looking through A Behind the Dreams Look at Making the Magic Real.. there's so much information and great art. I also really enjoy The Imagineering Way: Ideas to Ignite Your Creativity. It has tons of interesting anecdotes and inspirational messages and drawings, especially if you do anything creative.
Miss Bell mentioned this, but if you're really interested in Imagineering and the design of Disney World, there's an interesting book called What Would Walt Do? by a structural engineer who worked on building the Magic Kingdom. Though it's more of an autobiographical work, there are some interesting tidbits that I enjoyed, like how Walt wouldn't let them use cheaper girders for the construction of one of the rides, even though the engineers said they were adequate. He wanted everything to be top-of-the-line. There's also some interesting stuff about what Orlando was like before the parks were built.
Married to the Mouse sounds great. I'll have to pick that one up somewhere.. and John Hench's.
Miss Bell mentioned this, but if you're really interested in Imagineering and the design of Disney World, there's an interesting book called What Would Walt Do? by a structural engineer who worked on building the Magic Kingdom. Though it's more of an autobiographical work, there are some interesting tidbits that I enjoyed, like how Walt wouldn't let them use cheaper girders for the construction of one of the rides, even though the engineers said they were adequate. He wanted everything to be top-of-the-line. There's also some interesting stuff about what Orlando was like before the parks were built.
Married to the Mouse sounds great. I'll have to pick that one up somewhere.. and John Hench's.
DisneyDellsDude
New Member
alya922 said:
I have to second that.
mrtoad
Well-Known Member
These are few recommendations. Since the World Began is out of print but you might want to purchase used as it is really a great book.
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?link_code=ur2&tag=theoverloaded-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&location=/gp/search%3F%26index=books%26keywords=0684809931%26_encoding=UTF8">Disney War</a>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?link_code=ur2&tag=theoverloaded-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&location=/gp/search%3F%26index=books%26keywords=0786855533%26_encoding=UTF8">The Imagineering Field Guide to Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World</a>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?link_code=ur2&tag=theoverloaded-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&location=/gp/search%3F%26index=books%26keywords=0786862483%26_encoding=UTF8">Since the World Began: Walt Disney World The First 25 Years</a>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?link_code=ur2&tag=theoverloaded-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&location=/gp/search%3F%26index=books%26keywords=2080136399%26_encoding=UTF8">Designing Disney's Theme Parks: The Architecture of Reassurance</a>
I have a ton more but I am at work and these are the ones that pop into my head.
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?link_code=ur2&tag=theoverloaded-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&location=/gp/search%3F%26index=books%26keywords=0684809931%26_encoding=UTF8">Disney War</a>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?link_code=ur2&tag=theoverloaded-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&location=/gp/search%3F%26index=books%26keywords=0786855533%26_encoding=UTF8">The Imagineering Field Guide to Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World</a>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?link_code=ur2&tag=theoverloaded-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&location=/gp/search%3F%26index=books%26keywords=0786862483%26_encoding=UTF8">Since the World Began: Walt Disney World The First 25 Years</a>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?link_code=ur2&tag=theoverloaded-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&location=/gp/search%3F%26index=books%26keywords=2080136399%26_encoding=UTF8">Designing Disney's Theme Parks: The Architecture of Reassurance</a>
I have a ton more but I am at work and these are the ones that pop into my head.
angelfaerie52
New Member
I second the list of ANY books... I am doing my college thesis on Disney and I am in the process of picking up all my books. I have a lot, but I am always looking for titles that passed me by.
Prof Ecks
Active Member
I really enjoyed:
Inside the Mouse: Work and Play at Disney World : The Project on Disney (Post-Contemporary Interventions.
It is a not a pro-Disney book in the sense that it is explores some issues associated with WDW that are highly critical, though very interesting. I am a very pro-Disney individual and this has not changed my opinion about the experiences we have when we go, but in fact has enriched them. However, if you are looking for a totally "pro" reading, please don't bother with this edited volume. Also, it is not light reading, although it is funny at times and has some very interesting bits of information besides the analysis.
Inside the Mouse: Work and Play at Disney World : The Project on Disney (Post-Contemporary Interventions.
It is a not a pro-Disney book in the sense that it is explores some issues associated with WDW that are highly critical, though very interesting. I am a very pro-Disney individual and this has not changed my opinion about the experiences we have when we go, but in fact has enriched them. However, if you are looking for a totally "pro" reading, please don't bother with this edited volume. Also, it is not light reading, although it is funny at times and has some very interesting bits of information besides the analysis.
PintoColvig
Active Member
I'm glad to see this thread. I was thinking of starting one on this subject myself.
Several years ago, I discovered in my college's library a book on the making of Disneyland. It was incredibly fascinating. I just wish I could remember the title.
Several years ago, I discovered in my college's library a book on the making of Disneyland. It was incredibly fascinating. I just wish I could remember the title.